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NFL Draft 2021: 5 potential Day 3 wide receiver and tight end steals

By Sonny Martinez

LUBBOCK, TEXAS - SEPTEMBER 26: Receiver T.J. Vasher #9 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders celebrates after catching a touchdown pass during the second half of the college football game against the Texas Longhorns on September 26, 2020 at Jones AT&T Stadium in Lubbock, Texas. (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images)
LUBBOCK, TEXAS - SEPTEMBER 26: Receiver T.J. Vasher #9 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders celebrates after catching a touchdown pass during the second half of the college football game against the Texas Longhorns on September 26, 2020 at Jones AT&T Stadium in Lubbock, Texas. (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images) /
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Oct 24, 2020; Dallas, Texas, USA; Southern Methodist Mustangs tight end Kylen Granson (83) makes a reception against Cincinnati Bearcats during the second half at Gerald J. Ford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Flores-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 24, 2020; Dallas, Texas, USA; Southern Methodist Mustangs tight end Kylen Granson (83) makes a reception against Cincinnati Bearcats during the second half at Gerald J. Ford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Flores-USA TODAY Sports /

5. Kylen Granson, TE, SMU

Kylen Granson is a former wide receiver that converted to tight end in his junior season. He started out as a two-star recruit at Rice, but left and redshirted in his junior season to go to Dallas and play for the Mustangs.

Granson had himself a good career between Rice and SMU. He had 129 catches for 1,879 yards and 16 touchdown catches. He would have surpassed his season total in receptions and yards, but the COVID-19-shortened season didn’t allow that to happen. Granson averaged over 16 yards per catch during his time with the Mustangs so there is big-play ability. He actually worked himself onto the Biletnikoff Award watch list prior to last season.

As a former receiver, he is a bit undersized at the tight end position by NFL standards. he’s only 6-2, 241 pounds, but possesses wide receiver speed that can cause matchup problems against defenses that are paying attention to other players. He’s not a great blocker, but that could change with reps and size gain.

In addition to blocking issues, Granson is also prone to drops. He had a big drop in the end zone in a game against the then-undefeated Cincinnati Bearcats in a game SMU lost 42-13. It didn’t matter in the long run, but it’s still something you don’t want to see.

Off the field, Granson spends his time running KG’s Kids, which helps underprivileged children learn to read. Whoever drafts Granson is not only getting a solid football player, but also a Walter Payton Man of the Year nominee.

Another honorable mention goes to Notre Dame tight end Brock Wright. Even if he’s drafted late, I’m not sure he’ll qualify as a steal. But Wright is an excellent blocking tight end and that’s something that’s definitely useful in the NFL. He played behind two solid tight ends at Notre Dame — Cole Kmet and Tommy Tremble — so his stat sheet isn’t really impressive. Nonetheless, Wright does possess a talent that scouts look for and he could make an impact as an extra blocker with occasional big-catch ability.

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