It's a down year for the tight end market, with few starting options in positions that have hit free agency. The first round of the 2025 NFL Draft also allowed a pair of tight ends to push the free agency further down at that position.
That being said, there are some ok free agents in the tight end position. We voted for a group of writers around SB Nation to gather consensus rankings on players. Although unanimous picks are not in the bundle as people value different WR characteristics, our group stands out in several defined layers.
Players will be removed from the list as they will re-sign with their current team until the opening of the free agency in March.
Others who are voted: Marcedes Lewis, Luke Farrell, Jordan Atkins, Ian Thomas, Hunter Long, Tommy Tremble
10. Pharaoh Brown, Seattle Seahawks
Set to turn 31 this offseason, Veeran Journeyman has only 65 yards at the Seahawks in 2024. He's a role player at best.
9. Johnny Manto, Minnesota Vikings
Minnesota's backup tight end is a nearly reliable target, and his time in Minnesota is consistent. In each of the three seasons, he has been 140 to 170 yards, 140 to 170 yards, and two touchdowns.
8. John Bates, Commander of Washington
Bates was one of three tight ends to win the first-place vote, but he was also completely ruled out two votes. He is young, but takes the back seat to Zach Ertz of Washington. As a result, he has only 84 receiving yards this year.
7. MoAlie-Cox, Indianapolis Colts
The 31-year-old has never played for a team other than the Colts, but in 2024 he recorded the most starts of his career. It was not translated into production as it caught the fewest passes since 2019. Catch or 400 yards.
6. Kylen Grantson, Indianapolis Colts
Other Colts tight ends, Granson, are barely superior to Allycox. With the fourth round pick that enters his first free agency, many will depend on the team's GM signing him and how he scouted him in 2021. Like his teammate Mo Alie-Cox, he doesn't have more than 31 catch or 400 yards.
5. Zach Ertz, Commander of Washington
Ertz was in the top five of everyone except one voter left him completely off the list. He is the first starting caliber option on this list, but since he's just 34 years old, his worth is limited. A troublesome player, he creates the right reading and is in a good position. He missed out on 2022 and parts of 2023 with injuries, but in 2024 he played all 17 games, caught over 60 balls and broke over 600 yards.
4. Tyler Conklin, New York Jets
Not only are there some high votes, but some low votes, it's difficult to rate players on a currently dysfunctional jet. He turned 30 this offseason, but was a solid contributor to two teams, with multiple quarterbacks dating back to entering the starting lineup in Minnesota in 2021.
3. Juwan Johnson, New Orleans Saints
Johnson received the number one vote from our panel, but was outside the top five with the other two votes. The former draft wide receiver moved to professional TE. His best season came in 2022 when he caught 42 passes for 508 yards and seven touchdowns. His productions are consistent, but otherwise they are not noticeable.
2. Austin Hooper, New England Patriot
A long and highly consistent performer, Hooper has struggled with inconsistent QB plays over the past few seasons since leaving the Atlanta Falcons in 2019. But he is 30 years old.
1. Mike Gesicki of the Cincinnati Bengals
Our clear number one, Gesicki, excluded all votes except for the number one vote. He was very good for the dolphins in his first four seasons, but was phased out in 2022 under Mike McDaniels. He spent a year with the Patriots and the Bengali, respectively. His year with Mac Jones in New England was not good, but he bouncing off with Joe Burrow in 2024 and entered the market. He was able to earn much better money than the $2.5 million he made in 2024.
Other Free Agent Wide Receivers
- Harrison Bryant
- Kenny Yeboa
- Chris Manharts
- Tanner Hudson
- Ross Dwelly
- Eric Thorbert
- MyCole Pruitt
- Haydenhurst
- Tyler Davis
- Jack Stoll
- Quintin Morris (RFA)
- Stone Smartt (RFA)
Recently released tight end
These tight ends were released after the rankings were compiled up until the 2025 league year.
Durham Smythe
It will be difficult to evaluate Smythe in 2024 with quarterback play, and he will be 30 years old before the season begins. He has only played for Miami as a starter, but was later added in their offense. It's hard to imagine him making a huge leap in his eighth NFL season.
