Positional Breakdown: 2024 Tight Ends

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Tight End position in New York is intriguing because a ton of tight ends in New York also play on the defensive side of the ball as linebackers or defensive linemen. Many of those players project as defensive players at the next level, so although they contribute at Tight End, they are positionally listed on the defensive side of the ball, so they qualify for the positional breakdowns and rankings at those positions. Additionally, some players who potentially project as tight ends are listed as ATH because they could play multiple positions at the next level, so just grouping them as a tight end does not fully encapsulate their skillset.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>However, regardless of the lack of a long list of tight-end prospects in New York, we have a few major prospects in this year's class, including a top two that have really separated themselves with the level of play they have shown and the potential they have. We also have some very intriguing prospects who look to take big jumps in their senior seasons. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>The Top Guy</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["241137"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Athletically, [player_tooltip player_id='241137' first='Jaylin' last='Ballew'] is the most gifted tight end prospect in New York. Ballew has really solid length, and although currently maintains a thin frame has space to add muscle and weight. As a blocker Ballew is a solid player who uses solid fundamentals to win. Out in space, Ballew can block smaller defensive backs and linebackers effectively due to his solid lateral agility and ability to mirror a defenders attempt to shed. Ballew's potential though lies in his ability to be a dangerous vertical threat in the passing game. With great speed and really solid route running Ballew is a big target who can stretch the field but also create seperation in the short and intermediate levels of the field. Ballew may play in a primarily run-first offense so he has plenty of blocking reps but getting more opportunities to showcase his skillset as a pass catcher this season is one of the most intriguing things we will get to see in New York.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64096466c5ad9"} /--> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>Three Prospects To Know</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["211728"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='211728' first='Alex' last='Menghi'] is the most reliable tight end option in this class. Menghi was one of the only non-seniors to play for the St. Anthony's stacked offense and he was incredibly reliable as a target for QB [player_tooltip player_id='241877' first='Dante' last='Torres']. Menghi has very sure hands and does a good job of utilizing solid athleticism to get yards after the catch. Menghi can line up in a three-point stance on the line or in the slot as a receiver showing his versatility and he runs very solid routes in the short area of the field. As a blocker, there may not be a tight end more refined than Menghi. He does a solid job of blocking from multiple different alignments and has the strength to handle defensive lineman. Menghi also can be utilized as a lead blocker where he often showed really solid pop in his initial engagement with defenders. Menghi is an extremely well rounded prospect and this year with the loss of offensive weapons St. Anthony's will experience I expect Menghi to get a ton of looks this season as teams try and figure out how to shut down [player_tooltip player_id='120010' first='Korey' last='Duff Jr'] and the St. Anthony's offense.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["528472"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='528472' first='Jashon' last='Thomas'] is one of those WR/TE hybrids who excels as a pass catcher. I think he projects as a tight end at the next level because he has a build that can put on more muscle and weight but also he has incredible natural strength that allows him to be a factor as a blocker on the inside. Thomas has a great feel for the game and his ability to get the ball and be a factor after the catch both with speed and power is the best stuff he puts on film. Thomas could become one of the top weapons for Newburgh as they graduate [player_tooltip player_id='436159' first='Deondre' last='Johnson'] to Rutgers and over the middle of the field Thomas can wreak havoc both opening lanes for running backs but also as a receiver.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["528716"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='528716' first='Luke' last='McAuliffe'] another WR/TE hyrbid who I think projects on the inside at the next level has elite length for the position. He has really solid route running and does a good job of utilizing really solid footwork to win at the next level. McAuliffe is a pass catching guy first and the type of player who is a slot TE or TE that is used for his ability to create mismatches. He actually lined up a ton at outside WR and in the slot as well but his positional versatility is their. McAuliffe's speed will also make him a stronger TE than WR prospect where he has the ability to win with speed against LB's but with DBs relies more on his elite footwork and route running to create seperation. An intriguing prospect headed into this season who could ultimately rise up our rankings or end up listed at a different position at the end of the season.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":3,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64096466c5b75"} /--> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>Two Sleeper Prospects</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["524123"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='524123' first='Joseph' last='Garcia'] has great tape on both sides of the ball but as a tight end I think he shows a much higher ceiling as a player. For Gates Chili, Garcia was a really reliable target down the field. Garcia plays the position as one of those players who can use his size and awareness to use his body to win at the catch point and create leverage in his routes. Garcia is a solid hands catcher who can track the ball down the field and runs really good out breaking routes. As a blocker Garcia has really solid power and explosiveness to win as a lead blocker or in double teams. Garcia shows some really solid tape and with a more diverse route tree could be a candidate to jump up the rankings this fall.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["527783"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='527783' first='Thomas' last='Welker'] is one of the most exciting TE prospects in terms of potential in 2024. He is a really solid receiver who runs really solid routes and has great athleticism and size for the position. Welker is a dangerous vertical threat where his ability to track the ball down the field make him very sure-handed as a receiver. Welker could see some improvements as a blocker and dealing with interior defenders but he has the frame to add strength at the next level. With blocking the fundamentals are there for Welker as he routinely shows he can control defensive backs in space. I really like Welker's speed and his ability win against defensive backs with the speed. Welker also does a good job of bringing in balls through traffic and over the middle of the field.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":2,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64096466c5be2"} /-->