A week before the NFL free agency period kicks off, the league saw three tight ends get slapped with the franchise tag. The Dallas Cowboys, Cleveland Browns, and Miami Dolphins all decided that $10.9 million was a bargain for a top-tier playmaker. Dalton Schultz, David Njoku, and Mike Gesicki will need to wait at least one more year to test free agency, but the rest of the tight end market is salivating now that the talent pool has dried up significantly.
Top five remaining free agent tight ends
The Browns franchise-tagged Njoku on Monday, while the Cowboys and Dolphins tagged Schultz and Gesicki, respectively, on Tuesday, just hours before the tag deadline. With the top three tight ends off the market, it’s time for the rest of the group to take advantage of the lack of depth.
Zach Ertz
Zach Ertz is easily the top name remaining on the list. Following his October trade from Philadelphia, Ertz put up impressive numbers with Arizona and finished the season with 74 catches for 763 yards and 5 touchdowns. Ertz still has a lot left in the tank at 31 and should be able to get a strong deal with Schultz and Gesicki on the free agent sidelines.
Rob Gronkowski
Will Rob Gronkowski finally play with a quarterback other than Tom Brady? While Gronkowski is considering a second retirement, there’s still plenty of money to be made on the open market. He has a notable history of injuries, but someone will still try to pay the longtime juggernaut at the position.
C.J. Uzomah
C.J. Uzomah was a playoff hero for the Bengals in the postseason. While his name might be hard to remember or pronounce, the veteran tight end can make plays. Uzomah put up 493 yards and 5 touchdowns on 49 catches last season. He should command a nice market in the second wave of free agency.
Evan Engram
Other than Ertz, Evan Engram might be the biggest benefactor of Gesicki being tagged. Like Ertz and Gesicki, Engram is more of a large slot receiver than he is a tight end. Engram can be a size-speed mismatch for defenders and should appeal to playoff teams looking for extra firepower in the passing game.
O.J. Howard
While O.J. Howard has never lived up to first-round draft pedigree, he’s still a promising young tight end with upside. Howard can block and catch the ball, and he’s particularly effective in the red zone. While he’s coming off a forgettable — likely final — season in Tampa, he should appeal to a team looking to use regular 12-personnel looks on offense.