Positional Breakdown: Top 10 Tight Ends

 

Ladies and gentlemen, we have finally made it! Well, not quite. But we're almost here! The 2022 NFL season is rapidly approaching and with that, I've decided to spice things up a bit. Instead of making full-on predictions, I will be making my own list of top 10 NFL players at each position for the upcoming season. This will be based on a variety of things, including past performance, age, surrounding cast on their team, etc. 

Next up, here are my top 10 tight ends for the 2022 NFL season:

#10.

Hunter Henry, New England Patriots

At number ten, we have Hunter Henry. Henry signed a three-year, $37.5 million contract with the Pats in 2021 and he did not disappoint. He finished the season with 50 catches, 603 receiving yards, and 9 touchdowns (tied for 2nd among tight ends in 2021). Henry is not a super flashy player, but he is sure-handed and reliable. And with the Patriots not boasting the most intimidating wide receiver corps, there is no reason why he can't continue to be a premier target for quarterback Mac Jones once again in 2022.

Projected stats: 80 targets, 47 catches, 625 receiving yards, 5 touchdowns

#9.

Mike Gesicki, Miami Dolphins

Gesicki is one of the most talented tight ends in the league, but you wouldn't know it by looking at his career stats. He had a solid year in 2021, finishing with 73 catches for 780 yards. But he only scored 2 touchdowns and has yet to clear more than 6 touchdowns in a season so far during his career. Perhaps new head coach Mike McDaniel can help Gesicki unlock his full potential in a contract year. We shall see.

Projected stats: 95 targets, 54 catches, 710 receiving yards, 5 touchdowns

#8. 

Dallas Goedert, Philadelphia Eagles

Goedert is coming off a career year in 2021 as he produced with 830 receiving yards, 14.8 yards per catch, and 4 touchdowns. And he put up those numbers in a extremely run-heavy offence. And yes, the Eagles added A.J. Brown as another target for Jalen Hurts. But Goedert is a stud in his own right, and with Hurts reportedly improving on his game, Goedert is primed to have another career year in 2022.

Projected stats: 97 targets, 58 catches, 808 receiving yards, 7 touchdowns

#7.

Dalton Schultz, Dallas Cowboys

You could argue that Schultz got snubbed of a Pro Bowl selection last season. He was awesome for the Cowboys, finishing with 78 catches (2nd on the team), 808 yards (3rd on the team), and 8 touchdowns (tied for 2nd on the team). Schultz and the Cowboys couldn't come to a contract agreement during free agency, and instead, Dallas placed the franchise tag on him (fully guaranteed one-year contract used to keep players off the free agency market). The Cowboys should make signing Schultz to a long-term deal a big priority because he is a baller.

Projected stats: 109 targets, 65 catches, 785 receiving yards, 8 touchdowns

#6.

T.J. Hockenson, Detroit Lions

Hockenson may not be the flashiest tight end. But he is reliable and he gets the job done. He was a Pro Bowler in 2020, and partially missed it last year due to missing 5 games after undergoing thumb surgery. As one of Jared Goff's top targets in the Lions offence, Hockenson is a steady bet to produce solid numbers in 2022.

Projected stats: 105 targets, 67 catches, 805 receiving yards, 5 touchdowns

#5. 

Darren Waller, Las Vegas Raiders

Due to multiple injuries, Waller missed six games during the regular season in 2021. As a result, Waller's numbers took a huge hit, going from 107 catches and 1,196 yards in 2020 to just 55 catches for 665 receiving yards last season. But when healthy, there's no doubt that Waller is a huge mismatch nightmare for defences and a top target for Raiders quarterback Derek Carr. The Raiders did add All-Pro receiver Davante Adams to the offence to pair up with Waller and Pro Bowl receiver Hunter Renfrow. Waller will likely see less targets as of result, but this also means less double teams and more single coverage for the 6-6 tight end.

Projected stats: 115 targets, 74 catches, 905 receiving yards, 11 touchdowns

#4.

Kyle Pitts, Atlanta Falcons

Is Kyle Pitts actually a tight end? Not really. If anything, he's actually a wide receiver placed in a tight end's body. The 6-6, freakish athlete had a excellent rookie campaign, finishing with 68 catches, 1,026 yards, and 15.1 yards per catch (first among tight ends). Pitts only got in the end zone once in 2021, but, number one, that number is bound to increase this season with some positive touchdown regression. And number two, only scoring one touchdown in his rookie year with mediocre talent around him doesn't change the fact that Pitts is literally a human highlight reel on Sundays.

Projected stats: 120 targets, 78 catches, 1,124 receiving yards, 9 touchdowns

#3.

George Kittle, San Francisco 49ers

You want someone who can run crisp routes down the field, gain a ton of yards after the catch, and block so well that you can basically call him a 6th offensive lineman? George Kittle is your guy. Kittle was once again selected as a Pro Bowler in 2021, as he finished the year with 71 catches for 910 receiving yards and 6 touchdowns while helping the 49ers reach the NFC Championship Game. Kittle will now catch passes from second-year quarterback Trey Lance, who could presumably give Kittle more chances to catch passes down the field with his rocket arm. Another Pro Bowl year seems in store for the "People's Tight End."

Projected stats: 103 targets, 81 catches, 1,045 receiving yards, 6 touchdowns

#2.

Mark Andrews, Baltimore Ravens

After the season he just had, Andrews definitely has a case for TE1 this year. He was named First-Team All Pro after catching 107 passes for 1,361 yards and 9 touchdowns. And he did a lot of that damage near the end of the season, even though superstar quarterback Lamar Jackson was out due to injury. Now, with Jackson set to return, there's no reason why Andrews can't replicate his success from 2021 and have another elite season in 2022.

Projected stats: 165 targets, 104 catches, 1,225 receiving yards, 8 touchdowns

#1.

Travis Kelce, Kansas City Chiefs

Like I said earlier, Mark Andrews is great. And I think he could take over as the best tight end in the league next year. But as of right now, Travis Kelce takes the cake as the best tight end in football. Although he's not as much as a freak athlete like Pitts, or a YAC threat like Kittle, or young like Andrews, Kelce still consistently produces year in and year out. Oh, and he's also super clutch. You can book another 90 catch, 1,000+ yard season for Kelce in 2022.

Projected stats: 157 targets, 98 catches, 1,278 yards, 11 touchdowns

Honourable mentions:

Zach Ertz, Arizona Cardinals: Ertz may not be the dominant force he once was in Philadelphia, but he's still a solid tight end playing in a dynamic offence in Arizona.

Pat Freiermuth, Pittsburgh Steelers: Freiermuth was solid in his rookie year, hauling in 60 catches and 7 touchdowns. I see him taking another step forward in Year 2.

Dawson Knox, Buffalo Bills: Knox is coming off a career year where he posted 587 yards and 9 touchdowns. Playing in a high-octane offence led by Josh Allen, I think Knox could easily crack the top 10 next year.

Cole Kmet, Chicago Bears: The 2020 second round pick plays in a bad offence. But he's talented and had a solid showing in 2021. A third-year breakout can't be ruled out.