FantasyPros will be taking a look at early NFL Draft scouting reports before the Combine in February. Here’s a look at Illinois EDGE rusher Josh Cuevas.
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2026 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Josh Cuevas
Josh Cuevas (TE – Alabama)
6-foot-3 | 256 Pounds
Background
Originally attended Cal Poly, where he played pretty sparingly in 2021 before stepping into a starting role and posting a huge line of 57-672-6 (11.8) in 2022. Spent a year in a reserve role at Washington, then followed Kalen DeBoer to Alabama and caught sixteen passes in 2024. Stepped into a starting role for 2025 and put together a solid 37-411-4 (11.1) line.
Positives
Very thickly-built tight end who has two years of starting experience to his name, and proved that he could produce against SEC competition this past year. Despite his size, often lines up in the slot or as an H-back. Shows good lower-body strength to hold the point of attack as a blocker, and has some thudding power on contact. Does a nice job of getting extension to keep opponents out of his pads. Works hard to sustain through the whistle. Shows good lateral quickness and form in his pass sets when retained as a blocker. Lines up opponents well as a stalker. On passing downs, looks like a relatively smooth mover with some flexibility. Doesn’t have a ton of juice, but can threaten down the seams a little bit. Shows the contact balance to stay on track through contact. Puts some window dressing on his routes at the stem to create windows for anticipation/timing-based throws. Able to use his body to shield defenders from the ball in the passing game. Offers a pretty reliable pair of hands. Has a no-nonsense approach as a runner, with good competitiveness to fight for additional yardage.
Negatives
On the shorter side for a pro tight end. Positioning and balance as a blocker are a bit more inconsistent than you’d think, given his bulk and experience. Used as more of a safety valve underneath the defense on flat releases, hooks, hitches, drags, and plays of that nature, with some clearing routes built on patterns like wheels. Doesn’t have the most snap or explosiveness as a route-runner. Has some tendencies to settle into coverage against zone. Has generally reliable hands, but doesn’t have the widest radius and is guilty of the occasional focus drop. Has improved in recent years, but struggled in contested-catch situations early in his career. Not the most dynamic runner after the catch, and won’t make many people miss.
Summary
A thickly-built tight end who worked his way up from small-school Cal Poly, eventually working his way into the starting lineup of one of college football’s most prestigious programs. While he’s not the most dynamic receiving option, serving as more of a safety valve underneath the defense, he offers a reliable pair of hands and the functional strength to block pretty effectively in the run game or pass protection. Looks like a later-round option in a relatively deep tight end class, but should hear his name called at some point on day three.
Projection: Round 6
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