Ranking the 10 best tight ends in 2024 NFL Draft class

The 2024 NFL Draft is peeking out over the landscape of the NFL offseason, which has already entered April. In this article, we will rank and review the top 10 tight end prospects in this year’s draft class. SB Nation’s draft analyst community each ranks the top TEs in the draft, and this top 10 is the result of their cumulative rankings.

The tight end position is making a comeback, with more skilled prospects coming out of the draft every year. Injecting young talent into the tight end position has proven to be important for teams like the Falcons, Lions, and Bills. Tight ends have been drafted in the first round in two of the past three years, and we expect to see another first-round pick this year.

This year’s tight end class features generational talent at the top, prospects with significant upside in the middle, and some interesting “projects” after that. Here are SB Nation’s top 10 TE rankings for 2024:

10. Tanner McLachlan, Arizona

McLachlan is an interesting player. He has ideal height but lacks the athleticism needed to be a dynamic threat at the position. But he consistently plays with his foot on the gas pedal and displays exceptional athleticism on the field, with above-average contact balance and Highlights of his impressive hurdles. McLachlan will likely be dropped on Day 3, but if he continues to develop he has a chance to emerge as a starter.

9. AJ Varner, Michigan

Varner has the ideal size for the tight end position in the NFL, but lacks the explosive attributes to be a true threat in the receiving game. He has a solid foundation to be a productive blocking tight end at the next level, but must continue to improve those skills. His strength in the passing game is his ability to catch the ball in traffic, he’s strong at the catch point, and he’s not afraid to take hits over the middle. Varner was a captain at Indiana University before transferring to Michigan and showed growth throughout his collegiate career. He would add solid depth to an NFL team’s tight end room and has some desirable traits at the next level.

8. Jared Wiley, TCU

Wiley is a tall tight end who uses his height and length to play above the rim. He has a long strider and shows decent build-up speed, but lacks short-area quickness. His ability to be strong at the catch point and win on 50-50 balls makes him an asset in the red zone. Wylie can line up as a wide or inline tight end, and it’s likely he will eventually become a rotation player as he continues to develop his skill set.

7. Darin Holker, Colorado

The 24-year-old is a late bloomer who had a productive season last season after transferring from Colorado State. BYU He wasn’t very productive. Holker is a pass-catching tight end, but he’s not very useful from an inline blocking standpoint. Holker’s play speed and testing speed (4.78 second 40-yard dash) aren’t all that great, but he understands how to get open on multiple levels of the field. His role will likely be limited to the “big box,” but he could be productive in the right situation.

6. Jaheim Bell, Florida

This was a very interesting spread for Bell, who received a 3rd place vote from one voter and a 10th place vote from another. Bell is an undersized tight end and doesn’t really have an exact position. He was used on every field in college, and that trend will continue in the NFL. His blocking ability isn’t that special, but it shows his effort. The reason Bell is ranked this high is because he has a knack for making plays after he catches the football. He has to find his niche in the NFL, and he has a knack for finding it in different situations.

Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images

4T.Theo Johnson, Pennsylvania

Johnson received the third-place vote, but settled for fifth in the other polls. Johnson is a tight end prospect full of exciting traits. The 6-foot-6 giant is not only big, but he showed off his explosiveness in many athletic tests at the combine. However, all these characteristics are not fully reflected in the production environment. His height and athleticism will likely make him a third- or fourth-round draft pick, but he will need significant development to reach his true potential on the field.

4T.Cade Stover, Ohio

Voters were evenly divided on Mr. Stover, ranking him from third to sixth. Stover was a defensive player, but he moved to the offensive side of the ball and it really paid off. He is a pass-catching tight end who shows off his basketball background with his route-running and catching abilities. Stover has the foundation to develop his blocking skills, but teams will value him more in the passing game than anything else. The John Mackey Award finalist (best tight end in the country) has been on an upward trajectory throughout his career and should continue to be a solid starter in his NFL career.

3. Ben Sinnott, Kansas

Sinnott received one second-place vote, but the rest received four votes overall. It’s hard to say that Sinnott is undervalued, as he’s No. 3 on our list, but I still think he might be in other areas of the NFL Draft slot. The former walk-on rose to prominence, improving himself every year and declaring for the NFL Draft in his junior season. Sinnott moved well and had a deep understanding of how to get open at all levels of the field. He has the ability to chase the catch and can also function as a chain mover. Synnott is still on the rise and could be something special in the NFL if he puts it all together.

Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images

2. Ja Tavion Sanders, Texas

Sanders received all but one of the second-place votes. The two-time first-team All-Big 12 tight end is a pass-catching specialist and seam running expert. In his NFL games, he is likely to be used as a pass catcher, but he has also shown some ability as an inline blocker. His testing numbers weren’t all that great, but his playing speed meant he was often separated from the linebackers before and after the catch. Sanders seems to have found a way to call plays and be a productive receiver, and teams will be excited to add his talent to their tight end room.

1. Brock Bowers, Georgia

No one other than Bowers received first-place votes, and for good reason. he is a beast He became the first tight end in history to win the John Mackey Award in consecutive seasons. Bowers led the team in receiving yards in all three of his collegiate seasons, not to mention attending the University of Georgia where he won two national championships. Bowers is a dynamic playmaker who can win from anywhere on the field and will be a difference-maker from the get-go no matter who drafts him.