With The First Pick
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2021 NFL Draft watchlist: Keeping tabs on a deep tight end class

By Cory Kinnan

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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LUBBOCK, TEXAS – OCTOBER 19: Tight end Charlie Kolar #88 of the Iowa State Cyclones runs with the ball after a reception during the first half of the college football game against the Texas Tech Red Raiders on October 19, 2019 at Jones AT&T Stadium in Lubbock, Texas. (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images)
LUBBOCK, TEXAS – OCTOBER 19: Tight end Charlie Kolar #88 of the Iowa State Cyclones runs with the ball after a reception during the first half of the college football game against the Texas Tech Red Raiders on October 19, 2019 at Jones AT&T Stadium in Lubbock, Texas. (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images) /

The wild cards

Whether from a power-five conference, or just from an FBS school, there are plenty of other tight ends that deserve their tape get attention this summer as we ramp up towards the 2021 NFL Draft.

Pick Analysis. Charlie Kolar. 88. player. Scouting Report. TE. Iowa State. 837

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Iowa State may surprise some people this year as Matt Campbell is getting quarterback Brock Purdy at the peak of his college career, and quite the tight end for him to target in Charlie Kolar. Coming off of a 2019 season with 51 catches, nearly 700 yards and seven touchdowns, Kolar looks to jump up into the ranks with Pitts, Jordan, and Freiermuth.

Matt Bushman, BYU

After three straight seasons of over 500 yards receiving, BYU’s Matt Bushman decided to return to school for his last year of eligibility. At 6-5 and 245 pounds, Bushman provides a lot of human to target and could take his game to another level in his senior season.

Ohio State has not had a big named tight end come out of their program in over a decade, but Jeremy Ruckert looks to turn that fortune around. The Buckeyes struggle to incorporate tight ends into their passing attack, but coming off of a season with a high catch rate on limited looks, Ruckert could make that leap.

Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. Wisconsin. Jake Ferguson. 84. TE. player. 809

Wisconsin fell one game short of a Big Ten title a year ago, but saw improved quarterback play out of Jack Coan. As tight end Jake Ferguson looks to build off of a 2019 year where he tallied over 400 yards and two scores off of 33 catches, he will need Coan to continue to improve.

Speaking of quarterback play, no team has done less with the offensive firepower they have recruited than the Michigan Wolverines. However, now that hit-and-miss quarterback Shea Patterson is out of Ann Arbor, tight end Nick Eubanks may now finally find his stride for the maize and blue.

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