Top 25 tight ends in the NFL for the 2021 season | 15-1
Let’s take a look at the remaining top tight ends for the 2021 season. Who’s No. 1?
15. Gerald Everett, Seattle Seahawks
This is an exciting situation. Gerald Everett could be exactly what Seattle and Russell Wilson need. Everett is at the stage of his career when he might be ready to step up. He is an excellent athlete with big-play ability and should see plenty of favorable matchups in coverage. Don’t sleep on this guy.
14. Tyler Higbee, Los Angeles Rams
We remember when Tyler Higbee finished the last five games of the 2019 season simply on fire. Such production probably is never again in the cards for Higbee, but it will be fascinating to see how he does with Everett now in Seattle and Matthew Stafford throwing him the ball.
Even with Everett in the mix, Higbee logged a lot of snaps last year for the Rams. Los Angeles used Higbee as a pass blocker more than just about any tight end on this list.
13. Rob Gronkowski, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Many thought of Gronkowski as a part-time player for Tampa Bay, but only two players at his position ended up playing more snaps. In fact, Gronkowski’s role kept growing as the season went along. He isn’t the player he once was (the greatest to ever play the position), but his 2020 season was impressive when it was all said and done. Gronkowski did an awful lot of pass blocking last year but is still a competent receiver.
12. Evan Engram, New York Giants
Evan Engram leaves you wanting more. This was especially true last year. Engram runs extremely well and can give defenses problems, but it just doesn’t happen enough when considering his talent as well as his first-round draft pedigree.
All of that being said, Engram caught the fifth-most passes amongst tight ends in 2020 and is quite capable of greatness. The Giants now have a wealth of weapons, and Engram might be in line to put it all together under these circumstances.
11. Logan Thomas, Washington Football Team
A former quarterback, Logan Thomas really came into his own last year at his new position. Thomas logged the second-most snaps of any tight end in the league and was targeted 110 times. That number might decrease with the new receiving options in Washington, but that wouldn’t be a slight on Thomas. He is a marginal blocker, which shouldn’t be unexpected from a tight end conversion.
10. Mike Gesicki, Miami Dolphins
Mike Gesicki enters in at No. 10 on our list of top NFL tight ends heading into 2021. Gesicki was Miami’s big slot receiver and isn’t used in pass protection, and offers little as a blocker overall. Will this role continue with the addition of Jaylen Waddle and Will Fuller? Quite possibly, as Gesicki has superb length to go along with downfield speed. He also converted a high percentage of his receptions into first downs.
9. Jonnu Smith, New England Patriots
You can see why the Patriots were so excited to add Jonnu Smith to their ailing offense, and the best might be yet to come for him in his new environment. Smith is great with the ball in his hands and makes a lot of plays running away from defenders. With the Titans, Smith was the third fiddle in their passing game. Could he be the first option in New England? Possibly.
8. Hunter Henry, New England Patriots
Hunter Henry has a worrisome injury history, but he was a workhorse for the Chargers last year. Only five tight ends averaged more targets on a per-game basis. Will that workload continue in New England, where Henry will be paired with Smith? If his contract is any indication, that answer should be yes.
7. Noah Fant, Denver Broncos
What stands out immediately with Noah Fant is his long speed. He can run away from defensive backs, is excellent after the catch, and has home-run ability from the tight end position. Fant played through injuries last year, and Denver’s quarterback play didn’t help either, but he still finished the season with 62 receptions.
6. Dallas Goedert, Philadelphia Eagles
Zach Ertz has blocked Dallas Goedert for much of his career. While Ertz is still on Philadelphia’s roster, there is little doubt that the tight end position now belongs to Goedert — and rightfully so. Goedert has a chance to blow up this year. He has all the tools you look for but doesn’t really have one standout trait. Goedert also is one of the NFL’s best blocking tight ends. He is already an excellent player.
5. Mark Andrews, Baltimore Ravens
After blowing up in 2019, Mark Andrews came back down to earth a little last season. Nevertheless, he makes the top five in our top tight ends for the 2021 NFL season.
Andrews isn’t a high-snap-count player but does have excellent receiving traits. He’s Lamar Jackson’s most trusted receiver and does have 17 touchdown catches over the past two years. Andrews is rarely used in protection but gives the Ravens more than he is often given credit for as a run blocker — which, of course, is extremely important in that offensive scheme.
4. T.J. Hockenson, Detroit Lions
T.J. Hockenson was exceptional last year, and he might be Detroit’s best receiver right now. Expect him to get at least 100 targets in 2021. Hockenson can thrive in all situations, particularly in the red zone. He is a good run blocker as well. Jared Goff is going to love this guy. Hockenson isn’t yet 24 years old, and the best should be yet to come. His target share this year should be immense.
3. Darren Waller, Las Vegas Raiders
Over the past two seasons, Darren Waller has racked up a whopping 2,341 receiving yards. He has been (and will continue to be) the Raiders’ top receiver. It’s no wonder he cracks the top three of the top NFL tight ends heading into 2021.
Jon Gruden has proven to do an excellent job of scheming up Waller (and Cook before him in a similar manner). Waller was on the field for just under 1,000 snaps in 2020, third-most at the position. Only Travis Kelce averaged more targets per game than Waller. He is a nightmare to defend.
2. George Kittle, San Francisco 49ers
Besides Howard, George Kittle played the fewest snaps of any of the top 2021 tight ends on this list, and his durability is now a big concern. Especially when you consider how hard and physically he plays the game. Nevertheless, Kittle is simply an exceptional football player. He is awesome after the catch and is incredibly productive on a per-route basis. Kittle is also a nasty blocker that is perfect for Kyle Shanahan’s offense.
1. Travis Kelce, Kansas City Chiefs
Kelce out-snapped every tight end in the NFL last year and had a historic season, catching 105 passes for 1,416 yards and 11 touchdowns. In truth, he has been doing this for five years straight now. His scheme and teammates certainly help, but Kelce is an uncanny route runner for the position with rare after-the-catch production.
He had the most receptions of at least 20 yards in the league last year at any position. Kelce isn’t a powerful blocker, but he does give good effort to stay between his man and the ball carrier. Soon to turn 32 years old, you must wonder how long Kelce can keep it up. But great tight ends usually fade away slowly, and if last year is any indication, Kelce’s play won’t be dropping off any time soon.
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