Take A Look At Top Five Tight Ends In 2024 Free-Agent Class

In the modern NFL, the tight end is an underappreciated position that has the potential to be your offensive game-changing weapon. It is expected of these hybrid athletes to catch like wide receivers and block like offensive linemen. If you find the perfect guy, he may be your most valuable asset, much like Mark Andrews or Travis Kelce.

There are several fascinating tight ends entering the free market this offseason, as there always are. The nice thing is that these guys could not cost a lot of money either. The top five tight ends available as free agents this offseason are broken down below, along with a discussion of a few possible destinations and possible deal terms.

Take A Look At Top Five Tight Ends In 2024 Free-Agent Class

Noah Fant

Though he isn’t a top-tier fantasy tight end or anything, Noah Fant has captured my attention this offseason. Fant was seldom ever called upon in Seattle’s multi-TE attack coordinated by Shane Waldron, mostly because Tyler Lockett and DK Metcalf dominated the targets. Seattle used 13 players (three tight ends) in nine percent of their plays last season, which was the second-highest percentage in football.

Fant therefore ran a route on just 52% of Seattle’s pass attempts, which placed him 26th among tight ends in terms of routes run. Carolina obviously needs every playmaker on the offensive side, especially considering that in 2023 (4.1) they ranked dead last in yards after the catch per pass.

Moreover, he is only 26 years old and is averaging 5.4 yards following  the catch per reception last year, Fant could help this team out quite a bit, and would boost his fantasy value in the process.

Gerald Everett

Over the last five seasons, Everett has averaged between 408 and 555 yards. Although he hasn’t been a key member of an offense and is unlikely to be at age 29 and beyond, he is capable of having some excellent games. He won’t have much of an effect, but he can start for a team like the Chargers.

Everett went to Los Angeles in 2022 after spending a season with the Seahawks in 2021. In 2022, he caught a career-high 58 catches for a career-high 555 yards and four touchdowns. He caught 51 catches for 411 yards and three scores in 15 games during the previous campaign.

This June, Everett will turn 30. He was originally selected by the Rams in the second round of the 2017 draft. There should be interest in him because he’s a good athlete who can break tackles after the catch.

Mike Gesicki

It’s odd that Mike Gesicki found it difficult to establish a regular role with the Patriots given that this is a club that has traditionally used two-TE formations. Since Gesicki is a slot wideout rather than a typical tight end, his next club should be quite interesting. Tyler Higbee’s ACL tear is healing, so the Rams might sign Gesicki and employ him.

With Bill Belichick, many thought the former Dolphin would soar, but Gesicki never did. In his lone season in New England, he averaged 1.7 catches per game, 14.4 receiving yards, and just two touchdowns.

The adaptable pass-catcher should look for a squad that will make advantage of his abilities since he topped the 700-yard mark twice while playing for the Dolphins. Even if Gesicki isn’t the strongest blocker, he may still be used as a receiver.

Logan Thomas

Despite being 32 years old and having been released by the Commanders, Thomas may still be a viable depth option for a club in the near future. Although it is doubtful that he will produce at the same level again, he still managed 496 yards and four scores in the previous season. In 2020, he had 72 receptions, 670 yards, and six touchdowns.

After a few underwhelming seasons, the former Virginia Tech quarterback bounced back in 2023, catching 55 catches for 496 yards and four scores for Washington.

Nevertheless, the Commanders decided to free him, save Washington almost $6.5 million. In 2020, Thomas had his greatest season ever, catching 72 catches for 670 yards and six touchdowns.

Logan Thomas, the oldest tight end available to sign a free agency outside of Jimmy Graham and Marcedes Lewis, will face an intriguing market. With Noah Fant, Will Dissly, and Colby Parkinson available for the Seahawks, the Titans may attempt to return to using several tight ends this season.

Austin Hawkins

Hooper did indeed have consecutive Pro Bowl seasons in 2018 and 2019. Hooper, who will turn 30 this season, has spent the last four seasons with three different teams without much of an effect. However, there is little need for tight ends, and Hooper has a wealth of experience for a club wanting to at adding some veteran depth.

Hunter Henry

With eight touchdown receptions in his debut season (2016), Henry made a splash in the NFL with the Chargers, however early in his career, injuries did have an impact on the former Arkansas standout. He sustained a ruptured ACL, a fractured knee, and a lacerated kidney.

Nevertheless, when Henry became a free agent and chose to sign with Belichick in New England, he was thought to be among the league’s top tight ends. Though, in theory, this was a marriage made in heaven, Henry had just once in his three seasons with the Patriots surpassed 600 receiving yards. He did lead New England in 2021 with nine touchdown receptions, a career high.

Henry, a well-rounded tight end with the ability to catch and block in the run game, turned 29 in December. He’s an underrated free agent. Wouldn’t it be something if he returned to the Chargers?

 

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