Small School TEs Could Provide Big Results for Saints in Draft

Two TE prospects from lesser-known colleges could be a big-time addition to the New Orleans offense in the draft.

NFL tight ends don't necessarily come from well-known schools or through early round draft picks. Hall of Famer Shannon Sharpe was a seventh-round choice from tiny Savannah St. Travis Kelce a third-round pick from Cincinnati. Dallas Goedert was a second-round choice, but from South Dakota State. Robert Tonyan was undrafted out of Indiana State. Tyler Higbee, a fourth-round pick from Western Kentucky. Gerald Everett was a second-round choice, but from South Alabama. 

New Orleans Saints TE Juwan Johnson, a converted wideout himself, had a breakout season in 2022 with 42 receptions for 508 yards and a team-high 7 touchdowns. Johnson has established himself as a pass catching threat, but the Saints may also want to add a more traditional in-line tight end to complement him.

This draft class looks deep at the position. Utah's Dalton Kincaid and Michael Mayer of Notre Dame may even be first round selections. It seems highly unlikely that New Orleans uses their first pick on a tight end. They may target the position in later rounds, which includes these lesser-known prospects. 

TE - Zack Kuntz

Old Dominion (Sr.)

6'7" 255-Lbs.

Mar 4, 2023; Old Dominion tight end Zack Kuntz (participates in drills at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY

After a standout Pennsylvania high school career that also included a state championship in the 110m hurdles, Kuntz started collegiately at Penn State. He caught one pass for eight yards as a freshman in 2018 before taking a redshirt. Over the next two years, he'd see mostly special teams duty and had two catches for 18 yards before transferring to Old Dominion. 

In 2021, Kuntz had 692 yards and five touchdowns on a team-high 73 receptions for the Monarchs in being named 1st Team All-Conference USA. An injury ended his 2022 campaign after just five games, where he had 12 catches for 144 yards and two scores.

Kuntz put on an impressive display at the NFL Scouting Combine, alleviating concerns about his injury recovery. A 4.55 second 40 time, 1.57 10-yard split, 40" vertical, 10'8" broad jump, 4.12 20-yard shuttle, and 6.87 3-cone drill were all at the top of participating tight ends. 

Despite his frame, Kuntz needs great improvement as a blocker. Defenders often beat him because of poor leverage, especially his lack of knee bend. More of a finesse than power blocker, he'll need to add upper body strength for improvement in this area.

As a pass catcher, Kuntz's athleticism isn't always evident on the field. He doesn't always extend to make the catch and needs to use his athleticism for better elusiveness in the open field. He'll also need to be more physical to get a better release on in-line patterns. 

A potential matchup nightmare for defenses, Kuntz is a better athlete than most linebackers and towers over average-sized defenders. He's just as effective as a pass catcher whether coming off the line or splitting out wide.

Nov. 20, 2021; Old Dominion tight end Zack Kuntz (80) make a catch in the end zone for a touchdown as MTSU safety Reed Blankenship (12) covers. HELEN COMER/The Daily News Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK

Kuntz is an excellent route runner, disguising his breaks well and able to run a full route tree. His quickness off the snap can nullify a physical press. Kuntz has the speed to threaten downfield, but also works the middle efficiently. 

Kuntz's frame alone presents his quarterback with an imposing throw radius. He further extends that with elite leaping skills and ability to high-point the ball. Kuntz also has standout body control and adjusts well to off-target throws. 

A probable Day 3 selection, Kuntz has the receiving ability to be an immediate matchup weapon in the passing game. If his blocking improves to match his physical skills, he could turn out to be a draft steal with starting potential. 

Zack Kuntz is a small-school star that'll have to overcome some doubts to make an NFL roster. Another tight end who has risen to near the top of his draft class hails from another little-known school that has already produced one NFL star at the position. 

TE - Tucker Kraft

South Dakota State (Jr.)

6'5" 254-Lbs.

Jan 8, 2023; South Dakota State Jackrabbits tight end Tucker Kraft (85) makes a catch against North Dakota State Bison safety Michael Tutsie (25). Mandatory Credit: Chris Jones-USA TODAY

South Dakota State's 2020 season was moved to the spring of 2021 because of covid.  Kraft caught seven balls for 90 yards during the shortened campaign after taking a redshirt.  He'd have a breakout campaign in the fall of 2021, leading the Jackrabbits with 65 receptions for 780 yards and six scores on his way to FCS All-American honors. 

An ankle injury limited Kraft to just six games last season, where he caught 19 passes for 232 yards and two scores. Kraft's 10-yard split (1.59) and broad jump of 10'2" was among the best of all participating tight ends at the Scouting Combine. His 40 time (4.69) and 20-yard shuttle (4.29) ranked in the upper quarter of tight ends. 

Kraft's in-line blocking will need to improve at the NFL level. He's willing, but too often a defender will get a leverage advantage because of technique and high pad level. He'll also have to expand on the limited route tree he ran in college and prove that he can do it against a significant jump in competition. 

While not an elite athlete, Kraft is good enough to create mismatches as a receiver. He's quick enough to slip by press coverage, with the route precision to line up wide or come off the line of scrimmage. His in-line blocking is good enough to not be a liability and he's proven to be a solid blocker in space at the second level. 

Kraft shows a great football IQ and has an outstanding understanding of zone concepts. He's best on quick routes, where he can turn upfield and use his elusiveness to pick up extra yardage. 

Kraft boxes out defenders like a seasoned pro in traffic to make the catch. He also has outstanding body control to adjust to off-target throws and a formidable catch radius, giving his quarterback a reliable target in key moments. 

South Dakota State's Tucker Kraft escapes Southern Illinois players after a catch. Erin Bormett / Argus Leader / USA TODAY NETWORK

Looking to follow former South Dakota State standout Dallas Goedert to stardom, Tucker Kraft brings the same sort of upside as a receiver. He isn't as polished as Goedert coming out of college and will need to sharpen his blocking technique and route precision. However, Kraft has shown enough as a receiver that he'll be drafted no later than late Day 2 or early Day 3.

Both Kraft and Zack Kuntz would be immediate receiving upgrades to Adam Trautman as a second tight end in the New Orleans offense. Each are good enough blockers with the upside to improve in both areas, potentially giving the Saints a versatile two-TE combination with Juwan Johnson if selected. 

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