Report: NFL Teams Monitoring Joe Royer’s Medicals Ahead of Draft

Joe Royer didn't return to the Cincinnati Bearcats for the 2025 season just to play another year of college football; he returned to cement his legacy. After breaking the legendary Travis Kelce's single-season reception record for a Cincinnati tight end in 2024, Royer entered his final campaign with a clear goal of becoming a first-round talent. While a string of minor injuries in 2025 hampered his statistical output, the 6-foot-5, 255-pound weapon remains one of the most intriguing prospects in the 2026 NFL Draft. However, new reports suggest that NFL teams, including the Jacksonville Jaguars, are closely scrutinizing his medical history before making a move on Day 2.

Royer’s 2025 season saw him record 29 catches for 416 yards and four touchdowns. While these numbers were a slight dip from his record-breaking 50-reception season in 2024, his impact on the field was undeniable. Royer served as a stabilizing force for a Bearcats offense that saw significant turnover at the quarterback position. His ability to work the middle of the field and find soft spots in zone coverage is among the best in this year’s class. Head coach Scott Satterfield has praised Royer as a "complete" tight end who is equally comfortable burying a linebacker in the run game as he is outrunning safeties on a seam route.

The medical concerns stem from Royer’s early years at Ohio State, where he missed significant time due to various ailments before transferring to Cincinnati. Despite these past hurdles, Royer proved his durability in 2024 by starting every game and carrying the bulk of the offensive load. In 2025, he played through several "bumps and bruises" to help the Bearcats navigate a tough Big 12 slate. His film from the season finale against Kansas State showed a player who was still explosive, nearly scoring on a 40-yard catch-and-run that highlighted his rare athleticism for the position.

Evaluators see Royer as a high-floor prospect with "YAC king" potential. His film breakdown shows a player who transitions from a catcher to a runner almost instantly, using his 255-pound frame to bowl over smaller defenders. One specific play against Nebraska, where he recorded over 100 yards on just two catches, has been on repeat in scouting rooms for weeks. It’s this "big-play" ability that makes him such a tantalizing prospect for teams looking to modernize their offense with a dual-threat tight end.

As of late April 2026, Royer is projected as a mid-to-late round pick, though a clean bill of health from team doctors could see him jump into the early third round. The Bearcats have already seen him surpass the records of franchise icons, and now they wait to see if he can follow in their footsteps to NFL stardom. For a team like the Jaguars, who have multiple Day 3 picks, Royer represents a high-reward bet on a player who has already proven he can play at an All-American level when at 100 percent.