2021 NFL Draft watchlist: Keeping tabs on a deep tight end class

MIAMI GARDENS, FL - DECEMBER 30: Kyle Pitts #84 of the Florida Gators runs with the ball against the Virginia Cavaliers at the Capital One Orange Bowl at Hard Rock Stadium on December 30, 2019 in Miami Gardens, Florida. Florida defeated Virginia 36-28. (Photo by Joel Auerbach/Getty Images)
MIAMI GARDENS, FL - DECEMBER 30: Kyle Pitts #84 of the Florida Gators runs with the ball against the Virginia Cavaliers at the Capital One Orange Bowl at Hard Rock Stadium on December 30, 2019 in Miami Gardens, Florida. Florida defeated Virginia 36-28. (Photo by Joel Auerbach/Getty Images)
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MIAMI GARDENS, FL – DECEMBER 30: Kyle Pitts #84 of the Florida Gators runs with the ball against the Virginia Cavaliers at the Capital One Orange Bowl at Hard Rock Stadium on December 30, 2019 in Miami Gardens, Florida. Florida defeated Virginia 36-28. He is a top tight end in the 2021 NFL Draft class. (Photo by Joel Auerbach/Getty Images)
MIAMI GARDENS, FL – DECEMBER 30: Kyle Pitts #84 of the Florida Gators runs with the ball against the Virginia Cavaliers at the Capital One Orange Bowl at Hard Rock Stadium on December 30, 2019 in Miami Gardens, Florida. Florida defeated Virginia 36-28. He is a top tight end in the 2021 NFL Draft class. (Photo by Joel Auerbach/Getty Images)

The 2021 NFL Draft crop of tight ends is looking sharp

The 2021 NFL Draft is just a short eleven months away, as teams are ramping up towards their 2020 seasons at both the professional and collegiate levels. Well, okay, the draft is still quite a ways away, but now is the time to begin working on preseason big boards leading up to next year’s draft class.

This past year’s crop of tight ends was quite disappointing, with Notre Dame’s Cole Kmet being the first one off the board midway through the second round, and only a total of four taken in the first two days of the draft. Despite a weak class just a month ago, the 2021 NFL Draft class is shaping up to be a much improved group across the board.

As we dissect this position group, the tight end class will be divided into three categories: the frontrunners, the wildcards, and the small school sleepers. While there are far more than eleven tight ends who will declare for the 2021 NFL Draft, this seemed like a good group to start your viewing with.

Here are some names in a solid tight end class to keep an eye on throughout the summer and the 2020 college football season.