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The tight end free agency class shrunk at the franchise tag deadline with David Njoku, Mike Gesicki, and Dalton Schultz all tagged by their respective teams. Despite two top 12 finishers in 2021 (Gesicki and Schultz) not hitting the market, there are still intriguing options who could change teams.
Zach Ertz rejuvenated his career after a midseason trade to Arizona. Ertz saw his per game and per target number more in line with his pre-2019 production during his 11-game stint in Arizona, playing especially well with Deandre Hopkins out of the lineup. Ertz may be best suited to return to Arizona in free agency but could be attractive to other contending teams.
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Evan Engram totaled 115 targets, with 64 receptions, 722 receiving yards, and 6 touchdowns as a rookie. His career since has been a disappointment, a combination of poor play, along with poor quarterback play and scheme, have derailed his career. Despite all of the problems to date, Engram ranks in the top 30% of points per route run in his career, which ranks ahead of Mike Gesicki. In a TE-premium format, investing a second-round rookie pick equivalence in Engram could present a good upside.
O.J. Howard is another 2017 first-round pick who has not lived up to expectations. Injuries, a crowded depth chart, and lackluster play have plagued Howard’s career start. If Howard is priced outside the top 30 of the tight end position, he is an interesting early reveal type player. Howard ranks in the top 15% of fantasy points per route run since 2008, so it is the type of investment opportunity that has a ceiling if he is healthy with opportunity. In premium formats, adding Howard to the back end of your roster as an add-on in a larger trade, or for a fourth-round rookie pick equivalency is an interesting option upside.
After being selected in the first round of the NFL Draft in 2018 by the Baltimore Ravens ahead of Mark Andrews, Hurst was traded to Atlanta in 2020. In his lone opportunity as an unquestioned starter in 2020, Hurst finished as TE9 in PPR scoring. Hurst largely blends in with the other players in the free agency class but is on the older side as he will be 29 in August.
Tyler Conklin has provided serviceable fantasy production over the past two seasons, particularly when Irv Smith was injured. Conklin is a low-efficiency option, and his free agency may speak more about Irv Smith than Conklin himself. If Conklin resigns with Minnesota, he likely caps Smith’s ceiling. If Conklin leaves Minnesota in free agency, it could be a positive sign for Smith’s rehab.
Others
C.J. Uzomah had a career-best in receptions (49), receiving yards (493), and touchdowns (5), but finished as a mid TE2 in fantasy scoring and is more a depth option than a difference-maker.
Jared Cook played more than half of the snaps for the Chargers in 2021 but saw his worst yards per target (6.4) since 2015. He is declining but still managed 83 targets.
Robert Tonyan Jr had his career year in 2020 before suffering a season-ending injury in 2021. He makes sense as an opportunity to invest in an Aaron Rodgers-led offense in the TE20+ range if he returns to Green Bay.
Rob Gronkowski and Jimmy Graham are both free agents who could potentially be retiring. Gronkowski showed the ability to contribute to fantasy success in 2021 and could be a situational player on a contending team. Graham is more of a TE3 in fantasy if he were to play in 2022.
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