JOE ROYER

Scout's Take

Joe Royer is a well-built, "overaged" tight end prospect who solidified his status as a reliable safety valve at Cincinnati. After spending four years at Ohio State with minimal targets, Royer thrived for the Bearcats, totaling over 900 yards across two seasons. Standing 6'5" and 255 pounds, he is a savvy "salesman" who uses delayed releases to slip into soft spots against zone coverage. He is notoriously sure-handed, recording only two drops in his entire collegiate career. From a fantasy perspective, Royer offers a stable floor as a possession target who can run through arm tackles and fight for extra yardage. However, he is not a dynamic vertical threat; he gears down noticeably into his route stems and lacks the sudden acceleration to run by NFL-caliber linebackers. His blocking is more energetic and technically sound than physically dominant, often struggling to sustain blocks against stronger defenders. Royer projects as a solid No. 2 NFL tight end, likely hearing his name called in the mid-to-late rounds.