Fantasy Football Tight End Rankings: The Free Agents

Welcome to my bi-weekly tight end rankings update. Each fortnight, I’ll take you through the major movers and shakers in fantasy tight end-land as we head towards the NFL off-season.

This week, I’ll be talking about tight ends who are entering free agency this season, while my full rankings are at the bottom of the article. If you have any questions, comment below plus I answer all questions on Instagram @thefantasyfirstdown and Twitter @FantasyFirstDwn.

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Player: Dalton Schultz

Team: Formerly Houston Texans

My Ranking: TE14

If I asked you to name the top ten tight ends in PPR scoring last season, I’m guessing you wouldn’t even consider Dalton Schultz. To say he flew under the radar is an understatement, as he was, at times, the fifth pass-catching option in Houston, only getting increased volume due to the incredible play of CJ Stroud and the game of injury roulette the wide receivers played throughout the season. While Demeco Ryans has recently been coy on the chances of a Dalton Schultz return, his importance to the team on third downs stood out when reviewing their season, so I would suggest that a Texans sequel is the likely outcome. Having said that, given how few clear-cut every-down tight ends are available this year, it wouldn’t surprise me if another team comes calling with a lucrative offer for the former Cowboy entering his prime.

Player: Hunter Henry

Team: Formerly New England Patriots

My Ranking: TE20

When Hunter Henry and Jonnu Smith signed big-money deals with the Patriots in 2021, there was a lot of excitement about whether one or both of them could be the new Gronk in New England. While Henry won the playing time battle and had a solid first season, neither has really shown enough to justify those lucrative deals. Henry primarily suffered from atrocious quarterback play, though, with his fortunes dropping with the depressing fall in Mac Jones’s play. With a rookie quarterback likely turning up next year, if Henry re-signs with the post-Bill Pats he could find himself back near the fantasy top ten as first-year passers tend to lean on their tight ends more often. Entering his age-29 season, I don’t have high expectations for Henry, but if he gets the right landing spot post-free agency and draft, he could rise up my rankings. Watch this space.

Player: Gerald Everett

Team: Formerly Los Angeles Chargers

My Ranking: TE23

A former second-round pick by the Rams in 2017, Everett has never come close to living up to his draft position, failing to surpass 560 yards or 4 TDs in any of his seven seasons. He also offers little as a blocker and has, at times, lost snaps to Donald Parham and Stone Smartt, of all people. With the Chargers favored to draft Brock Bowers, I think a Chargers reunion is unlikely. Everett will probably find a home somewhere else. The only question is whether he’ll be a starter or a backup. I don’t feel overly confident in his fantasy relevance, but the upside of a receiving-focused tight end with an unknown landing spot is concerningly tempting.

Player: Logan Thomas

Team: Washington Commanders

My Ranking: TE26

I fear for Logan Thomas, given his $8.3 million cap hit with only $1.8 million guaranteed represents an easy out for the rebuilding Commanders. Entering his age-33 season, I think a backup role is very much on the cards if that occurs. Having said that, Thomas has only been a full-time player for the last four years, so he may have more left in him than your typical vet. If the Commanders draft a rookie and keep Thomas in the lead role as a veteran presence, he could prove a surprise value in 2024, but he’s not a fantasy prospect I’d be relying on.

Player: Noah Fant

Team: Formerly Seattle Seahawks

My Ranking: TE32

It would be silly to totally write off a former first round pick at the end of his rookie contract, but I have very little faith in Noah Fant rebounding after a mediocre 2023 where he shared playing time with Colby Parkinson, who is also a free agent, and Will Dissly. A Seattle return is certainly possible for Fant, but I believe wherever he goes, it will likely be in a committee, as he has ranked as one of the league’s worst pass blockers in each of the last two seasons.