Buffalo Bills tight end Dalton Kincaid started to grow some traction throughout his rookie season.
A first-round pick of the team in 2023, the Bills now have a top-10 tight end in the NFL, according to an ESPN poll.
ESPN is citing personnel across the NFL – from players to coaches and executives – and going position-by-position to rank the top-10 players at each spot on the field.
In terms of tight ends, Kincaid cracks the list.
The breakdown on Kincaid can be found below, along with the entire top-10 list:
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Highest ranking: 2
Lowest ranking: Out of top 10
Age: 24
Last year’s ranking: N/AKincaid drew comparisons to Travis Kelce when he came out of Utah in 2023 due to his smooth route running.
Buffalo wouldn’t mind quarterback Josh Allen and Kincaid stealing some Mahomes-to-Kelce magic as a potent quarterback-tight end duo.
“He’s super natural as a mover, super instinctive, great hands,” a high-ranking NFL personnel man said. “Not sure he’s as explosive after the catch as some of the others.”
Along with his 73 receptions for 673 yards as a rookie, Kincaid ranked atop this group in average yards from the nearest defender at pass arrival when targeted, per NFL Next Gen Stats.
While he doesn’t possess high-end speed, Kincaid’s 4.71-second 40-yard dash time was adequate for his position, and multiple evaluators believe he plays faster than that.
Jan 20, 2024; Baltimore, MD, USA; Houston Texans tight end Dalton Schultz (86) runs the ball against Baltimore Ravens cornerback Ronald Darby (28) during the first quarter of a 2024 AFC divisional round game at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports
Jacksonville Jaguars tight end Evan Engram (17) pulls in a pass for a first down during early second quarter action. The Jacksonville Jaguars hosted the Carolina Panthers at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, FL Sunday, December 31, 2023. The Jaguars went in at the half with a 9 to 0 lead. [Bob Self/Florida Times-Union]
Buffalo Bills tight end Dalton Kincaid (86) slips a tackle by Kansas City Chiefs safety Chamarri Conner (27).
Jan 15, 2024; Tampa, Florida, USA; Philadelphia Eagles tight end Dallas Goedert (88) makes a catch against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the second half of a 2024 NFC wild card game at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 13, 2020; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Cleveland Browns tight end David Njoku (85) reacts after scoring a first quarter touchdown against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 24, 2023; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson (87) warms up before the game against the Detroit Lions at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports
Lions tight end Sam LaPorta runs against 49ers safety Tashaun Gipson Sr., left, during the first half of the NFC championship game at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, on Sunday, Jan. 28, 2024.
Cincinnati Bengals cornerback LeShaun Sims (38) breaks up a pass intended for Baltimore Ravens tight end Mark Andrews (89) in the second quarter during a Week 17 NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 3, 2021, at Paul Brown Stadium in Cincinnati.
Baltimore Ravens At Cincinnati Bengals Week 17 Jan 3
October 18, 2020; Santa Clara, California, USA; San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle (85) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Los Angeles Rams during the second quarter at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 11, 2020; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (87) catches a pass during the first half against the Las Vegas Raiders at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
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