NFL Player News

Granson faces increased competition for the No. 2 tight end role with the Colts drafting two tight ends in the 2022 NFL Draft, The Athletic reports. The Colts selected Jelani Woods in the third round (73rd overall) and Andrew Ogletree in the sixth round (192nd overall).

Granson entered the offseason as a potential starting tight end after the retirement of Jack Doyle, but the Colts re-signed Mo Alie-Cox in free agency and then drafted two tight ends. It's unlikely Woods or Ogletree will compete for a significant role in the passing game, but Granson will need to earn the No. 2 tight end role in the offense this summer.

The Vikings selected Muse in the seventh round of the 2022 NFL Draft, 227th overall.

Muse played most recently at South Carolina, where he served as a rotational tight end after transferring there from William & Mary. Muse wasn't especially productive in college but showed standout athleticism at his pro day workout, logging a 4.71-second 40 at a big 6-foot-6, 258 pounds. He's an interesting developmental tight end for the Vikings.

The Buccaneers selected Kieft in the sixth round of the 2022 NFL Draft, 218th overall.

Kieft comes to the league from Minnesota with 10 career receptions, so blocking will be his path to getting on the field in Tampa Bay. The Buccaneers led off Day 3 of the draft by selecting Washington's Cade Otton, so Kieft has plenty of competition as it is. If Rob Gronkowski returns to Tampa Bay, Kieft is at risk of not making the roster.

The Falcons selected FitzPatrick in the sixth round of the 2022 NFL Draft, 213th overall.

FitzPatrick (6-foot-7, 262 pounds) played 38 games (13 starts) for Georgia over three seasons but managed to record just 17 receptions for 200 yards and a touchdown. He's an interesting pick for Atlanta, especially if his blocking skills translate to the NFL level. The Falcons aren't very deep at wide receiver, so FitzPatrick may be called upon to handle the inline blocking while fellow tight end Kyle Pitts lines up outside more frequently.

The Steelers selected Heyward in the sixth round of the 2022 NFL Draft, 208th overall.

Heyward joins older brother Cameron Heyward on the Steelers as Pittsburgh now has four sets of brothers on its roster. The redshirt senior is probably more of a fullback or H-back at the NFL level rather than tight end, where he played at Michigan State. Listed at 5-foot-11, 233 pounds at the NFL Combine, Heyward's 4.72 40-yard dash was about what most expected given his lack of high-end athleticism, but he's a determined player whether he's blocking or catching passes.

The Eagles selected Calcaterra in the sixth round of the 2022 NFL Draft, 198th overall.

Calcaterra had an interesting route to the NFL. He nearly ended his career after sustaining concussions at Oklahoma and was out of football in 2020. Calcaterra returned to the gridiron at SMU in 2021 and built on the potential he showed when he was in Norman. He caught 38 of 63 targets for 465 yards and four touchdowns in an explosive SMU passing game. Calcaterra (6-foot-4, 241 pounds) ran a 4.62 in the 40-yard dash at the combine, which projects well for his ability to attack the seam in Philadelphia's offense. He's a worthwhile late-round gamble for the Eagles.

The Colts selected Ogletree in the sixth round of the 2022 NFL Draft, 192nd overall.

Ogletree becomes the second tight end selected by the Colts over the last two days. The Youngstown State product did run a 4.70 40-yard dash at 260 pounds during his pro day, but he lacks agility and didn't flash the aforementioned straight-end speed on tape. Ogletree, who will be 24 by the start of the 2022 season, likely will be a special teams asset, at best, entering his rookie year.

The Lions selected Mitchell (knee) in the fifth round of the 2022 NFL Draft, 177th overall.

Mitchell's senior season ended early when he tore his ACL after just two games. The Virginia native showed some promise between his sophomore and junior seasons with 47 receptions, 896 yards and six touchdowns through 23 games (17 starts). While he didn't test in the pre-draft process because of his knee, he utilized his speed well in college, though he's slightly undersized at 6-foot-4, 249 pounds. Mitchell has the versatility to fill an H-back role in the NFL, and Detroit's TE room is wide open behind T.J. Hockenson.

The Texans selected Quitoriano in the fifth round of the 2022 NFL Draft, 170th overall.

Quitoriano wasn't heavily utilized in the passing game at Oregon State but he was efficient when targeted, catching 40 of 54 career targets for 512 yards and six touchdowns. He has a basketball background and could just be scratching the surface of what he can be on the gridiron. He gives Houston a more conventionally sized option at tight end behind Brevin Jordan.

The Commanders selected Turner in the fifth round of the 2022 NFL Draft, 149th overall.

Turner broke out as a junior at Nevada when he finished second on the team with 605 receiving yards while tying with Romeo Doubs, who was picked by the Packers in the fourth round, for a team-high nine receiving touchdowns. The former's athleticism is his limiting factor, as his 4.76 40-yard dash is average and his 27-inch vertical is putrid, but he has steady hands and good body control. He'll add depth at tight end for the Commanders as Logan Thomas recovers from a torn ACL. Turner will battle 2021 fourth-round pick John Bates for the No. 2 role if Thomas is healthy for training camp.