For the fourth consecutive year, Penn State’s reputation as a bona fide tight end factory has paid dividends. While the Nittany Lions have become synonymous with producing pass-catching prototypes for the NFL, it was a different kind of weapon—a trench-born enforcer—who just landed in San Francisco with something to prove.
Khalil Dinkins, the bruising 6-foot-4, 251-pound tight end, signed a deal with the San Francisco 49ers following the 2026 NFL Draft. According to Tom Pelissero, the contract includes $275,000 guaranteed—a significant investment for an undrafted free agent, and a clear signal that the Niners believe they’ve uncovered a gem. Dinkins now joins his father, Darnell, as the second player in his family to reach the professional ranks.
A Throwback Built for Contact
While modern tight ends often market themselves as oversized receivers, Dinkins made his living doing the dirty work that never makes the highlight reel. Throughout his Penn State career, he played an increasingly involved role in the run-blocking game, using his imposing frame to bully defenders at the point of attack. This is a tight end who thrives on displacement, pad level, and finishing blocks with a mean streak.
But to label him merely a blocker would be a mistake. When given the opportunity to slip into the flat or work the seam, Dinkins proved remarkably efficient. Consider this: nearly 20% of his career receptions found the end zone. That’s not a weapon; that’s a closer.
The Numbers Behind the Violence
Dinkins’ receiving impact was most visible during the early and middle stages of his redshirt senior campaign. Through the first nine games of the season, he hauled in 14 receptions for 167 yards—a strong complementary role that kept defenses honest. However, his usage shifted down the stretch; he did not record a single statistic in the final four games of the season, as Penn State rotated duties to Andrew Rappelyea and Luke Reynolds to close out the year.
His redshirt junior season told a similar story of circumstances rather than capability. Dinkins sat behind current Indianapolis Colt Tyler Warren—a future NFL draft pick in his own right—and still managed 14 receptions for 122 yards in a crowded room. Dating back to his redshirt freshman season, Dinkins ended his collegiate career with seven total touchdowns and 399 receiving yards. Those aren’t eye-popping volume numbers, but they reveal a player who made his touches count.
Where He Fits in the Bay Area
San Francisco presents both a challenge and an ideal landing spot. Dinkins will likely sit behind All-Pro sensation George Kittle and reserve Jake Tonges in the early stages of his career. That depth chart could discourage some undrafted rookies. For Dinkins, it’s a perfect apprenticeship.
Kittle, after all, is the gold standard for modern tight ends who blend violent blocking with explosive receiving. There is no better mentor for a player of Dinkins’ mold. With time and development, the Penn State product has the potential to evolve into a reliable, physical backup option who keeps the offense on schedule—and occasionally punishes a linebacker in the red zone.
The Verdict
The NFL Draft industrial complex overlooked Khalil Dinkins. No hype videos. No helium. No third-round projection. But the 49ers, a franchise that has made a living off unearthing tough, technically sound players, saw what everyone else missed: a 251-pound battering ram with soft hands and a nose for the paint.
Penn State’s tight end factory keeps churning. And in San Francisco, the newest model just arrived—built for violence, hungry for contact, and guaranteed to make someone’s training camp miserable.
