NFL free agent rankings: Tight ends

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06 Jan 2025 15:02

Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images

A pretty mid class of tight ends will hit free agency this offseason.

It’s a down year for the tight end market, with only a few starting options at the position hitting free agency. A pair of tight ends could be selected in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft, too, further pushing down free agency at the position.

With that being said, there are some okay free agents at the tight end position. We polled a group of writers from around SB Nation to gather consensus rankings about the players. While there are no unanimous picks among the bunch as folks value different WR traits, our groups stands out into some defined tiers.

We will remove players from the list as they re-sign with their current teams all the way up to the opening of free agency in March.

Others receiving votes: Marcedes Lewis, Luke Farrell, Jordan Atkins, Ian Thomas, Hunter Long, Tommy Tremble

10. Pharaoh Brown, Seattle Seahawks

Set to be 31 this offseason, the veeran journeyman only has 65 yards in 2024 with the Seahawks. He’s a role player at best.

9. Johnny Mundt, Minnesota Vikings

The backup tight end for Minnesota is a mostly reliable target and his time in Minnesota has been consistent; just under 20 catches, between 140 and 170 yards, and one/two touchdowns in each of this three seasons.

8. John Bates, Washington Commanders

Bates was one of three tight ends to earn a first-place vote, but he was also left off two ballots completely. He is young, but taken a back seat to Zach Ertz in Washington. He only has 84 receiving yards this years as a result.

7. Mo Alie-Cox, Indianapolis Colts

The 31-year-old has never played for a team other than the Colts, but logged the most starts of his career in 2024. That did not translate to production, as he caught the fewest passes since 2019. He’s never had more than 31 catches or 400 yards.

6. Kylen Granson, Indianapolis Colts

The other Colts tight end, Granson’s numbers are barely better than Alie-Cox. A fourth-round pick entering his first free agency, a lot is going to depend on the GM of the team who signs him and how they scouted him back in 2021. Like his teammate, Mo Alie-Cox, he’s never had more than 31 catches or 400 yards.

5. Zach Ertz, Washington Commanders

Ertz was in everyone’s top five except one voter completely left him off their list. He’s the first starting-caliber option on this list, but he just turned 34, so his value is limited. A heady player, he makes the right reads and gets in good position. He missed parts of 2022 and 2023 with injuries, but played all 17 games in 2024, catching more than 60 balls and topping 600 yards, and he’s always been a reliable end-zone target.

4. Tyler Conklin, New York Jets

With some high votes but also some low votes, it is tough to evaluate players on the dysfunctional Jets right now. He turns 30 this offseason but has been a solid contributor on two teams with multiple quarterbacks dating back to entering the starting lineup in Minnesota in 2021. Still, he’s coming off a down year in Jersey.

3. Juwan Johnson, New Orleans Saints

Johnson received a first-place vote from our panel but was outside the top five on two other ballots. A former undrafted wide receiver, he made the move to TE in the pros. His best season came in 2022 when he caught 42 passes for 508 yards and seven touchdowns. His production has been consistent but not outstanding otherwise.

2. Austin Hooper, New England Patriots

A very consistent performer over a long period of time, Hooper has struggled with inconsistent QB play over the last several seasons since leaving the Atlanta Falcons in 2019. He earned two Pro Bowl nods there after being a third-round pick, and he has talent, but he’s also 30.

1. Mike Gesicki, Cincinnati Bengals

Our clear number one, Gesicki received all but two of the first-place votes. He was very good for the Dolphins in his first four seasons, but phased out under Mike McDaniels in 2022. He’s spent one year each with the Patriots and Bengals since. His year with Mac Jones in New England was not good, but he bounced back with Joe Burrow in 2024 and has solid numbers entering the marketplace. He could get much better money than the $2.5 million he made in 2024.

Other free agent wide receivers

Harrison Bryant
Kenny Yeboah
Chris Manhertz
Tanner Hudson
Ross Dwelley
Eric Saubert
MyCole Pruitt
Hayden Hurst
Tyler Davis
Jack Stoll
Quintin Morris (RFA)
Stone Smartt (RFA)