A converted defensive end who turned a late position switch into a Mackey Award watch list nod at Rutgers.
Kenny Fletcher Jr. arrives in Tampa as an undrafted rookie tight end with an unusual path: he spent his first two college seasons rushing the passer before reinventing himself in the passing game. The Buccaneers signed him after the 2026 draft, betting his athletic upside as a former edge rusher translates to matchup problems at tight end.
Path to the league
Fletcher was a three-star recruit out of Delran High School in New Jersey, where he fielded offers from Penn State, Michigan State, Louisville and Kentucky before choosing Rutgers. He spent his first two seasons on the Scarlet Knights' defensive line, then moved to tight end before the 2024 season and went undrafted in April 2026, signing with Tampa Bay as a free agent.
Career highlights
As a defensive end in 2022 and 2023, Fletcher recorded 10 tackles, four for loss, two and a half sacks and a forced fumble. After switching to tight end, he caught a touchdown in his position debut against Howard and finished his Rutgers career with 46 receptions for 373 yards and two touchdowns, earning a spot on the 2025 Mackey Award watch list.
2025 season recap
In his senior season at Rutgers, Fletcher started 10 of 11 games and caught 26 passes for 236 yards, averaging 9.1 yards per catch. He enters his rookie NFL camp with Tampa Bay wearing No. 81 as he tries to carve out a roster spot behind the Buccaneers' established tight ends.
Sources
- Wikipedia: Kenny Fletcher Jr.
- ESPN: Kenny Fletcher Jr.
- 247Sports: Rutgers TE Kenny Fletcher signs with Tampa Bay Bucs as undrafted free agent
Player Profile
Background
- Position
- Tight End
- Group
- offense
- College
- Rutgers
- Hometown
- Delran, NJ, USA
- Age
- 22
- Status
- active
