From now until the 2023 NFL Draft, we will look to scout and create profiles for as many prospects as possible, examining their strengths, weaknesses, and what they can bring to an NFL franchise. These players could be potential top-10 picks, all the way down to Day 3 selections, and priority undrafted free agents. Today we’ll be profiling Cincinnati tight end Josh Whyle.
#81 JOSH WHYLE, TIGHT END, CINCINNATI (JR.) 6064, 248 LBS.
Combine Invite, Senior Bowl Invite
MEASURABLES
| Player | Ht/Wt | Hand size | Arm Length | Wingspan |
| Josh Whyle | 6’6 / 248 | 9 1/2″ | 31 1/2″ | N/A |
| 40 Yard Dash | 10 Yard Dash | Short Shuttle | 3-Cone | |
| 4.69 | 1.58 | 4.40 | 7.15 | |
| Broad Jump | Vertical | Bench Press | ||
| 115″ | 33 1/2″ | N/A |
THE GOOD
— Flashy speed with a quick get-off to have the ability to work vertically
— Great body size at 6’6 with a frame that looks promising for adding weight
— Nice natural hands catcher operating well out of his frame
— Effort and want-to are there as a blocker, and some nice flashes when operating in motion
— Takes advantage of windows in zones and cushions in the gap
— 3 years of quality production in the TE role, starter in that time
— Quality flexibility to adjust for throws even when behind him
THE BAD
— Thin-framed, has issues in regard to play strength
— Nice effort as a blocker but too often gets taken off of his base due to lack of anchor
— Gets off-track in his route running leading to delayed progression and sometimes getting in the way of his teammates
— Bit stiff in his lower body which can hinder his flexibility for lower catches
— Move TE Prototype but isn’t a highly productive receiver
— Disproportionate frame with 31 1/2 inch arms despite great height; Limited catch radius
— Will be 24 by opening day of his rookie season
— Inconsistent play throughout his tape
BIO
— 2022 Stats: 32 receptions, 326 yards, 3 touchdowns
— Birthday is September, 9th 1999 (23 years old)
— Consensus 3-star recruit out of Cincinnati, Ohio, ranked 412th nationally by 247sports.com
— Played a major part in Cincinnati’s 2021 playoff season, posting 26 receptions, 332 yards, and 6 touchdowns.
— Played five seasons of college football, redshirted after playing in just four games his true freshman season
— All-Time TD leader for Tight Ends at Cincinnati
— 52 career games played as a primary starter in his last three seasons
— Named a 2022 All-AAC First Team
FILM BREAKDOWN
The first clip for Whyle is a showcase of the lacking bulk and strength for him to be a dependable blocker at this point in time. Often times he was lined up out wide so his usage as a blocker and alignment was limited for that cause. In fact, I’d say this play, while not ideal, isn’t entirely bad because the defender gets stalled. However, Whyle lacks the current mass and strength to effectively be used as a blocker, and, for many NFL rosters, they may not have the space to add a rotational guy who can’t step in as a blocker when called on.
While there are plenty of positive receiving traits for Whyle, his natural bend into receptions is at times lacking. He is a bit tight and plays too upright and plays like below against UCF are prime examples. There is a crashing defender and a low-thrown ball, but Whyle doesn’t get low, resulting in an incompletion.
CONCLUSION
Whyle is one of many tight ends in this class that should hear their name called on draft day, and despite this class being one of the deepest in recent memory, Josh Whyle still has plenty of traits that will make him stand out. With his speed and natural hands, there is plenty of reason to believe he’ll find a way to produce in the NFL at some capacity.
With his experience and yet still promising potential to develop into more as a blocker and in-traffic catcher, there is plenty of reason for teams to buy in on his talent. For a pro comparison, Josh Whyle is very similar to Dan Arnold of the Jacksonville Jaguars. Arnold entered the league as a wide receiver convert, so Whyle could have more of an immediate impact.
For the Steelers specifically, they seem to be rather settled for their tight end room. However, adding more of a size-positive receiving weapon to the room could be appealing, and this draft is the perfect class to get someone for good value in order to address that need.
Projection: Early – Mid Day 3
Depot Draft Grade: 7.2 – Rotational Player (4th Round)
Games Watched: at Arkansas (2022), vs Kennesaw State (2022), at UCF (2022), at Temple (2022)
