As we gear up for the 2024 NFL Draft, there’s plenty of buzz around the prospects. One position that has garnered considerable attention is that of tight ends. The NFL Combine and college Pro Days have passed, leaving us with a wealth of data to consider as we look ahead to draft day.
The coverage on these potential future stars has been extensive 🏈; however, instead of simply adding to the noise, let’s take a unique approach by drawing comparisons between this year’s crop and some familiar faces from previous years.
Comparisons are not meant as direct predictions but rather provide insight into each prospect’s style and potential ceiling in professional football based on how similar players have performed historically.
First off, let’s discuss Cade Stover. A prominent name coming out of Ohio State University known for his strength and agility which mirrors Rob Gronkowski during his early days at New England Patriots. Both possess an uncanny ability to make contested catches while being able enough blockers when needed.
Next up is Jalen Wydermyer from Texas A&M who reminds many evaluators about Dallas Goedert due to their comparable size along with their catching radius making them reliable targets especially in red zone situations.
Another noteworthy comparison can be drawn between Jake Ferguson out of Wisconsin and former San Francisco 49ers standout George Kittle. While it might seem like high praise given Kittle’s success in recent years, Ferguson displays similar athleticism coupled with excellent route running abilities just like Kittle did back at Iowa before he became one among elite Tight Ends in NFL today
Lastly there is Jeremy Ruckert another product from Ohio State whose playing style resembles Travis Kelce thanks to his soft hands combined with exceptional yards after catch (YAC) skills which makes him dangerous weapon once ball lands into his hands much like Kansas City Chiefs’ superstar Kelce
These comparisons give fans something tangible – beyond raw stats or scouting reports – through which they can understand what each of these prospects might bring to the table. It’s an exciting time for football fans, as we anticipate who will be the next breakout stars and how they’ll shape their respective teams’ futures.
Remember, though comparisons provide a useful framework, every player is unique with their own strengths and weaknesses. As such, while these 2024 tight end prospects show promise comparable to some of NFL’s bests in recent years it will ultimately fall upon them on how well they adapt and excel at professional level which makes forthcoming draft all more intriguing!
