2027 NFL Draft preseason positional rankings: Tight ends

Editor’s note: This is the 10th installment of Dane Brugler’s 2027 NFL Draft Summer Scouting series. Previous rankings: Wide receivers | Defensive tackles | Running backs | Linebackers | Cornerbacks | Interior offensive linemen | Offensive tackles | Safeties | Edge rushers

There were 22 tight ends selected in the 2026 draft. I doubt that many will be chosen next spring, but it looks like another strong group at the position for 2027.

Despite the high volume of tight ends drafted this April, only one went in the top 50. This year’s class has at least two tight ends at the top of the stack with first-round talent.

(Notes: An asterisk represents a draft-eligible underclassman. Heights and weights are what NFL teams have on file for each player, per league sources.)

1. Trey’Dez Green, LSU (6-6, 238)*

What he does best: Unique athlete with rebounding skills

Good luck covering this guy.

A tall, loose athlete, Green has vines for arms and the catching prowess of a wide receiver. With his body control and rebounding skills, he showcases a rare skill set that makes him a nightmare to cover on fades and jump balls (his 12 contested catches last season were the second most among FBS tight ends). But Green isn’t only a possession target. Nothing is lumbering about his speed before or after the catch.

Green’s two-touchdown performance against Houston in the Texas Bowl encapsulated his uniqueness as an athlete and pass catcher.

Must improve: Football maturation

Late to football, Green was an outside receiver in high school who predominantly ran go routes. It wasn’t until he enrolled at LSU that he got into a three-point stance for the first time and expanded his route tree. Green has made substantial strides over his first two years with the Tigers but is raw in several areas and requires continued development.

2027 NFL Draft outlook

A basketball-focused athlete growing up outside of Baton Rouge, Green joined the football team as a sophomore in high school. He caught two touchdowns in his first game and received his first scholarship offer the next day. Green continued to rise in the recruiting ranks and finished as the No. 1 tight end in the 2024 recruiting cycle. He signed with LSU and became a two-sport athlete, also suiting up for the basketball team as a freshman.

Last season, Green became a mismatch weapon for the Tigers and had seven touchdown grabs — only 2026 first-round pick Kenyon Sadiq caught more touchdowns in 2025 among FBS tight ends. Still young in football years, Green is just scratching the surface of his sky-high potential, and it will be interesting to see how much of a jump he makes this season.

2. Jamari Johnson, Oregon (6-4, 245)*

What he does best: Fluid big-man athleticism

Johnson is an impressive mover for his size, which allows him to quickly get in and out of breaks and be a threat after the catch (averaged 9.1 YAC per catch in 2025). He has a great feel working the seam and middle of the field, and his adjustment skills make him a large target for his quarterback. Johnson is also a promising blocker due to his range and hip flexibility, which help him achieve proper positioning.

Must improve: Prove himself atop the depth chart

Johnson’s talent ensured he had a prominent role in the Oregon offense last season, but he played second fiddle to Sadiq, who led the team with 67 targets (27 more than Johnson). With Sadiq off to the NFL, Johnson’s role will be elevated, which means more opportunity, but also more attention from defenses. While his receiving is what will get him drafted high, seeing improvements in his run blocking will be important as well.

2027 NFL Draft outlook

A former prep quarterback, Johnson shifted to wide receiver his junior and senior years in high school, though he also saw snaps at running back and defensive end. The four-star recruit was one of the top players in Louisville’s 2023 class, although he collected only 13 catches over two years with the Cardinals (redshirted in 2023, season-ending injury in 2024). Johnson transferred to Oregon before the 2025 season and quickly put himself on the NFL radar.

Johnson doesn’t have the speed or explosiveness of Sadiq, but he is a dependable target with his route stems and ball skills (only two drops in 2025). And like Sadiq, he can be the type of weapon that earns first-round consideration on draft weekend.

3. Benjamin Brahmer, Penn State (6-6, 252)

What he does best: Plays to his size/length

As a blocker and pass catcher, Brahmer jumps out with his size measurements. According to an NFL scout, he stands 6-foot-6 3/8 and 252 pounds with 33 3/4-inch arms and an 82-inch wingspan. That length shows at the catch point with his ability to expand his catch radius and make the quarterback right, especially in the red zone. As a blocker, Brahmer can wall off defenders or steer them off track.

Must improve: Drive blocking

Brahmer has the size to match up as a run blocker. He positions himself well and uses his length and physical temperament to battle through the whistle. But Brahmer is still developing his technique and would benefit from additional muscle to be a better drive blocker. While I don’t have any concerns about his effort, his blocking execution is still a work in progress.

2027 NFL Draft outlook

The top-ranked senior tight end in my summer rankings, Brahmer became a starter almost immediately as a true freshman at Iowa State, finishing third on the team in targets in 2023 (behind only Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel). Last season as a junior, the Nebraska native led the Cyclones in receptions (37) and touchdown catches (six).

This past offseason, Brahmer elected to follow head coach Matt Campbell from Ames to Happy Valley and joined Penn State for his senior year. With quarterback Anthony Becht also transferring in from Iowa State, Brahmer is poised for a productive final season with the Nittany Lions and has a chance to be a Day 2 draft pick.

4. DJ Vonnahme, Iowa (6-4, 240)*

What he does best: Athletic ball skills

An athletic tight end who can snatch the football, Vonnahme can be used in many ways by Hawkeyes play caller Tim Lester. Last season, he ranked No. 2 among FBS tight ends in yards per route run (3.10) and is purposeful in his stems, which creates opportunities on delays, wheels and double moves. Contested targets don’t faze Vonnahme, who skillfully tracks the football with the play strength to pluck and secure outside his frame.

Vonnahme had only 10 catches over the first two months of the 2025 season but blossomed over the final four games, including a seven-catch, 146-yard performance versus Vanderbilt in the ReliaQuest Bowl.

Must improve: Run blocking

Vonnahme has mismatch ability in the passing game, but his blocking wasn’t on the same level last season. While he flashes the demeanor and toughness to shield in the run game, he doesn’t have the power to be a people mover or the steady mechanics to stay attached effectively. In an offense that relies on the run game, Vonnahme will have plenty of opportunities to show improvements this upcoming season.

2027 NFL Draft outlook

With six tight end draft picks over the last decade, including George Kittle, Sam LaPorta and T.J. Hockenson, Iowa has a legit claim for the “TEU” label. And Vonnahme appears to be next up in the pipeline. Hailing from a small town in central Iowa, Vonnahme was the best athlete on his high school squad, so he lined up predominantly at quarterback. A modest two-star recruit with mostly FCS offers, he walked on at Iowa with the chance to prove himself at tight end. After redshirting in 2024, Vonnahme earned Freshman All-America honors last season and earned a scholarship.

Vonnahme is still young in several areas and might be a more realistic option for the 2028 draft. But he has the attitude and talent that makes him an intriguing prospect whenever he’s ready to make the jump.

5. Terrance Carter Jr., Texas Tech (6-2, 242)

What he does best: Dynamic post-catch

Among FBS tight ends last season, Carter ranked No. 1 in missed tackles forced (23) and No. 3 in yardage after the catch (370), the latter of which accounted for nearly 60 percent of his receiving yards. He is a fun watch on runway routes where he can use smooth acceleration to frustrate pursuit angles and create chunk plays. Carter operates with the balance and vision of a running back to break tackles in the open field and find the hidden yardage that results in first downs.

Must improve: Max out his blocking ability

For an undersized tight end, Carter has been solid as a run blocker. However, he can’t control the point of attack consistently and tends to fall off while he engages larger bodies. Some scouts believe Carter is too scheme-friendly, and continuing to develop as a blocker will help ease those concerns.

2027 NFL Draft outlook

A native of Killeen, Texas, Carter was underrecruited out of high school and started his college career at Louisiana. After three years in the Sun Belt, he transferred to Texas Tech last season and finished second on the team in receptions (55), earning All-Big 12 honors.

Carter had some Day 2 love from NFL scouts, but he opted for a fifth season in college where he should be a leading contender for the Mackey Award. With his size and skill set, he won’t be a fit for every offense at the next level. But his athleticism in the passing game will find a home in the NFL.

Top 20 senior tight end prospects:

1. Brahmer
2. Carter Jr.
3. Lawson Luckie, Georgia (6-3, 239)
4. Jeremiah Hasley, Duke (6-3, 252)
5. Theo Melin Ohrstrom, SMU (6-6, 248)
6. Michael Masunas, Texas (6-4, 251)
7. Gabe Burkle, Penn State (6-5, 250)
8. Brett Norfleet, Missouri (6-7, 256)
9. Peter Clarke, Temple (6-6, 263)
10. Brody Foley, Louisville (6-6, 261)
11. Kaden Feagin, Illinois (6-2, 259)
12. Alex Honig, Northwestern (6-6, 278)
13. Eli Finley, Louisiana Tech (6-5, 245)
14. Cole Spence, Vanderbilt (6-7, 258)
15. Luke Lindenmeyer, Nebraska (6-3, 256)
16. Christian Abney, Illinois (6-4, 257)
17. Luke Hasz, Ole Miss (6-2, 241)
18. Rocky Beers, Oklahoma (6-5, 234)
19. Addison Ostrenga, Iowa (6-4, 247)
20. Keyan Burnett, UNLV (6-5, 245)

Top-10 draft-eligible prospects:

1. Green
2. Johnson
3. Vonnahme
4. Luke Reynolds, Virginia Tech (6-4, 246)
5. Ethan Davis, Tennessee (6-5, 245)
6. Willie Rodriguez, Kentucky (6-4, 245)
7. Decker DeGraaf, Washington (6-4, 250)
8. Elija Lofton, Miami (6-3, 240)
9. Dorian Thomas, California (6-4, 255)
10. Walker Lyons, BYU (6-4, 245)