The 2026 NFL Draft features a strong tight end class. It’s a position the Patriots are expected to target.
The top of New England’s current depth chart features Hunter Henry and free agent addition Julian Hill, who signed a three-year deal with the team earlier this month. As Henry enters his age 31 season — also the final year of his contract — and Hill has just 33 career receptions to his name, the team is expected to continue to add to the depth chart.
That being said, selecting one, or even two,
tight ends in the NFL Draft seems like a foregone conclusion based on the offseason so far. And if they do, Georgia’s Oscar Delp is among the favorite candidates to be brought aboard.
Hard facts
Name: Oscar Delp
Position: Tight end
School: Georgia (Sr.)
Opening day age: 23 (8/4/2003)
Measurements: 6’5”, 245 lbs, 31 5/8” arm length, 9 1/2” hand size, 4.49s 40-yard dash, 38” vertical jump, 10’9” broad jump, 23 bench press reps, 9.82 Relative Athletic Score
Experience
Colleges: Georgia (2022-25)
Career statistics: 55 games (34 starts) | 1,946 offensive snaps, 208 special teams snaps | 70 receptions, 854 receiving yards, 9 touchdowns
A four-star high school recruit and the No. 1 tight end prospect nationally, Delp stayed in state and committed to the University of Georgia. As a freshman, Delp caught just five passes — his first being a 28-yard touchdown — as reserve tight end on the Bulldogs’ National Championship team.
Delp continued to play second fiddle in the tight end room to future first-round pick Brock Bowers in 2023, but still went on to start 10 games and post collegiate highs in receptions (24) and receiving yards (284) as a sophomore. Then serving as Georgia’s No. 1 tight end over the past two seasons, Delp’s production was mediocre as he totaled 41 catches for 509 yards and five touchdowns over his junior and senior seasons.
Committing to the NFL Draft, Delp attended the Combine but did not athletically test as an X-ray revealed he played his entire senior season with a hairline fracture in his foot. Delp has since gone through testing and on-field work at Georgia’s Pro Day.
Draft profile
Projected round: 2-3 | Consensus big board: No. 110 | Patriots meeting: 30 visit
Strengths: Delp’s career 18.9 receiving yards per game over his final three seasons looks extremely underwhelming, but the film tells a different story. Highlighted by his Pro Day testing — where he posted 95th percentile speed and a 93rd percentile vertical — Delp is extremely explosive up the seam and can pull away from defenders with the ball in his hands. His athleticism also translates to his route running ability where he can run the whole tight end tree. There was plenty of untapped production left on the field due to poor quarterback play.
At 6-foot-5, 245 pounds, Delp can also play in-line. He’s at his best as a movement blocker in the run game but has strong reps against defensive ends along the line of scrimmage due to his size. It’s not perfect, but there is plenty of effort: “I enjoy it. I feel in love with blocking,” he said at the Combine. “I mean, who doesn’t like over-powering another man against his will?”
Weaknesses: While Delp gives great effort in the run game and has shown plenty of blocking ability, it is again not perfect as more physical defenders can get the best of him at times. He can continue to get stronger and improve his technique. And while it’s not a concern here (as explained above) some will point to his lack of production as a negative.
Patriots preview
What would be his role? Due to his versatility, Delp would be a strong addition to a tight end room that already includes Hunter Henry and Julian Hill. The rookie would not need to be rushed on the field and be able to fill in in any role when needed, all while providing New England a well-rounded successor to the 31-year old Henry with plenty of upside.
Does he have positional versatility? Delp primarily served as an inline option for the Bulldogs, but his athleticism and pass catching ability allowed him to move around the formation. Last season, that included: 9 backfield snaps, 581 inline snaps, 113 slot snaps, and 5 wide snaps. He also played special teams throughout his career.
What is his growth potential? As a self-described receiving tight end who learned how to block, Delp has three-down potential as a versatile tight end at the next level. Tight end is one of the rare positions where players can outproduce their college numbers in the NFL, and it would be no surprise to see Delp next in line.
Why the Patriots? It’s time for the Patriots to truly invest in the tight end position and get both younger and more athletic. Delp fits that description and has the makings of a true three-down tight end. New England has also shown interest in the former Bulldog holding him for a 30 visit during the pre-draft process.
Why not the Patriots? Delp was expected to be someone who’s draft stock would rise throughout the pre-draft process, and that could end with him being selected before the Patriots’ second overall selection (No. 62). Mike Vrabel also noted the success from tight ends selected in rounds four and five, which could be the target area for New England in a strong tight end class.
One-sentence verdict: Look beyond Delp’s college production and you find an explosive tight end with three-down potential who would be a boost to any offense — including New England’s.
For more information about Oscar Delp and the rest of this year’s class of prospects, please take a look at Adam’s 2026 NFL Draft Guide.
Also, what do you think about Delp as a potential Patriots target? Do you like him? Where would you pick him? Please head down to the comment section to share your thoughts.
