The 2024 NFL free-agent class is loaded with big names at the skill positions. Here is a look at the tight ends potentially on the move and the dynasty impact of their free-agent status.
Last year, and in general with the biggest names in free agency, most returned to their incumbent team. Tier 1 designates players expected to find a starting role. Tier 2 includes players good enough for a lead role, but may not find a strong enough market to secure a starting job. The "Best of the Rest" offers primarily depth options if changing teams in free agency.
TIER 1
Hunter Henry has been a high-floor but low-ceiling fantasy option in his career. In eight seasons, Henry has been a mid-TE2 or better six times, and one of those misses was an injury year. However, Henry's peak season in aPPR is TE7. The Patriots' offense did Henry no favors this season, who is a bounce-back candidate in 2024. Dalton Schultz peaked in 2021 with Dallas, ultimately earning another starting opportunity in Houston. Unlike Henry and Schultz, Noah Fant has Round 1 pedigree and has yet to see strong opportunities in the NFL to fuel a mid-high TE1 fantasy ceiling. Fant has been mired in a Seattle committee since being traded to the Seahawks, and the proverbial fresh start applies to him.
TIER 2
Gerald Everett has peaked at TE13 in aPPG in his career with two other finishes of TE24 or better. This is despite being paired with Matthew Stafford and Justin Herbert under center. Harrison Bryant has largely been in the background of David Njoku in Cleveland but now finishing his rookie contract to enter free agency. Bryant has been pedestrian on a per-route basis but has starter upside if finding an open depth chart.
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BEST OF THE REST
This rag-tag group has the possibility of being a low-level NFL starter in a best-case scenario or a viable TE2 on a depth chart. Austin Hooper is four years removed from his peak season (TE3 in aPPG) and has been forgettable for three years in a row not. Mike Gesicki was largely ignored in free agency last offseason, coming off an invisible season with Miami. The market should not be any stronger for Gesicki in 2024 with another non-productive year under his belt.
POTENTIAL CUTS-RESTRUCTURES
Jonnu Smith has a 2024 cap hit of $9 million with more than $6 million in savings if Atlanta moves on from the 28-year-old tight end. Logan Thomas' numbers are similar in 2024 and the team can save nearly $7 million by releasing the 32-year-old. Will Dissly is one of the more likely cut-restructure candidates with a $10 million cap hit, saving $7 million by moving on. The Rams are a near-lock to make a move with Tyler Higbee as there is no dead cap left on his deal, and his cap hit nearly doubles to $11.6 million in the offseason. On the lower end of the interest scale, Mo Alie-Cox has no dead cap remaining alongside his $5.9 million cap hit for 2024 and has provided minimal impact this season.
POTENTIAL INCUMBENT BENEFACTORS
- Brevin Jordan: If taking away one thing from this article, stashing Brevin Jordan for 2024 is it. With Dalton Schultz a free agent, Jordan being attached to a rising C.J. Stroud and Houston passing game is a value boon from dynasty waiver wires.
- Jelani Woods: Returning healthy in 2024 is the biggest hurdle for Woods, who showed promise in 2022 as a rookie. Mo Alie-Cox's release would help Woods next season as well.
- Donald Parham Jr: Gerald Everett is a free agent, and Parham has one more cheap year under contract in 2024 with ballooning money at wide receiver (Keenan Allen, Mike Williams).
- Jordan Akins: Harrison Bryant exiting Cleveland would aid Akins' cause to emerge as the TE2 behind David Njoku. Akins has a profile of production in the NFL and is a quality stash in deeper 2TE formats.
- Hunter Long, Davis Allen: Tyler Higbee moving on would be a boon for the outlook for either younger prospect. Long has the better draft profile, but Allen has occasionally flashed as a Day 3 rookie.
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