FantasyPros will be taking a look at early NFL Draft scouting reports before the Combine in February. Here’s a look at Houston TE Tanner Koziol.
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2026 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Tanner Koziol
Tanner Koziol (TE – Houston)
6-foot-7 | 250 Pounds
Background
Three-star recruit who originally attended Ball State, where he started fourteen games over his first two seasons, with lines of 35-373-7 (10.7) and 34-295-3 (8.7). Broke out the following season with a monster 94-839-8 (8.9), then transferred to Wisconsin and (again, prior to the season) Houston for the 2025 season, finishing with 74-727-6 (9.8).
Positives
Very tall, highly productive four-year contributor with two monster seasons over the past couple of years. Takes some snaps as an inline tight end/H-back, but most often is lined up as more of a slot receiver. Shows pretty good competitiveness through the whistle as a blocker, with good range in that capacity. Able to insert or motion across the formation and crack defenders. Lower-body strength is good enough to hold the point of attack. Has a bit of burst out of his stance on passing downs, with adequate speed. Uses his hands well to slip by defenders sitting in off-coverage. Snaps off routes a little bit at the stem, with some window dressing (head fakes, stutter-steps) at the top of routes to freeze defenders in off-coverage. Presents a big target for the quarterback, and has offered a highly reliable pair of hands throughout his career, with just ten career drops against 237 catches. Uses his size well to box out opposing defenders and win in contested-catch situations, making him difficult for smaller defenders to work around. Has the body control to adjust to throws away from his frame.
Negatives
Isn’t quite as dominant a blocker as anticipated, likely because of his higher pad level, and his ability to sustain is just average. Occasionally lowers his head into contact, leading him to fall off blocks. Passing-game usage is primarily as a safety valve on routes within ten yards of the line of scrimmage, such as in-breakers from the slot; may not have ideal speed to consistently threaten down the seams. Tends to go through his routes a little bit high. Not the most elusive or dynamic runner after the catch.
Summary
About as tall a tight end as you’re likely to see, and has established himself as a high-volume passing-game target for two different programs over the past couple of years, primarily working on underneath routes and using his body to shield defenders from the ball. At this point, he’s not quite as effective a blocker as his size might suggest, and there are some aspects of his technique you’d like to see cleaned up, but his frame gives him plenty of upside there. Consequently, looks like he’ll probably get some mid-round interest as one of the more toolsy, natural receivers at the position in this year’s class.
Projection: Round 5
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