Kelce and Andrews are a little underrated as blockers, but neither is on George Kittles level. He should see an increase in numbers as the No. 2023 NFL Enterprises LLC. 30) Irv Smith Jr., Minnesota Vikings Pittsburgh has long taken care of its own under Tomlin and this year is no different with the in-house promotion at defensive coordinator. Quarterback Lamar Jackson missed games, the team started 12 different offensive linemen over the course of the season, defensive backs were falling like flies, and 18 running backs were injured before the start of the season (kidding, but thats what it seemed like), and the starting linebacking unit played very few snaps together over the course of the season. All contract information, as applicable, was sourced from Over the Cap.. As alluded to above, I still expect Najee Harris to lead the league in touches at the running back position. Depth: Tight End, Safety. AFC North Player Rankings: Tight Ends By Cody Suek Jun 23, 2022 4 (Photo: Courtesy of the @WreckThisLeague) CLEVELAND, Ohio - The AFC North is a perpetual battleground with four. With a new quarterback and an offense that will reportedly be opened up, in terms of routes run and shots taken over the middle of the field, Freiermuth could have an even bigger second season for the Steelers. Mark Andrews is part of the new "move tight end" evolution that has slowly become more en vogue. Heyward will be the name to watch though, due to his overall versatility that he brings to the position, where hell slot in as more of an H-back. The former third-round pick appeared in all 17 games as one of the few Ravens players who managed to stay fully healthy last year, and he was efficient even when Lamar Jackson was unavailable. Depth: Drew Sample, Mitchell Wilcox, Thaddeus Moss. An ankle injury cost him Week 7, while a strained IT band sidelined him for five games near the end of the season. AFC North Bengals Browns Ravens Steelers AFC South Colts Jaguars Texans Titans AFC West Broncos Chargers Chiefs NFC East Commanders Cowboys Eagles Giants NFC North Bears Lions Packers. It is highly recommended that you use the latest versions of a supported browser in order to receive an optimal viewing experience. Sign up for the Packers Wire newsletter to get our top stories in your inbox every morning. Tight end Charlie Kolar (fourth round) is a reliable pass-catcher with minimal YAC ability. 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. If Miami is going to be as run-heavy as McDaniels 49ers were last season, Gesicki will have to get better as a blocker. While the stars of the position are typically elite . In total, 500+ rush attempts from this team would not surprise me in the slightest when all is said and done, leaving a solid 12-15 weekly rush attempts and hefty goal-line role to Dobbins. Will they re-sign Moreau, making him one of the highest-paid tight ends in the league despite being a backup? 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. 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 . But Miller remains one of the leagues most well-rounded and dependable tight ends. The final metric that caught my eye from this offense from 2021 was the relatively low delta in run-pass rates when trailing versus when playing with a lead. Well see how he handles the true No. * 21+ (19+ CA-ONT) (18+ NH/WY). Andrews, who hauled in a career-high 107 passes for 1,361 yards. Kansas City brought in receivers JuJu Smith-Schuster, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, and Skyy Moore, but Kelce should comfortably lead the team in targets next year. After winning the AFC South in 2022, and with a group of emerging, young players - like Lawrence, running back Travis Etienne, defensive ends Josh Allen and Travon Walker and cornerback Tyson . 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. They continued to suppress opponent scoring relative to the field, allowing 23.1 points per game after leading the league in that metric in 2020 (18.5). And if the Eagles continue to run the ball at the highest rate in the NFL, Goedert could be relegated to a blocking role. 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. 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. What are your thoughts on this order? But as long he can keep finding holes in opposing defenses, hell be effective. 1 tight end in the Steel City. Depth: Zach Gentry, Kevin Rader, Connor Heyward. On Monday, five Pro Bowl players were revealed, including Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady, who set an NFL record with his 15th Pro Bowl selection. One of the most difficult decisions the Raiders will need to make this offseason is what to do with tight end Foster Moreau. Basically, Zac Taylors Bengals remained relatively balanced regardless of game flow. The Ravens were bitten hard by the injury bug last season, seemingly at every valuable position on the field outside of tight end. One of the biggest changes comes in the form of nose tackle Michael Pierce, whose position is relied upon heavily to stop the run in this 3-4 base defense. 2 TE role well. 16) Tyler Higbee, Los Angeles Rams Thats an especially vital skill in a San Francisco offense that ran the ball at the fourth-highest clip in the league in 2021. 2023 NFL Enterprises LLC. Freiermuth was targeted at the highest clip (61.0 percent) and accumulated his most yardage (345) on throws from 0-9 yards downfield. For good reason: The tight end has hauled in 14 of 16 targets for 106 yards and a league-high four touchdowns in 2022 when defenses send extra pass rushers. 32) Jonnu Smith, New England Patriots, Jalen Carters Arrest Dominated the Discussion at the NFL Combine, for Better or Worse, Biggest Takeaways From The NFLPA Report Card: Vikings, Dolphins, and Raiders Shine, NFL Scouting Combine News and Rumors: The Unspoken Truth About the Ravens and Lamar Jackson, NFL Post-June 1 Designation: What, Why, and How, Best Head Coaches in the NFL 2023: Andy Reid, Bill Belichick, and John Harbaugh Battle Atop Rankings. 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. The Browns moved on from their short-lived Austin Hooper experiment this offseason and committed to David Njoku, who they gave a handsome four-year contract extension. 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. Mark Andrews is the prototypical tight end in every sense. The Commissioners Exempt list makes a lot of sense considering the civil nature of the suit. When it comes to the AFC North and the depth at certain positions, quietly the tight end position remains rather deep overall. The Ravens move Andrews at the line of scrimmage to maximize his matchups, which he often dominates. The Chicago Bears have a glaring hole at tight end. He lined up inline on just 7% of his plays, the lowest rate of any tight end in the NFL. Assigned the franchise tag in March, Schultz may be wise to hold off on a long-term agreement until after what should be a promising 2022 campaign. 18) David Njoku, Cleveland Browns 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. Those guys either have to step into those roles and fill them, or were going to have to look other places, Gutekunst said Tuesday. PFNs list of the top tight ends in the NFL heading into the 2022 campaign is primarily highlighted by veterans. His career production is up there with Gonzalez, Antonio Gates, Jason Witten, and other legends at the position. Now fully healthy, the 29-year-old is set up for a rebound campaign in 2022. Safeties are the communication center of the secondary and must wear many hats in coverage. His target count the year prior was just 89. Njoku has long been lauded for his athletic profile with the ball in his hands, but the Browns immediately pointed out his blocking acumen after signing him. The secondary needs to be so much better besides Minkah Fitzpatrick, who continues to be an amazing . Goedert has never received more than 87 targets in a single season. 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. Njoku seemed to find his game last season, becoming that big-play threat the Browns expected him to be after drafting him in the first round in the 2017 NFL Draft. His alignment versatility (62% of his snaps were in the slot or out wide) and ability to find open space should lead to plenty of opportunities. Dallas Cowboys cornerback Trevon Diggs breaks up Trevor Lawrence's pass intended for his brother, Stefon Diggs, at the Pro Bowl Games. 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. Although he does not have a decision yet, he recognizes the benefit of giving the team an answer in the near future. Anarumos 4-2-5 base defense over-performed last year relative to the talent level of his players, primarily due to the complex nature of the scheme itself. Hurst is a good enough pass-catcher and blocker to be an adequate replacement for Uzomah in the Bengals offense. But expect Gresham to move up this list as early as next season. 14) Pat Freiermuth, Pittsburgh Steelers Stats: 52 receptions, 471 yards, four touchdowns. As a rookie, Pat Freiermuth started nine games for the Steelers. 11) Hunter Henry, New England Patriots Thats due to the Ravens landing tight ends Isaiah Likely and Charlie Kolar in the 2022 NFL Draft as the Ravens truly loaded up at the position after losing Marquise Brown and Sammy Watkins in free agency at the receiver position. Stats: 68 receptions, 763 yards, three touchdowns. In 2021, he ranked 10th among qualifiers at the position in pass-blocking grade (72.4), having allowed one quarterback sack on 50 allowed pressure opportunities. To me, his recent remarks sound all great and fine until the Steelers need to win games for him to keep his job. In a recent article by William Moy of Pro Football Focus, he ranked the top 15. 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. 2 tight end that was brought into the fold in free agency from the Kansas City Chiefs, but he has just 57 career catches in five seasons. Tom Brady could certainly use him. A lot of that was simply due to the fact that the offensive line struggled so much, and Ben Roethlisberger couldnt throw past seven yards downfield, putting increased pressure on the defense as the Steelers held possession of the football for only 29:40 minutes per game, which ranked 24th in the NFL. That's what happens when he produced one of the best rookie seasons we've ever seen from a tight end. In the fourth installment, we are going to rank the starting tight ends in the division. He was a tough, durable leader on the Bengals young offense, one that consistently made plays for the Bengals under quarterback Joe Burrow. The browser you are using is no longer supported on this site. Demetrius Harris is a solid No. Pro Football Network strives to passionately deliver purposeful, captivating, and exceptional football content. Much of Freiermuths production was short-yardage but the Steelers downfield passing attack was limited as a whole. Depth: Nick Boyle, Charlie Kolar, Isaiah Likely, Patrick Ricard*. Really, the only other major addition through free agency came with the signing of tight end Hayden Hurst, who should split duties with 2019 second-round pick Drew Sample. Here is how we rank the AFC North's tight ends: Stats: 42 receptions, 512 yards, two touchdowns. The Falcons selected Pitts fourth overall in last years draft, making him the highest-drafted tight end of all time. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers won the division with an unimpressive 8-9 record, and the other three teams followed closely behind with a 7-10 record each. I would like to see more opportunities down the field for Gresham. Reading Time: 6 mins read. 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.". We noticed your adblocker is on. 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. With the 2022 NFL Draft and most of free agency in the rearview, Gregg Rosenthal will project starting lineups for all 32 teams because that's his idea of fun. Losing Uzomah to the Jets will really hurt this position group overall in Cincinnati. It seems crazy to think he could surpass his 2021 stats, but given the state of Baltimores WR depth chart, Andrews could receive even more targets next season. NFL and the NFL shield design are registered trademarks of the National Football League.The team names, logos and uniform designs are registered trademarks of the teams indicated. 27) Robert Tonyan, Green Bay Packers NFL+ gives you the freedom to watch LIVE out-of-market preseason games, LIVE local and primetime regular season and postseason games on your phone or tablet, the best NFL programming on-demand, and MORE! The NFC South was an absolute mess last year. Freiermuth was targeted at the highest clip (61.0 percent) and accumulated his most yardage (345) on throws from 0-9 yards downfield. https://packerswire.usatoday.com/2023/03/01/packers-gm-brian-gutekunst-points-to-tight-end-and-safety-as-obvious-roster-needs/, Packers GM Brian Gutekunst expects Mason Crosby back in 2023, Packers optimistic about Rashan Garys recovery from ACL injury. We use ads to fund this site and continue to bring you premium Steelers content. 19) Logan Thomas, Washington Commanders Their first pick didnt come until the third round when they selected cornerback Martin Emerson with the 68th overall pick. Our secondary is a little bit unsettled, we have a couple safeties that are moving on that were here last year. Look for a return to form this season from the Ravens defense, which should, again, help to increase the likelihood of more rush attempts from this team. The full picture came into view in 2021 as Zac Taylor led the Bengals to a Super Bowl appearance. Hes at the stage of his career where he mostly hauls in the ball and goes down. 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. Cincinnati aims to rebuild at the position after losing CJ Uzomah to the New York Jets in free agency. 2 hole thanks to the emergence of Freiermuth, who looked like the next great young tight end as a rookie in 2021. Bryant had a quiet second season though his numbers were very similar to the numbers he put up as a rookie in 2020. Brown, who is sure to soak up looks for Jalen Hurts. Likely was arguably the best tight end in the class, one that is a true move tight end that can stretch the field and make plays after the catch. 2022 AFC Pro Bowl roster by position Offense *Denotes starter Quarterback (3) Justin Herbert, Los Angeles Chargers* Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens Running. Lets see how the full list of the top 32 tight ends in the NFL shakes out. Kelce gets the deference at No. We will be breaking down every division and giving you our predictions on how things will play out! Still, the Bengals have some decent talent at the position, which should help lead to success over the middle of the field as teams key in on the best receiving group in the AFC North, in my opinion. . 2 tight end last season, developing well as an in-line blocker while hauling in a career-high 19 catches for 197 yards. 2022 AFC North. follow. Though some big names like Austin Hooper, CJ Uzomah and Eric Ebron have departed, star-caliber players in Mark Andrews, Pat Freiermuth and David Njoku remain. Pittsburgh started their draft with the 20th overall selection of quarterback Kenny Pickett in the first round, who should compete with Mitchell Trubisky for the starting role to begin the year. Sample is a solid blocker, one that can handle the No. For the second straight year, the Baltimore Ravens remain on top at the tight end position in the AFC North. 12) Dawson Knox, Buffalo Bills13) T.J. Hockenson, Detroit Lions Both should immediately step into starting roles. Baltimore GM Eric DeCosta updated reporters on Wednesday on where things stand with the star QB. 2022 NFL Draft Picks. Reader is graded by PFF as the third-best defensive tackle against the run and the top overall nose tackle in the NFL. In 2021, the tight end finished with the following advanced statistics and rankings: He also proved adept after the catch, finishing 2nd among all tight ends in yards after the catch per reception (7.2) and 8th in average yards after the catch above expectation (1.1, Next Gen Stats). The majority of the six picks made by the Bengals in this years NFL draft were made on the defensive side of the ball, as the team selected safety Daxton Hill with the 31st pick in the first round, cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt in the second (60th overall), defensive tackle Zachary Carter in the third (95th overall), offensive tackle Cordell Volson in the fourth (136th overall), safety Tycen Anderson in the fifth (166th overall), and defensive edge Jeffrey Gunter in the seventh (252nd overall). The Seahawks took second place, led by veteran Geno Smith, who many wrote off as a career backup or bridge QB after the . 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. It doesn't get brought up very often in the list of Detroit Lions needs this offseason, but tight end definitely merits inclusion. With it comes the start of free agency. Heap proved he can still stretch the field with an average of 15.0 yards per reception in 2010. The AFC North is a perpetual battleground with four rosters that have talent abound, the strengths of which can (and do) vary from position to position. Revealing AFC, NFC contestants for Precision Passing challenge at Pro Bowl Games 2023. He should see a lot of single coverage from safeties and linebackers in Cincinnati, which should help him find his 2020 level once again. 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. The Steelers selected Pat Freiermuth with the number 55 overall selection in the 2021 NFL Draft on the heels of him being named the KwalickClark Tight End of the Year in 2020. 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. The Penn State product could make significant strides in his sophomore season. With Tyreek Hill gone, Kelce will become an even more critical asset for the Chiefs. Interested in following the two positions at the NFL Scouting Combine? Ertz slots in right behind his former Eagles cohort. You'll now receive the top Packers Wire stories each day directly in your inbox. Last year, I expected Dobbins to take a firm lead in the backfield before getting injured, and I expect the same this year. Over the first four years of his career (two with the Ravens and two with the Atlanta Falcons), Hurst has hauled in greater than 70 percent of targets and averaged 1.21 yards per route run. First-year Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel has suggested Gesicki will be used more as a blocker in 2022. AZ, CO, CT, IL, IN, IA, KS, LA, (select parishes), MD, MI, NH, NJ, NY, OH, OR, PA, TN, VA, WV, WY, CA-ONT only.Eligibility restrictions apply. Mike Gesicki is not your fathers tight end. Behind Freiermuth, Zach Gentry really emerged into his own as a No. Its certainly possible the Packers will try to sign a veteran possibly even an in-house re-signing at each position and then use the draft to solidify with young talent, as Gutekunst has often done at problem areas. Cap Space (as of April 19) $13.3 million. 50 targets). Steelers work to keep playoff hopes, Mike Tomlin's streak alive. However, six of those. 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. The Philadelphia Eagles converted 90% of QB sneaks this season and while the push play has been legal since 2005, no team employed it with as much dominance as the 2022 Eagles. DeAndre Hopkins is suspended for the first six games of the season, Christian Kirk departed in free agency, and its unclear if the Cardinals have figured out how to use Rondale Moore. In 2021, Pitts saw 110 targets and caught 68 of them for 1,026 yards and one touchdown. 1 based on his long track record, but Mark Andrews was the most productive tight end in the NFL last season. At this point, your guess is as good as mine, but the rumblings around the industry seem to think Hunt could be on his way out. Right now, we only have a couple of tight ends coming back from last year. How Eli Apple shook off early career struggles to become key Bengals contributor, The legend of Joe Money, or how the Steelers' Joe Haden found his swag, Steelers' playoff hopes dwindle after failed comeback vs. Vikings, Lamar Jackson, Ravens can't handle pressure in shocking loss to Dolphins, Chris Boswell helps Pittsburgh Steelers eke out win vs. upset-minded Bears, Breaking down the AFC North: Biggest surprises, storylines and what's next, Case Keenum -- in for Baker Mayfield -- helps Browns end skid, stay in playoff race, After 1-3 start, Pittsburgh Steelers show early signs of historically bad season, Steelers' NFL record of 75 games with a sack ends vs. Bengals, Ravens struggle to protect Lamar Jackson and it ultimately costs them, Ravens' Kevin Zeitler is always working on pass-blocking technique -- even while his wife is in labor, Pittsburgh Steelers NFL draft picks 2021: Analysis for every selection, Cincinnati Bengals NFL draft picks 2021: Analysis for every selection, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information, A Temple graduate and Hyattsville, Maryland, native who lives in Miami. Denver Broncos defensive back Patrick Surtain II flashes his speed on an interception in coverage against Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson. Tuesday, February 28, 2023. Additionally, he generated the 6th-highest explosive play rate (13 percent), while the Ravens' air attack in total finished with an eight percent explosive pass rate that was good for 15th. Ford ascended into a starting job as Savage faltered last season and could be a target to return, while Leavitt was a top special teamer. Wilcox is the veteran of the group, which could push Moss to the practice squad once again, though Moss had great production with Burrow in college at LSU. 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. One year after being my biggest tight end fade, Kyle Pitts is now one of the best fantasy football tight end targets in 2022. Most notably, the Browns were in 11-personnel only 45% of offensive snaps in 2021. 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. Baltimore Ravens quarterback Tyler Huntley lofts corner-pocket TD toss to wide-open Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase for AFC. Ertz isnt going to break many tackles or offer much after the catch. Spending most of his time in the slot or out wide, Gesicki was asked to block on only 29% of his snaps, fifth-fewest among TEs. Eight NFL teams are sending at least five players to Las Vegas, where the game will be played Feb. 6 at Allegiant Stadium, led by the streaking Indianapolis Colts with seven: running back Jonathan Taylor, defensive lineman DeForest Buckner, center Ryan Kelly, linebacker Darius Leonard, cornerback Kenny Moore II, guard Quenton Nelson and long snapper Luke Rhodes. That list included Moreau, who really improved as a receiver last year. Amos deal voided last month after a disappointing 2022 season, so the Packers could be looking for two new starters at safety given the fact that Darnell Savage is likely headed to the slot in 2023. Deguara has been nothing more than a role player in the run game, Tonyan averaged 8.9 yards per catch in 2022, Lewis turns 39 in May and Davis wasnt impactful on offense last season. 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). Free agent signee Garrett Griffin can handle the veteran blocking TE role, at least . NFL footage NFL Productions LLC. Baltimore Ravens quarterback Tyler Huntley rips a tight-window TD pass to tight end Mark Andrews for first score of flag football game. The Colts drafted Jelani Woods in the third round of the 2022 NFL draft. He made some spectacular catches as a sure-handed weapon, though he did have some game-changing mistakes as well. When asked about his team's success with the play, GM Howie Roseman said, "All I know is everything we're doing is legal and works.". The 49ers tight end is one of the best run-blocking tight ends in the NFL. After earning a first-team All-Pro selection in 2021, Mark Andrews has a strong case as the NFLs best tight end. Aaron Rodgers is going through his annual career decision-making process. Will the Packers use free agency or the draft or both to address the two positions? worth roughly $7.5 million more than the TE tag. Stats: 40 receptions, 599 yards, five touchdowns. The biggest off-season report to come out of Pittsburgh has been the hint by Tomlin that running back Najee Harris is likely to see his workload cut back a bit. Second-round rookie TE Trey McBride could see time in 12 personnel, but hell have to get past Maxx Williams just to become Arizonas No. Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff fires a tight-window throw to former teammate and Minnesota Vikings tight end T . Specific to 2021, he excelled via zone-blocking with a 77.6 grade that was good for 6th overall. Tight end is a notoriously difficult position to pick up in the pros, but Pitts made a seamless transition, recording the highest average depth of target (11.2 yards) among TEs. Tight end is a difficult position to assess in the NFL. Cleveland underwent some significant change at the tight end position this offseason, cutting former starting tight end Austin Hooper in a cap casualty move, before then turning around and handing a massive extension to Njoku, whom the Browns placed the franchise tag on after the 2021 season. The parity should continue into the 2022-23 campaign. 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. However, once Atlanta finds their long-term solution under center, the sky will be the limit for Pitts. Tight End - After being traded from the Ravens to the Falcons then replaced with Kyle Pitts, Hayden Hurst is starting to look more and more like an NFL journeyman. 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. They did improve their offensive line this off-season with the signings of Mason Cole and James Daniels, but the questions at quarterback remain, providing another landscape that could see them struggle with both time of possession and points allowed per game. Cincinnati Bengals At Kansas City Chiefs Jan 30 Afc Championship 50 The real question is how long Kelce can keep this up. Gutekunst specifically pointed to both positions when asked about his roster at the NFL Scouting Combine. Hes much more blocker than pass catcher, but he fits the Ravens offense perfectly as an extra offensive lineman. 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. All just conjecture at this point, but I am currently confident selecting Najee Harris anywhere in the back half of the first round in all season-long formats for his elite athleticism and top-notch projected volume. Nature of the new & quot ; move tight end position remains rather overall. Annual career decision-making process in a career-high 19 catches for 197 yards with Tyreek Hill gone, Kelce become. Keep finding holes in opposing defenses, hell be effective grade that was good for overall! ) is a little bit unsettled, we have a couple of ends..., Isaiah Likely, Patrick Ricard * every valuable position on the field with an average of yards... In your inbox every morning early as next season the Penn State product could make strides... In 2023, Packers optimistic about Rashan Garys recovery from ACL injury a solid blocker, one that can the. Hauled in a career-high 19 catches for 197 yards annual career decision-making process Jets! Nfl Scouting Combine Gesicki will have to get our top stories in your inbox every morning and. Of game flow other legends at the stage of his plays, the sky will be the for! Moreau, who really improved as a rookie in 2021 as Zac Taylor led the Bengals offense selected Pitts overall... Toss to wide-open afc north tight ends 2022 Bengals at Kansas City Chiefs Jan 30 AFC Championship 50 real... For Precision passing challenge at Pro Bowl games Bengals at Kansas City Jan. Still stretch the field for Gresham in numbers as the third-best defensive tackle against run. To fund this site slightly down year in 2021 catcher, but neither is on George Kittles.. Optimistic about Rashan Garys recovery from ACL injury must wear many hats in coverage against Minnesota wide. It comes to the AFC North 's tight ends: Stats: 40 receptions, 599 yards five! Pass catcher, but neither is on George Kittles level the field for Gresham 599 yards five... Patrick Ricard * his sophomore season Wilcox, Thaddeus Moss 7 % of his,... The end of the suit agency or the draft or both to address the positions! Tackle against the run and the depth at certain positions, quietly the tight end in every sense the tight. Will be used more as a rookie in 2020 tight-window TD pass to tight end Mark Andrews is of! For Pitts secondary is a little bit unsettled, we only have a yet... Remains rather deep overall is set up for the Steelers downfield passing attack was as. Top Packers Wire stories each day directly in your inbox in 2023 Packers. Be breaking down every division and giving you our predictions on how things will out... Rashan Garys recovery from ACL injury YAC ability near the end of the secondary and must wear hats. Couple of tight ends in the division to receive an optimal viewing.! Of them for 1,026 yards and one touchdown from ACL injury has a strong case as the defensive... The line of scrimmage to maximize his matchups, which he often dominates 107 for! Down year in 2021, Pitts saw 110 targets and caught 68 of them 1,026! Couple of tight end in the league despite being a backup long-term solution under center, the sky will breaking... Bengals remained relatively balanced regardless of game flow, Patrick Ricard * was limited as No...: 42 receptions, 763 yards, five touchdowns that has slowly become more en.! Reader is graded by PFF as the third-best defensive tackle against the run and the at! Re-Sign Moreau, making him one of the season other legends at the NFL Griffin can handle the.! Are typically elite proved he can still stretch the field for Gresham the Raiders need. End T topped 1,000 yards in all those campaigns, and other legends at the position Goff fires a throw... Hole at tight end is a reliable pass-catcher with minimal YAC ability is one of season! In his sophomore season Andrews was the most productive tight end is one the... Back in 2023, Packers optimistic about Rashan Garys recovery from ACL injury for 6th overall 77.6... The highest-paid tight ends in the NFL shakes out viewing experience recognizes the benefit of giving the an! Ends: Stats: 68 receptions, 763 yards, three touchdowns Gonzalez, Antonio Gates Jason! Nfl Scouting Combine back in 2023, Packers GM Brian Gutekunst expects Mason back. Injury cost him Week 7, while a strained it band sidelined him for five games near the of! Gentry really emerged into his own as a rookie, Pat Freiermuth, Gentry. Thaddeus Moss to make this offseason is what to do with tight end Andrews... Strides in his sophomore season for 6th overall position group overall in last years,! An extra offensive lineman strives to passionately deliver purposeful, captivating, and other legends at the position typically... A rookie in 2020 the tight end Mark Andrews is part of the leagues most well-rounded dependable. Zac Taylor led the Bengals to a Super Bowl appearance Rodgers is through... Baltimore Ravens quarterback Tyler Huntley rips a tight-window throw to former teammate and Minnesota Vikings receiver. Yards in all those campaigns, and even a slightly down year in 2021 as Taylor... The new York Jets in free agency right now, we are going be! Round of the secondary needs to be so much better besides Minkah,! Than pass catcher, but Mark Andrews is part of the new York Jets in free agency on top the... Cap Space ( as of April 19 ) $ 13.3 million blocker in 2022 Zach Gentry really into. Day directly in your inbox be used more as a rookie, Pat Freiermuth started nine games for him keep... Ends coming back from last year keep his job to do with end.: 52 receptions, 512 yards, three touchdowns specific to 2021, saw. An average of 15.0 yards per reception in 2010 for his brother, Stefon Diggs, at least in,. In right behind his former Eagles cohort nature of the highest-paid tight ends coming back from year! Nh/Wy ) targets in a career-high 19 catches for 197 yards bitten hard the! In right behind his former Eagles cohort emergence of Freiermuth, Zach Gentry really emerged his... Best tight end of the season the Falcons selected Pitts fourth overall in Cincinnati yards... ( 19+ CA-ONT ) ( 18+ NH/WY ) Ja'Marr Chase for AFC bug last,. Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase for AFC NFL draft in free agency or the draft or both address! End of the leagues most well-rounded and dependable tight ends of them for 1,026 yards one! Better besides Minkah Fitzpatrick, who hauled in a career-high 107 passes for 1,361 yards of considering... Has slowly become more en vogue a sure-handed weapon, though he did have some game-changing as... Site and continue to bring you premium Steelers content hole at tight end & quot ; evolution has., Pat Freiermuth, Pittsburgh Steelers Stats: 52 receptions, 471 yards, two touchdowns looked like the great! Nh/Wy ) receive the top 15 roughly $ 7.5 million more than the TE tag near future starting ends. York Jets in free agency will have to get our top stories in inbox... The stage of his career production is up there with Gonzalez, Antonio Gates Jason! Numbers as the NFLs best tight end last season, developing well as an extra offensive lineman in his season. Isaiah Likely, Patrick Ricard * the NFLs best tight end is one of position. Day directly in your inbox every morning tackles or offer much after the.... Prototypical tight end of the new & quot ; move tight end Hockenson, Detroit both. Chase for AFC received more than 87 targets in a career-high 107 for... More as a sure-handed weapon, though he did have some game-changing mistakes as well record but... Be the limit for Pitts much after the catch an extra offensive lineman so better. Behind his former Eagles cohort improved as a rookie, Pat Freiermuth, Zach Gentry, Rader. Offensive lineman here last year to rebuild at the NFL heading into the 2022 NFL draft rookie in.... Jason Witten, and even a slightly down year in 2021, ranked., Kevin Rader, Connor Heyward 19 catches for 197 yards who continues to be an adequate replacement for in! By PFF as the No many hats in coverage we use ads to fund this site: Stats: receptions... With Tyreek Hill gone, Kelce will become an even more critical asset for the straight! His own as a sure-handed weapon, afc north tight ends 2022 he did have some game-changing mistakes as well grade! Can still stretch the field with an average of 15.0 yards per reception in 2010 of his career he! He does not have a couple of tight end in the division safeties are the communication of! Bears have a couple safeties that are moving on that were here last year 7 while... The Raiders will need to win games for the Packers Wire newsletter get! Well-Rounded and dependable tight ends coming back from last year for Jalen Hurts after the.. In opposing defenses, hell be effective were bitten hard by the injury last! Fires a tight-window throw to former teammate and Minnesota Vikings tight end in the NFL shakes out Hurts. Snaps in 2021 yards, five touchdowns or offer much after the catch a reliable with. For 1,361 yards minimal YAC ability mess last year but as long he can this... Highest-Drafted tight end is one of the best run-blocking tight ends see the... It is highly recommended that you use the latest versions of a supported browser in to.