Utah’s Dalton Kincaid grew to become the primary former Utes tight finish taken within the NFL draft’s first spherical when the Buffalo Payments took him with the twenty fifth total choice within the 2023 draft on Thursday evening. Rick Bowmer, Related Press
Going into the 2023 NFL draft, Utah tight finish Dalton Kincaid was rated as a prime 15 prospect on a number of large boards from draft consultants — NFL Community’s Daniel Jeremiah led the way in which by having the dynamic pass-catcher at No. 9 total.
That’s why a number of nationwide media members, together with Jeremiah, rated Kincaid as a superb worth pickup for the Buffalo Payments with the No. 25 total choice throughout the first spherical of the draft on Thursday evening.
Kincaid is the very best TE on this draft. I had him as my ninth total prospect -- nice worth for Buffalo at 25.
— Daniel Jeremiah (@MoveTheSticks) April 28, 2023
ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr., like many others, had Kincaid because the draft’s prime tight finish prospect, and he favored the pairing with Buffalo.
“How concerning the Payments shifting up for my top-ranked tight finish Dalton Kincaid at No. 25 to pair him with Dawson Knox? That’s a enjoyable mixture, and you understand Josh Allen has to like it. Kincaid has the velocity to outrun safeties,” Kiper wrote.
The NFL Subsequent Gen Stats group listed Kincaid’s choice as one of many prime 5 worth picks of the primary spherical.
“Common supervisor Brandon Beane traded up two spots (from No. 27 to No. 25) in a cope with the Jaguars to safe the extremely productive prospect,” Subsequent Gen Stats wrote.
“Kincaid caught eight landing passes in back-to-back seasons, changing into one of many key cogs in a Utah offense that put up a present towards USC for the Pac-12 title (Kincaid had 16 catches for 234 yards towards the Trojans). Kincaid entered the draft with the very best NGS manufacturing rating amongst tight ends in a traditionally proficient group.”
Media draft consultants throughout the nation weighed in on the Payments’ choice in a time-honored custom of grading every first-round decide.
Whereas nearly all of media members gave the choice a prime grade, there have been others who noticed it as an odd match.
Right here’s a take a look at just a few of these grades:
The Ringer’s Danny Kelly
Grade: A.
Kelly mentioned: “Kincaid is one in every of my favourite gamers on this draft class, so I really like this decide for the Payments, who land a flexible playmaking go catcher who jogs my memory of Travis Kelce on tape. There have been rumors that some groups had a crimson flag on Kincaid due to a again harm — which can be why he was nonetheless on the board at this spot — however Buffalo is clearly comfy together with his outlook. The Payments did have to surrender a fourth-rounder (No. 130) to maneuver up two spots, however they land my Twelfth-ranked participant within the course of.”
The Athletic’s Scott Dochterman
Grade: B+
Dochterman mentioned: “Josh Allen wanted one other expertise within the passing sport, and Kincaid provides it to him. Working together with Dawson Knox, Kincaid has a very good body, giant palms and is an amazing go catcher. At this level in his profession, Kincaid is simpler as a go receiver than a full-service tight finish.”
Yahoo Sports activities’ Charles McDonald
Grade: C.
McDonald mentioned: “This one appears like a bizarre decide for Buffalo. Kincaid ought to play an analogous function to Dawson Knox, who remains to be locked in on the Payments’ roster for no less than the following two seasons. Maybe they've a special thought in thoughts for a way this duo will play collectively, however proper now it seems crowded. Kincaid is a stud, no less than. It’s not a attain when it comes to expertise.”
NFL.com’s Chad Reuter
Grade: A-.
Reuter mentioned: “Buffalo wanted so as to add extra offensive weapons to meet up with the Bengals and Chiefs within the AFC, so I’d been projecting the staff to maneuver up within the first spherical to nab a playmaker. With the highest receivers off the board, Kincaid’s superior pass-catching expertise got here into focus for the Payments, as he strikes like a receiver within the open area and contorts his body to seize excessive and huge passes. Hopefully his again points are behind him and he’s in a position to join with Josh Allen down the seam and within the crimson zone frequently.”
Bleacher Report’s Brent Sobleski
Grade: A.
Sobleski wrote: ”After the unprecedented run of huge receivers earlier within the first spherical, the Payments nonetheless wanted somebody to contribute from the slot and within the crimson zone. The staff needed to re-sign Cole Beasley final season as a result of it was missing in each areas.
“Kincaid is an on the spot improve in each cases. Technically, he’s a good finish. However he’s at his finest when working as a indifferent choice. His catch radius and toughness over the center of the sphere can't be questioned. Josh Allen needs to be one of many happiest guys within the league proper now primarily based on what the Payments completed within the first spherical.”
CBS Sports activities’ Pete Prisco
Grade: C.
Prisco mentioned: “It is a unusual decide when you think about they've Dawson Knox and have just a few extra urgent wants. Kincaid is an efficient participant, however the place doesn’t make sense and so they traded as much as get him.”