Will Mallory, TE Miami: 2023 NFL Draft Profile

Mallory was a four-star recruit from Providence School of Jacksonville in Jacksonville, Fla. in the class of 2018

Miami tight end Will Mallory set personal bests in receptions and receiving yards in his final season with the Hurricanes. He’s buried in a deep tight end class but should still hear his name called in the 2023 NFL Draft.

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Will Mallory, TE Miami: 2023 NFL Draft Profile

Classification: Fifth year senior tight end from Jacksonville, Fla.

Background: Mallory was a four-star recruit from Providence School of Jacksonville in Jacksonville, Fla. in the class of 2018. He was the No. 211 recruit according to 247Sports, No. 155 for Rivals, and No. 210 for On3.com. ESPN ranked him 190th in the nation with an 82 grade out of 100. Mallory played some wide receiver in high school. He caught 46 passes for 900 yards and 12 touchdowns as a high school junior. He missed time with injuries in 2017 but produced 11 receptions for 193 yards and two touchdowns in his first game back. Mallory finished 2017 with 21 receptions, 364 yards, and three touchdowns. He was named to the 2017 Florida Times-Union Super 11 High School Football Team. Mallory participated in The Opening in the summer of 2017. His father, Mike Mallory, played linebacker for the Michigan Wolverines.

Injuries & Off-Field: Battled injuries as a high school senior, missed part of 2022 spring camp with a shoulder injury, exited Virginia Tech game (2022) after a hit to the head

Awards: 2022 Second-Team All-ACC

Pros: Special teams snaps on the kick return, punt coverage, and field goal units, experience playing in-line and slot, “big receiver” mold, cut down on drops in 2022, rarely drops the ball, adjusts well to the ball, makes catches outside of his frame, finished catches through contact, top speed lets him threaten linebackers vertically, good acceleration, long strides to cover ground quickly, vision and decent top speed lead to YAC opportunities, willing blocker, sufficient power to drive defensive backs out of screen plays as a blocker

Cons: Age, seven penalties in 2022, fumbles in each of the past two years, tall and lean frame, high-hipped, speed is more built up than sudden, not an explosive playmaker, lacks the speed and route definition to consistently generate separation (especially against DBs), bumped off his route by physicality, not going to break many tackles, negative in contested catch situations, struggles to mirror explosive edge defenders and perimeter defensive backs, lacks the mass and anchor for pass pro, pad level and play strength are concerns for his future as an in-line blocker, lean lower half

Overview: Mallory took official measurements at the NFL Combine. He’s 6045 and weighs 239 lbs. He has 9 3/8-inch hands and 32 2/8-inch arms. Mallory had a 78 3/8-inch wingspan at the Senior Bowl. His special teams experience on the kick return, punt coverage, and field goal units should secure him a roster spot for 2023. Mallory has experience playing in-line and in the slot, the latter of which is his best immediate projection in the NFL. He fits the “big receiver” mold with his frame and speed. The former four-star recruit rarely drops the ball. He has ideal ball skills with the ability to adjust for off-frame targets and pluck the ball out of the air. He also finishes catches through contact. Mallory’s top speed and acceleration allow him to threaten linebackers vertically. His long strides cover ground quickly. The Florida native’s vision and top speed generate YAC opportunities. Mallory is a willing blocker with sufficient power to drive off defensive backs on screen plays. However, Mallory is an older prospect with a tall, lean, and high-hipped frame. His speed is more built up than sudden, and he’s not an explosive athlete. Mallory lacks the speed and route definition to consistently generate separation, especially against defensive backs in the slot. He’s bumped off his route by physicality and lacks the play strength to break many tackles. Despite his size, Mallory doesn’t dominate in contested catch opportunities. He struggles to mirror and block explosive edge defenders in-line and perimeter defensive backs on screens. The fifth-year tight end lacks the lower body mass to anchor as a blocker and plays with a high pad level.

Overall, Mallory is a lean tight end who fits the modern “big receiver” mold instead of the classic in-line role. His speed gives him upside as a YAC threat in the screen game for an offense willing to manufacture touches for its tight ends. However, Mallory’s lackluster player strength and struggles with separation severely limit his projection to the NFL.  

Role & Scheme Fit: Backup slot/F tight end

Round Projection: Mid Sixth to Early Seventh

Player Comparison: N/A

Submitted: 03-20-23