2022 NFL Draft: Pros and cons for PFF's top tight ends

NFL Draft season is nearly upon us. And with that comes the PFF NFL Draft Guide, which comes loaded with scouting reports and advanced data on the class' top draft prospects.

Very few draft prospects are perfect and come with a collection of pros and cons, crucial evaluation points when it comes to projecting the players to the NFL.

Here are the pros and cons for PFF's top tight ends.

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1. Jalen Wydermyer, Texas A&M Aggies

PFF Big Board Rank: 60

PROS:

• Wydermyer is a very fluid big man. He shows up when he adjusts course on the fly.
• The former Aggie is consistently elusive after the catch. He's very comfortable with the ball in his hands.
• The tight end is flexible at the top of his routes. He will be tough to guard on option routes in the league.

CONS:

• He doesn't have the killer instinct as a run-blocker, even when he's attacking defensive backs.
• He's had far too many drops for a chain-mover type. He has nearly a 10% drop rate for his career.
• Wydermyer is a middling athlete by NFL standards. His speed leaves something to be desired.

2. Trey McBride, Colorado State Rams

PFF Big Board Rank: 62

PROS:

• Strides past linebackers easily. More than enough speed to test the seams.
• Put up rare numbers in college. He was the focal point of Colorado State's offense.
• Ran a diverse and translatable route tree.

CONS:

• Not going to be a move tight end, nor will he win one-on-one outside despite doing so in college.
• Straight-line, after-the-catch player. Not much dynamism.
• A man among boys at his level of competition

2022 NFL Draft position rankings:
Top 10 players at every position

QB | RB | WR | TE | iOL | OT | DI | EDGE | LB | CB | S

3. Jeremy Ruckert, Ohio State Buckeyes

PFF Big Board Rank: 87

PROS:

• Legitimate people-mover in the running game. Recorded nine big-time blocks in 2021.
• Built like a block of granite. Rocked-up frame.
• Bulldozer post-catch. He will bounce defensive backs off the turf.

CONS:

• An afterthought in the passing game. Saw three targets a game on average
• No juice as a route-runner — he's really just a zone-beater type.
• Needs to play with more control as a run-blocker. He gets his helmet ahead of his toes at times.

4. Cade Otton, Washington Huskies

PFF Big Board Rank: 102

PROS:

• Can create on his own after the catch. Knows to get upfield quickly.
• Feisty in the run game. He is just OK in-line one-on-one but exceptional on the move.
• Well-proportioned 250 pounds. Holds it with ease while still being an athlete.

CONS:

• He is “just a guy” athletically. Not sure he has any plus traits.
• Not a downfield threat. Has only 23 career catches on passes 10-plus yards downfield.
• Average size to get by on blocking prowess alone.