2024 Rookie Tight End Rankings (Top 5) | NFL Draft 2024 – The Scholars Series with John Laub

by John Laub · Featured

John Laub’s 2024 Rookie Tight End Rankings!

Targeting the Tight Ends: 2024 Prospects

It is enchanting watching tight ends dominate opponents: The all-timers subjugate opponents with a rare combination of size, speed, agility and physicality. Tight ends require a unique amalgamation of pass-catching abilities, run-blocking skills and difference-making athleticism that few college prospects replicate at the next level.

Among last year’s Top 10 tight end fantasy producers in ppr-scoring formats, only Evan Engram, David Njoku and T.J. Hockenson were first-round selections. Sam LaPorta, Trey McBride, and Cole Kmet all came off the board in the second round, and Travis Kelce (3) George Kittle (5), Jake Ferguson (4) and Dalton Schultz (4) were later-round selections.

Looking at tight ends selected early in drafts over the past decade, the NFL industrial-scouting complex has many misses: The busts are Irv Smith (2019), Hayden Hurst (2018), Mike Gesicki (2018), O.J. Howard (2017), Hunter Henry (2016), Max Williams (2015), Austin Seferian-Jenkins (2015), Jace Amaro (2014) and Eric Ebron (2014). 

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Scholar’s Top Tight End 2024 Prospects

2024 Gridiron Scholar’s TE Model

(Click the link above to see the TE model with benchmarks and statistics) 

The position is difficult to scout for most, and long-term outcomes are challenging to predict in fantasy football. Yet, despite the difficulties, it is my job to assist fantasy diehards in uncovering the next fantasy producers. Luckily, it does appear that the league is improving on its ability to pinpoint productive tight ends over the past three seasons (Dalton Kincaid, Sam LaPorta, Michael Mayer, McBride, Kyle Pitts, and Pat Freiermuth) in the first and second rounds of the NFL Draft.

The Class of 2024 offers a tantalizing first-round stud (Bowers) for Dynasty owners in need of an upgrade at the position. Regrettably, there is not another player worthy of being selected in the first round of the NFL Draft, but two prospects might come off the board on Day 2. Let’s take an in-depth look at the best tight ends this April.

Brock Bowers, Georgia

Prospect Resume 

Brock Bowers became the first tight end to win the John Mackey Award in consecutive seasons last year. He also earned First Team All-American and First Team All-SEC with 56 receptions for 714 yards and six touchdowns. In 2022, he corralled 63 passes for 942 yards and seven scores. Bowers was named First Team All-American and First Team All-SEC and the first Georgia player to ever win the Mackey Award. He also rushed for three touchdowns on only nine carries. 

As a true freshman in 2021, Bowers led the Bulldogs in receiving with 56 catches for 882 yards and 13 touchdowns. He earned the SEC Newcomer of the Year, Shawn Alexander Freshman of the Year, and True Freshman All-America. During his career, he carried the ball 19 times for 193 yards and five scores. In high school, he was the No. 3 tight end recruit in the nation and earned four-stars by the scouting services. He also was selected to the 2021 All-American Bowl.

Key Career Stats

Receptions: 175

Yards per Reception: 14.5 

Best Season

Catch Percentage: 73%

Team Aerial Dominator: 21%

Film Breakdown and Skills

At 6-4 and 240-pounds, Bowers is a dynamic playmaker who presents a mismatch nightmare for defensive coordinators. An explosive and physical competitor, the two-time All-American is a savvy route runner who is great after the catch. A long strider, he illustrates marvelous movement skills and stupendous athletic ability. Bowers easily separates with a smooth release and fluid technique. With uncanny body control and bending agility, he easily secures the ball in flight and quickly turns upfield to gain yards. He also was used on jet sweeps and quick runs to take advantage of his playmaking ability. He is a good and willing blocker who does not back down.

Bowers looks like a big receiver and is not an imposing physical specimen for the position. Last year, he endured an ankle injury and missed multiple games. Despite three years of experience, he needs more refinement in route running—limited route tree in college—and beating press coverage versus bigger opponents. Bowers projects as a flex tight end who would excel in a 12 personnel in order to take advantage of defensive mismatches.

Scholar’s Grade: First Round

Ben Sinnott, Kansas State

Prospect Resume 

Over the past two seasons, Ben Sinnott has been one of the most productive tight ends in the nation, earning First Team All-Big 12 each year. In 2023, he paced the team in receiving with 49 catches for 676 yards and six touchdowns. He established Kansas State records for receptions, yards, and touchdowns among tight ends. He earned First Team Academic All-Big 12 honors. 

In 2022, Sinnott grabbed 31 passes for 447 yards and four touchdowns. In 2021, he logged only two catches for 15 yards and did not see any game action as a true freshman in 2020. He did not earn a scholarship for college and walked onto the Kansas State team. In high school, Sinnott played both sides of the ball and was named all-state (Iowa) at wide receiver, tight end, and defensive end. On defense, he totaled 109 career tackles, 9.0 sacks, 27.5 tackles for loss and four interceptions. He also lettered in baseball, golf, tennis, track, and hockey. 

Key Career Stats

Receptions: 82 

Yards per Reception: 13.9 

Best Season

Catch Percentage: 64%

Team Aerial Dominator: 22% 

Film Breakdown and Skills

At 6-4 and 250 pounds, Sinnott has an enticing combination of strength, power, agility, and athleticism. Illustrating elite athletic ability, he smashed the NFL Combine: 4.68 in the 40-yard dash, 4.23 in the 20-yard shuttle, and 6.82 in the 3-cone drill. Fleet footed, he smoothly accelerates off the line of scrimmage and blasts up field. He attacks defenses at all three levels of the field and gains yards after the catch. With natural hands, he snatches low passes with focus and resolve. After the catch, he does not go down without a fight and employs a stiff arm to disengage. 

Sinnott has very good body control and flexibility for a big competitor. He is a willing positional blocker who can seal off the edge and will engage multiple defenders on one play. A versatile player, Sinnott can be employed as a tight end, H-back, and full back by a crafty offensive coordinator. Is he a jack of all trades and master of none? He does not have a massive catch radius for high passes and does not always win contested balls. An organization seeking a nice chess piece for its offensive scheme will likely grade Sinnott highly and pluck him off the board on Day 2 of the NFL Draft.  

Scholar’s Grade: Second Round

Draftniks on Fire!

Who is your second ranked tight end prospect beyond Brock Bowers in the Class of 2024?

Theo Johnson, Penn State: 9%

Ja’Tavion Sanders, Texas: 67%

Ben Sinnott, Kansas State: 17%

Cade Stover, Ohio State: 7%

“Ja’Tavion Sanders for me. I have thought for a couple of years that this Longhorn looks like a great guy for Sundays!” @aceholesrule

“Ben Sinnott easily.” @MaseratiMarvFF

“Ja’Tavion Sanders! In my opinion, his athleticism tops the rest of these tight ends. He has 139 targets in a Texas offense over the last two seasons with a 70% reception rate…a vacuum. A versatile TE, he can be lined up all over the field and does a decent job blocking. Sign me up!” @_NinoBrown_

“I’m easily going with the Canadian kid, Theo Johnson, who destroyed the combine.” @SenraSays

Ja’Tavion Sanders, Texas

Prospect Resume 

Ja’Tavion Sanders concluded his Longhorns’ career among the top tight ends in school history: first in career receptions (99), second in yards (1,295) and sixth in touchdowns (7). Last year, Sanders earned First Team All-Big 12, Second Team All-American (CBS Sports) and John Mackey Award semifinalist. He corralled 45 passes for a career-best 682 yards and two touchdowns. His receiving yards established a school-record for tight ends.

In 2022, Sanders was named First Team All-Big 12 and semifinalist for the John Mackey Award. He logged 54 receptions (a program record for tight ends) for 613 yards and a career-high five touchdowns. As a true freshman in 2021, he saw action in all 12 games but played primarily on special teams. As a high schooler, Sanders was selected to the 2021 Under Armour All-America Game and was chosen as a finalist for the 2020 Mr. Texas Football Award. A five-star recruit, Sanders played both sides of the ball at defensive end and tight end.

Key Career Stats

Receptions: 93

Yards per Reception: 13.1 

Best Season

Catch Percentage: 65%

Team Aerial Dominator: 17% 

Film Breakdown and Skills

A disappointing NFL Combine dropped Sanders in my position rankings. I expected a much better 40-yard dash time (4.69) from the Longhorns’ tight end. Also, he did not participate in the 3-cone drill or the 20-yard shuttle. What is Sanders’ burst, acceleration, and athleticism? And he weighed only 245 pounds, which is a little below my benchmark at the position. On film, he does not always look fluid and flexible. More concerning, Sanders is not a good in-line blocker and teams seeking a two-way competitor likely bypass the Texas’ product. Blocking leads to playing time, snaps and opportunities, and Sanders needs to improve in order to get on the field more often.

A junior, Sanders declared early for the NFL Draft, and clearly elucidated high-end pass catching skills in college. A modern-day, move tight end, he can be flexed out wide and uses good hand technique to defeat press coverage. Against smaller defensive backs, he creates mismatches. He is very good in traffic, securing the ball with natural and soft hands. Sanders is a smooth route runner and can get deep down the field on seam patterns. After the catch, he is dangerous. Sanders is an enthralling tight end prospect, and draft capital and landing spot will determine final Dynasty rankings.

Scholar’s Grade: Second Round

Theo Johnson, Penn State

Prospect Resume 

In the past decade, Theo Johnson is another uber athletic tight end prospect (Pat Freiermuth, Mike Gesicki and Brenton Strange) from Penn State. In 2023, he was voted honorable mention All-Big Ten and earned Penn State’s Iron Lion and the Lion’s Pride Outstanding Senior Player awards. A team captain, he started all 13 games and recorded 34 receptions for 341 yards and seven scores. 

As a redshirt sophomore in 2022, Johnson secured 20 passes for 338 yards and four touchdowns. In 2021, he made 19 catches for 213 yards and a touchdown. He concluded his campus tenure with 12 touchdowns, third all-time among Penn State tight ends. In high school, Johnson was a four-star recruit from Windsor, Ontario, Canada. He was the team MVP as a junior and senior and garnered an Under Armour All-American Game invite. 

Key Career Stats

Receptions: 77

Yards per Reception: 12.2 

Best Season

Catch Percentage: 64%

Team Aerial Dominator: 12%

Film Breakdown and Skills

For the past couple of seasons, Penn State fans touted the athletic ability of Johnson. Regrettably, his on-field production never matched the Relative Athletic Score (RAS). At 6-6 and 259 pounds, the Penn State product confirmed the RAS rumors (scored a 9.99 out of 10) and showed off at the NFL Combine, logging a 4.57 in the 40-yard dash, a 4.19 in the 20-yard shuttle, 10’5” in the broad jump, and 4.19 in the 20-yard shuttle. 

Johnson has the size, length, and speed essential of a “Y” tight end. A former receiver, the Canadian wins at the catch point with his massive frame, long arms, and soft hands. Johnson is a nice route runner who separates with quick footwork. A good blocker, he engages opponents with a solid base, clean hand technique, superior leverage and strong hips. A long-term project, NFL organizations must solve the conundrum between limited pass-catching production and high-end skills when placing Johnson on their pre-draft boards. In Dynasty leagues, Johnson is a high-ceiling selection after the third-round is completed.

Scholar’s Grade: Fourth Round

Cade Stover, Ohio State

Prospect Resume 

Cade Stover begins his professional career after playing five years at Ohio State and earning three varsity letters for the Buckeyes. Over the past two campaigns, Stover posted the best seasons in school history by a tight end since Ricky Dudley in 1995—I’m old enough to fondly remember Dudley. In 2023, Stover garnered Second Team All-Big 10 honors after snatching 41 passes for 576 yards and five touchdowns. In 2022, the fourth-year competitor blossomed as a pass-catcher with 36 receptions for 406 yards and five scores and was named Third Team All-Big 10.

Stover kicked off his Buckeyes’ tenure on the defensive side of the football. He played defense in six games during the 2019 campaign and recorded 15 total tackles. In 2020, he moved to tight end and recorded his first catch. In high school, he was rated as the fourth-best player in Ohio and the No. 130 overall prospect in the country. He also was named Ohio’s Mr. Football and the Gatorade Player of the Year. A great all-around athlete, Stover earned second team all-Ohio honors on the basketball court and established the school’s all-time scoring record.

Key Career Stats

Receptions: 82

Yards per Reception: 12.9 

Best Season

Catch Percentage: 79%

Team Aerial Dominator: 17%

Film Breakdown and Skills

At 6-4 and 247 pounds, Stover profiles as a pass-catcher with the tenacity and ferocity to excel as a run blocker. With a defensive background, he does not mind getting physical at the point of attack and catch point. A reliable target, Stover has a non-stop motor, good body control and very good hand-eye coordination. He challenges secondaries vertically and gains chunk yards after the catch. At the release on the line of scrimmage, he has initial burst and quick hips to quickly break free. Occasionally, the fifth-year competitor hurdles tacklers to gain additional yards.

Stover does not possess linear game-breaking speed and lacks separation downfield. Lacking elite-level flexibility and agility, he needs to refine his blocking technique and route running. Does he have a trump card to win? A two-time captain, coaching staffs will covet Stover, who is a low-risk prospect with a nice ceiling if he continues to improve as a professional.

Scholar’s Grade: Fourth Round

For more from John Laub, check out his Rookie Wide Receiver Rankings – 2024 Rookie Wide Receiver Rankings (UPDATED) (playerprofiler.com)