The 2023 NFL season has now come and gone with the Super Bowl now in our rearview mirror. As the 32 teams now turn their complete focus to the offseason, things like the upcoming draft and signing free agents get brought to the forefront.
A major factor in the offseason is the start of free agency, which officially kicks off on March 13 at 4 p.m. ET when the new league year begins. With so much talent becoming available and teams having roster gaps to fill ahead of the draft, there will surely be money spent. But who are the top NFL free agent tight ends?
2024 Top Free Agent Tight Ends
The following ranking is from Pro Football Network’s NFL analyst Dallas Robinson.
1) Dalton Schultz
2) Noah Fant
3) Hunter Henry
4) Mike Gesicki
5) Gerald Everett
6) Colby Parkinson
7) Adam Trautman
8) Harrison Bryant
9) Tanner Hudson
10) Austin Hooper
Dalton Schultz and Noah Fant Headline Pedestrian TE Group
The value of having a quality tight end is proving to show itself in the NFL, with the team having the biggest stars at the position continuing to thrive.
With Travis Kelce and the Kansas City Chiefs winning their second Super Bowl, and thinking back to the days of Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski terrorizing defenses, one could easily see why having a quality target down the seam could be valuable.
Unfortunately, the free agent group available to NFL teams this year is short on that impact. Dalton Schultz and Noah Fant have been productive and consistent at times, but the rest of the group listed here comes with a bit of concern.
Schultz is fresh off of a one-year prove-it deal with the Houston Texans after being franchise-tagged in Dallas the year prior. He may get some short-term stability somewhere, but another one-year deal is certainly possible as well.
Fant looks to be the most exciting of the bunch. He brings production, big-play ability, and athleticism that the rest of the group never had or no longer does.
The remaining tight ends either have a combination of age, injury, or lack of production hanging over them. Each of these guys could easily be scooped up and can play a role for a team next year, but there’s a lack of real impact signing here outside of a few names.
MORE: Top Free Agent Wide Receivers 2024
Players such as Hunter Henry and Mike Gesicki have been productive. However, they come with an injury history and are getting long in the tooth. But as you get further down this list, you’re losing the ability to sign a true TE1.
Most teams will look to improve their roster via the draft here, but many of these guys should still expect to be signed on team-friendly deals as they work themselves into new situations.
Miss football? The 2024 NFL Draft is almost here, boss. Pro Football Network has you covered with everything from team draft needs to the Top 100 prospects available. Plus, fire up PFN’s Mock Draft Simulator to put yourself in the general manager’s seat and make all the calls!