Wide receivers are abundant in the 2022 NFL Draft class and teams are always looking to upgrade and expand their pass-catching corps. But while having three viable wideouts is key, having versatility tied to two tight ends is also important.
Whether a team is looking for a well-rounded starter who can block inline and also get open to be effective on short-to-intermediate routes or just a dynamic hybrid receiver, there are plenty of those options at tight end this year, even if there's not a rare prospect such as 2021's Kyle Pitts.
Starting with a potential stud who's been leading the process and continuing with some unique athletes, here's The Sporting News' ranking of the top 10 tight ends in the 2022 NFL Draft.
MORE NFL DRAFT: Complete 7-round mock | Top 200 overall Big Board
NFL Draft 2022 tight end rankings
1. Trey McBride, Colorado State (6-4, 246 pounds)
McBride has emerged as the top prospect at his position with his sturdy frame, toughness, good hands and ability to stretch the seam and his use his body well when running routes. Some question if he's explosive enough to be a high pick, but he should get some late first-round consideration and won't last much longer into the early second round. He's a good "luxury" depth target for the Buccaneers and Bengals.
2. Jalen Wydermyer, Texas A&M (6-3, 255 pounds)
Wydermyer has the ideal physical frame for the position and backs that up with a good mix of physical receiving and smart run blocking. There has been some disappointment with his pass-catching and overall consistency, but the talent is there to thrive in the right system. His shorter frame is only of mild concern and he can still develop as a wide receiver to be a worthy mid second-round pick.
3. Cade Otton, Washington (6-5, 247 pounds)
Otton is a superb athlete for the position and backs that up with reliable route-running and hands. He has room to grow as a blocker to match his frame. He is kind of the flip side of Wydermyer in that regard, with McBride being a little more polished in both areas. Otton fits right into the prototype with his frame and has good pedigree. He also could sneak into the second round, or be a great value pick in the third round.
4. Isaiah Likely, Coastal Carolina (6-4, 245 pounds)
Likely is a natural pass-catcher and explosive receiver who's starting to give more teams more comfort about his developing blocking. He's right there with McBride and Otton in his size and after taking a deep dive into the Chanticleers offense, there's not the typical smaller-school concerns. He can get on the field and contribute in 12 personnel playing off an established, experienced blocker at first before becoming a reliable No. 1 in a couple of years. He should go early in the third round.
5. Jeremy Ruckert, Ohio State (6-6, 252 pounds)
Ruckert is a reliable receiver who has plenty of room to grow into a more reliable blocker. He could develop more quickness and explosiveness and also would benefit from translating his size into more power at the line of scrimmage. Ruckert comes from a big-time passing game playing off elite wideouts so that kind of role would be nice to duplicate at first in the NFL. He would be a good fit for the Vikings or Browns.
6. Greg Dulcich, UCLA (6-4, 243 pounds)
Dulcich won't offer much if anything as a blocker but he's a great, athletic receiver to get on the "move" in open field to operate like an extra wideout in 12 personnel. Teams must know that when targeting him and accept he may never be a true asset inline. He also could crossover into big slot wide receiver duties. He's too special to slip past the third round.
7. Charlie Kolar, Iowa State (6-6, 252 pounds)
Kolar was a very productive good-hands receiver in college with some wide receiver hybrid skills. He has the frame to develop into a tough and reliable blocker, which he isn't yet. He fills more into the Ruckert and Dulcich mold only with less "move" and more inline upside. He would be an ideal No. 2 to an established starter, such as for the Packers.
8. Jelani Woods, Virginia (6-7, 259 pounds)
Woods is a big and physical traditional tight end with untapped upside as an inline blocker and receiver. He projects as an early fourth-rounder after a rather considerable rise through the predraft season. He would be good complement to Pitts in Atlanta.
9. Jake Ferguson, Wisconsin (6-5, 250 pounds)
Ferguson is a rock solid all-around tight end who shows good hands when needed from inline and reliable blocking skills. He won't blow anyone away with his pass-catching and athleticism, but he can be a strong short-area role player on top of boosting the running game. He also can be in play for the Falcons, along with the Cowboys and Eagles.
10. Grant Calcaterra, SMU (6-4, 241 pounds)
Calacaterra is like Dulcich in the fact he won’t offer too much as a blocker without serious work but he’s an extremely smart receiver who understands how to get open against a variety of coverage looks. He's not as athletically gifted as Dulcich but he can flat-out make plays, He's one of those players who had limited production in college but blossom via NFL coaching as a fifth-rounder. He can in particular help the Colts replace retire Jack Doyle.
