2018 NFL Draft Prospects: Tight Ends

By Charlie Campbell.
Send Charlie an e-mail here: [email protected]
Follow Charlie on Twitter @draftcampbell for updates.

The top 2018 Tight End prospects available for the 2018 NFL Draft. * – denotes 2019 prospect. ** – denotes 2020 prospect.

This page was last updated April 24, 2018. Follow Walter @walterfootball for updates.

1. Hayden Hurst*, TE, South Carolina
   Height: 6-4. Weight: 250. Arm: 32.75. Hand: 9.75
   40 Time: 4.67.
   Projected Round (2018): 1-2.
   4/24/18: A few team sources have told me that Hurst is the only tight end they are really excited about in this year’s class. They feel he is the only tight end prospect who is of a similar caliber to last year’s group who went in the first and second round.
   
   In 2017, Hurst totaled 44 receptions for 559 yards with two touchdowns. He also picked up a rushing touchdown and did a nice job of blocking. Team sources have raved about Hurst and think that he has a first-round skill set. They say he might slip to Day 2, but they love the physical talent of the 6-foot-5, 250-pounder. In 2016, Hurst had 48 receptions for 616 yards with one touchdown. A lack of production from not many opportunities could also force Hurst down.
   
   WalterFootball.com reported early on that Hurst planned to skip his senior year to enter the 2018 NFL Draft because he is a bit older at 24 years old, which is another factor that could work against him. Hurst will be a 25-year-old rookie in the NFL because he played professional baseball in the minor leagues with the Pittsburgh Pirates organization out of high school. After the end of the regular season, Hurst made it official that he intended to enter the 2018 NFL Draft.





2. Dallas Goedert, TE, South Dakota State
   Height: 6-4. Weight: 260. Arm: 33.88. Hand: 10.13.
   Projected 40 Time: 4.73.
   Projected Round (2018): 2-4.
   4/24/18: Goedert was a dangerous receiving threat over the past two seasons for South Dakota State. The senior amassed 72 receptions for 1,111 yards and seven touchdowns in 2017. He put up even better production as a junior with 92 receptions for 1,293 yards and 11 touchdowns.
   
   For the NFL, Goedert has the ability to contribute as a receiver. While he will struggle to separate from NFL linebackers or safeties, he can use his size and high-point ability to make catches over defenders. He will be an asset in the red zone with his skills to sky high and make tremendous catches with body control and uncanny one-handed skills. Goedert is adept at finding the soft spot in zone coverage, and his size makes him tough to tackle for defensive backs. Thus, Goedert could be a quality receiving tight end in the pros, although he probably won’t be elite given the lack of speed, suddenness, and an ability to separate.
   
   Team sources said that they were grading Goedert in the fourth round and have medical concerns with him. “He’s not a great route-runner and wasn’t a separation guy,” said a NFC director of college scouting. “He is more possessional and doesn’t win with suddenness or quickness. He had lots of drops, but you counter that with some spectacular catches. They threw him a million balls, so some drops are going to happen. We just don’t see him as a special mismatch weapon.”



3. Mike Gesicki, TE, Penn State
   Height: 6-5. Weight: 242. Arm: 34. Hand: 10.13.
   40 Time: 4.54.
   Projected Round (2018): 2-4.
   4/24/18: At the NFL Scouting Combine, Gesicki turned in a fast 40 time to help himself. Gesicki totaled 57 receptions for 563 yards and nine touchdowns in 2017. He played well as a receiver for Penn State. For the NFL, Gesicki is a receiving tight end who could hurt defenses with his mismatch problems. He is a good athlete and has some real quickness. Gesicki runs well down the seam with speed to get vertical. His impressive athletic ability translates to him having excellent body control and leaping ability. With his talent to jump above defenders, Gesicki is very dangerous at high pointing the ball and boxing out defenders to make leaping grabs. With his quickness, size, and leaping ability, Gesicki is a dangerous red-zone weapon for the NFL.
   
   Here’s how one team source broke down Gesicki, “Gesicki is Coby Fleener. Tall, lean, probably will run fast; horrendous blocker – even [versus] defensive backs. He’s got some high-point ability, but I have seen him drop his share of contact catches and contested catches too. I don’t feel he’s as a strong as he could be.”
   
   7/17/17: Gesicki turned in an impressive 2016 season with 48 receptions for 679 yards and five touchdowns. It was a huge increase in production over his sophomore and freshman years, when he was a backup.







4. Jordan Aikens, TE, Central Florida
   Height: 6-3. Weight: 249. Arm: 33.5. Hand: 9.25.
   Projected 40 Time: 4.70.
   Projected Round (2018): 3-5.
   4/24/18: Aikens could find a role as an H-back and receiving tight end in the NFL. In 2017, he totaled 32 receptions for 515 yards and four scores. In 2016, he caught 23 passes for 347 yards and two scores. Aikens will need to improve his blocking for the NFL, but at the Senior Bowl, he showed some receiving skill. Some teams have a third-round grade on Aikens, while others have him later.



5. Chris Herndon, TE, Miami
   Height: 6-4. Weight: 252. Arm: 32.13. Hand: 9.38.
   Projected 40 Time: 4.73.
   Projected Round (2018): 3-5.
   4/24/18: As a senior, Herndon made 40 catches for 477 yards with four touchdowns. He played in a lot of two-tight end sets over the past few seasons. Herndon was a favorite of the Hurricanes’ coaching staff, and even though they had a more talented player in David Njoku in 2016, they still gave Herndon plenty of playing time. That season, Herndon made 28 receptions for 334 yards and two touchdowns. He caught 18 passes for 237 yards and a score in 2015. Herndon didn’t impress at the Senior Bowl.



6. Ian Thomas, TE, Indiana
   Height: 6-3. Weight: 256. Arm: 33.33. Hand: 9.63.
   40 Time: 4.74.
   Projected Round (2018): 3-5.
   4/24/18: In 2017, Thomas totaled 25 receptions for 376 yards and five touchdowns. He has some quickness and athletic ability as a receiver, but will need work as a blocker. Thomas turned in a mixed week at the Senior Bowl.
   
   Indiana was raving about Thomas as a NFL talent to open 2017 even though he made only three receptions for 28 yards as a junior. The senior’s performance against Ohio State in the season opener gave that opinion some validity. Thomas had a coming-out party against the Buckeyes. He ran a great out-and-up route to get open before making a beautiful over-the-shoulder 18-yard touchdown reception in the first quarter. Thomas showed excellent hands and concentration to track the ball for the catch. In the third quarter, Thomas made his second touchdown reception, on a short pass to the flat. He totaled five receptions for 53 yards and two touchdowns on the evening.





7. Mark Andrews*, TE, Oklahoma
   Height: 6-5. Weight: 256. Arm: 32.5. Hand: 9.5.
   40 Time: 4.67.
   Projected Round (2018): 3-5.
   4/24/18: Andrews caught 62 passes for 958 yards and eight touchdowns in 2017. He played well for Oklahoma. Andrews is a good athlete with quickness and is a dangerous receiver down the seam. He has to improve his blocking significantly for the NFL.
   
   7/17/17: Scouts who have done advance work on the 2018 NFL Draft class have Andrews among their top tight end prospects. Last season, he totaled 31 receptions for 489 yards and seven touchdowns. Andrews has good size with quickness and athletic ability. He is a dangerous red-zone threat for Oklahoma and also has his share of long touchdown receptions. He totaled 19 catches for 318 yards and seven touchdowns as a freshman.



8. Dalton Schultz*, TE, Stanford
   Height: 6-5. Weight: 244. Arm: 31.75. Hand: 9.25.
   40 Time: 4.75.
   Projected Round (2018): 3-5.
   4/24/18: Scouts have told me that they like Schultz and see him as a do-it-all Y tight end. They say that Schultz is a good route-runner, excellent at catching the ball, and a really good blocker. He’s a sleeper tight end who could be a steal.
   
   In 2017, Stanford used Schultz’s blocking skill to help open holes for Bryce Love. Against Notre Dame, Schultz put those well-rounded skills on display by opening holes in the ground game and also making an athletic touchdown reception in the fourth quarter. In the Cardinal’s ground-based offense, Schultz totaled 22 receptions for 212 yards and three touchdowns. He is a sleeper prospect who team evaluators really like and could end up being a second-day pick.
   
   7/17/17: In 2016, Schultz totaled 23 receptions for 222 yards and a touchdown while also contributing as a blocker for Stanford. He had 10 catches for 121 yards and a score the previous season.



9. Durham Smythe, TE, Notre Dame
   Height: 6-5. Weight: 253. Arm: 31.5. Hand: 9.63.
   40 Time: 4.81.
   Projected Round (2018): 4-6.
   4/24/18: In 2017, Smythe totaled 15 receptions for 244 yards and a touchdown. Notre Dame struggled to pass the ball with a running quarterback, but Smythe has some athleticism as a receiver. He also was solid as a blocker.
   
   7/17/17: Smythe totaled nine receptions for 112 yards and four touchdowns in 2016. Shoulder and knee injuries caused him to miss 10 games. Smythe has potential, but must stay healthy and produce.



10. Troy Fumagalli, TE, Wisconsin
    Height: 6-4. Weight: 247. Arm: 32.25. Hand: 9.63.
    Projected 40 Time: 4.75.
    Projected Round (2018): 4-6.
    4/24/18: Fumagalli recorded 46 catches for 547 yards and four touchdowns in 2017, but he also missed time with a leg injury. Fumagalli illustrated that he is a good route-runner with hands, athleticism, and quickness to hurt defenses as a receiver. He also did well as a blocker. However, he didn’t finish the season as well as he started it and also was underwhelming at the Senior Bowl.
    
    7/17/17: Fumagelli had an impressive junior season with 47 receptions for 580 yards and two touchdowns. He has good size, is athletic, and comes from a pro-style offense. As a sophomore, Fumagalli made 28 catches for 313 yards and one score.





11. Will Dissly, TE, Washington
    Height: 6-4. Weight: 262. Arm: 33.25. Hand: 9.75.
    40 Time: 4.87.
    Projected Round (2018): 4-6.
    4/24/18: As a senior, Dissly had 21 receptions for 289 yards and two touchdowns. He will have to make a roster as a blocking tight end and special teams contributor. Dissly is a good blocker, so he could make a team as a Y tight end.



12. Marcus Baugh, TE, Ohio State
    Height: 6-5. Weight: 258. Arm: 33.5. Hand: 10.
    40 Time: 4.81.
    Projected Round (2018): 5-7.
    4/24/18: Baugh totaled 28 catches for 304 yards and five touchdowns in 2017, but he played better than the numbers indicate.
    
    7/17/17: In 2016, Baugh chipped in 24 receptions for 269 yards with two touchdowns. He has good size to be a blocking ‘Y’ tight end in the NFL.



13. Austin Roberts*, TE, UCLA
    Height: 6-2. Weight: 230.
    Projected 40 Time: 4.75.
    Projected Round (2018): 5-7.
    4/24/18: Roberts was a backup to Caleb Wilson, but was thrust into the lineup after Wilson went out for the year. In 2017, Roberts totaled 19 catches for 220 yards and a touchdown. He had 15 receptions for 261 yards and a score in 2016. Roberts has developed technique and route-running skills. He is the son of long-time NFL tight ends coach Alfredo Roberts.



14. Deon Yelder, TE, Western Kentucky
    Height: 6-4. Weight: 255.
    Projected Round (2018): 5-7.
    4/24/18: Yelder has taken a lot of team visits and could be a third-day target for a lot of teams. In 2017, he totaled 52 receptions for 688 yards and seven touchdowns. Yelder has decent size to him and athleticism.





15. Ryan Izzo*, TE, Florida State
    Height: 6-5. Weight: 256. Arm: 32.13. Hand: 9.
    40 Time: 4.94.
    Projected Round (2018): 6-FA.
    4/24/18: Izzo is more of a blocking tight end for the NFL, but he has some ability to contribute as a receiver. He totaled 20 receptions for 317 yards and three scores in 2017. Izzo should have returned for his senior year. As a sophomore, he had 19 catches for 227 yards and a score.



16. Tyler Conklin, TE, Central Michigan
    Height: 6-2. Weight: 252. Arm: 33.25. Hand: 9.75.
    40 Time: 4.80.
    Projected Round (2018): 6-FA.
    4/24/18: Conklin was a steady contributor as a receiver over the past two seasons. He hauled in 35 receptions for 504 yards and five touchdowns in 2017 after posting 42 catches for 560 yards and six scores as a junior. Conklin had a decent week at the Senior Bowl.



17. Brandon Lingen, TE, Minnesota
    Height: 6-5. Weight: 250.
    Projected 40 Time: 4.76.
    Projected Round (2018): 6-FA.
    4/24/18: Lingen had nine receptions for 84 yards and two touchdowns in 2017.
    
    7/17/17: Lingen had a solid 2015 season with 33 receptions or 428 yards with three touchdowns. He only played in three games in 2016 as injuries cost him 10 games. Lingen needs to stay healthy as a senior.



18. Ethan Wolf, TE, Tennessee
    Height: 6-6. Weight: 258.
    Projected 40 Time: 4.74.
    Projected Round (2018): 7-FA.
    4/24/18: For 2017, Wolf recorded 24 receptions for 246 yards and three touchdowns. He looks like a blocking tight end for the NFL. Sources have told me that they have Wolf graded in the late rounds or as an undrafted free agent.
    
    7/17/17: Wolf has been a solid tight end for the Volunteers over the past three seasons. In 2016, he had 21 receptions for 239 yards and two touchdowns. As a sophomore (23-301-2) and freshman (23-212-0), Wolfe contributed as a receiver as well as helping Tennessee run the ball well.



19. DeAndre Goolsby, TE, Florida
    Height: 6-4. Weight: 240.
    Projected 40 Time: 4.70.
    Projected Round (2018): 7-FA.
    4/24/18: Goolsby missed five games with injuries in 2017. In his seven games for the season, he totaled 13 receptions for 105 yards and a touchdown. Goolsby is a terrible blocker and soft in the ground game. Sources have told me that Goolsby is being significantly dinged for those things in his report.
    
    7/17/17: Goolsby flashed some receiving ability in 2015 with 17 receptions for 277 yards and one touchdown. Despite poor quarterback play with the Gators, Goolsby showed improvement in 2016 with 38 receptions for 342 yards and three scores.



20. Jordan Thomas, TE, Mississippi State
    Height: 6-5. Weight: 265. Arm: 34.13. Hand: 11.
    40 Time: 4.74.
    Projected Round (2018): 7-FA.
    4/24/18: Thomas is a potential blocking tight end for the NFL. As a senior, he made 22 catches for 263 yards and three touchdowns.



21. Cam Serigne, TE, Wake Forest
    Height: 6-3. Weight: 250.
    Projected 40 Time: 4.72.
    Projected Round (2018): 7-FA.
    4/24/18: In 2017, Serigne totaled 44 receptions for 556 yards and nine touchdowns. He was unimpressive at the East-West Shrine and looked like an undrafted free agent.
    
    7/17/17: Serigne has been a steady producer as a receiver for Wake Forest in his career. As a freshman in 2014, he made 54 receptions for 531 yards with five touchdowns. Serigne stayed consistent as a sophomore with 46 catches for 562 yards and four touchdowns. In 2016, he caught 30 passes for 426 yards and three touchdowns.



22. Jake Roh, TE, Boise State
    Height: 6-3. Weight: 227.
    Projected 40 Time: 4.72.
    Projected Round (2018): 7-FA.
    4/24/18: Roh notched 39 catches for 410 yards and nine touchdowns in 2017. He could be a H-back and receiving tight end who could be a quality late-round pick or undrafted free agent signing.
    
    7/17/17: Roh had a good start to his collegiate career with production as a freshman (35-408-2) and sophomore (33-357-1). In 2016, he made 10 catches for 113 yards while starting three games and appearing in 11. Regaining the starting job and producing as a senior is critical for Roh.



23. Ryan Yurachek, TE, Marshall
    Height: 6-3. Weight: 232.
    Projected 40 Time: 4.71.
    Projected Round (2018): 7-FA.
    4/24/18: Yurachek totaled 54 catches for 490 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2017.
    
    7/17/17: Yurachek made 28 receptions for 298 yards and five touchdowns as a junior. He had more production as a sophomore with 44 catches for 417 yards and nine touchdowns.



24. Jeb Blazevich, TE, Georgia
    Height: 6-5. Weight: 248.
    Projected 40 Time: 4.75.
    Projected Round (2018): 7-FA.
    4/24/18: Blazevich recorded two receptions for 19 yards in 2017. He was a solid blocking tight end for Georgia.
    
    7/17/17: Blazevich is a blocking tight end for Georgia and does a solid job in that role, but doesn’t offer much as a receiver. In 2016, he made six receptions for 69 yards in 2016. Blazevich contributed to the Bulldogs’ potent rushing offense in 2015. He also caught 15 passes for 144 yards with a touchdown. As a freshman, he had 18 receptions for 269 yards and two scores.



25. Donnie Ernsberger, TE, Western Michigan
    Height: 6-3. Weight: 255.
    Projected 40 Time: 4.79.
    Projected Round (2018): 7-FA.
    4/24/18: Ernsberger totaled 34 receptions for 394 yards and four touchdowns in 2017. He is a thick H-back-type tight end for the NFL. Ernsberger had little production as a junior (9-112-1) and sophomore (2-22-0).



26. David Wells, TE, San Diego State
    Height: 6-5. Weight: 255. Arm: 32.25. Hand: 9.63.
    40 Time: 4.75.
    Projected Round (2018): 7-FA.
    4/24/18: Wells had nine receptions for 133 yards and two touchdowns in 2017. He produced more as a junior, recording 25 catches for 294 yards and four touchdowns.

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