It isn’t an exaggeration to say that nearly half of the entire NFL could be in the market for a tight end this year. Whether there’s a complete hole at the position, a player potentially leaving, or a team looking to upgrade, there should be plenty of action on that front this off-season. And that means potential fantasy football implications.
One team to keep an eye on is the Dallas Cowboys, depending on if they can retain Dalton Schultz or not. They did sign Blake Jarwin to a 4-year contract that still has two years left, but he could be cut with only a $2 million dollar cap hit.
I am watching closely to see which TE lands with the Chargers, Colts and the potentially the Titans. With the Chargers and Colts the TE could become the team’s number 2 target; depending on the draft and free agent additions. The Titans interest me because of the age and production of Julio Jones. They could get an athletic TE in place of Jones who potentially produces as the number two target if Julio can’t stay healthy.
*All stats and rankings are for Half-PPR fantasy football leagues
Old But Steady
Rob Gronkowski
Rob Gronkowski has eight years of being a top-10 fantasy football TE; including four years as the TE1. In only 12 games this year he finished as the TE7, averaging 12. points per game. That is nearly 4 points more per game than Ertz (17 games), who finished ahead of him.
There were rumors he was interested in leaving the Buccaneers last offseason, but he signed back with the team shortly after free agency opened. My bet is he is back with Brady if the two don’t retire.
His trade value in fantasy football leagues is sitting around a very late 2nd Round draft pick, which seems low. However, with his age and uncertain future it makes sense.
I am holding, unless I am in a total rebuild and/or can get more than market value. His value will not necessarily increase, but guys will be willing to pay more if he signs on for another year. If he does retire, I am not losing sleep over missing out on a shot in the dark.
Zach Ertz
Zach Ertz just turned 31 and seemed to have found a home with the Cardinals. From Week 7 (after being traded from Philly), he finished as the TE4 in fantasy football; averaging 9.4 points a game. That jumped up nearly three points from when he was with the Eagles (6.8) .
Ertz had consistently been a top-10 option at the position from 2016 to 2019. He dealt with injuries and had an off year in 2020, it was great to see him bounce back this year.
The Cardinals have a competitive roster and will be in the hunt again next year. Ertz would add another weapon to an attack that could lose Christian Kirk to free agency; and at the moment, only has one TE (David Wells) under contract for next year. This was a good match and I expect the two parties will work out a deal for Ertz to stay.
His fantasy football market value is similar to Gronkowski, which has me holding for now. His potential is worth the risk of losing for nothing. You will not get the value you want, compared to the advantage he could be in your lineup. Next year, if he starts the year well or after he signs you could potentially get more.
Prime Time
David Njoku
Have you seen who his player comp is on playerprofiler.com? Travis Fricken Kelce! Can we get half his production, though? He is probably not the second coming of Kelce, but he is someone I want to acquire because he is still fairly young. At 25 years old, hopefully he land somewhere not as crowded as the Browns.
We saw what he can do when given the full workload in 2018. That year he finished as the TE9 in fantasy football, averaging 7.7 points per game. Those aren’t eye popping numbers, but that was with a rookie QB and only his second year as well.
His 2019 season was wiped by injuries; then in 2020, the Browns signed Austin Hooper and drafted Harrsion Bryant to compete. This year he’s shown flashes yet again. He had a 7 for 7 day that resulted in 149 yards and 1 TD in Week 5 against the Chargers.
My favorite landing spot for Njoku is the Chargers. He can go there and potentially be the number 2 target behind Keenan Allen. The Chargers have a lot of cap space available; in fact the second most according to sportrac.com. There is an opening there with both Jared Cook and Donald Parham being free agents.
Mike Gesicki
Mike Gesicki has three straight years of being a top-12 TE in fantasy football. Of course, it doesn’t take much to be a top-12 TE. He finished 11th in 2019 averaging 6.9 points per game, 7th in 2020 at 8.9 PPG, and then 11th this year at 7.6 PPG.
Not exactly the plug-and-play that we want, but there are not too many of those around. Gesicki has at least been consistent enough to not kill you most weeks, minus Week 7 where he put up 0 points on 7 targets.
Age is on his side as he is only 26 years old. My guess is he signs back to stay with the Dolphins, who have the most cap space to work with. This wouldn’t necessarily be the best for his upside, as he would still be behind Waddle and Parker in the pecking order. However, he would at least have the familiarity of playing with Tua or potentially an upgrade if Deshaun Watson comes to town.
His market value is around a mid-second round pick in fantasy football leagues. I wouldn’t be opposed to anyone trading him away, but I’d see if I could get a bit more. One move you could make, see if you can flip him for Njoku, who is valued at a mid-third, and something else.
Dalton Schultz
Dalton Schultz finished the year as the TE3 in fantasy football, averaging 10 points per game. He was the surprise of the year, and set himself up for a nice payday.
He will only be turning 26 in July. There is a chance he could be signed back with the Cowboys. This would be good for his production, as we would know where he stands in their offense; but their cap situation isn’t great.
Honestly, there will be a few teams on the phone if the Cowboys let him get to free agency. A realistic landing spot for him could be the Bengals. They have a ton of cap space and are building around a QB on a rookie contract. If this were to happen his production could be spotty, as he would be the 4th or 5th target on his team.
His market value is an early second in fantasy football. I’d advise you to hold right now. Watch where he lands and decide from there. It’s not very often we get a TE who averages double digit points a game. Make sure his landing spot allows him to be a top target, otherwise, I would sell on last year’s production.
Evan Engram
The TE that everyone loves to hate on. He came in like a wrecking ball his rookie year, finishing as the TE5 in fantasy football that year, averaging just under 10 points per game at 9.4. However, he only has one other top-12 finish (2018) since.
In 2020 he had 109 targets, which he turned into 63 receptions and 655 yards, but only 1 TD. Two more TDs and he would have moved into the top-8 that year, rather than 16th.
One landing spot I think would be golden for Engram is the Colts. Jack Doyle and Kyle Granson are there, but Doyle is more of a blocking TE; and Granson is only going into his second year. We know that head coach Frank Reich and Carson Wentz like the TE position, from their time with the Eagles. This landing spot could lead to Engram being at least 2nd in targets on the team, which is what we want to see for a TE.
His market value is around a late 3rd in fantasy football. He will only be turning 28 as the season starts. I might be by myself on this, but I believe Engram can still be a consistent TE play moving forward and he is someone I would look to acquire now while the price is dirt cheap.
Sleepers
O.J. Howard
OJ Howard has never had a top-12 finish in fantasy football, but in 2018 he averaged 10.4 points per game over his 10 games that year. He finished as the TE13.
Do you want a really cheap option? Howard is probably on your waiver wire. Howard was a first round pick of the Buccaneers back in 2017. He has all the athletic traits to be a top TE, but injuries, including a torn achilles in 2020, and inconsistent play have slowed down his progression.
The Jets would be a nice landing spot for Howard, he could work with Sophomore QB Zack Wilson and give him a safety blanket down the middle. With head coach Robert Saleh and offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur coming over from the 49ers, some, including myself, thought the TE would be more involved in this offense. We of course did not see that with the likes of Chris Herndon (traded), Ryan Griffin, Tyler Kroft and rookie Kenny Yeboah. That could change if they get their hands on the athletic Howard.
Gerald Everett
There was a bit of hype surrounding Gerald Everett last offseason, he signed a one year deal with the Seahawks. However, he disappointed greatly, finishing the year as the TE20 in fantasy football, averaging 6.3 points per game.
With so many TE jobs up for grabs, Everett will be a starter next year. Everett is a very athletic TE so he is worth a stash. He will be 28 by the time the season starts, but profiles similar to Njoku.
My guess, he signs back with the Seahawks, who are also losing Will Dissley. The Seahawks still have 2020 fourth rounder Coldy Parkinson on the roster, but will be looking to add to their TE room. Why not give Everett another try?
One Hit Wonders
Robert Tonyan
Robert Tonyan was the surprise of 2020. He came out of nowhere and averaged 9.4 points per game and was the TE3 on the year. However, this was the result of being on the receiving end of 11 Aaron Rodgers’ TD passes.
We all expected regression from Tonyan this year, but what we saw in the first seven games before injuries wasn’t good. Before his injury in Week 8, he was the TE21 in fantasy football and only averaged 5 points per game.
He is an undrafted free agent on his second team. I think he had his one grand season tied to one of the best QBs to ever play. It is very likely he is on many fantasy football dynasty waiver wires next year. I think his only chance to be fantasy relevant moving forward is if Rodgers and him are back in Green Bay together.
Eric Ebron
Much like Robert Tonyan, Eric Ebron had one magical season back in 2018. He was catching passes from Andrew Luck and averaged 11.8 points per game. That year he finished as the TE4 in fantasy football with the stat line of 110 targets, 66 receptions, 750 yards and a whopping 13 TDs!
The Detroit Lions selected him 10th overall in 2014. During his years as a Lion he hovered around the TE12 from 2015 to 2017.
I think his days as a productive fantasy football TE are done, but look for a team like the Texans or Panthers to bring him in to help develop their younger TEs. If he was to land with the Packers or Giants he could be a plug a play TE, but not someone I clinging to this offseason.
Hayden Hurst
Ok, I actually thought Hurst’s 2020 was better till I actually researched it, lol. He did finish as the TE9 in fantasy football that year, but only averaged 7.6 points a game.
He was a former first round pick of the Baltimore Ravens, but was traded to the Falcons before the 2020 season. Although he has only played four seasons, he will be 29 when the season begins.
I think he fits the Titans offense and could be a great addition to their team. There he could be 3rd in target share behind A.J. Brown and Julio Jones. I think even in that role he would peak as a low end TE1, but could be a plug and play option.
Done and Done
Jared Cook
Jared Cook will be 35 when the new year begins. If he doesn’t retire, look for him to sign on and just be a nuisance for whatever TE is already on that team.
Jimmy Graham
Graham will be turning 36 part way through next season. He has been a thorn in the side of Cole Kmet’s breakout. He has red-zone appeal if a team wants to sign him, but he shouldn’t be on your fantasy football dynasty rosters anymore.
Honorable Mentions
Tyler Conklin
Tyler Conklin filled in well for the injured Irv. Smith Jr.. He finished the year with 61 receptions, nearly 600 yards and 3 TDs. My guess is the Vikings bring him back to be the 1B; and to be a thorn in the side of Smith’s potential breakout that many are hoping for – myself included!
C.J. Uzomah
His best finish so far is back in 2018 when he was the TE18 in fantasy football, but only averaged 5.2 points per game. This year he finished as the TE19 in a high flying offense, but only 6.5 points a game. He flashed some big games this year and could do the same thing wherever he lands, but he’s not worth holding onto.
Sheldon Hand
Sheldon Hand is an elementary school teacher. He started writing in 2019, and started working with The League Winners in 2021. He has been playing fantasy football for fifteen years, got into dynasty seven years ago and have become a bit obsessed.