2021 Tight Ends to the Rescue

Ray Garvin Posted On June 19, 2020

As exciting as the 2020 rookie class is, those of you who have already had your rookie drafts know that investing in the tight end position was not an enjoyable experience. Those of you who haven’t had your rookie drafts yet, be glad you’re reading this now as I attempt to save you from a catastrophic mistake.

Calling the 2020 group of tight ends weak is stating it kindly. Sure, some players at the position landed in what should be favorable situations; Adam Trautman in New Orleans and the pair selected by New England, Dalton Keene, and Devin Asiasi. That’s about it.

TE1 for most people during the 2019 season was Hunter Bryant, who went undrafted and landed on a team that spent a top-ten pick on the position a year ago. LSU darling Thaddeus Moss also went undrafted as questions surrounded his medical evaluations. The most athletic tight end in the 2020 class was Albert Okwuegbunam, who finds himself stuck behind 2019 first-round pick Noah Fant and on an offense that features Courtland Sutton, Jerry Jeudy, and KJ Hamler.

It’s not looking good for this group of uninspiring position players, however, there is light at the end of the tight end tunnel. You just have to wait a year. The 2021 class looks like it could be one of the best in years. While we know that every year players we assume will enter the draft inevitably return, we have to prepare as though these players will in fact declare for the 2021 draft.

There’s a ‘big three’ at the position and if there were ever a year where we could see three players drafted in round one of the NFL Draft, 2021 provides that hope.

Brevin Jordan, MIAMI (DEVY ADP 44 OVERALL)

Jordan is a very athletic move tight end. He was the highest-rated tight end prospect in his 2018 recruiting class and has NFL bloodlines as his father played in the NFL. Jordan stands 6’3” and 235 pounds and is an athletic playmaker who moves like a wide receiver with the ball in his hands.

Statistics from sports-reference.com.

Through two seasons, he’s accumulated 67 catches for 782 yards and six touchdowns. Horrific quarterback play the past two seasons and some minor injuries have slowed down his production but the talent is there for Jordan to be a rock-solid pro and a difference-maker in fantasy. The Miami Hurricanes have produced NFL tight ends in Jeremy Shockey, Kellen Winslow, Bubba Franks, Greg Olsen, Chris Herndon, Jimmy Graham. Jordan is next in line to be selected high in the NFL Draft.

Canes up!

Jarren Williams finds Brevin Jordan for six. pic.twitter.com/8timO7hYym

— ESPN College Football (@ESPNCFB) August 25, 2019

Pat Freiermuth, PENN STATE (DEVY ADP 58 OVERALL)

Freiermuth is probably the most complete tight end in the 2021 class. He has monster size at 6’5” 258 pounds, and the scary part is he still has room to grow and fill out his frame with even more muscle. He is every bit as athletic as Brevin Jordan and Kyle Pitts and has the versatility we covet at the position.

His ability to win in-line as a traditional tight end and then flex out wide and run wide receiver-type routes are mind-blowing for a player his size. He’s an early producer at Penn State, having posted 69 receptions for 875 yards and 15 touchdowns two years into his collegiate career.

Statistics from sports-reference.com.

His size, movement ability, early production, and frame for more size and strength makes him an intriguing chess piece for NFL offenses. If I were going to bet on a tight end being selected in the first round of the NFL Draft next season, Freiermuth would be right there at the top of the list.

The 2021 TE class is NOT like the 2020 TE class. You can actually get excited because there’s a chance we see 3 go round 1 of the NFL Draft.

I can’t decide who I like more, Brevin Jordan or 6’5” 255 pound Pat Freiermuth. He’s a damn dawg I know that. #Devy pic.twitter.com/l82UFvPBqr

— Ray G (@RayGQue) March 24, 2020

Kyle Pitts, FLORIDA (DEVY ADP 33 OVERALL)

Pitts is the biggest mismatch nightmare at the position in the 2021 class. When he hears his name called on night one of the draft, he will immediately slot in as a top ten dynasty asset at the position for me.

Pitt’s is 6’6” and close to 250 pounds of lean muscle mass. He looks like an oversized wide receiver playing tight end. He’s not as good a blocker as Freiermuth, but what he lacks in that department he more than makes up for with his ability to defeat any type of coverage and dictate positional assignments by the defense. If you want to watch a game where Pitts displayed his full arsenal of game-changing potential, go check out his game versus LSU in 2019.

He has the speed to pull away from linebackers, he’s too big for cornerbacks and safeties, he’s a headache for defensive coordinators. For his career, he’s caught 54 balls for 683 yards and six touchdowns. He didn’t play much as a freshman but entering into 2020 he’s established himself as the top-rated player at his position in the country.

Statistics from sports-reference.com.

If I had to compare him to a current NFL player now, think prime Jimmy Graham but better! Yes, that’s how much talent Pitts possesses, that’s how good he is and he’s the type of difference-maker we’ve been waiting for in dynasty. Look for him to continue his upward trajectory this fall and solidify his first-round draft stock.

The 2020 TE class was absolute shit but 2021 is looking BEAUTIFUL

The moment Kyle Pitts hears his named called he’s a Top-10 dynasty TE. At 6’6 240 he’s an oversized WR that dominates safeties & LBs. LSU said fuck Van Jefferson and put Stingley Jr. on him. That’s how good he is. pic.twitter.com/bekgquTZTZ

— Ray G (@RayGQue) May 28, 2020

While these are the clear top-three tight ends in the class, 2021 provides other high-quality options that look better than what we got out of 2020. Here are some more tight ends to keep on your radar as the college season approaches.