Dalton Kincaid

Dalton Kincaid 2023 Fantasy Football Rookie Profile

Overview

Dalton Kincaid is a senior tight end prospect from the University of Utah. Kincaid played just one season of football at Faith Lutheran High School in Las Vegas. He started his college career at San Diego University as a non-scholarship player. He scored a total of 19 touchdowns over two seasons. In addition, he received Third-Team All-American honors his freshman season. 

Kincaid transferred to the University of Utah on a scholarship for his junior season, where he played just five games in the COVID-19-shortened season. However, he was granted an additional year of eligibility and significantly impacted the team in 2021. Playing in 13 games, he logged 36 catches for 510 yards and eight touchdowns and received an All PAC-12 Team honorable mention. 

His senior 2022-2023 season saw Kincaid break out in a big way, notching 70 receptions for 890 yards and eight touchdowns. He led the Utes in all three receiving categories and was the top tight end in the nation in 2022 in receiving yards and receptions. In addition, he was second in the country in yards per route run, seventh in Average Depth of Target (aDOT) and had the highest receiving grade (91.8), per Pro Football Focus (PFF).

Pros

• Creates separation in routes with ease
• Speedy vertical threat
• Excellent at tracking the ball in the air and making adjustments
• Wide catch radius
• Consistently wins jump balls in tight coverage

Cons

• Poor run blocker
• Gets thrown off routes with more physical defenders
• Needs more speed variance in routes

Dalton Kincaid Player Comparison

Zach Ertz (TE, Arizona Cardinals)

This isn’t the first time Kincaid has been compared to Zach Ertz. Ertz and Kincaid are just under 6 foot-6 inches and float around 245 pounds. Both have an impressive wingspan that also gives them a larger-than-average catch radius. 

Like Ertz, Kincaid will likely be a late-first to early second-round pick in the upcoming NFL Draft. Neither is especially adept at blocking, but their pass-catching ability outweighs that, keeping Kincaid on the field for most passing downs. Both tight ends create mismatches in coverage, draw targets in the short to mid-range passing attacks and are legitimate downfield threats. 

Dalton Kincaid Fantasy Football Outlook

It’s within reason that Kincaid could be the first tight end off the board in the 2023 NFL Draft. Regardless of where he lands, he will be an immediate impact player in the NFL. While his lack of blocking proficiency is a concern, his receiving abilities will mask much of that and keep him on the field. The instant usage will make him a hot commodity in dynasty rookie drafts, where he has been going in the late first or early second round. 

While that may seem like a steep price to pay for a rookie tight end, Kincaid is the type of player who will garner five to seven targets out of the gate. He could turn that into significant fantasy production in year No. 1 with his skillset. Long-term, Kincaid could easily find himself as a perennial top-10 player at the position. 

In redraft formats, Kincaid is a risk. However, he is a risk that could pay off big time if he finds himself in the right situation. We know rookie tight ends don’t generally make an impact right away. However, the tight end is a difficult position to find value. So if he’s being drafted in the late rounds of your drafts, it’s worth a roll of the dice on a talented bookend who could defy the odds. 

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