Top 10 Tight End Rankings for the 2024 NFL Draft coming out of the NFL Combine deeper than expected

Now that the NFL Combine is behind us the top tight end rankings for the 2024 NFL Draft are becoming much more clear. After spending a week in Indianapolis talking with general managers, coaches, players, and other league staff here are my official Top 10 Tight End Rankings as we head into the heart of NFL Draft season.

Top 10 Tight Ends in the 2024 NFL Draft

1. Brock Bowers, Georgia
2. Ja'Tavion Sanders, Texas
3. Theo Johnson, Penn State
4. Ben Sinnott, Kansas State
5. Jaheim Bell, Florida State
6. Cade Stover, Ohio State
7. Jared Wiley, TCU
8. Tanner McLachlan, Arizona
9. Dallin Holker, Colorado State
10. Trey Knox, South Carolina

The 2024 NFL Draft tight end class didn't seem to be too deep heading into NFL Combine week, but after talking with people around the league it seems it might be better than expected.

Tier 1 Tight End

Brock Bowers is still in a tier by himself and it isn't close. No, he wasn't the best in his formal interview session. In fact, his answers were so bland and bad many media folks were quite turned off by him, but don't let that fool you.

Bowers is the only two-time John Mackey Award winner in college football history (awarded to the best tight end in the country). He had the most productive first three seasons of any tight end ever. And although he didn't compete in the on-field tests, any concerns about his size can be tossed now after measuring in at 6'3", 243 pounds.

Based on what I learned he may not be selected inside the top ten picks like originally thought, but there's no way he falls outside the first 20 picks of the draft.

Tier 2 Tight Ends

Ja'Tavion Sanders was supposed to be the clear second best tight end at the NFL Combine, but a few others tested so well they joined him in tier two.

Sanders ran a 4.69-second forty, which some people viewed as "slow", but when I asked him about his speed that's exactly what he was expecting. He was hoping for low 4.6s if possible, but his 4.69 was still faster than average for tight ends. He's still very much in the TE2 mix thanks to his blend of size, speed, and run after catch ability.

Theo Johnson (Penn State), Ben Sinnott (Kansas State), and Jaheim Bell (Florida State) all joined Sanders in tier two after their strong Combine performances.

Johnson garnered the most interest after he tested out like a clone of Jimmy Graham. Running a 4.57-second forty at nearly 260 pounds was good for a 95th percentile Speed Score. He's going to be a very early drat pick now.

Ben Sinnott wasn't quite that fast, but he completely blew people away with his vertical and broad jumps, showcasing the explosion that allows him to speed past and and run through defensive backs. His 40 inches in the vertical is tied for sixth all-time for tight ends.

Jaheim Bell measured in right at 6'2", 241 pounds which is great for him. There were real size questions throughout college and how that might translate to the NFL. Running a 4.61 and posting an 88th percentile Burst Score makes him look like the perfect Delanie Walker comparison at his size.

All of tier two might be drafted inside round three now given how they performed.

Best of the Rest

Cade Stover had a bit of a contentious podium interview in his main media availability when asked about his blocking, but had a strong Combine performance overall. A 4.65-second forty was really surprising for his size at nearly 250 pounds. Despite fighting for targets with several first round receivers he still racked up nearly 1000 receiving yards in the last two seasons.

Tanner McLachlan and Jared Wiley tested out with 85th percentile or better Speed Scores and solid burst. Plus they both killed it in interviews talking through intricacies of their college offenses and how that translates with a few NFL teams in particular.

Dallin Holker was incredibly productive in his final collegiate season for Colorado State, accounting for nearly 20% of his team's receiving production. His skills as a receiver were never in doubt. His long speed wasn't great at the Combine, but his agility was 93rd percentile. He looks like a great late round value.

Last, but not least, Trey Knox (South Carolina) was a winner at the NFL Combine despite not testing in all areas. Even though he's still rehabbing his hamstring he still participated in as much as his body would allow him to do. He posted 70th percentile in his jumps despite not being fully healthy. And on top of that he was an incredible interview. In case you missed it, here's part of my interview with him from last week: