2026 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Nate Boerkircher (TE – Texas A&M)

FantasyPros will be taking a look at early NFL Draft scouting reports before the Combine in February. Here’s a look at Texas A&M TE Nate Boerkircher.

2026 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Nate Boerkircher

Nate Boerkircher (TE – Texas A&M)

6-foor-4 | 250 Pounds

Background

Originally walked on to Nebraska, where he appeared in three games over his first two seasons, the second of which was a redshirt year. Played sparingly over the next three years with the Huskers, with a total of seventeen catches, then transferred to Texas A&M and caught 19-198-3 (10.4).

Positives

Sturdily built tight end who worked his way up from being a walk-on. Takes snaps both inline and as an H-back type, with the occasional slot snap mixed in, often as a blocker. High-intensity blocker who shows impressive aggression and physicality in the run game, taking his responsibilities there seriously. Short-area quickness is nice, allowing him to get in position for some challenging blocking assignments in the run game. Has a lot of power in his hands to jolt opponents on contact. Gets his legs churning after engaging and works hard through the whistle, generating good push to kick out opposing edge defenders. Shows a nice killer instinct to finish. Able to line up opponents in space when stalking. Holds up well when retained in pass protection. Shows solid speed to threaten down the seams when lined up in the slot, and some attention to detail at the stem. Has been a high-percentage receiver on what little targets he’s gotten, presenting a reasonably big target and showing a soft pair of hands and the ability to come down with contested catches. Able to pluck the ball away from his frame, with good body control.

Negatives

Overaged after spending six years in school. Was never particularly well-integrated in the passing game throughout his collegiate career, and there’s not a large sample size on which to base an evaluation of his capability as a receiver. Predominantly served as a safety-valve type, leaking out into the flats or other routes of that nature. Can bend at the waist a little bit when blocking, so playing within his frame more consistently would be ideal. Can be a bit late with his hands in pass protection, leading him to drop his anchor a little late as well. Hasn’t been very dynamic after the catch.

Summary

A well-built, very powerful run blocker who has impressive power in his hands and aggression/physicality through the whistle, and who also showed the ability to protect the quarterback in pass protection. Evaluating him as a receiver is a bit difficult, however, as he was mostly used as a low-volume safety valve type, often on delayed releases. That said, what he put on tape in that capacity suggests he may have been underutilized, as he shows nice explosiveness off the line, solid speed, and a very reliable pair of hands. Seems like he’ll get some mid-round interest as a blocking specialist with additional upside in the passing game based on his physical/athletic tools.

Projection: Round 5