This is a really deep class of tight ends with talent not only at the top with players like Notre Dame's Michael Mayer, but teams are going to find Day 1 starters in the NFL at the tight end position well into Day 2 and possibly Day 3 of this draft.
It's probably the deepest tight end class in recent memory.
Top 5 tight ends to watch at the Combine:
1. Michael Mayer, Notre Dame, 6-5, 257
Mayer has a big frame with a wide catch radius. He can line up in-line on the wing or in the slot. He has terrific hands and is really good at catching the ball in a crowd. He does all the little things to be an impact player very early in his career. He caught 138 passes for 1,649 yards and 16 touchdowns the last two seasons combined for the Irish.
View photos of the tight end prospects who were invited to the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine.
Clemson tight end Davis Allen celebrates after scoring a touchdown in the first half of an NCAA college football game against Miami on Saturday, Nov. 19, 2022, in Clemson, S.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)
Purdue tight end Payne Durham, right, is pursued by Syracuse defensive back Duce Chestnut during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Syracuse, N.Y., Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)
North Dakota State guard Nash Jensen (66), tackle Dillon Radunz (75), and tight end Noah Gindorff (87) block for quarterback Trey Lance (5) against Central Arkansas in the second quarter of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 3, 2020, in Fargo, N.D. North Dakota State won 39-28. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)
Utah tight end Dalton Kincaid (86) lines up for a play during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Washington State, Thursday, Oct. 27, 2022, in Pullman, Wash. (AP Photo/Young Kwak)
South Dakota State tight end Tucker Kraft (85) makes a catch in the second half of an NCAA college football game in the semifinals of the FCS playoffs, Saturday, Dec. 18, 2021, in Bozeman, Mont. Montana State won 31-17. Tommy Martino)
Iowa tight end Sam LaPorta (84) tries to catch a pass during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Wisconsin, Saturday, Nov. 12, 2022, in Iowa City, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
Alabama tight end Cameron Latu (81) rush with the ball during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Mississippi in Oxford, Miss., Saturday, Nov. 12, 2022. Alabama won 30-24. (AP Photo/Thomas Graning)
Miami tight end Will Mallory (85) runs with the ball while pursued by Clemson safety Andrew Mukuba (1) in the second half of an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Nov. 19, 2022, in Clemson, S.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)
Notre Dame tight end Michael Mayer (87) runs past Boston College defensive back Jaiden Woodbey (9) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 19, 2022, in South Bend, Ind. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Oregon State tight end Luke Musgrave (88) prepares to block Washington State defensive back Armani Marsh (8) during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 9, 2021, in Pullman, Wash. (AP Photo/Young Kwak)
Air Force tight end Kyle Patterson, right, gestures that his pass catch earned enough yardage for a first down as wide receiver Jake Spiewak, center, and New Mexico safety Tavian Combs look on in the first half of an NCAA college football game Friday, Nov. 20, 2020, at Air Force Academy, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Michigan tight end Luke Schoonmaker scores a touchdown against Indiana during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Ann Arbor, Mich., Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021. (AP Photo/Tony Ding)
Penn State tight end Brenton Strange (86) runs Minnesota during their NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 22, 2022, in State College, Pa. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger)
Cincinnati tight end Leonard Taylor (11) runs for a touchdown during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Kennesaw State Saturday, Sept. 10, 2022, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean)
Nebraska's Travis Vokolek runs in a 56-yard reception for a touchdown against Illinois during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 29, 2022, in Lincoln, Neb. (AP Photo/Rebecca S. Gratz)
Georgia tight end Darnell Washington (0) makes a catch past Vanderbilt cornerback BJ Anderson (26) in the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 15, 2022, in Athens, Ga. (AP Photo/Brett Davis)
Wake Forest tight end Blake Whiteheart (85) catches a touchdown pass against Clemson linebacker Trenton Simpson (22) during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Winston-Salem, N.C., Saturday, Sept. 24, 2022. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
Cincinnati tight end Josh Whyle (81) in action during an NCAA college football game against Temple, Saturday, Nov. 19, 2022, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Laurence Kesterson)
Oklahoma tight end Brayden Willis (9) celebrates after catching a pass in the end zone for a 2-point conversion during the second half against Florida State in the Cheez-It Bowl NCAA college football game Thursday, Dec. 29, 2022, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
2. Luke Musgrave, Oregon State, 6-6, 255
Musgrave is a really impressive athlete for his size. He clocked in at over 20 mph on the Zebra Tech tracking system at Senior Bowl practices. He'll be able to stretch the field a bit from the tight end position and he's also a very capable blocker.
3. Dalton Kincaid, Utah, 6-4, 241
Kincaid might be the best pure receiver of the bunch with the ability to line up all over the field because of his size, route running and hands. A former All-State high basketball player, those skills translate to the football field with his ability to block out would-be defenders and high point the football. He caught 70 passes for 890 yards and eight touchdowns this past season.
4. Darnell Washington, Georgia, 6-7, 280
Washington is probably the most consistent blocker of the group and still very much a developing player in the pass game. A terrific athlete for his size, Washington averaged 17.2 yards per reception over the course of his three-year Georgia career. He creates a lot of mismatches in the run and pass game because of his size and athleticism.
5. Tucker Kraft, South Dakota State, 6-5, 255
Kraft is a terrific athlete who played quarterback, running back, linebacker and punter in high school. He was also a really good high school basketball player. As a sophomore in 2021 he played in 15 games and caught 65 balls for 770 yards and six touchdowns. He's got a chance to be an immediate impact player as a Day 2 pick.
Combine sleeper to watch: Payne Durham, Purdue, 6-5, 255
The National Team tight end Practice Player of the Week at the Senior Bowl, Durham showed an innate ability to make the tough catches look easy. He's a very good blocker in the run game and was Purdue's second leading receiver in 2022 with 56 receptions for 560 yards and eight touchdowns. He did his best work at the Senior Bowl in the red zone.
View photos of the linebacker prospects who were invited to the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine.
Louisville linebacker Yasir Abdullah (22) celebrates after recovering a fumble during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Wake Forest in Louisville, Ky., Saturday, Oct. 29, 2022. (AP Photo/Timothy D. Easley)
Alabama linebacker Will Anderson Jr. (31) lines up against Mississippi State during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 22, 2022, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
Tennessee linebacker Jeremy Banks (33) pursues Alabama running back Jahmyr Gibbs (1) during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 15, 2022, in Knoxville, Tenn. Tennessee won 52-49. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
LSU linebacker Micah Baskerville (23) plays during the second quarter of an NCAA college football game against Texas A&M in Baton Rouge, La,. Saturday, Nov. 27, 2021. (AP Photo/Derick Hingle)
FILE - Iowa linebacker Jack Campbell (31) gets set for a play during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Nebraska on Nov. 25, 2022, in Iowa City, Iowa. Iowa (7-5) and Kentucky (7-5) will face off on Saturday, Dec. 31, 2022, in the Music City Bowl. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall, File)
FILE - Army linebacker Andre Carter II (34) celebrates after sacking Georgia State quarterback Cornelious Brown IV (4) during the first quarter of an NCAA football game Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021, in Atlanta. Army features a roster that returns standout linebacker Andre Carter, who posted 15.5 sacks, second nationally. (AP Photo/Ben Margot, File)
Pittsburgh linebacker SirVocea Dennis (7) plays against West Virginia during an NCAA college football game, Thursday, Sept. 1, 2022, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
Purdue linebacker Jalen Graham sets up on defense during an NCAA college football game against Illinois Saturday, Nov. 12, 2022, in Champaign, Ill. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Auburn linebacker Derick Hall reacts after a stop against Texas A&M during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 12, 2022, in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Washington State linebacker Daiyan Henley (1) in the first half during an NCAA college football game against Arizona, Saturday, Nov. 19, 2022, in Tucson, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Wisconsin linebacker Nick Herbig runs up field during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Iowa, Saturday, Nov. 12, 2022, in Iowa City, Iowa. Iowa won 24-10. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
Duke linebacker Shaka Heyward (42) defends Northwestern running back Cam Porter during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept.10, 2022, in Evanston, Ill. (AP Photo/David Banks)
Oregon linebacker DJ Johnson (2) gets around California tight end Jermaine Terry II (4) during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Berkeley, Calif., Saturday, Oct. 29, 2022. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
Louisiana Lafayette linebacker Andre Jones (10) reacts after a tackle for a loss during an NCAA football game against Georgia Southern on Thursday, Nov. 10, 2022, in Lafayette, La. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton)
Indiana linebacker Cam Jones (4) reacts after sacking the Illinois quarterback during an NCAA football game on Friday, Sept. 2, 2022, in West Bloomington, Ind. (AP Photo/Doug McSchooler)
American linebacker Eku Leota of Auburn (55) runs through drills during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game Thursday, Feb. 2, 2023, in Mobile, Ala.. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Nebraska edge rusher Ochaun Mathis (32) reaches for Indiana quarterback Connor Bazelak (9) during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022, in Lincoln, Neb. Nebraska defeated Indiana 35-21. (AP Photo/Rebecca S. Gratz)
Florida linebacker Ventrell Miller (51) walks back after a play against LSU during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 15, 2022, in Gainesville, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
North Carolina State's Isaiah Moore (1) celebrates a sack of Texas Tech's Donovan Smith during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Raleigh, N.C., Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022. (AP Photo/Karl B DeBlaker)
LSU defensive end BJ Ojulari (18) reacts to a play during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Mississippi State in Baton Rouge, La., Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022. LSU won 31-16. (AP Photo/Tyler Kaufman)
Vanderbilt's Anfernee Orji celebrates a sack of the Missouri quarterback during the first quarter of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 22, 2022, in Columbia, Mo. (AP Photo/L.G. Patterson)
Texas linebacker DeMarvion Overshown (0) gets ready for the play during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Oklahoma at the Cotton Bowl, Saturday, Oct. 8, 2022, in Dallas. Texas won 49-0. (AP Photo/Jeffrey McWhorter)
Cincinnati linebacker Ivan Pace Jr. (0) pressures Tulane quarterback Michael Pratt (7) during an NCAA college football game, Friday, Nov. 25, 2022, in Cincinnati. Tulane won 27-24. (AP Photo/Aaron Doster)
Auburn's Owen Pappoe (0) defends during the first half of an NCAA football game against Mercer on Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022, in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/Stew Milne)
Tennessee Tech quarterback Jeremiah Oatsvall (4) passes the ball as he is tackled by Kansas defensive end Lonnie Phelps (47) during the second half of an NCAA college football game Friday, Sept. 2, 2022, in Lawrence, Kan. Kansas won 56-10. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
FILE - Arkansas linebacker Drew Sanders (42) celebrates after making a big play against Cincinnati during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022, in Fayetteville, Ark. Sanders was selected to The Associated Press All-America team released Monday, Dec. 12, 2022.(AP Photo/Michael Woods, File)
Oregon linebacker Noah Sewell (1) signals a fourth down against Washington during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 12, 2022, in Eugene, Ore. (AP Photo/Andy Nelson)
Clemson linebacker Trenton Simpson (22) plays against North Carolina during the Atlantic Coast Conference championship NCAA college football game on Saturday, Dec. 3, 2022, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)
North Carolina linebacker Noah Taylor (7) directs the team during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Virginia Tech in Chapel Hill, N.C., Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022 (AP Photo/Chris Seward)
Georgia Tech's Charlie Thomas (1) defends during the first half of an NCAA football game against Clemson on Monday, Sept. 5, 2022, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Stew Milne)
Alabama linebacker Henry To'oTo'o (10) runs a play against Arkansas during an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022, in Fayetteville, Ark. (AP Photo/Michael Woods)
Mississippi State linebacker Tyrus Wheat (2) pressures Texas A&M quarterback Max Johnson during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Starkville, Miss., Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
Tulane linebacker Dorian Williams (2) during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Memphis in New Orleans, Saturday, Oct. 22, 2022. Tulane won 38-28. (AP Photo/Tyler Kaufman)
TCU linebacker Dee Winters (13) gestures during the first overtime period of an NCAA college football game against Oklahoma State in Fort Worth, Texas, Saturday, Oct. 15, 2022. (AP Photo/Sam Hodde)
Lions' need at the position: Moderate
The Lions traded T.J. Hockenson to Minnesota at the trade deadline, but their production from the tight end position didn't decline afterward. That's a credit not only to Brock Wright, Shane Zylstra and James Mitchell but also to offensive coordinator Ben Johnson.
Wright and Zylstra are exclusive rights free agents, which means the Lions control their rights for the 2023 season. Mitchell will be entering Year 2 and is expected to take a big leap in production after getting a late start to his rookie season due to an ACL injury suffered in college.
Wright showed off his speed and athleticism with the game-winning 51-yard touchdown this past season against the Jets. Zylstra had three touchdown receptions in the loss to Carolina. Mitchell got better and better as the season progressed and showed he's got some real run-after- catch potential.
But don't be surprised at all if Lions general manager Brad Holmes looks to add to this unit as early as Day 2 of the NFL Draft to shore up that room and create some really good competition and depth heading into OTAs and training camp. With Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams expected to be matchup nightmares for opposing defenses, there could be plenty of opportunities for tight ends to be very productive in this offense in 2023.
Key stat: The Lions were the only NFL team to have two tight ends with at least four touchdowns this season (Wright and Zylstra each with four). Detroit's 12 receiving touchdowns from tight ends in 2022 established a new franchise record for the most combined touchdowns from the position.
