Dinkins is a blocking-specialist tight end who carries the Penn State 'Tight End U' pedigree but none of the receiving production that got Warren, Johnson, and Strange drafted ahead of him. His calling card is a physical, dominant presence at the point of attack — his own coaches called him the best blocking tight end they've had in years, and the film supports it. The catch radius and hands are solid enough to function when targeted, but 37 career receptions in 48 games means you're projecting rather than evaluating as a receiver. He tested well in the short-area agility drills that matter for blocking (elite 3-cone and shuttle) but poorly in the explosiveness metrics that matter for receiving (last in vertical among combine TEs). This is a special teams contributor and Y-TE blocker who needs an NFL coaching staff willing to develop his receiving game from the ground up — think year-three value at best, with a real possibility he never becomes more than a blocking piece.
- Elite run-blocking ability at the point of attack — Penn State coaching staff consistently praised him as their best blocking TE in years, with film to support it
- Strong hands and ability to absorb contact while making catches in traffic, even if targets were limited
- Excellent short-area agility for his size (2nd among TEs in 3-cone at 7.28s and shuttle at 4.33s), translating to quick lateral adjustments in blocking assignments
- Upper-body strength and physicality (25 bench reps, T-3rd among combine TEs) that projects to NFL-level in-line blocking
- NFL bloodlines and program development — father played 8+ NFL seasons as an undrafted TE, and Dinkins was mentored by coaches who produced Warren, Johnson, and Strange
- Extremely limited receiving production (37 career catches in 48 games) leaves massive projection gap as a pass-catcher at the next level
- Below-average explosive athleticism — 40-yard dash ranked 16th of 18 TEs and vertical jump was dead last among combine TEs, raising serious questions about ability to separate at the NFL level
- Was the third-best receiving option among Penn State TEs in 2025 despite being the most experienced player in the room, suggesting the coaching staff didn't trust him as a featured weapon
- Route-running tree is underdeveloped — converted from WR in high school but used almost exclusively as an in-line blocker at Penn State
The comp writes itself — a physical, blocking-first tight end who carved out an 8-year NFL career primarily as a special teamer and blocking specialist after going undrafted. Like his father, Khalil's NFL path runs through being the best blocker in the room and finding ways to contribute on special teams. A more modern comp would be a lower-ceiling version of Geoff Swaim — tough, reliable in-line blocker who catches just enough to stay on the field.