Where would Cole Kmet rank in 2021 TE draft class?

When the Chicago Bears drafted Cole Kmet, they knew it was going to be a longer process. To start, tight ends are always the slowest transition to the NFL. Beyond that, Kmet entered the NFL as one of the youngest players in the class and was a two-sport athlete in college. Growing into his body and into a full-time job at his position would take time, but raised the ceiling and justified him being the top tight end drafted in 2020.

Through his rookie season, Kmet very well is on his way to holding down that title, but in falling into the 40s an argument was that Kmet was the top tight end in a weak draft class.

So, if Kmet were to have stayed a year for a “stronger” draft class, where would have ranked entering 2021? Mind you, another year at ND would have likely boosted his stock even higher.

Still, when looking at NFL.com, he would have been the second tight end in their draft rankings. Nobody is going to argue Kyle Pitts vs. Cole Kmet, and they are going to get drafted nearly 40 picks apart.

NFL.com gave Kmet a 6.34 grade. Pitts had a 7.19 grade, which is elite. Still, at number two we see Tommy Tremble at 6.32, and Pat Friermuth at 6.30. It would have been tighter than last season, but Kmet would have been the number two tight end behind Pitts.

Comparing Kmet to Tommy Tremble would be easy as well considering they both were at Notre Dame in 2019. Tremble played 316 snaps and Kmet played 707 snaps. Of course, Kmet and Tremble played different roles and will in the NFL as well. Tremble will play an H-back blocker role almost like a hybrid between tight end and Kyle Juscyzk type usage. Kmet is a much more traditional tight end.

He would compare apples to apples in this class more to Pat Freirmuth. So, let’s say the Bears could take Freirmuth in round two this year. Would they be better off with him, or Kmet?

Comparing Cole Kmet to Pat Freirmuth

NFL.com seems to think so, but PFF.com would go Pat Freirmuth. They gave the Penn State tight end an 80.9 receiving-grade, and a 74.8 run-block grade. Kmet had a 73.4 receiving, and 56.9 grades for comparison.

Kmet averaged 1.55 yards per route run, and had a 4.4% drop rate, with a 30% contested catch rate. Friermuth had 2.33 yards per route run, with a 66% contest catch rate, but an 8% drop rate. Lastly, Kmet averaged 5 yards after the catch per reception and had an average depth of target of 9.3. Meanwhile, Friermuth had 5.7 yards after the catch per reception and 9.4 depth of target.

Considering the role and usage, it is fair to say that Friermuth and Kmet are at least on the same tier as prospects entering the NFL draft. You should expect to see Pat Frerirmuth drafted in the 40s similar to Kmet last season, and if Kmet were in this class, most would be debating the two as the next tight end after Kyle Pitts.

Does this justify the Chicago Bears? Maybe not on its own, but is fair that the argument that the weak tight-end class propped him and that he would be lower in other years may not be fair. Would you rather have Kmet or Pat Freirmuth?