Justin Joly

● Solidly built, with muscle definition in his quads, bubble and upper half ● Athletic for the position and looks like a big wide receiver in space ● Speed to work vertically down the seam or rail ● Coordinated shake at the top of routes to stack or gain a step of separation ● Outstanding focus and physicality to finish in traffic (71.4 percent success rate on contested windows) ● Drops decreased each season (just 2 percent in 2025) ● Has a knack for working himself open on scramble drills ● Competes as a blocker, especially downfield to spring his teammates ● Effective on wham blocks and as a lead blocker ● Worked hard to add 60 pounds over past four years (weighed 190 as high school senior) ● NFL scouts describe him as a “consistent worker” with a “competitive and charismatic” personality

● Average height/length and won’t have a size advantage over most NFL linebackers ● Needs to be more of a technician with route pacing and body language to avoid tipping his path ● A lot of quick-game plays to scheme him open (66.6 percent of 2025 targets came within 9 yards of the line) ● Unproven as a downfield threat (just four targets of 20-plus yards in 2025) ● Goes down on first contact too often — tape lacked YAC production ● Not a power player as an inline blocker and has a few misses as a screen blocker in space ● Wasn’t used on special teams outside of field goal units ● Missed one game and parts of others as a senior because of a strained left quad (Oct. 2025)

A two-year starter at NC State (and three-and-a-half-year starter overall), Joly lined up primarily detached (47.4 percent of snaps in the slot, 6.9 percent wide) in offensive coordinator Kurt Roper’s scheme (mostly wing and tight-slot splits). A 190-pound wide receiver recruit out of high school, Joly bulked over the last four years and developed into a weapon at tight end. After two seasons at UConn, he transferred to NC State, where he became the team’s top receiving option and led the Wolfpack in 2025 in targets and receptions. He also finished with seven touchdown grabs, second most among FBS tight ends (behind Kenyon Sadiq). 177 Back to table of contents -- 181 of 629 -- Joly is a good-sized athlete who can drop his weight at the top of routes and uncover with foot quicks and savvy. He has large, strong hands and has developed into a ball winner with his ability to frame the catch and finish, regardless of his surroundings. He competes as a blocker and has the coordination to stay attached but lacks the body power to dominate the point of attack. Overall, Joly is a versatile pass catcher, because of his athleticism, ball skills and upside as a three-level threat. Built in the mold of Jonnu Smith, he is more Robin than Batman and ideally suited as a “move” tight end in a 12-personnel offense.