Tight ends are an integral part of a team’s success. These are the guys who can be matchup nightmares for opposing defenses. They can be stronger and bigger than defensive backs, and they can be faster and quicker than linebackers. Some are blockers, some are pass-catchers, and some are both.
Which TEs should you keep an eye on? This list is a good place to start.
5. Dwayne Allen
In New England, Dwayne Allen struggled to be the pass-catcher he was in Indianapolis. With that said, he still was an important piece in the blocking game. He, along with Rob Gronkowski, set up New England to run Sony Michel all season and into the playoffs. In his two seasons with the Patriots, he only brought in 13 receptions for 113 yards and one touchdown. These numbers were the lowest of his career.
Now, I don’t expect to see Dwayne Allen leave New England and set the world on fire. He’s a block-first TE with some upside in the passing game. That makes him a target in free agency. He can go somewhere, provide the blocking, and become a serviceable second TE.
4. Austin Seferian-Jenkins
ASJ has had an interesting career in the NFL, thus far. He appeared to be a big part of Tampa Bay’s future prior to an arrest (DUI) that led to his release. Since then, he’s bounced around from the Jets to the Jaguars. Last season, prior to being placed on season-ending IR, ASJ was on pace for one of his best seasons.
The intrigue with Seferian-Jenkins will likely always be there. He’s a big TE at 6’6″, 260-lbs, and he ran a 4.56 40. Those numbers alone make him valuable. The glimpses we saw during his time in college, with the Bucs, and with the Jets are enough to get him some calls come March 13.
3. Tyler Eifert
Eifert’s story is a sad one. Just a few years ago he was considered one of the best TEs in football. Today, he’s seen as a shell of his former self. In 2015, playing only 13 games, Eifert put up 615 and 13 (!!!) touchdowns. He was the perfect complementary piece to A.J. Green. Since then, Eifert’s appeared in only 14 games after suffering two back injuries and a broken ankle.
Could a team sign Tyler Eifert and get themselves a top-level TE for cheap money? Absolutely. He’s only 28 and will have had a lot of time off his back and ankle by the time he returns. However, we know these situations all too well. As likely as he is to return to his former self, he’s just as likely (if not more) to come back slower or suffer another injury. We wish him all the best, as the league is more fun with a healthy, dominant Tyler Eifert.
2. Jesse James
For the last three seasons, Steelers fans have still been able to yell out “HEEAATH” on Sundays. James has provided them with some production, similar, but not equal to the great Heath Miller. With Vance McDonald’s signing in 2017, James has seen some regression in his targets. He’s still been able to put up some solid numbers. In 2018, he recorded 30 receptions, 423 yards, and two touchdowns on only 39 targets. If James was made the number one TE option, we should expect to see those numbers rise.
To me, James is a low-end TE1, high-end TE2. He’s more of a pass-catcher than a blocker, but at 24 years old, that’s something that can still be improved. I’d expect to see James field a fair number of offers, and we’ll be able to see if James production was inflated due to playing with a group of stars or not.
1. Jared Cook
Older TEs are continuing to rule the NFL. At 32, Jared Cook is no spring chicken. Cook is another dual-threat TE who can catch and block. 2018 was kind to Jared Cook, as he brought in 68 passes for 896 yards and six touchdowns. Every single one of those numbers were the highest of Cook’s career. Being the primary target on a team does that.
Cook will likely be the most sought-after TE on the market. Wherever he lands, he’ll see a dip in his production. There aren’t many teams that are completely barren when it comes to pass-catching talent like last year’s Raiders. He’ll probably get a two-year deal for some solid money ($5-6 million annually). I just hope other teams don’t expect him to produce like he did this year because that’s not fair.