There have always been pass-catching tight ends in the NFL since teams first started running modern offenses. What we haven’t seen is the explosion of the big-play tight ends like we’ve experienced over the last decade or so. Beginning with Tony Gonzales and Antonio Gates, we saw men more capable of running a wide receiver route tree than pass block and all it will do is land both those guys in the NFL Hall of Fame.
With the resurgence of the running game, the perfect tight end still needs to be able to stick his hand in the turf and push a defensive end or linebacker around. It’s caused teams to add extra tight ends to their roster because the guys they have can’t do both effectively. While it’s good for a player like Derek Carrier and allows him to stay in the league, it also tips defenses (at least a little) to your plan on any given down. Still, there’s no question any team will take a guy that can catch 50 passes and seven touchdowns over the best edge blocker that ever lived. It’s the modern NFL.
Before we get to my top seven, here are the tight ends that almost made the cut.
10. Jordan Akins (UCF), 9. Marcus Baugh (Ohio State), 8. Christopher Herndon IV (Miami)…
TOP SEVEN TIGHT ENDS
7. Adam Brenemen, UMass
2017: 64 catches, 764 yards, four touchdowns (6-5, 255 pounds)
Breneman is a project, but one that could pay off in no more than a year. As a blocker, any team will almost have to start from square one with this kid, but he’s a big play guy and consistent, almost ridiculous, mismatch in the passing game. He was easily Massachusetts’ best offensive weapon last season and averaged 11.9 yards per catch.
Ideal situation: New England Patriots, New Orleans Saints, Houston Texans
6. Troy Fumagalli, Wisconsin
2017: 46 catches, 547 yards, four touchdowns (6-6, 248 pounds)
Here’s a fun fact you may not know if you don’t watch college football. Fumagalli is missing a finger, specifically the index finger on his left hand. And, yep, you can believe NFL nitpicky scouts care about that kind of thing. The good news for those so in love with tight ends with 10 digits, Fumagalli lost it because of a birth defect and has basically never had an index finger. So he didn’t have to relearn any skills at an early age.
Fumagalli is a more complete tight end than Breneman, but is still a project. At Wisconsin, he did have to block, but it’s far from his forte. He has good hands, but not a lot of moves once the ball is in them.
Ideal situation: Seattle Seahawks, Green Bay Packers, Pittbsburgh Steelers
5. Ian Thomas, Indiana
2017: 25 catches, 376 yards, five touchdowns (6-5, 248 pounds)
Thomas was severely underused at Indiana. He’s a big play tight end, with a wide receiver skillset. Like Breneman, he’s not going to contribute much in run formations early, but he can produce an instant mismatch in the passing game. The Sooners loved to move him around all over the formation and a creative offensive playcaller can devise some fun situations with this kid.
Ideal situation: Kansas City Chiefs, Philadelphia Eagles, San Francisco 49ers
4. Jaylen Samuels, N.C. State
2017: 75 catches, 593 yards, four touchdowns, 78 rushes, 407 yards, 12 rushing touchdowns (5-11, 228 pounds)
Make no mistake. Samuels is a toy. He does not have tight end size by a good half a foot, but he’s easily the most athletic guy in this bunch. His 4.54 40 time was better than most of the top wide receivers and the Wolfpack used it, lining him up all over the formation on any given play. He’s listed as a tight end, but this is an old-school H-back and could really work well as a fullback, especially in short yardage situations.
Ideal situation: Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Carolina Panthers, Tennessee Titans
3. Dallas Goedert, South Dakota State
2017: 72 catches, 1,111 yards, seven touchdowns (6-5, 255 pounds)
Goedert was an absolute man among boys at the FCS level and his tape is impressive until you realize he’s facing off against players who will never play a down in the NFL. Goedert is atop a lot of tight end lists because of his measurables and he could turn into a legit NFL starter. I just don’t think it’s happening early. He reminds me a lot of Gerald Everette from last season. Everette just couldn’t get on the field much because his deficiencies in the run game.
2. Mark Andrews, Oklahoma
2017: 62 catches, 958 yards, eight touchdowns (6-5, 245 pounds)
The projection on Andrews at NFL.com is a third or fourth-round selection. If that’s the case, some team is about to win the tight end lottery. Andrews is an elite and complete player. He can block in the run game, especially out of spread looks and is a big play threat in the passing game. He’s got wide receiver speed, runs good routes and has good hands. If you want a Travis Kelce on your team, maybe look hard at Andrews.
Ideal situation: Los Angeles Rams, Miami Dolphins, Baltimore Ravens
1. Mike Gesicki, Penn State
2017: 57 catches, 563 yards, nine touchdowns (6-6, 257 pounds)
Gesicki is the most complete tight end in the draft. He can run block with the best of them and had to, sealing edges for Saquon Barkley. Because of the super star back, Gesicki was arguably underused at Penn State, but the film and production is there. He’s got the open field moves, the ability to track the ball like a wideout and wide receiver flatline speed. He’s Jimmy Graham if he could block a DE.
Ideal situation: New York Jets, Denver Broncos, Indianapolis Colts
