Buffalo Bills: 3 late round tight end targets in 2023 NFL Draft

Payne Durham – Purdue

The Bills hosted Payne Durham out of Purdue for a top-30 visit. Given that they have a limited number of these visits, and are exploring multiple options including trades within the first round, this is a sign that they are seriously evaluating him as a later round target.

Given the depth of tight ends in this draft, it should not come as a surprise that teams are hosting targets who are likely to fall into the middle or later rounds of the draft. However, the attention that Durham is getting should not be ignored. He has also been hosted by the Los Angeles Rams, Dallas Cowboys and Chicago Bears.

Looking at Durham’s college career, it is easy to see why he has garnered so much interest. He is skilled as both a run and pass blocker, and has shown consistent improvement as a pass catcher.

At 6’6” and 253 pounds, he has plenty of size to be a solid NFL tight end. However, he will likely fall in the draft due to his perceived lack of athleticism. ESPN ranks him as the fourteenth overall tight end prospect in this draft and 186th overall player.

For a team like the Bills, if he drops into the fourth or fifth round he could be a steal. As a second tight end, who would primarily be blocking, his lack of athleticism would not be regularly exposed, and if he continues to develop as a pass-catcher he could provide excellent value in the mid to late rounds.