Rookies with Injury Concerns: Tight End
The NFL is ever-evolving, altering positional responsibilities to maximize their impact on the field. The tight end has historically been one of the more slow developing positions due to the need to block and run routes, adding extra work to a young player.
Some tight ends have performed closer to their wide receiver counterparts, transforming offenses and opening up new possibilities. While tight ends have developed as dynamic pass catchers, they still need plenty of bigger guys to block and open lanes for the offense.
Today’s article will look at some of the top tight ends of the 2024 class and identify any injury concerns heading into the draft. Knowing the injury background can help you avoid bad picks and reach in your quest to win your league championship.
Brock Bowers, Georgia
2023 – Left high-ankle sprain, vs Vanderbilt, missed three games requiring surgery.
2024 – Right hamstring strain, missed NFL Combine.
Analysis
There is minimal to no concern for Bowers as he waits to hear his name announced in the NFL Draft. The high-ankle sprain requiring Tightrope surgery has no long-term effects on career performance. As for his hamstring strain, these are common during combine training but he has provided himself ample time to recover and does not have a history of soft tissue injuries.
As the top-ranked tight end in the DLF rookie TE rankings and fourth overall, there is zero hesitation in selecting Bowers. His only potential drawback is that the tight end is a slower-developing position.
Ben Sinnott, Kansas State
2021 – Undisclosed injury suffered during fall camp, missed one game.
2022 – Undisclosed injury, vs TCU missed zero games.
2023 – Spring shoulder injury, missed spring practices.
Right ankle injury, and missed zero games.
Analysis
There are lots of smaller injuries plus the shoulder injury that was reported to have required surgery according to The Athletic’s Dane Brugler. None of the injuries have cost him extended time and he has shown to be productive when given the opportunity.
As the third-ranked tight end in the DLF rookie TE rankings and 47th overall, there is no hesitation in grabbing Sinnott wherever he lands. He is not someone you need to target – get a wide receiver or running back first – but Sinnott could be a fine selection later His success may depend more on where he is drafted.
Erick All, Iowa
2021 Michigan – Left High-ankle sprain, missed one game.
2022 – Herniated lumbar disc, required surgery, missed 11 games.
2023 Iowa – Right ACL tear, vs Wisconsin, missed seven games.
Analysis
All has had a rough go of it injury-wise the last two seasons even after transferring schools. The high-ankle injury was unfortunate but the herniated disc that required a possible microdiscectomy and the ACL are the bigger concerns. The disc issue could lead to further herniations or issues that could require a fusion. The ACL could lead to degenerative changes or an ACL tear in the opposite knee.
Even though All is not ranked in the DLF rookie rankings, I’d pass on him and pick him up on waivers. Until he can prove he can play at the next level, he’s not rosterable.
Jaheim Bell, South Carolina
High School
ACL tear, missed most of senior year.
College
2020 – Left knee meniscus tear, missed five games.
2022 – Hamstring strain, missed spring practices.
2023 – Undisclosed injury vs Clemson, missed zero games.
Analysis
Bell started his collegiate career on the wrong foot with his ACL and meniscus tears. However, he has since proven to be fairly durable, not missing a game due to injury since 2021. There are some minor long-term concerns regarding his knee health following the knee injuries, but it’s important to note that he had the meniscus repaired which bodes well for his career outlook.
As the fourth-ranked tight end in the DLF rookie TE rankings and 51st overall, I would expect that he has little impact early in his career but could be worth a flier in deeper leagues if drafted to a pass-oriented team.
Follow me on X at @kyletrimble88 for injury content.
- Rookies with Injury Concerns: Quarterback - April 24, 2024
- Rookies with Injury Concerns: Running Back - April 21, 2024
- Rookies with Injury Concerns: Tight End - April 16, 2024
