Hey Nerds! Welcome to the Dynasty Nerds 2026 Rookie Profile Series, where we break down the top prospects from the upcoming NFL Draft using the All-22 Film, production data, and dynasty-specific context.
This profile focuses on Justin Joly, an intriguing tight end prospect out of North Carolina State. Using the Dynasty Nerds Film Room, we’ll examine Joly’s background, on-field strengths, areas for development, and projected dynasty outlook in 12-Team SuperFlex PPR formats.
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Justin Joly | Tight End | North Carolina State
Height: 6’3”
Weight: 251 lbs.
Justin Joly is one of the more highly touted tight ends in the 2026 class. A two-star recruit out of Iona Prep School in New Rochelle, New York, he was originally lightly recruited in the college ranks. He eventually signed to play for the University of Connecticut. Joly spent his first two seasons in East Hartford, showing significant development. You will notice in his stats below that he more than doubled his catches and yards from his freshman to sophomore seasons. His excellent sophomore campaign generated significant interest in the transfer portal. Joly eventually chose to leave UConn for NC State after receiving offers from other Power-5 schools, including Tennessee and Houston. You can see from his numbers below that he was more than a match for the jump in competition.
Joly did a fine job with the Wolfpack. He was one of the top weapons for a team that had back-to-back bowl appearances and the program’s first bowl victory since 2017, when they won the Gasparilla Bowl 31–7 against the Memphis Tigers. Joly’s efforts were good enough to garner First Team All-ACC honors.
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Rookie Profile | Strengths and Weaknesses
One of the first things that stands out about Justin Joly when you watch his film is that he provides some really nice position diversity. The Wolfpack lined him up all over the first formation. Put on an All-22 game of his, and you will see him lined up in-line, in the backfield, and even out in the slot. This will make him an attractive player at the next level as he can moonlight as both a TE and H-back. He will need some work on his blocking skills, but you can see from his utility that he is more than a willing blocker.
Another trait that really stands out when you watch Joly play is that he does not drop the ball. He has some of the best hands in the class. Multiple sources have his contested catch rate at over 80%, which is an outstanding number for a TE who mixes it up with linebackers and safeties. He is the very definition of a QB’s best friend.
While he will never be confused with Vernon Davis speed-wise, Justin Joly does have some run-after-catch ability. This ability was really clear during his breakout junior season with NC State. That season, he enjoyed the best total yardage season of his collegiate career with 661 receiving yards on only 43 catches. That is a really high 15.4 ypc. Of that 661 yards, 136 yards were pure YAC. That is about 20% of his career-best season in yards after the catch.
Justin Joly | All-22 FIlm Breakdowns
One of the biggest benefits of a Nerd Herd subscription is access to our All-22 Film Room. We have several NC State games available. For this article, the Pitt game stands out. The versatile tight end attempted to help keep the Wolfpack in the game and scorched the Panthers for 101 yards and a pair of scores on 6 grabs.
This game highlights the full gambit of Joly’s game. He does some really nice work in the blocking game on the end of the line, holding the point of attack. He contributes as a blocker from the slot position on WR screens. He scores his first TD from out wide after motioning to the insides, showing some nice movement skills. His contested catch ability is on full display as well, making grabs with defenders all around him. Then, on his final play of the game, he makes a huge trick play TD catch, showing excellent concentration bring in a beautiful over the shoulder grab. Unfortunatly he pulls his hamstring on the play but has the heart to get to the endzone before exiting the game. Just a really nice showing of all the skills he brings to the table.
Draft Capital | Potential Landing Spots
Overall, I must say that I was quite impressed with Justin Joly. I admittedly hadn’t seen much tape on this player before scouting him for this article. What I did see was quite impressive. It is easy to see why he garnered 1st Team All-ACC honors. When I watched him play, I saw a player reminiscent of former PSU and current Jacksonville starting tight end Brenton Strange. A shorter, more compact TE capable of playing all over the field and making an impact as both a blocker and pass catcher. I don’t expect him to get 2nd round draft capital like Strange, but I do believe that he will hear his name called sometime during the 3rd Round of the upcoming NFL Draft.
Tight End is becoming one of the biggest chess piece positions in the NFL. Teams that can deploy 2 and 3 TE sets while still having viable pass-catching weapons on the field are taking over as the top offensive units in the league. Go back and watch some of the top offensive units in the league like the Rams, Bills, Bears, and Ravens. All make excellent use of multiple tight end formations to confuse defenses and dictate coverage against athletic chess piece tight ends. The Dolphins, Bengals, and Broncos would all be outstanding landing spots for this versatile TE. If he lands in a good spot, he could be a sneaky late-2nd round pick in your TE Premium Dynasty Drafts.
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🧠 People Also Ask About Justin Joly
Who is Justin Joly and why is Justin Joly a top NFL Draft prospect?
A: Justin Joly is a tight end out of North Carolina State who earned First Team All-ACC honors after becoming one of the Wolfpack’s top offensive weapons. His versatility, strong hands, and ability to line up across formations make him an appealing NFL prospect.
What is Justin Joly’s projected NFL Draft range?
A: Based on his All-ACC production and film evaluation, Justin Joly is projected to be selected in the third round of the NFL Draft.
Is Justin Joly a good dynasty fantasy football rookie pick?
A: Justin Joly offers intriguing dynasty upside, especially in SuperFlex and TE Premium formats, due to his reliable hands, positional versatility, and potential role in multi-tight-end NFL offenses.
What NFL teams are the best potential landing spots for Justin Joly?
A: The Dolphins, Bengals, and Broncos stand out as strong potential landing spots, as all three offenses utilize tight ends creatively and value versatile pass-catching options.
