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.
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