Contracts can be a good source of dynasty information, including for injury and performance security. Below are the seven veteran tight end contracts to watch in the next year that have dynasty implications.
Related -- see tight ends who could be cut before the 2024 season >>>
T.J. Hockenson, Minnesota
T.J. Hockenson was traded from Detroit to Minnesota before the trade deadline in 2022. This improved the narrative around his production, but the move had mixed results. In Detroit, Hockenson produced 1.87 yards per route run, which dropped to 1.43 yards per route run in Minnesota. Notably, Hockenson was targeted more frequently on more routes in Minnesota (22.7%) than in Detroit (19.6%), so the impact of the change had mixed results. Hockenson also fell from 8.2 yards after the catch in Detroit to only 3.6 yards after the catch in Minnesota. Hockenson profiles more as an aggregator than an elite difference-maker but is likely to extend his contract with Minnesota this offseason.
Cole Kmet, Chicago
In 2021, Cole Kmet was targeted 93 times and caught 60 receptions and 612 receiving yards but was held without a touchdown. Kmet got his expected touchdown variance in 2022 as he caught seven touchdowns, but otherwise, he took a step back, catching only 50 passes for 544 yards on 69 targets. Kmet’s career high is 36 yards per game (2021). Chicago has tried to improve their receiving corps with the trades for Chase Claypool and DJ Moore in the past two seasons. Kmet had a career-high in yards per target (7.9) in 2022 but is a low upside option heading toward free agency.
Hunter Henry, New England
The 2022 season was an offensive disappointment for the New England Patriots as the team used former defensive coordinator Matt Patricia as their offensive coordinator. Hunter Henry was hurt by the new offensive scheme in 2022 as it was the lowest receiving yards per game (29.9) of Henry’s career, and his 2.4 receptions per game were the lowest since his 2016 rookie season. Henry will be in the final season of his contract with new offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien. O’Brien was the offensive coordinator during the Rob Gronkowski-Aaron Hernandez era and has overseen good offenses throughout his time as the head coach in Houston. Henry could benefit in 2023 and is a cheap option outside the top 30 tight ends in Dynasty.
Noah Fant, Seattle
Noah Fant was traded from Denver to Seattle as a part of the Russell Wilson trade and then had the worst season of his career. Fant had only 28.6 receiving yards per game as he split time with Will Dissly and Colby Parkinson. Dissly is recovering from a knee injury, so his status will be one to watch. Fant could be heading toward free agency as a one-year prove-it type contract. As a Dynasty asset in deeper formats, Fant is a good investment on a depressed draft pedigree.
Dalton Schultz, Houston
Dalton Schultz played the 2022 season on a franchise tag with the Dallas Cowboys before signing a one-year deal with the Houston Texans. Schultz ranked 33rd out of 43 qualifiers in yards after the catch per reception (3.6) but heads into a Kyle Shanahan-style offense led by new offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik that has consistently created yards after the catch opportunities. Schultz is arguably the best receiving option in the offense and could push for a career-high in targets.
Evan Engram, Jacksonville
Evan Engram capitalized on a move to the tight end-friendly Jacksonville offense. Doug Pederson has a history of maximizing tight end production and got Engram producing back near the ceiling he had when he entered the league. Engram finished fifth in the league in targets in 2022 (98), fifth in the league behind Travis Kelce, T.J. Hockenson, Mark Andrews, and Tyler Higbee. Engram posted a TE5 in 2022, and Engram is now on a franchise tag. While the team has expressed optimism about extending him long-term, they selected Brenton Strange in the second round of the 2023 draft. Engram can be a difference-maker in Pederson’s offense, especially if the team does not have a dominant WR1.
Tyler Higbee. LA Rams
Tyler Higbee finished sixth in tight end points in 2022 but averaged only 8.9 points per game, the TE14 in points per game. Higbee led the Rams in targets in 2023 due to Cooper Kupp missing the second half of the season. With Kupp returning and Allen Robinson’s trade to Pittsburgh, Higbee will fit in as the second option in the Rams’ passing game. He will be 31 years old in January.
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