The Packers need to find a way to select TE Dalton Kincaid in the upcoming NFL Draft, now a little under three months away. Kincaid, the 6’4, 240 pound TE from the University of Utah has officially become a must have on my Packers wish list.

Career Arc

Kincaid is 23 years old and played as a 5th year Senior in 2022. He started his collegiate career at the University of San Diego and produced 68 receptions, 1,209 yards and 19 touchdowns in 2018 and 2019 combined. He transferred to Utah in 2020 and saw limited action, appearing in one game. In 2021, Kincaid showed noticeable improvement, posting a 36/510/8 stat line across 14 games.

In 2022, Kincaid took his production to another level. He finished the season with 70 catches, 890 yards and 8 touchdowns and was 1st Team Pac 12.

Strengths

In my eyes, Kincaid plays the game so smoothly. That’s what stood out to me watching his highlights. I also believe he has more development in front of him and will only get better. He has soft hands and catches the football smoothly. He has great speed but is in-control. I like his spatial awareness, the type of spatial awareness a guy like Travis Kelce has. He fights through contact and can get out of tackles.

Weaknesses

Kincaid isn’t a huge, in-line TE type of guy, at least right now. He’s not as big bodied as Michael Mayer from Notre Dame, who’s the #1 ranked TE in this years draft class by many. Kincaid won’t give you in-line blocking like a Marcedes Lewis, who’s 6’6, 270. At 6’4, 240, Kincaid would have a lot to learn in the run blocking game at the NFL Level. George Kittle is 6’4, 250 and he’s a great run blocker. Bleacher Report said the following on Kittle when he was drafted:

NEGATIVES

“Kittle will struggle to remain as an in-line tight end at the next level due to size. He displays his best asset as a blocker, but overaggression can allow him to get beat at times. While he possesses straight-line explosiveness, he fails to be shifty in and out of routes and may need to be utilized mostly over the middle or up the seam. Ideally, Kittle can become more of a technician as a route-runner to shore up some inconsistent and sloppy routes.”

Kincaid would face the same type of challenge as an in-line tight end due to his size but it doesn’t mean he can’t be good at it.

Overall

Kincaid only started playing football in 2017, his senior year of high school. He’s shown quick improvement and a willingness to get better in his 5 years at the collegiate level. Not only do I think he’s very polished right now but as mentioned previously, I think there’s a lot of room for improvement ahead of him.

Fit with Packers

Whether it’s Aaron Rodgers or Jordan Love, I absolutely love the idea of a fast, in-control and smooth TE on the Packers for years to come. A player like Kincaid would add another weapon on offense and a productive weapon at that. His speed and playmaking abilities would open up opportunities for other pass catchers, too.

I also think of Jordan Love breaking the pocket and extending plays. Kincaid strikes me as the type of player who would know how to get open in those types of situations. His spatial awareness and general feel of the game is excellent. The Packers haven’t had a difference making TE since JerMichael Finley. I think Kincaid would be a difference making TE.

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Alex grew up in a family of Chicago Bears fans in the suburbs of Chicago but was always a Packers guy. Alex\'s AIM name when he was in elementary/middle school was PackerAlex. He now lives in Nashville, Tennessee and you can follow him on twitter at @Alex_Mayer93.

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