SEC StatCat's Top5 Dropback Tight Ends for 2021

Modern tight ends have a lot on their plate. Thanks to these unicorns size and versatility, they have to be both jacks of all trades while at least trying to be a master of some. Though some hard-nosed coaches still get stiffies watching tight ends block in the box, others yearn for Y-men apt at embarrassing guys in coverage. Some schemes have been kinder to this position group than others in terms of offering them easy opportunities with screens or RPOs to space. To better account for a tight end’s true downfield pass catching acumen, I omitted those tries leaving on pure dropback patterns. Though a lot can change once the action starts, here are the SEC’s top5 best pass catching tight ends on dropback attempts for 2021. 

5. Jalen Wydermeyer

Jalen Wydermeyer had a bit of a sophomore slump but unequivocally is still one of this conference’s best tight ends. As a freshman, he turned heads not only being his offense’s best weapon after the catch but a fifth of his targets resulted in a gain of 20 yards or more. But, miscues and failing to break out of tackles prevented a laudable encore. His Success Rate and Yards/Target rank 6th within his position group. Plus, Wydermeyer dropped about an eight of his targets. That said, the Aggie made this list for a reason. His raw Catch Rate, Depth-Adjusted Catch Rate, and First Down+TD Rate all crack the top5 amongst qualifying SEC tight ends ahead of this fall. Sure these figures don’t excite, but I’d be lying if I said I didn’t expect him to rebound on the stat sheet. 

4. Arik Gilbert

Assuming he’s good to go, Arik Gilbert could take Georgia’s offense to the next level. Though a vertical stretcher per his high school highlights, Gilbert overly operating as a short safety valve at LSU. Now under Todd Monken, it’s presumed he’ll get back to threatening deep. Either way, he was as dependable as anyone despite being a first-year. None of the nine qualifiers sport a lower Drop Rate; and his Success Rate, First Down+TD Rate, and Catch Rates project to be top5 figures. The only one of his key metrics where he finished outside the threshold was his 6.63 Yards/Target, which again was pretty influenced with how he was utilized. 

3. Ben Bresnahan

Vanderbilt’s bottomline last year bordered on bankruptcy. Of course, it looked so inept that the time came to dismiss Derek Mason. While the seas were rocky for the Commodores, Ben Bresnahan provided a decent beacon for his beleaguered offered. By year’s end, he undeniably was efficient with his targets. Even though over an eighth of his chances were deemed uncatchable, he commands the conference’s 2nd-best raw Catch Rate ahead of 2021. And, that’s including receivers. While a modest average depth of target kept his Yards/Target comfortably ranked in the teens amongst his peers, Bresnahan is the only returning SEC pass catcher who fielded 20 targets to sport a top3 Success Rate, First Down+TD Rate, and Depth Adjusted Catch Rate on dropbacks. Perhaps, he becomes more of a household name like his predecessor Jarred Pinkney with an encore performance this fall. 

2. Nick Muse

Nick Muse might have logged a double-digit Drop Rate last year, but his situational efficiency is one of the conference’s best regardless of position. While over half of his targets resulted in either a fresh set of downs or six points, no returning SECer who logged at least 20 attempts last year bests his 67.7% Success Rate or 78.4% Catch Rate on dropbacks. Though tight ends are considered to be less fleet of foot, the Gamecock secured a YAC average above the SEC mean last year. All in all, Muse turned over a sixth of his targets into a gain of at least 20 yards. For good measure, Muse’s Depth Adjusted Catch Rate and Yards/Target are top4 clips amongst all returners. But as you can see, he finished runner up largely across the board, hinting someone else is more worthy of the number one spot. 

1. Jahleel Billingsley

Jahleel Billingsley is on his way to being the SEC’s next Swiss army knife. If he had logged just one more target last year, he would have qualified as the SEC’s most efficient pass catcher. Period. End of story. As jaw-droppingly unique as Kyle Pitts was as a pass catcher moving around Florida’s formation and being targeted at all depths of the field, he still wasn’t utilized as a an at-the-snap motion threat. It’s hard enough to find quality receivers that demand a defense’s attention in that context let alone a tight end. Along with that sizzling speed on Jets and Orbits, his stats compared to his peers are in a class of their own. Outside of a single drop souring his bottomline, Billingsley dons a 85.7% First Down+TD Rate and 17.7 Yards/Target. The latter only trailed teammate Jaylen Waddle. Yea, this guy is gonna be good.