Yahoo Sports NFL on Joe Royer
From the article
If there's a top candidate for the complementary receiving tight end, it might be rookie Joe Royer. He finished out his college career with Cincinnati, but played several seasons at Ohio State, so many fans will be familiar with him. Taken in the fifth round of this year's draft, Dane Brugler had him as the 12th-ranked tight end prospect in this year's class.
STACKED’s take
Fifth-round TE prospect with 60-plus-yard reception upside; positioned for explosive Fannin pairing.
Royer is the top candidate for the complementary receiving tight end role after Harold Fannin; drafted in the fifth round, Dane Brugler ranked him as the 12th-ranked tight end prospect in the 2026 class. The source describes him as a smooth athlete with impressive hands and the ability to adjust to the football regardless of placement; though he runs more as a one-speed receiver down the seam, he runs hard and has playmaking ability with the ball in his hands—he was the only FBS tight end with multiple receptions of 60-plus yards in 2025. Brugler noted he is competitive as a blocker but needs execution improvement for NFL coaches to trust him; Royer carries 90% roster odds and has been positioned to form an explosive duo with Fannin.
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