Our rookie scouting reports combine film and analytics to provide the best possible predictions for player performance. With the 2023 NFL Draft less than a month away, let’s take a look at the scouting report for Cincinnati TE Josh Whyle.
Josh Whyle NFL Draft Profile
- Position: Tight End
- School: Cincinnati
- Year: Redshirt Senior
Whyle was a three-star recruit out of La Salle High School in Cincinnati, Ohio. He was rated the second-best tight end recruit from Ohio, receiving offers from several big-time programs, including Auburn, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisville, Tennessee, and Wisconsin.
Whyle turned them all down, opting to stay close to home and play for Cincinnati.
Whyle appeared in four games as a freshman but didn’t catch a pass. That enabled him to redshirt. In his redshirt freshman season (2019), Whyle again barely played, appearing in just two games.
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As a redshirt sophomore, he became a larger part of the offense. His final three seasons were nearly identical in terms of production. Overall, Whyle caught 88 passes for 1,062 yards and 15 touchdowns during his four years at Cincinnati.
Whyle’s 15 touchdowns broke Cincinnati’s school record for touchdowns by a tight end. His performance earned him first-team All-AAC honors.
Josh Whyle Scouting Report
Strengths: Athletic pass-catching tight end who plays with good knee bend, blocks with solid fundamentals, and displays terrific vision. Stays square and seals defenders from the action blocking. Agile, easily adjusts to the errant throw, and extends his hands to make the reception away from his frame. Natural pass catcher with soft hands. Possesses solid playing speed and sneaks his way downfield. Tall and easy for the quarterback to locate.
Weaknesses: Slows into blocks, which hurts his ability to finish off defenders. Doesn’t get much movement run blocking. Struggled with foot injuries in the past.
Overall: Whyle bypassed the 2022 draft when he would’ve been a Day 2 selection and returned to somewhat disappointing results. He’s a tall pass-catching TE and a reliable target, but he must improve his blocking strength to be a three-down player at the position.
Josh Whyle Combine Measurements and Results
- Height: 6’6 5/8″
- Weight: 248 pounds
- Arm Length: 31 1/2″
- Hand Size: 9 1/2″
- Bench Press: N/A
- 40-Yard Dash: 4.69 seconds
Cincinnati TE Josh Whyle Current Draft Projection
On Tony Pauline’s Big Board, McBride ranked 134th overall and is projected to be drafted in the fourth or fifth round. With a 3.49 grade, he is Pauline’s TE9 in this class.
Whyle spent five years at college and wasn’t overly productive. He didn’t really break out until he was 21 and will be 24 years old as a rookie.
Nevertheless, Whyle’s size is imposing, and his speed score ranked in the 81st percentile. He’s a good athlete, which gives him potential if he can learn the position at the NFL level.
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Being a Day 3 pick is never what a prospect wants, but going relatively early on Day 3 would bolster Whyle’s chances of making an NFL roster and seeing the field within the first couple of years of his career.
Whyle also was a key contributor on special teams, which goes a long way toward making an NFL roster.
We rarely see Day 3 picks go on to be superstars. But we’ve seen plenty of Day 3 picks go on to have solid careers. Whyle would do well to add his name to that list. Superstardom certainly is not likely in the cards for him, but it would surprise me if he didn’t make an NFL roster as a rookie.
He may not see much playing time, but in the right spot, Whyle could learn, improve, and become a team’s TE3 or TE2 by his second or third professional season.