NFL Draft Profile: TE Will Mallory an underrated, hyperathletic option for Browns

Outside of picks in the top 10 to 15 selections in each NFL draft, the future is the focus for most teams' selection of college prospects. While most players from the first four rounds will contribute in some ways as rookies, with a few really providing a lift to their teams, overall 2024 and beyond is the focus during the three days of the NFL draft.

For the Cleveland Browns, balancing immediate needs with long-term planning is harder given the lack of selections in the first and second rounds this year. GM Andrew Berry did address positions of need throughout free agency but there are still depth concerns on defense and a desire for more speed on offense.

At the tight end position, the Browns seem set for 2023 with David Njoku and Jordan Akins at the top of the depth chart. Harrison Bryant is expected to also make the 53-man roster but the former fifth-round pick hasn’t developed as many would have hoped.

Perhaps Berry uses on of his day three selections to draft competition and, potentially, a replacement for Bryant.

Name

Will Mallory

Position

Tight End

Height/Weight

6’ 4 1/2”, 239 pounds

College

Miami Hurricanes

Stats:

115 receptions, 1,544 yards, 14 touchdowns in 42 collegiate games

Relative Athletic Score

Average “Big Board” Position As of Publishing Date

188th Overall

The Draft Network’s Grade/Round Value

70./100, Fifth-Round Value

What an Expert is Saying

Fit with the Browns

Mallory would be an interesting developmental fit for Cleveland as they move to a more spread-out system, most likely, with Deshaun Watson. Mallory will need work as a blocker if he was an inline tight end but his speed and athleticism make him a high-ceiling, low-risk player on day three.

Browns Player Drafting Could Impact

As noted above, Harrison Bryant is the obvious name but adding another tight end could impact how many receivers and running backs the Browns choose to keep on their roster.

Priority

Medium – Low - With Njoku and Akins in place, finding a developmental tight end with that kind of athletic ability is tantalizing but cannot be a high value at this point. Mallory has the skills teams want but there is a reason that one of the most athletic tight ends in this year’s draft is ranked so low on the consensus big board with his best ranking being #142.

Mallory is an exciting name to know and watch as we see in this highlight of him playing on the outside as a receiver:

How important do you think adding a fourth TE or replacing Bryant is for the team this year?