The South Florida Sun Sentinel continues its eight-part series previewing top players in the 2023 NFL draft (April 27-29) with tight ends. The Dolphins’ first pick in the draft is No. 51, a second-round selection.
The Dolphins’ primary options at tight end are Durham Smythe, Tanner Conner and newly-signed Eric Saubert. Miami watched Mike Gesicki depart to New England via free agency and traded Hunter Long to the Los Angeles Rams in the deal for cornerback Jalen Ramsey. Tight end is considered among the top priorities for the Dolphins in the draft.
Dalton Kincaid, Utah
Kincaid (6 foot 4, 246 pounds) is more of a slot receiver than an old-school in-line tight end. He was a matchup nightmare in college because he’s a polished route-runner and top-notch receiver (70 receptions, 890 yards, eight touchdowns). His skills should transfer well to the NFL.
Michael Mayer, Notre Dame
Mayer (6-4, 249), a physical sort, has a balanced game, meaning you can put him in-line or in the slot. He’s a gifted receiver as his 67 receptions for 809 yards and nine touchdowns will attest. But he’s also got the skill and desire to be a good blocker.
Sam LaPorta, Iowa
LaPorta (6-3, 245) is balanced, athletic and versatile, meaning he’s a good receiver in any formation as well as an accomplished blocker. LaPorta (58 receptions, 657 yards, one touchdown) isn’t best in class in any category but he does everything well and could be the most well-rounded tight end in the draft.
Luke Musgrave, Oregon State
Musgrave (6-6, 253) only played two games last season due to a knee injury, totaling 11 receptions for 169 yards and one touchdown. But he’s the type of tight end teams desire because of his receiving skills and big-play potential. He excels at the seam route but he might need initial patience after basically missing the 2022 season.
Darnell Washington, Georgia
Washington (6-7, 264) is a big guy who fits the role of old-school in-line tight end, which you could guess by his size and statistical line of 28 receptions, 454 yards and two touchdowns. He doesn’t have the fluid movements of today’s slot tight ends, but he can move men. And his hands are decent.
Best of the rest
South Dakota State’s Tucker Kraft, Cincinnati’s Josh Whyle, Michigan’s Luke Schoonmaker, Clemson’s Davis Allen and Will Mallory of the University of Miami compose the rest of the top players in this loaded class.
Class grade: A-
It’s a good year to need a tight end with receiving skills. This class is skilled at the top, stocked with ready-to-play guys, and it’s deep, meaning you can find good talent through three rounds.
Teams in need
Aside from the Dolphins there’s Dallas, the Los Angeles Chargers, Cincinnati, Green Bay, Washington, Detroit, and the Los Angeles Rams.
Dolphins’ focus
Ideally, the Dolphins want a tight end who combines in-line blocking skills with good receiving skills, especially an ability to run the seam route. With defenses focused on wide receivers Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle in the passing game, the hope is the tight end can exploit his matchup. Blocking skills aren’t a No. 1 requirement as Smythe will do lots of blocking, but the new tight end must be able to block.
Previously addressed
