2026 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Joe Royer (TE – Cincinnati)

FantasyPros will be taking a look at early NFL Draft scouting reports before the Combine in February. Here’s a look at Cincinnati tight end Joe Royer.

2026 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Joe Royer

Joe Royer (TE – Cincinnati)

6-foot-5 | 250 Pounds

Background

Joe Royer was a three-star recruit who originally attended Ohio State, where he redshirted in 2020 and then caught a total of four passes over the next three years before transferring to Cincinnati. Stepped right into a starting role there, with 50-521-3 (10.4) in 2024 and 29-416-4 (14.3) this past season.

Positives

Well-built tight end with two productive seasons under his belt. Lines up in different places — as an in-line tight end and as an H-back. More of a receiver (often to block in the screen game). Engages with good knee-bend/extension and a straight back when run-blocking. Able to come in motion and engage backside pursuers.

Was retained in pass protection a bit more often than usual and seemed to do a pretty solid job there during the games reviewed. Long strider with a little bit of build-up speed. A good salesman who disguises delayed releases effectively to create easy completions.

Can snatch the ball away from his frame a bit. Didn’t drop any passes this past year, and has just two career drops in total. Shows good concentration to come down with contested catches. Has a bit of creativity to his approach as a runner after the catch, and gained more than half of his yardage in that fashion this past season. Also able to run through arm tackles and fight for additional yardage after being wrapped up.

Negatives

A bit overaged after spending six years in school. Blocking is more energetic and technically sound than physical or nasty, and doesn’t always show the most urgency when stalking. Has some trouble sustaining blocks at times in the run game. Would like to see his hands inside a bit more, and some more effort to get his feet going and close the distance a bit more consistently.

Can get caught up and knocked around a bit in congestion. Will occasionally settle into coverage, rather than improvising or adjusting to find soft spots. Many of his catches came on delayed releases, often against zone coverage, and/or were typically underneath the defense on hooks, motions to the flats, etc.

Royer will probably not create much separation at the stems of his routes, as he gears down noticeably into them and doesn’t explode out. Doesn’t have the quickest acceleration, and won’t run by many linebackers down the seams. Most of his deeper routes were seemingly intended to clear space for other targets.

Summary

Royer is a pretty well-rounded tight end who has solid size, pretty good form and adequate functional strength as a blocker. Has a reliable pair of hands as a safety valve underneath, and some ability to run after the catch.

However, Royer is also not the most dynamic target in the passing game and can have trouble sustaining blocks after engaging. Consequently, seems more like a No. 2 tight end, and will probably get more looks in the mid-to-late rounds, rather than early on.

Projection: Round 6