The best tight ends in the nation are heading to Mobile for the 2022 Reese’s Senior Bowl. While lots of attention is focused on the quality of the quarterback group on display at the premier all-star game, the cream of a deeply talented 2022 NFL Draft tight end class has been assembled by Jim Nagy and his staff. Who are the tight ends taking part this week, and who should you be watching out for?
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2022 Senior Bowl Tight Ends
The National Team tight ends at the 2022 Senior Bowl will be coached by the New York Jets. The position is a considerable need for the Jets in the 2022 NFL Draft class. As a result, they’ll be excited to be working closely with several players that provide a need and scheme fit.
The Detroit Lions’ coaching staff will lead the American Team tight ends in Mobile. Although the Lions selected tight end T.J. Hockenson with their first-round pick in 2019, don’t rule out them having their interest piqued by one of these outstanding playmakers at their disposal during the Senior Bowl.
National Team
- Trey McBride | Colorado State
- Charlie Kolar | Iowa State
- Cole Turner | Nevada
- Jeremy Ruckert | Ohio State
- Jake Ferguson | Wisconsin
American Team
- Isaiah Likely | Coastal Carolina
- Grant Calcaterra | SMU
- Daniel Bellinger | SDSU
- Greg Dulcich | UCLA
Top Senior Bowl Tight Ends
The caliber of the tight ends group at the Senior Bowl is demonstrated by the fact that four of our top five players at the position will take to the field in Mobile. They’re led by the consensus TE1 of Pro Football Network’s consensus big board Isaiah Likely. The Coastal Carolina standout tallied 919 yards and 12 touchdowns this season. He’s an incredible athlete for his size who provides a dangerous receiving threat. Furthermore, he’s improved as a blocker this season. Likely is currently the 39th overall prospect on our board.
While Likely leads the American Team of tight ends at the Senior Bowl, Colorado State’s Trey McBride is the top prospect at the position for the National Team. At 6’4″ and 260 pounds, McBride already looks the part of an NFL tight end. He plays the game with physicality and a mauler’s mentality while possessing a three-level threat as a receiver. As a result, McBride is our TE3 as the 57th overall prospect in this 2022 NFL Draft class.
McBride is joined on the American Team by a trio of tight ends vying for the TE4 spot on our consensus big board.
Nevada’s Cole Turner (97th overall) is an exceptional pass-catching talent who excels as a red-zone target. During his Wisconsin career, Jake Ferguson (100th overall) has also presented as a dangerous receiving threat while contributing as a blocker. Meanwhile, Jeremy Ruckert (103rd overall) is gaining traction in this class as people look past the Ohio State reputation to focus on his pass-catching acumen and willingness as a blocker.
Impressive playmakers with something to prove at the Senior Bowl
Rounding off the National Team roster of tight ends at the Senior Bowl is Iowa State’s Charlie Kolar. Often the primary target in the Cyclones’ offense, Kolar has attracted attention as an NFL Draft prospect with impressive production at the college level. The Iowa State TE has tallied over 2,000 yards and 23 touchdowns in his career. Kolar has the chance to prove his production is the result of his ability and not just opportunity.
Joining Likely on the American Team at the Senior Bowl is a duo of tight ends who have slipped under the radar playing out west. UCLA’s Greg Dulcich is an underrated pass catcher who uses his size and wingspan to be a dangerous weapon at the catch point. Meanwhile, San Diego State’s Daniel Bellinger is one of the best blocking tight ends in the class. Can he use the Senior Bowl to enhance his reputation as a pass-catching TE?
SMU tight end Grant Calcaterra completes the roster of tight ends at the Senior Bowl. The former Oklahoma TE is an excellent route runner with catch-point qualities that will translate well to the NFL level. Furthermore, he showcases some blocking ability. Nonetheless, after retiring from football due to multiple concussions, the biggest issue he’ll need to overcome is from a medical perspective. That currently limits him to the 201st overall prospect as the TE12 on our consensus big board.