Welcome back to Part III of the series, where I will highlight guys that should be added to your supplemental draft queues. Today’s theme, believe it or not: Tight Ends!
I will try to lay out some expectations and roughly where I would target the player in the supplemental draft (assuming it’s the standard 15 rounds). As a devy analyst, I will try to give an honest perspective on their NFL aspirations. It would be best if you, the reader, kept in mind when these articles are written, that the players who are partially driven by opportunity could quickly lose that variable with a transfer portal addition. They must be rostered in 25% or under in Fantrax leagues to qualify for this article. I know some of these guys will be obvious, but I hope to give you some deeper names.
TE Justin Joly, NC State
- 6’3″ / 232 lbs.
- Entering 2nd year
- NFL Projection: Day 3 hopeful
- Rostered: 3%
- Supplemental Draft Range: Rounds 10+
I rarely talk about tight ends, but here we are. Joly was the leading receiving threat for the Huskies and finished strong, averaging almost ten targets a game over the final four games.
Joly was used as a downfield threat earlier in the year before switching to operating in the shallow areas, utilizing his strong hands and YAC ability. I usually don’t like to draft TE early, but I do stan anchor TEs. I would’ve preferred he stayed with UCONN for opportunity purposes, but he hit the portal and found himself at NC State.
NC State is going through a rebranding this offseason with the addition of QB Grayson McCall and a skillset very different than Robert Anae’s QBs of the past. NC State has a budding star in Kevin Concepcion, but the receiving room is wide open. If Joly can replicate ten targets a game, he’s in the running to finish as the TE1, but with the ever-changing college football landscape, his future production is too hard to predict. It is nice to know that McCall has had chemistry with TEs in the past with 5th round pick and current Baltimore Raven, Isaiah Likely. Also, Robert Anae is not shy of using TEs in the past with Oronde Gadsden II in Syracuse and Jelani Woods out of Virginia. Justin Joly could easily win the number two receiving spot in this system as it stands today. Add him to the Queue.
TE Kamrean Johnson, Vandy
- 6’5″ / 221 lbs.
- Entering 2nd year
- NFL Projection: Day 3 Hopeful
- Rostered: 0%
- Supplemental Draft Range: Rounds 10+
Johnson immediately announced he’s returning for another year, even though Vandy’s football team has already lost their QB and top three pass catchers. As a true freshman, he’s a small sample-size king with only 40 routes run this year, but he turned that into 10-99-2.
Primarily used in low ADoT situations, Johnson is a great athlete combined with an 82″ wingspan, which would make him intriguing from a measurables perspective. It also helps that he played basketball as well in high school. Vandy will add WRs from the portal, but there won’t be any top guys, so increased playing time is not out of the question. Johnson may be a lottery ticket type of player with his blend of size and athleticism. Add him to the Queue.
TE Addison Ostrenga, Iowa
- 6’4″ / 255 lbs.
- Entering 3rd year
- NFL Projection: Day 3
- Rostered: 1%
- Supplemental Draft Range: Rounds 10+
Am I helmet-scouting for this one? You bet I am because I’m tired of missing out on Iowa tight ends. With the season-ending injuries to Erick All and Luke Lachey, second-year player Ostrenga stepped up as a starter, averaging over six targets a game.
He’s strong at the catch point but leaves a bit to be desired as an athlete. Football conditioning should help him out, he’s a bit of a thick boy and more of a blocker than a pass catcher. I thought he had great hands, good focus, and physical; if he loses 10 lbs., he will improve in the YAC. It’s an Iowa tight end, and barring any transfers coming in, Ostrenga appears to be next in line for full-time starting reps. Add him to the Queue.
