So You Drafted Penn State TE Khalil Dinkins

Penn State tight end Khalil Dinkins (16) runs after a catch during the Blue-White game at Beaver Stadium on Saturday, April 26, 2025, in State College. The White team defeated the Blue team, 10-8. | Dan Rainville / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

THE SKINNY

Khalil Dinkins joined Penn State as a four-star recruit who was ranked as the 14th tight end in the 2021 class and 12th-best overall player in Pennsylvania. He took a redshirt year as he worked his way up the depth chart in a very crowded tight end room filled with future NFL Draft picks.

Dinkins saw the field regularly as a redshirt freshman in 2022, playing 10 games on special teams and as a reserve tight end. He continued this role in 2023, gradually seeing more snaps at tight end as he caught five passes for 57 yards, scoring on two of those receptions.

Dinkins was able to break into the starting rotation in 2024, but was largely overshadowed by Tyler Warren, who shattered record books on his way to becoming a unanimous first-team All-American. Although getting most snaps as an in-line tight end, he was still able to set a career-high with 14 receptions for 122 yards and two scores. He also became a trusted target of Drew Allar, who often looked to Dinkins on key third and fourth down attempts.

Dinkins reputation as a standout blocking tight end continued through his senior year in 2025, helping Kaytron Allen to an All-American season while becoming the all-time leader in rushing yards in program history. Dinkins role remained mostly the same, with Andrew Rappleyea and Luke Reynolds (who followed James Franklin to Virginia Tech) acting as the primary pass catching tight ends. The always-reliable Dinkins had a similar statline, this time catching 14 passes for 167 yards and two touchdowns.

WHAT YOU’RE GETTING

Dinkins may not be a well-known commodity outside of State College, but he certainly has the potential for an extended career in the NFL. The main reason for this is that Dinkins was used more of a blocking tight end than a pass catcher. Dinkins was the best blocking tight end on the roster during the past three years. He also was part of a crowded tight end room throughout his time in Happy Valley, with Tyler Warren, Brenton Strange, and Theo James used more as receiving tight ends before heading to the NFL.

While Dinkins may not have been looked to as often as others in the passing game, it’s important to note that many of his targets came on third and fourth downs. While he was not necessarily used as an every-down receiver, it should be noted he had to full trust of the staff and quarterbacks to make plays when it was needed the most.

Dinkins has the ideal measurables for an NFL tight end, running a 4.72 40-yard dash with a frame of 6-4 and 251 lbs. He is projected as a late-round selection or priority unsigned free agent.