The Early Bird List part 4

The tight end class in 2020 was not that good. The 2021 class at least right now only looks to be a little better. There is some talent. They just have to step up and make it happen.

Previous part can be found here: https://atbnetwork.wordpress.com/2021/08/15/the-early-bird-list-part-3/

Jahleel Billingsley – Alabama

Billingsley is a great athlete that kind of came out of nowhere in 2020. He is the new breed of popular tight ends. A guy you can line up all over the field. Still raw though with minimal playing time. So he will take development and patience. Small at around 230 so he will also need weight room work and obviously work on his blocking. Lots of upside if he develops. He could be the 1st tight end taken.

Charlie Kolar – Iowa State

Kolar has good size with big strong hands. He snatches the ball out of the air. Good size at 6’6 250ish. He is an average but try hard blocker. Kolar though has below average speed, probably in the 4.8 range. He does a good job of using his frame to block out defenders though. He does not offer much in the YAC department. Great red zone threat.

James Mitchell – Virginia Tech

Mitchell has decent size at around 6’4 250 and well put together. Very good athlete. He will definitely get you YAC. Can become a seem buster. Not much experience in line. Physical player both with the ball in his hands and blocking. Because of his lack of length he may have to play more of a H-back role. Could also learn to smooth out his route running.

Cade Otton – Washington

Good size with soft hands. Smooth route runner. He looks effortless, almost like a wide receiver. He does play physical though. A pretty average athlete. He also lacks explosiveness. Still can add some weight which might help him to be a better blocker. Upside might be limited but floor is pretty high. An all around solid tight end.

Austin Stogner – Oklahoma

Stogner broke out in 2020. Good size, and length. He also plays a physical game. Stogner has played inline and split out. He has shown improvement as a blocker, still could be better. Athleticism is just average. Not really explosive. Some what similar to Otton.

Cole Turner – Nevada

He has shown the ability to be split out and create mismatches. Shows good hands on film, snatches the ball out of the air. Turner shows good athleticism on film. He is a little undersized though at around 6’6 240. He probably needs another 10 pounds. He’s not really a physical player, could step it up a notch in this department. He also needs work as a blocker, but has shown potential. He has developmental upside. Does playing with Carson Strong inflate his numbers?

Josh Whyle – Cincinnati

Big frame with space to fill out. He has a lot of potential in the passing game. He still is undersized though being around 235. Needs a lot of work as a blocker. He does try though. His deep speed is just average, could be a weapon as a seem splitter.

Jalen Wydermyer – Texas A & M

Wydermyer is a big dude. Around 6’5 255 and is all muscle with long arms. He is already a pretty good run blocker. He has positional versatility, he can be lined up all around, but he also Plays a physical game. Very good strong hands. Kind just an average athlete. He has ‘heavy feet’. Not much for YAC outside of breaking a tackle. He can also go above the rim for catches. He is good at finding zones to sit in. Could be in contention for the #1 TE.