Parish’s 2026 NFL Draft gems: Tight ends

STATE COLLEGE, PA - OCTOBER 28: Khalil Dinkins #16 of the Penn State Nittany Lions celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Indiana Hoosiers during the first half at Beaver Stadium on October 28, 2023 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Each year since joining BTSC in 2024, Ryan Parishhas put togetheradraft gems list. This series is not meant to predict who the Steelers will pick, but rather highlight players Ryan thinks will be viable NFL players, and should be available in Rounds 2-7.Looking for more? Check out Ryan's picks this year at:

• Running backs
• Wide receivers
• Offensive Tackles
• Interior offensive line
• Defensive line
• Edge defenders
• Linebackers
• Cornerbacks
• Safeties

We've just about reached the end. The draft cycle feels like it has stretched on for a millennium at this point. The first round has been poured over and speculated ad nauseam, and our humble series has delved into the depths of this draft for all positions save quarterback (which is excluded from this series) and one other: tight end.

Tight end hasn't been a huge need for the Steelers since I've started this series. Pat Freiermuth has been in town since 2021, and Darnell Washington was drafted in 2023, one year before I joined BTSC. Those two form a formidable top two, and give the Steelers a good mix of pass-catching weapon (Freiermuth) and blocking prowess (Washington). Under former offensive coordinator Arthur Smith, the depth chart also featured names like Jonnu Smith, Connor Heyward, and Mycole Pruitt in recent years. Now, though, it's just Freiermuth and Washington who remain, meaning the Steelers are in need of at least one more tight end, maybe two.

That makes this the perfect position to finish our series with for this draft cycle. The Steelers are not likely to draft one of the top names at the position during the first two days, at least not in the first two rounds. This will be my first time doing a tight ends list, so I'm hopeful this will be a fruitful learning experience. With Freiermuth likely to slide back into a more involved role in the offense this season, we'll be putting extra emphasis on players who can contribute as blockers.

As always:

• Any player selected for this list cannot be commonly mocked as a 1st round pick. For a position like tight end, which typically has few first-round prospects, we'll expand this out slightly to encompass the top-4 prospects on the Consensus Big Board.
• I also avoid players who will have a profile written on BTSC. Paired with the previous rule, this year that disqualifies:Kenyon Sadiq, Max Klare, Eli Stowers and Oscar Delp.

Let's dive in.

Sam Roush, Stanford

Age:22 (09-06-2003)

Height/weight:6'6, 267 pounds

Arm Length:30^3/4" arms, 76^1/2" wingspan

Projected Round: 3rd/4th

If the Steelers are looking for a skilled blocker, Stanford's Sam Roush would offer a top-shelf option as a player whose draft ceiling is the third round. Roush offers an intriguing blend of height, weight, and athleticism (94th-percentile broad and vertical jumps, 4.70 40-time). If there is one bugaboo in his physical profile, however, it is his short arms, which fall within the first percentile of tight ends. That limits his catch radius and can show up against defenders with significantly longer arms, but the good on his tape outweighs the bad.

Sam Roush (6'6 267) Stanford

+ Ideal size for a tight end
+ 9.94 relative athletic score
+ 545 receiving yards in 2025
+ Effort as a blocker
+ 71.2 pass blocking grade in 2025
+ Effective route runner
+ Special teams' experience
+ Physical runner after the catch
+ Finding soft... pic.twitter.com/bfqizIWvi4

- Bengals & Brews (@BengalsBrews) March 11, 2026

As you can see in the reel above, Roush is a feisty blocker, and he offers upside as a pass catcher, though I'll note his drop rate (12.5% in 2025) can be frustrating, and he had a few head-scratching drops when I watched him during the Senior Bowl, both in practices and the game.

His expected draft cost might be a bit rich for the Steelers. However, if they do draft him, it would be because he contributes more as a blocker than Freiermuth.

Will Kacmarek, Ohio State

Age:23 (02-12-2003)

Height/weight:6'5^1/2, 261 pounds

Arm Length:32^5/8" arms, 80^1/8" wingspan

Projected Round: 4th

One of the Steelers' scheduled pre-draft visits, Kacmarek (pronounced Kaz-mare-ik) is in the running for the best blocking tight end in the class. If you hear a dull roar sometime around noon EST on Saturday, do not be alarmed; that's just the sound of me pounding the table for the Steelers to select KAZ" with one of their two fourth-round picks. The idea of Kacmarek and Darnell Washington both paving the way for the Black and Gold's run game should be enough to whip any Steelers fan into a fervor.

Will Kacmarek Draft Profile Based on Film:
Run Blocking: A+
Pass Blocking: A
Athleticism: B+
Strength: A-
Receiving: C+
IQ: A
Frame: A-
Overall: A-
Best Fits: Broncos, Patriots, Dolphins pic.twitter.com/ygKSWkzgdM

- Film Watchers (@Filmwatchers1) March 2, 2026

As a pass catcher, Kacmarek was never a focal point in his two years with the Buckeyes. He more than doubled his total targets in Columbus (27) during his first two college seasons at Ohio (58), but in his limited opportunities, he flashed that he is a strong hands-catcher who can pluck the ball out of the air away from his body. His 4.4% drop rate on 85 targets is encouraging as well. He's a little stiff as a route runner, but he was clocked at over 18 mph at the Senior Bowl, so he could be utilized in the seam and as an underneath target, especially on routes where he is tasked with chipping a defender and then deploying on a delayed release.

Will Kacmarek (6'6 261) Ohio State

+ One of the best blocking tight ends in this draft class
+ 88.2% completion rate when targeted in 2025
+ Physicality as a blocker and plays to the echo of the whistle
+ Finishing mentality
+ Competitive nature
+ 72.2 pass blocking and 71.0... pic.twitter.com/9rIXVqa2Nz

- Bengals & Brews (@BengalsBrews) April 1, 2026

Nate Boerkircher, Texas A&M

Age:24 (09-04-2001)

Height/weight:6'5^1/2, 245 pounds

Arm Length:32^5/8" arms, 79^1/8" wingspan

Projected Round: 4th

A sixth-year senior with just 38 targets in his college career, Boerkircher is purely a projection when it comes to being a pass catcher. He's shown flashes of being able to catch the ball away from his frame, and he's shown some contested catch ability in limited opportunities. He's had too little exposure to be overly confident in his ability as a route runner, but his hands do appear to be good. Here's a Senior Bowl rep he took against Kyle Louis.

The #Patriots met with Texas A&M TE Nate Boerkircher at the Combine, per @TexAgs.

The 6'5 245-pound senior is regarded as one of the best in-line blockers in the draft and he has impressive contested-catch ability.

Boerkircher is a projected Day 3 pick.pic.twitter.com/DTXwTy3B70

- Carlos A. Lopez (@LosTalksPats) February 28, 2026

He'll also turn 25 years old as a rookie, which should play a significant role in him landing on Day 3 of the draft.

But now that I've highlighted the concerns, I'll also say that I'd be willing to overlook those profile red flags if he were selected by Pittsburgh. That's mainly because any team that drafts him is selecting him to be the focal point of their offense. Rather, they'll be looking at his skills as a blocker.

Texas A&M TE Nate Boerkircher is another in-line prospect I'm a fan of.

Good blocker who wasn't used a ton in the passing game, but flashes the athletic ability/catch radius to be a downfield threat. pic.twitter.com/qdEBfxp3o4

- Tyler Brooke (@TylerDBrooke) April 13, 2026

Not many true "Y" type of tight ends in this draft class, but #TAMU TE Nate Boerkircher executed a lot of those duties after transferring from Nebraska. Didn't have overwhelming production but did a nice job as a blocker in-line and flexed out, and even pass pro occasionally. pic.twitter.com/yJIQW8GgCI

- Devin Jackson (@RealD_Jackson) February 21, 2026

I'd prefer to draft Boerkircher later than his projected fourth-round value, but if the Steelers are targeting blocking tight ends this draft, he's a name you should be familiar with.

Marlin Klein, Michigan

Age:23 (09-17-2002)

Height/weight:6'6, 249 pounds

Arm Length:32^3/8" arms, 80^1/8" wingspan

Projected Round: 4th

Another pre-draft visit for the Steelers, Marlin Klein had more targets in college than Boerkircher, but not much more (64 targets). He's another player whose projection as a playmaker is highly speculative because of his limited opportunities. But it's not hard to see why NFL teams are taking notice after his Combine performance. Klein ran a 4.61 40-Yard Dash (87th percentile) and had a 36" vertical (81st percentile), with great size and length.

Marlin Klein (6'6 248) Michigan

+ 1 drop prior to the 2025 season
+ In-line blocking ability
+ Good athlete with a 9.01 relative athletic score that included a 4.61 40-yard dash and a 36" vertical
+ Special teams' experience
+ Competitive mentality
+ Team captain
+ Only started... pic.twitter.com/qqoZPTH4CZ

- Bengals & Brews (@BengalsBrews) March 26, 2026

While his athletic testing hints at a player who could unlock more to his game as a pass catcher, what will get Klein drafted - and what makes him intriguing to the Steelers - is his ability as a blocker. While I don't think his blocking is quite at the level of the tight ends that have preceded him on this list, he shows good grip strength, and he's tied with Kacmarek for the longest wingspan among this collection of players. Klein fits the mold of an ascending player who could unlock more in his game at the pro level. Should Kacmarek go before the Steelers can pick him, Klein wouldn't be a bad pivot.

Carsen Ryan, BYU

Age:22 (08-21-2003)

Height/weight:6'3^3/8, 255 pounds

Arm Length:31^3/8" arms, 77^3/8" wingspan

Projected Round: 5th/6th

Well-traveled with stops at UCLA, Utah, and BYU, Ryan is one of the players who would show up on a Draft Hipster's list, if such a thing existed. Social media posts about him are almost always prefaced with a claim that he's one of the poster's favorite sleepers in this class. The 2025 season was his first truly productive season, but he showed out with an increased opportunity at BYU, snagging 45 passes for 620 yards. It was enough to earn him comparisons to Cardinals' All-Pro tight end Trey McBride from respected draft analysts.

New Football 301 is out now!

The great @ConnorJRogers joined me to breakdown the RB & TE prospects for the 2026 NFL draft!

We stack up the positions that have unanimous top guys, but little consensus beyond that. Awesome show going over reams of prospects. Like TE Carsen Ryan... pic.twitter.com/j1o686w0RU

- Nate Tice (@Nate_Tice) March 18, 2026

But of course, Ryan wouldn't be on our list if he wasn't a decent blocker. He isn't the most powerful blocker on this list, but he shows good footwork and a good understanding of angles and how to seal off lanes for runners. He's capable on the move as a puller, as well as blocking in space on screen concepts out wide to receivers.

Carsen Ryan (6'3 255) BYU

+ Thick build
+ 620 receiving yards and 3 receiving touchdowns in 2025
+ 5.1% career drop rate
+ Can line up in-line, in the slot, and also on the outside
+ Effort as a blocker
+ Physical runner after the catch

- Not overly elusive
- Lacks ideal... pic.twitter.com/WwN1lmMjEL

- Bengals & Brews (@BengalsBrews) April 12, 2026

And while this certainly isn't the top thing that will get him drafted, I would be remiss if I didn't mention he's in the running with linebacker Jacob Rodriguez for best mustache in the class.

BYU TE Carsen Ryan had the best response to Saturday's 29-7 loss to No. 8 Texas Tech. No. 12 Cougars host TCU on Saturday night:

"I'm pissed off. I hate losing ... Our destiny's still in our hands. We've just got to go out and perform, bounce back as an offense, especially." pic.twitter.com/ovJtgofogJ

- Sean Walker (@ActuallyDSW) November 10, 2025

Khalil Dinkins, Penn State

Age:23 (05-29-2002)

Height/weight:6'4^1/4, 251 pounds

Arm Length:33^1/4" arms, 79^7/8" wingspan

Projected Round: 6th/7th

Dinkins might be a familiar name to Pennsylvania residents and is another one of the tight ends the Steelers brought in for a predraft visit. Like many of the names on this list, he had limited opportunities as a pass catcher at the college level, with just 54 career targets. In his defense, tight ends aren't typically the focal point of college passing attacks, and he spent time behind two NFL starters: Brenton Strange and, more infamously, Tyler Warren. But Dinkins made the most of the opportunities, with 19% of his receptions in college resulting in a touchdown. And say what you will about former Penn State coach James Franklin, it's clear Dinkins was a player who had his respect, with the coach putting out a highlight reel for him on social media.

Khalil Dinkins (TE) Highlight Tape

- Wexford, Pennsylvania
- @NAFootball_TFL, HC Art Walker

Proud of you! Continue to work hard & maximize every opportunity. #WeAre | @KhalilDink8pic.twitter.com/T5F8QNwsW8

- James Franklin (@coachjfranklin) May 29, 2024

But if you've read this far into my list, you know I'm not highlighting Dinkins simply because he shows some promise as a pass catcher.

Roll that beautiful blocking footage!

KHALIL DINKINS MURKED HIM! pic.twitter.com/Jz0JJ7OXWQ

- LandonTengwall (@LandonTengwall) September 6, 2025

Good to note that Penn State did what we thought they would do with the Trautwein formation-leave Johnson & Warren on the outside and replace Brenton Strange with TE Khalil Dinkins. He has a good block here pic.twitter.com/fj3uATSCv7

- Hardcore Penn State Football (@HardcorePSUFB) September 3, 2023

Compliment. Athletically, Penn State TE Khalil Dinkins (6-4 1/4, 251) is good at everything, great at nothing. No holes, solid everywhere

On field, kick ass blocker

1.69 10
4.72 40
32.5 Vert
9-11 Broad
4.33 Shuttle
Bench 25

@LandonTengwallpic.twitter.com/LKwv3mKGKY

- Clint Goss (@NFLDraftDome) March 2, 2026

There's some serious pop behind Dinkins blocks. If the Steelers elect to fill other needs earlier in the draft, Dinkins is an intriguing option in the late rounds.

TE/FB/H-back hybrid honorable mention:
Riley Nowakowski, Indiana

Age:23 (06-30-2002)

Height/weight:6'2^1/4", 250 pounds

Arm Length:31^1/2" arms, 77^1/4" wingspan

Projected Round: 5th

Nowakowski lacks the size you'd like to have in a traditional tight end, but with hybrid fullback/H-back/tight end Connor Heyward leaving the team via free agency, the Steelers could be looking for a new player to fill that role. Mike McCarthy's offenses have utilized fullbacks in the past, with players like John Kuhn (6'0, 250 pounds) in his Packers days, and Hunter Luepke (6'1, 238 pounds) with the Cowboys.

Nowakowski fits that size profile, and more importantly, he has a nasty demeanor as a blocker that played an underrated role in the Indiana Hoosiers' path to their first national title.

Riley Nowakowski is a day 3 gem in the 2026 NFL Draft and was paramount to Indiana's championship offense

Monster run blocker, amazing hands, and very strong after the catch pic.twitter.com/nmYMFXyiGm

- NFL Draft Files (@NFL_DF) March 10, 2026

If the Steelers want to take their running game to the next level - and find a hard-nosed underneath target that can be reliable for Aaron Rodgers - Nowakowski fits the bill.

What do you think of these tight end prospects? Would you like the Steelers to draft any of them? Who was your favorite? Did I leave one of your favorites out? Let us know in the comments!