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Looking ahead at contract situations is an important dynasty strategy. Free agency, salary cap cuts, and extensions can all have a significant impact on dynasty valuations. This article looks at the tight end position.
2017 First-Round Tight Ends
The fifth-year extensions of Evan Engram, David Njoku, and O.J. Howard will all be picked up by their teams, making each a free agent in 2022. Engram and Njoku have appeared to fallen out of favor with their current teams, so a move this summer would not be shocking. Howard is looking to rehabilitate his value after a season-ending 2020 injury.
2018 Draft Class Tight Ends
Hayden Hurst, Mike Gesicki, Mark Andrews, Dallas Goedert, and Jordan Akins are the rookies from the first two days of the 2018 NFL Draft in the final years of their rookie contracts. Hurst had a good showing in 2020 before Atlanta chose not to exercise his fifth-year option. At his cost, he is an intriguing buy candidate in dynasty leagues before he hits free agency in 2022.
Mark Andrews is a free agent and should see a big contract extension. On a per route basis, Andrews has been elite. If Baltimore chooses to throw more in 2021, Andrews could reach a much higher ceiling. Look for him to be extended or franchise tagged in 2022.
Mike Gesicki is firmly in contract extension watch. A back-to-back top-12 seasonal finisher after a slow start to his career, Gesicki should cash in. However, the selection of Hunter Long complicates the picture for Gesicki. If Gesicki leaves in free agency, Long could be a 2022 breakout candidate.
With Zach Ertz a potential cut candidate, Dallas Goedert could see an expanded role in 2021. Goedert is the most established target in a Philadelphia offense with real questions at the receiver position.
Jordan Akins has received little buzz and is on the TE2 radar for fantasy purposes. However, with upheaval being the constant in Houston, he could find himself higher than expected in the pecking order of the offense if he stays put.
Other Situations to Watch
Chris Herndon is a 2022 free agent. A popular breakout candidate in recent years, Herndon has failed to live up to the billing. Herndon should get another opportunity to establish himself with the Jets in 2021.
Eric Ebron is a free agent in 2022. His departure from Pittsburgh would open the position for 2021 draft pick Pat Freiermuth.
Kansas City could save 3.3 million dollars on the salary cap by cutting Kelce in 2022. However, he has no guaranteed money left, so look for a potential extension or restructure to guarantee his future income in the next year.
The Chargers signed Jared Cook to a one-year 4.5 million dollar deal. Donald Parham is a developmental option behind Cook on the depth chart to monitor in deeper formats.
Indianapolis can save nearly 5.5 million in cap space in 2022 by cutting Jack Doyle. Doyle’s contract essentially assures he is on the roster in 2021. With Mo Alie-Cox a free agent next season, Kylen Granson a deeper name to monitor for 2022.
Tennessee’s offense can showcase Anthony Firkser in 2021, with free agency looming in 2022. He is a breakout candidate that could remain a value after the Julio Jones trade.
Dalton Schultz is a 2022 free agent after a breakout 2020 season. Blake Jarwin is returning from injury, with a potential cut candidate in 2022. The fantasy community is ranking Jarwin significantly over Schultz, which could be a valuable opportunity for Schultz in 2021.
Two 2020 breakout players that are free agents in 2022 are Logan Thomas and Robert Tonyan Jr. Their markets will be interesting watches as later career and low pedigree breakouts.
Jimmy Graham is a 2022 free agent, but the Bears could save 7 million dollars on the salary cap and 6.9 million dollars in cash by cutting him this summer. This could leave Cole Kmet as a popular late summer breakout candidate.
Rob Gronkowski, along with the aforementioned Howard, are both free agents in 2022 for Tampa Bay. Cameron Brate could benefit but is due 6.8 million dollars and about 5.3 million dollars in cap savings in 2022. If he is back, look for his contract to be restructured.
Popular breakout candidate Tyler Higbee is in a critical year. The Rams could save 5.6 million dollars on the salary cap in 2022 by cutting Higbee. With no guarantees left on his deal, Higbee’s 2021 season is critical while Brycen Hopkins is on development watch.
Gerald Everett and Will Dissly are both on one-year deals in Seattle. Colby Parkinson is a deeper monitor at the position as things could break favorably for him in 2022 free agency.