Chigoziem Okonkwo, Lucas Krull have next-level potential

In a considerably neglected tight finish class, you could possibly argue that almost all prospects are 2022 NFL Draft sleepers. We’re prone to see a glut of extremely proficient gamers nonetheless obtainable all through Day 3. Nonetheless, a few of the later-round tight ends are being slept on greater than most. It’s time to wake some individuals as much as 5 gamers with wonderful potential.

2022 NFL Draft sleepers at TE

Final 12 months, Kyle Pitts and Pat Freiermuth ensured there was important consideration on the tight finish class. Whereas there isn’t a playmaker to match their prowess within the 2022 NFL Draft, Trey McBride, Greg Dulcich, Isaiah Likely, and Jeremy Ruckert have attracted nationwide protection. This implies there’s a laundry listing of NFL Draft sleepers on the tight finish place. These are a few of our favorites who could make an affect within the NFL.

Chigoziem Okonkwo, Maryland

Comparatively meager manufacturing throughout his Maryland profession has allowed Chigoziem Okonkwo to slip beneath the radar on this class. Regardless of a sensational Shrine Bowl efficiency and a few breath-taking athletic numbers, Okonkwo nonetheless stays a sleeper within the 2022 NFL Draft. His 4.52-second 40-yard dash led all TEs at the NFL Combine. His velocity interprets to the sphere, with the Maryland product projecting as a devastating seam menace with uncommon palms and alignment versatility.

Lucas Krull, Pittsburgh

In case you’re searching for an athlete on the tight finish place, look no additional than Pitt’s Lucas Krull. He posted a 9.07 Relative Athletic Score, headlined by a 4.64 40-yard sprint at over 250 kilos plus wonderful vertical and broad jumps.

Krull seems to be the a part of an NFL tight finish, possesses the size and technical prowess to pluck the ball away from his body, and showcases power as a blocker. As one of many sleepers on this NFL Draft tight finish class, you don’t hear a lot about him. However, Krull is a top-200 participant on our Top 300 Consensus Big Board.

James Mitchell, Virginia Tech

Virginia Tech tight finish James Mitchell entered the 2021 faculty soccer season with an honest quantity of hype. On account of a season-ending harm early within the 12 months, he’s fallen out of the highlight and dwells amongst the sleepers of the 2022 NFL Draft.

Nonetheless, Mitchell is a big-bodied playmaker who makes use of his body to field out defenders and his dependable palms to be a safe goal. Whereas blocking might not be his forte, he’s a pass-catching menace with misleading velocity, quick footwork, and good physique management and ball-tracking expertise.

Derrick Deese Jr., San Jose State

In his last marketing campaign for San Jose State, Derrick Deese Jr. tallied 730 receiving yards at 15.5 yards per catch and 4 touchdowns. Regardless of being probably the most productive tight ends in faculty soccer, Deese’s lack of nationwide recognition sees him head to Las Vegas as one of many sleepers of this NFL Draft class.

The stats converse to Deese’s skill as a go catcher, however he’s a long-levered tight finish with a pure pass-catching approach. Moreover, he has power as a blocker who may change into proficient on the NFL stage with teaching.

Andrew Ogletree, Youngstown State

In a two-play stretch in the course of the Hula Bowl, Andrew Ogletree demonstrated his ball-tracking expertise, physique management, dependable palms, and spatial consciousness to carry the ball down at the back of the top zone whereas sustaining possession in bounds.

Enjoying for Youngstown State, he’s a reliable sleeper within the 2022 NFL Draft class. Nonetheless, he caught some consideration — including from me — along with his performances within the Hula Bowl and an distinctive testing efficiency on the Miami (OH) Professional Day. He might be a shock draftee on Day 3.

Honorable mentions