Josh Cuevas

NFL Draft Profile: Josh Cuevas

Position: Tight End | School: Alabama (via Washington & Cal Poly) | Class: Redshirt Senior

Height: 6'3" | Weight: 256 lbs | Archetype: Hybrid / Receiving

College Career Summary

Josh Cuevas is a true "climb the ladder" prospect. Starting his career at Cal Poly (FCS), he was a Freshman All-American with nearly 700 receiving yards before transferring to Washington in 2023. While his volume was low in a crowded Huskies receiver room, his efficiency was off the charts (over 40 yards per catch).

Following Kalen DeBoer to Alabama in 2024, he initially played a secondary role before exploding in 2025. As a starter, Cuevas became the "safety net" for the Tide offense. He led Alabama tight ends in every major category and showed a particular affinity for the biggest games—notably torching Oklahoma in the regular season. Despite missing a three-game stretch late in the year (including the SEC Championship), his return for the College Football Playoff cemented his draft stock as a reliable, versatile weapon.

2025 Regular Season Stats

• Receptions: 34 | Receiving Yards: 384 | TDs: 4

• Average: 11.3 YPC | Long: 32 | Drops: 1

• Career Totals (FBS/FCS Combined): 112 Rec, 1,444 Yds, 12 TD.

2025 Game-by-Game Grades

Week	Opponent	Stats (Rec/Yds/TD)	Grade	Scout's Notes
1	@ Florida State	3 / 31 / 1	A-	Only bright spot in a loss; showed elite red-zone concentration.
2	vs UL-Monroe	2 / 14 / 1	B+	Limited volume; highly efficient scoring role.
3	vs Wisconsin	3 / 22 / 0	B	Solid in-line blocking; reliable short-area outlet.
5	@ #2 Georgia	2 / 24 / 0	B+	Huge first-down conversion; fought through bracket coverage.
6	vs #13 Vanderbilt	3 / 35 / 0	A-	Mastered the seam; provided key blocks for the run game.
7	@ #25 Missouri	2 / 28 / 0	B	Consistent; proved he could win 1-on-1 vs SEC LBs.
8	vs Tennessee	2 / 33 / 0	B+	Physical mismatch; reeled in a 18-yard contested catch.
9	@ South Carolina	3 / 16 / 1	A	Red Zone Master. Clutch TD and a 2-point conversion.
11	vs LSU	4 / 58 / 0	A-	Highest YAC of the season; looked dangerous in space.
12	vs #8 Oklahoma	6 / 80 / 1	A+	The Apex. Dominant performance; proved he is a focal point.
13-15	E. Illinois-GA	DNP	INC	Missed due to lower-body injury (E. Illinois, Auburn, SEC Champ).
CFP	@ Oklahoma	4 / 43 / 0	A-	Massive return; provided the "vibe" and leadership needed to win.

Scouting Grade Rubric

Intangibles (.20) — Grade: 96/100

• Leadership: Voted a team leader; described as the "vibe" of the huddle.

• Mental Toughness: High; successfully made the jump from FCS to the SEC.

• Competitor: Elite. Coaches rave about his "busting his ass" in the chip-game.

• Team Player: Transfers to help his coach; credits teammates for his success.

• Star Power: High impact; Alabama's offense looked notably different without him.

Physical Tools (.20) — Grade: 84/100

• Height/Weight: 6'3", 256 lbs. (Exceeds weight, but under 6'5" height benchmark).

• Stamina: Exceptional; plays high snaps counts on both offense and special teams.

• Durability: Mostly good, but a late-season lower-body injury is a concern.

• Injury History: Missed 3 games in 2025; otherwise medically clean.

Attributes (.20) — Grade: 92/100

• Catching: Elite. High-point specialist; rarely allows the ball into his chest.

• Route Running: Strength. Diverse tree; mastery of choice routes and seams.

• Strength: Pro-ready; uses his 250+ lb frame to move SEC defensive ends.

• Blocking: High-End. Not just a receiver; a willing and technical "mauler."

• Release: Efficient; stacks linebackers quickly to win vertically.

Athleticism (.20) — Grade: 88/100

• Speed: 4.74 (Estimated). Great build-up speed; difficult to catch in the open field.

• Agility: Solid; snap at the top of routes is better than most at 256 lbs.

• Jumping: Excellent; vertical jumping ability allows him to play "taller" than 6'3".

• Acceleration: Sudden; reaches top speed quickly after the catch.

• Break Tackle: Strength. Physical runner who seeks out contact to gain extra yards.

IQ (.20) — Grade: 98/100

• Awareness: Elite. Exceptional at finding soft spots in zone; understands leverage.

NFL Scouting Report

• Strengths: Elite production across three levels of college football; pro-ready frame and blocking technique; exceptional leadership and "huddle presence"; versatile enough to play "Y" (in-line) or "F" (move); high-level contested-catch ability.

• Weaknesses: Lacks prototypical "height" (6'3") of elite NFL TEs; long-speed is good but not world-class; late-season injury history needs vetting.

• Scheme Fit: Ideal Hybrid / H-Back in a West Coast or Power-Spread system (e.g., 49ers, Lions, Dolphins).

• NFL Comparison: George Kittle / Trey McBride.

Scout's Final Word

"Josh Cuevas is the 'secret weapon' of the 2026 class. He is a 'football player' in the truest sense—he blocks like an offensive lineman and catches like a wide receiver. While he might not have the 6'6" frame of other prospects, his production in the SEC and his invite to the Senior Bowl prove he is a high-level talent. In a league moving toward versatile tight ends who can stay on the field for all three downs, Cuevas is a plug-and-play starter. Draft Projection: Round 4."