Miami football TE Will Mallory named NFL Draft sleeper
Tight end Will Mallory who is one of two Miami football alums expected to be drafted this weekend was named by David Cobb of CBS Sports in his article “2023 NFL Draft: 10 underrated sleepers who won’t be picked early but will turn into quality players.” Tyrique Stevenson is the other Miami player expected to be drafted.
Mallory is the 19th-ranked TE in the 2023 NFL Draft by NFL.Com. In 2022 Mallory led the Miami football team with 42 receptions for 538 yards and was second on the Hurricanes with three touchdowns. Mallory was praised for his speed and athleticism but needs “better aggression and strength,” particularly as a blocker.
Mallory ran 4.54 seconds in the 40-Yard Dash and his vertical was 36.5 inches at the NFL Combine. In the NFL Mallory likely projects more as a receiver than a blocker. With good size at 6’ 4.5’ and 239 pounds to add to his vertical Mallory will provide a good catch radius in the NFL. The Miami football TE legacy should grow.
The Miami football program has continued to produce TEs with David Njoku, Christopher Herndon and Brevin Jordan in recent NFL Drafts. Jordan and Mallory were in the same Miami class in 2018. The NFL Mock Draft Database projects Mallory as the 179th pick. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers hold the 179th pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.
"Will Mallory, TE, Miami“Miami’s passing offense regressed significantly in 2022, but Mallory’s production actually increased with a career-best 42 catches for 538 yards. He’s a reliable pass-catcher with good size and athleticism.Mallory is yet another example of a player who will turn 24 during his rookie season, and perhaps that makes him less attractive than the younger prospects ahead of him at the position.But he’s on the higher end of the spectrum at tight end in terms of 40-yard dash time and is just as athletic and sure-handed as most of the others at his position. On the heels of a great year for an otherwise struggling Miami offense, Mallory looks like the ultimate late-round sleeper.”"
Mallory improved all four years with the Miami. When he signed with Miami, Mallory was the 211th-ranked prospect, eighth TE and 37th in Florida in the 2018 class. Even though he will turn 24 during the 2023 NFL season Mallory has a lot of room to develop as a professional. Being drafted into the right scheme will help him.
Next. Miami 2023 final NFL Mock Draft for Will Mallory and Tyrique Stevenson. dark
If Mallory is drafted where he is projected to be selected there should be far more reward than risk for whichever team drafts him. Mallory culminated his collegiate career by being named second-team All-ACC. Mallory finished second all-time in Miami history with 115 receptions and 1,544 yards and added 14 TDs.