Buffalo Bills wide receiver Stefon Diggs takes a photographer's camera after a long-distance fourth-down touchdown catch. Published 6/13/2022. Given that TE is such a challenging position to adapt to in the NFL and the fact that multiple future Hall of Famers are still playing in the league younger tight ends were hard-pressed to find a place in our rankings. Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry's short TD puts AFC ahead before halftime in second flag football contest. With the Carson Wentz era over in Washington, Commanders GM Martin Mayhew says while Sam Howell will have an opportunity to be QB1, the team, Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy feels reinvigorated after taking over play-calling duties, calling it "the most fun I've had since I've been in Dallas.". While Kelce aligns in-line enough. Furthering that discussion is what the increase in pass volume (and the injuries to the offensive line and running back stable) did to the run game (or lack thereof). In 2020, the Ravens ran the football a massive 555 times compared to just 382 pass attempts were unlikely to see that level of unbalance based on a slightly declining defense and middle-of-the-pack offensive line, but the point remains. More specifically, he was most impactful on short passes in the center of the field where he caught 25 of 29 targets for 214 yards and 16 first downs. The Browns have a very nice on-paper roster, but we cant help but feel like the self-induced off-field distractions brought on through the trade for Deshaun Watson and subsequent quarterback outbursts will have some sort of lingering effects this season. Health is the biggest limiting factor here. Although he does not have a decision yet, he recognizes the benefit of giving the team an answer in the near future. With it comes the start of free agency. Gambling problem? The 6-foot-8 Zach Gentry is now the primary backup, and the Steelers also drafted Connor Heyward, younger brother of defensive tackle Cam Heyward. After managing back-to-back seasons with 90+ catches and 1,100+ yards, Darren Waller was hit by the injury bug in 2021. Uzomah, New York Jets He had 571 receiving yards with six scores in 2020 but his production was slashed in half last season after the Atlanta Falcons drafted Kyle Pitts. Most notably, Taylor calls plays on the offensive side, and Anarumos defense has continued to over-perform based on the talent and experience of the players available to him. Lets see how the full list of the top 32 tight ends in the NFL shakes out. Temporibus autem quibusdam et aut officiis debitis aut rerum necessitatibus saepe eveniet. You'll now receive the top Packers Wire stories each day directly in your inbox. While he could reach a new mark now that Ertz is gone, Goedert will have to contend with the addition of A.J. Expect Amari Cooper to act as the lone near every-down wide receiver, with Donovan Peoples-Jones and Anthony Schwartz likely rotating through the opposite perimeter spot and rookie David Bell likely left to handle slot duties. Ben Roethlisberger's retirement makes this a transitional season in . Thats an especially vital skill in a San Francisco offense that ran the ball at the fourth-highest clip in the league in 2021. The browser you are using is no longer supported on this site. We spoke to the improved offensive line above, leaving the only other major change to this offense the addition of tight end Hayden Hurst. NFL footage NFL Productions LLC. Well, for one, the Ravens attempted 35.9 passes per game in 2021 after averaging just 25.9 in 2020. 22) Hayden Hurst, Cincinnati Bengals 1-20, 2-52, 3-84, 4-138, 7-225, 7-241. From a season-long perspective, I am treating the situation as if Hunt stays until we know more, but there is a case to be made for late shots on Johnson where it makes sense. That said, we have a fairly clear picture of the identity of this team, one that wants to control the game on the ground, take methodical shots downfield set up through play action, and utilize increased heavy personnel sets to pair with a top-five offensive line. Three different teams have won this division in the last three years, in fact, while the poor Browns are still looking to win it for the first time ever. 1 tight end in the Steel City. Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (87) catches a pass as Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Mike Hilton (21) defends in the second quarter during the AFC championship NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 30, 2022, at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo. Expect Moreau to receive a ton of interest in free agency given his athleticism and receiving upside. He has also posted respectable run-blocking grades in excess of 60.0 on four of five career seasons. Chalk it down as a head-scratcher, and I have been hesitant to project Njoku for any meaningful increase to his modest 45% route participation rate from a year ago. Not unlike other positions, the AFC North has a wide array of talent at the position even depth-wise with players like Nick Boyle, Harrison Bryant, etc. Stats: 40 receptions, 599 yards, five touchdowns. Pitts only scored one touchdown last season, and given the Falcons current quarterback situation, he may not find the end zone much in 2022 either. The tight end position has five superstars hovering above the crowded field in the NFL. Unfortunately, Jarwin tore his ACL in the 2020 season opener, opening the door for Schultz to take over the starting role. The Ravens move Andrews at the line of scrimmage to maximize his matchups, which he often dominates. BALTIMORE RAVENS For the second straight year, the Baltimore Ravens remain on top at the tight end position in the AFC North. He served as quarterback Colt McCoy's safety valve and has a chance to thrive in coach Pat Shurmur's new West Coast offense. 31) Harrison Bryant, Cleveland Browns AFC North 2022 Position Rankings: Tight End By Frank Platko @FrankJP0 Jul 14, 2022, 9:00am EDT Share Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images The start of training camp is now just days away. Woods is a 6-7 253-pound tight end who projects as a red zone threat in the NFL. David Bell also has an outside chance of cracking the starting lineup to start the year as the slot wide receiver, but well need to wait and see how he performs in camp and preseason. Two of their top four receivers by yardage were. The Browns ranked sixth in the league in situation-neutral rush rate in 2021 at 46%, just behind the Colts, 49ers, Titans, Saints, and Eagles. Steelers work to keep playoff hopes, Mike Tomlin's streak alive. Mike Gesicki is not your fathers tight end. Tuesday, February 28, 2023. The list of the top tight ends in the NFL in 2022 contains a few future Hall of Famers and many TEs on the ascent. His target count the year prior was just 89. Thats likely because the Bucs were trying to reduce his wear and tear. The wide receiver trio of JaMarr Chase, Tee Higgins, and Tyler Boyd forms the top on-paper wide receiver stable from a year ago, responsible for the WR5, WR24, and WR31 finishes in full-PPR scoring. 2 tight end last season, developing well as an in-line blocker while hauling in a career-high 19 catches for 197 yards. Cap Space (as of April 19) $13.3 million. The 6-foot-5, 251-pound former Nittany Lion made an immediate impact in the Steelers' passing attack, as the 4th-most targeted player on the team (82 targets) and highest-graded playmaker (75.2). 50 targets). All contract information, as applicable, was sourced from Over the Cap.. Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence's first-ever Pro Bowl Games touchdown pass goes to Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Davante Adams in the second flag football game between the AFC and NFC Pro Bowl Teams. Njokus production to this point does not match his new salary, but hes talented enough to make a jump in a featured pass-catching role. As the primary target in Baltimores offense, Andrews 26% target share was easily the best among tight ends and ranked sixth among all pass catchers. Tight end is a historically difficult and challenging position for young players, but the Packers need a young player to start developing into a long-term starter, and the draft is rich in tight end talent. https://raiderswire.usatoday.com/2023/03/01/raiders-te-foster-moreau-ranked-in-the-top-15-tight-ends-of-2022/, What condition the position is in: Assessing Raiders level of need at LB ahead of free agency, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. Well see how he handles the true No. He responded by putting up 56 catches for a career-high 830 yards and four touchdowns on a 79% snap rate. 2 tight end on the depth chart, so he too could see an uptick in statistics. Though he did suffer an injury he was prepared for the expanded role and gave the team a nice weapon as he played great at the beginning of the season. The Florida alum rewarded Atlantas faith, posting the second-most yards receiving (1,026) and third-most receptions (68) of any rookie TE in NFL history. I also expect Diontae Johnson to continue to be featured as the primary pass-catcher in Matt Canadas offense. Rader is a solid special teams player and overall blocker, while Sternberger has 12 career catches and one score in his three-year career. As a whole, I really like our nucleus coming back.. The Lions bring back Pro Bowler T.J. Hockenson, who should be healthy and ready to roll once again. The average is just over the $14 million per. The Colts have been notable for using multiple tight ends in the pass-and-running game. Heck, its even possible hes at No. Led by second-year starter Joe Burrow, the Bengals made it all the way back to the Super Bowl and were a few plays away from capturing their first win, but ultimately fell to the . Head coach DeMeco Ryans has reached the top of the coaching ladder in the place where he began his playing career and now he says he has "hit the ground running," to transform the Texans into a legitimate threat in the AFC South. He lined up inline on just 7% of his plays, the lowest rate of any tight end in the NFL. PFNs list of the top tight ends in the NFL heading into the 2022 campaign is primarily highlighted by veterans. Players in this tier include pass catchers that will finish far ahead of the next group of players at the position, guys like Travis Kelce, George Kittle, Darren Waller, Mark Andrews, and newest arrival Kyle Pitts. This week ESPN.com ranked the NFL's best tight ends, and no one in the AFC North made the cut. They finished the season ranked 17th in yards allowed per pass attempt and 20th in completion rate allowed but faced the third-most pass attempts per game against at 37.3, a clear indicator of how teams chose to attack the heavy zone concepts. 27) Robert Tonyan, Green Bay Packers Odds & lines subject to change. Colts general manager Chris Ballard said he's heard the noise that his team is predestined to trade up to the first pick of the 2023 NFL Draft and select a quarterback. Green Bay Packers safety Jaire Alexander leaps for an interception against Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence and returns it to the end zone in the Pro Bowl Games. The following browsers are supported: Chrome, Edge (v80 and later), Firefox and Safari. While the stars of the position are typically elite . 24) Cole Kmet, Chicago Bears Finally, if you wish to not see this dialog box, please turn off your adblocker, and enjoy content normally, 2022 NFL Scouting Combine Results Tracker, 2021 NFL Pro Day Results Tracker Scouting Combine Invitees, Interview: Texas DL Keondre Coburn Talks Connection With Steelers DL Coach Karl Dunbar, Cam Heyward Remembers The Craziest Steelers Training Camp Fight He Ever Saw, Judge Rules Brian Flores Discrimination Lawsuit Can Proceed In Court. Hurst will look to have a career year in a Bengals passing attack that had the 9th-highest EPA per dropback in 2021 (0.161) and the 10th-highest early-down pass rate (53.4 percent). Specific to 2021, he excelled via zone-blocking with a 77.6 grade that was good for 6th overall. Hes probably the most complete tight end in the NFL, and his highs are extremely high, as evidenced by his 88-1,377-5 effort in 2018. The Browns ended up selecting a total of nine players in this years draft after trading down repeatedly four offensive players, four defensive players, and a kicker. Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith finds San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle for a NFC touchdown in the Pro Bowl Games. For our rankings, we will utilize prior performance via advanced metrics and data (with an emphasis placed on the most recent season), as a benchmark. After sitting in third last summer, the Steelers move up into the No. Hurst was in a route on only 54% of his offensive snaps a year ago, while Drew Sample was in a route on only 22% of his offensive snaps. The Bengals called 53% pass plays when playing with a lead in 2021 compared to 63% when playing from behind. It also could be nothing more than the team maintaining the same depth in the running back room. All three will immediately step into a new-look offensive line built around former first and second-round picks Jonah Williams (left guard) and Jackson Carman (left tackle). One year after being my biggest tight end fade, Kyle Pitts is now one of the best fantasy football tight end targets in 2022. The next big story out of Pittsburgh has been the hand size of their first-round quarterback, telling you all you need to know about the classic Pittsburgh mentality of going about their business. Mike Tomlin returns for his 16th season as the head coach of the Steelers, joined by offensive coordinator Matt Canada in his second season and recently promoted Teryl Austin in the defensive coordinator position, who gets the bump from the defensive backs coach. Even while dealing with a knee injury in the run to the Super Bowl, Uzomah was a key component over the middle of the field. The Ravens started their draft by addressing a pass defense that ranked just 25th in 2021 (which, as well see shortly, had a lot to do with injuries more than anything else), selecting safety Kyle Hamilton with the 14th pick of the first round. Tight end Charlie Kolar (fourth round) is a reliable pass-catcher with minimal YAC ability. The secondary needs to be so much better besides Minkah Fitzpatrick, who continues to be an amazing . They replaced him with a familiar AFC North face in Hayden Hurst. Goedert has never received more than 87 targets in a single season. Tight end is a difficult position to assess in the NFL. That list included Moreau, who really improved as a receiver last year. John Harbaugh returns for his 14th season as head honcho of these Ravens, while Greg Roman returns for his third season calling plays offensively. The 49ers tight end is one of the best run-blocking tight ends in the NFL. It appears likely Emerson will find his way into the starting lineup this season after the team traded slot corner Troy Hill. Jimmy Graham made the same case when he was franchised in 2014 and was in the process of appealing an arbitrators decision against him when he agreed to an extension with the Saints. Additionally, if you'd like to donate above and beyond the ad-free option, you can donate via PayPal as well. 19) Logan Thomas, Washington Commanders If he can stay healthy, Kittle will be a reliable target for presumptive 49ers quarterback Trey Lance in his first year as a full-time starter. Ravens tight end Mark Andrews is undeniably the best player at the position in the AFC North and is one of the best across the entire NFL. 23) Albert Okwuegbunam, Denver Broncos Dallas Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb makes a toe-tapping touchdown catch on a deep dime from Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith's for the NFC Pro Bowl Team. At this stage of the offseason, it does feel unlikely that the Raiders will be able to retain him for the 2023 season. Here are the top 15 tight ends in this class according to the consensus big board. Chase Claypool has the athletic profile and draft pedigree to take a massive leap entering his third year, but the quarterback carousel likely puts a small damper on fantasy expectations. The Falcons selected Pitts fourth overall in last years draft, making him the highest-drafted tight end of all time. Buy Seahawks Tickets 1. 15) Noah Fant, Seattle Seahawks However, once Atlanta finds their long-term solution under center, the sky will be the limit for Pitts. He brings some wiggle after the catch as well. One of the most difficult decisions the Raiders will need to make this offseason is what to do with tight end Foster Moreau. 17) C.J. worth roughly $7.5 million more than the TE tag. Ertz isnt going to break many tackles or offer much after the catch. The Kansas City Chiefs (six), Los Angeles Chargers (six), Baltimore Ravens (five), Cleveland Browns (five), Dallas Cowboys (five), San Francisco 49ers (five) and Tampa Bay Buccaneers (five) were the other teams to have at least five Pro Bowlers. Austin Allen and Nick Guggemos are signed but have never played in a regular-season game. Hes been a real key to the Ravens success on the ground while in 12 personnel. The Cleveland Browns continue to shell out big bucks, as they have given tight end David Njoku a four-year, $56.75 million extension, per his agent. However, our focus here specifically relates to thestarting tight endsin the division. He should see an increase in numbers as the No. 12) Dawson Knox, Buffalo Bills13) T.J. Hockenson, Detroit Lions He may not be the most explosive player at the position (4.6 career yards after the catch per reception and 10 missed tackles forced), but he is a reliable pass-catcher with just three career drops on 183 targets. Call 1-800-GAMBLER. To me, his recent remarks sound all great and fine until the Steelers need to win games for him to keep his job. Gronk isnt just one of the best tight ends in the NFL heading into the 2022 season hes one of the greatest TEs of all time. Panthers head coach Frank Reich came away impressed after a meeting with free-agent quarterback Derek Carr on Tuesday, but he said the team is still evaluating both veteran and rookie QB options. NFL footage NFL Productions LLC. He topped 1,000 yards in all those campaigns, and even a slightly down year in 2021 resulted in a 92-1,125-9 line. Andrews, who hauled in a career-high 107 passes for 1,361 yards. Sign up for the Raiders Wire newsletter to get our top stories in your inbox every morning, Raiders have a new DL coach in former Ravens OLB coach Rob Leonard, Assessing Raiders level of need at EDGE as free agency approaches. Was just 89 vital skill in a 92-1,125-9 line 's new West offense... 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