2021 NFL draft: A potential 'unicorn' leads the top tight ends
From the 2021 NFL draft: These are the top players by position series
- Eddie Brown, The San Diego Union-Tribune
- Updated
One tight end stands out above the rest in the 2021 NFL draft. Who are the other top prospects? Find out.
1. Kyle Pitts (Jr., Florida, 6-foot-5, 245 pounds)
Updated
Pitts beats man coverage consistently, even when isolated against cornerbacks. He has rare athleticism for a player his size and can turn bad throws into receptions. He's a competitive blocker, but that's not why he's on the field. Some describe him as a unicorn, but I prefer cheat code. Projected: Top 10
2. Pat Freiermuth (Jr., Penn St., 6-5, 251)
Updated
Freiermuth didn't quite live up to the "Baby Gronk" moniker but he's capable of imposing his will as a receiver and blocker. Projected: 2nd round
Roger Steinman3. Brevin Jordan (Jr., Miami, 6-2, 247)
Updated
Jordan looks like a jumbo running back after the catch. He has 21 broken tackles on 105 career receptions and 63.3% of his 1,358 career receiving yards came post-catch. The effort is there as a blocker, but the strength and technique needs work. Projected: 2nd to 4th round
John Raoux4. Tommy Tremble (So., Notre Dame, 6-3, 241)
Updated
Tremble is a heat-seeking missile as a blocker in the run game. He had below-average production as a receiver, but he features legit speed and enough explosiveness to develop into a weapon in the pass game as well. Projected: 2nd to 4th round
Keith Srakocic5. Hunter Long (Jr., Boston College, 6-5, 254)
Updated
Long is a versatile blocker with reliable hands and classic tight end ball skills. He's capable of becoming a quarterback's best friend in the red zone. Projected: 2nd to 4th round
Michael Dwyer6. Kenny Yeboah (Sr., Ole Miss, 6-3, 250)
Updated
Yeboah has good vertical speed for the position with plus ball skills — he was second in the FBS among tight ends with 270 yards after the catch in 2020.
His technique and strength as a blocker is lacking. Projected: 4th to 6th round
Bruce Newman7. John Bates (Sr., Boise St., 6-5, 250)
Updated
Bates is an impressive all-around athlete (he won state titles in Oregon for the 110-meter hurdles and javelin). His reliable hands are effective against zone coverage, but he's not really a threat after the catch. He's a true asset as a blocker and on special teams. Projected: 6th or 7th round
Steve Conner8. Tony Poljan (Sr., Virginia, 6-6, 251)
Updated
Poljan features the ideal size and strength for inline blocking. The former dual-threat quarterback is still new to the position, but he's showcased the body control and catch radius to threaten the seam. Projected: 4th to 7th round
Matt Gentry9. Tre' McKitty (Sr., Georgia, 6-4, 246)
Updated
McKitty has strong hands with the power and toughness to be an effective blocker. He was underutilized as a receiver throughout his collegiate career at Florida State and in his one season in Athens. Projected: 5th or 6th round
John Raoux10. Jacob Harris (Sr., UCF, 6-5, 219)
Updated
Harris is a former soccer player who didn't catch a pass in a game (at any level) until his junior season of college. He's an explosive athlete who is medium-rare raw, but he has a knack for making catches over defenders. His special teams skills (10 career tackles) will buy him some time as he develops. Projected: 5th to 7th round
Phelan M. EbenhackBONUS. Ben Mason (Sr., Michigan, 6-2, 246)
Updated
Mason is athletic enough to contribute on offense as a hybrid fullback/H-back, but it's his impact on special teams (14 career tackles) and his presence in the locker room that will help him make a NFL roster. Projected: 5th to 7th round
Paul SancyaIn this Series
2021 NFL draft: These are the top players by position
1
Updated collection
2021 NFL mock draft: It is all about QBs once again
2
Updated collection
2021 NFL draft: Trevor Lawrence leads the top quarterbacks
3
Updated collection
2021 NFL draft: A run on backs will include these top players
10 updates
As featured on
Catching a bomb from Tom Brady wouldn’t be unheard of for Rob Gronkowski, but the veteran tight end broke another record over the weekend when he pulled in a pass thrown from a helicopter 600 feet overhead in Arizona.
Check out the latest mock draft and position previews for the 2021 NFL draft.
Hours before being drafted, Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence appears to have been upstaged. By another rangy quarterback with strong ties to new Jaguars coach Urban Meyer.
View this profile on Instagram#ThisIsTucson 🌵 (@this_is_tucson) • Instagram photos and videos
Most viewed stories
-
It's that time of year again: Ranking some of the craziest meals at this year's Pima County Fair
-
Your Tucson weekend guide: Nearly 50 events happening April 17-19
-
Pima County Fair returns with all new rides, big name concerts and fun foods 🎡
-
Tucson’s Junkchella offers art, vendors and creative experiences
-
New Eats! 20 new restaurants that opened up in Tucson this winter 🍽️
-
A new beginning: This local Middle Eastern restaurant is starting fresh and serving up amazing meals
-
Over 70 fun events happening in Tucson in April 🎡🐰
-
Rescued mountain lion cubs settle into new home at Tucson’s Desert Museum




