The NFL Draft process is intriguing with numerous prospects showing real potential and varying rankings across different media outlets. As the draft progresses beyond the first round, rankings for day two and three picks can differ significantly.
An interesting case was seen when the Minnesota Vikings picked USC cornerback Mekhi Blackmon at 102nd overall in the 2023 NFL Draft. He was ranked 185th on the consensus board, 83 spots higher than the industry analysts’ aggregate ranking.
Analysts have their preferences and surprises, and this year NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah has chosen Arizona tight end Tanner McClachlan as his TE2, ahead of players like J’Tavion Sanders and Ben Sinnott.
Jeremiah expressed his opinion on Twitter, mentioning his admiration for McClachlan’s skills and ranking him as the second-best tight end in his list. He acknowledged the uncertainty of the round McClachlan might be picked in.
Despite this year not having the strongest tight end class, McClachlan has not been widely considered in the top five. On Arif Hasan’s consensus board, combining 75 big boards from the industry, McClachlan is placed 190th overall and TE12, deviating significantly from the consensus.
McClachlan, a 25-year-old prospect, has excelled as a pass catcher for the Wildcats in recent seasons. He possesses the required size and athleticism to excel in attacking seams. However, the challenge lies in the fact that tight ends usually take time to develop, potentially delaying McClachlan’s peak performance until he is close to 30, which could pose challenges for his future.
As analysts continue to release their big boards, more surprises like this one are likely to emerge, sparking interesting discussions within the industry.
