Justin Joly Scouting Report | NC State TE | 2026 NFL Draft

Player Snapshot

School: NC State (via UConn)
Position: Tight End
Height: 6-3 / Weight: 251 lbs
Class: Senior
Hometown: Brewster, New York

Justin Joly is a productive, well-rounded tight end with strong receiving ability, positional versatility, and consistent usage as a primary passing-game option. A former UConn player who transferred to NC State and earned First-Team All-ACC honors, Joly built his draft profile on volume production, reliability, and functional athleticism rather than elite mismatch traits. He projects as a move-oriented TE2/TE3 with three-down utility and receiving upside.

Player Background & Production

Joly began his career at UConn, where he quickly emerged as the team’s top receiving target, posting 18 receptions for 250 yards as a freshman before leading the team with 56 catches for 578 yards in 2023. He then transferred to NC State to face higher-level competition and stepped into a major offensive role.

At NC State, he became one of the offense’s most reliable weapons. In 2024, he recorded 43 receptions for 661 yards, leading the team in receiving yardage and ranking among the most productive tight end seasons in program history. He followed that with a 2025 campaign of 49 receptions, 489 yards, and seven touchdowns across 12 games, solidifying his status as a high-volume tight end target in the ACC.

Strengths

Receiving Production & Volume Usage: Joly has proven he can handle a featured receiving role, leading teams in receptions at multiple stops and consistently operating as a primary target in the passing game. His catch totals and usage reflect strong trust from quarterbacks and coaching staffs.

Route Running & Separation for a TE: He runs a diverse route tree for the position, including seams, crossers, and intermediate option routes. His tempo and body control allow him to create workable separation against linebackers and zone coverage.

Hands & Catch Reliability: Joly shows dependable hands and strong focus at the catch point. He secures passes cleanly in traffic and adjusts well to off-target throws, making him a reliable chain-moving target over the middle.

YAC Ability & Open-Field Movement: He is fluid after the catch for a tight end, with enough athleticism and balance to generate extra yardage on short and intermediate targets. His background as a high-volume receiver translates into comfort with the ball in space.

Versatility as a Receiving Tight End: Joly can align in-line, in the slot, or as a detached receiver. His usage flexibility enhances his value in spread and multiple offensive systems that feature tight ends in the passing game.

Areas for Improvement

In-line Blocking Consistency: While competitive as a blocker, he is more effective as a positional and effort blocker than a dominant in-line presence. Stronger edge defenders can disengage from his blocks in the run game.

Top-End Athletic Ceiling: He is a good overall athlete but not an elite mismatch weapon. He lacks rare vertical speed and may not consistently separate against high-level safeties in man coverage.

Play Strength at the Point of Attack: His frame is solid but not overpowering, which can show up when sustaining blocks against bigger defensive linemen or anchoring in heavy formations.

Explosiveness Off the Line: His release burst is adequate rather than dynamic, which can slightly delay route timing when facing physical defenders in press or tight alignments.

Film Traits & Measurables

• Physical Frame: 6-3, 251 pound tight end with balanced build
• Athletic Profile: Functional athleticism with fluid movement and solid body control
• Usage Profile: High-volume receiving TE with slot and detached alignment snaps
• Play Style: Reliable, production-driven tight end built on hands, routes, and versatility

Draft Projection & NFL Fit

Joly projects as a Day 3 selection, most commonly in the Round 4–6 range, with steady buzz as a mid-round tight end due to his production, Senior Bowl exposure, and receiving profile. His ability to function as a passing-game tight end increases his floor as a rotational offensive piece early in his career.

He fits best in spread or West Coast-style offenses that emphasize tight end involvement in the passing game, seam concepts, and intermediate spacing routes. Early in his career, he profiles as a TE2/TE3 who contributes as a receiving option, situational mismatch piece, and rotational inline tight end.

Summary

Justin Joly is a productive, reliable tight end with strong receiving volume, dependable hands, and alignment versatility built through success at both UConn and NC State. He wins with route execution, awareness, and consistency rather than elite athletic traits or dominant blocking power. While his ceiling is more that of a complementary tight end than a true TE1 mismatch weapon, his production, versatility, and receiving skill set give him a high floor as a rotational NFL tight end with clear passing-game value.

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