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The 2025 tight-end free-agent class lacks top-end talent, which isn't surprising.
Unlike other positions, mainly wide receiver, the bigger names don't make it to free agency. Teams make it a priority to retain good, homegrown tight ends.
Still, there are a handful of notable names in this year's crop and a few franchises desperate for an upgrade at the position. Below is a preview of tight-end free agency, with a peek at the incoming rookies who could alter how teams approach this class.
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Which Tight Ends Are Currently Free Agents?
A (somewhat) surprising cut before the start of the new league year, Evan Engram enters free agency two seasons removed from nearly breaking the single-season tight end reception record.
His 2024 season was riddled with injury woes. He missed nine games with hamstring and shoulder issues, causing a steep decline in his production. 2023 second-round pick Brenton Strange moves to the top of Jacksonville's depth chart.
Engram will turn 31 just before the start of the 2025 season but can be a reliable pass-catching outlet for his new franchise.
Juwan Johnson is the most underrated tight end in this class. 2024 was his best season in the receptions and yards departments, despite uneven quarterback play in The Big Easy. Unreliable throwers have been a trend in Johnson's career in New Orleans. His rookie year was Drew Brees' final season, then came Jameis Winston, Derek Carr, and a handful of other experiments.
The Saints have also consistently rostered numerous good tight ends, from Jared Cook to Foster Moreau to late-age Jimmy Graham (who was still a red-zone threat). That list includes Taysom Hill, whose do-it-all style kept coaching staffs dialing up plays in his direction.
The 28-year-old is in his prime and can offer a downfield, athletic pass-catcher for a team needing his services.
Tyler Conklin isn't speeding past defenders, nor will he be the focus of an offensive game plan. But the soon-to-be 30-year-old is a safe addition with his blocking prowess and ability to leak out for an easy checkdown from the quarterback.
He played that role for Aaron Rodgers and the New York Jets in 2024. Conklin secured 50 passes for the fourth straight season but has failed to reach 10 yards per catch in three of those years.
Fantasy managers won't get excited about his potential in a new offense, wherever Conklin winds up.
Update: Ertz has re-signed with the Washington Commanders
Whenever we write him off and wish him the best in a post-playing career, Zach Ertz reminds us he still has juice in his body.
Ertz's best days (five straight seasons of at least 74 catches from 2015-19) are behind him, but his resurgence led to a TE7 finish. Washington offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury gave Ertz a second life in Arizona and is now doing so again on the East Coast.
Ertz was Jayden Daniels' security blanket during the latter's rookie season. In 2024, he caught 66 passes for 654 yards and seven touchdowns.
Ertz will turn 35 years old during the 2025 season. Whichever team signs him will offer a short-term deal to solve issues with completing passes in the middle of the field. Washington is the favorite for his services, and the team's move could depend on the development of second-year tight end Ben Sinnott.
Update: Hooper has re-signed with the New England Patriots
Austin Hooper shouldn't and won't be a starting tight end next season. Just as he was in New England in 2024, Hooper will be a serviceable second option in a tight-end room.
The veteran snagged 45 catches (his most since 2020), 476 yards, and three touchdowns as a trustworthy member of Drake Maye's receiving corps (there weren't many of those on the Patriots). He was fourth on the team in catches and receiving yards and tied for the lead in touchdowns.
2025 could be Hooper's fourth team in as many seasons.
Other notable free-agent tight ends: Gerald Everett, Mo Alie-Cox, Ian Thomas, Hayden Hurst, and Pharaoh Brown
Which Teams Need a Tight End This Offseason?
With Johnson and Conklin's potential departures, the Saints and Jets rosters could have holes to fill, respectively.
New Orleans could use more of a traditional tight end to pair with Taysom Hill (who tore his ACL in December). Jeremy Ruckert is New York's backup tight end. He's not a starter in this league.
A handful of teams need tight-end help: Denver, Los Angeles Chargers, Indianapolis, Tennessee, and Carolina. An argument can be made for Atlanta (Kyle Pitts is floundering) and the New York Giants (dependent on Theo Johnson's development).
Carolina's second-year fourth-round draft pick Ja'Tavion Sanders flashed in his debut campaign. Depth is needed (despite the re-signing of Tommy Tremble), whether the Panthers view Sanders as a starting tight end or not.
This is why people call Bryce Young a point guard at QB. His pocket navigation and movement skills are so quick and twitchy– helps him find a new platform to work off of.
Impressive pocket movement and quick release to Ja’Tavion Sanders. #Panthers pic.twitter.com/LQUOPPlTCV
— Jared Feinberg (@JRodNFLDraft) December 30, 2024
Los Angeles and Denver are the marquee destinations. Jim Harbaugh and Sean Payton have extensive histories of featuring tight ends. The Chargers utilized Will Dissly more than one team should (50 catches, a career-high). Lucas Krull led Denver tight ends with 19 receptions. Payton was in New Orleans when Juwan Johnson was drafted. Justin Herbert and Johnson played together for one season at Oregon.
The Broncos and Chargers may also focus on prospects in the 2025 NFL Draft. It's one of the major missing pieces from two playoff rosters last season. This draft class has top-end talent and depth. Tyler Warren and Colston Loveland (who played under Harbaugh at Michigan) are frequently mocked in the first round (often to Denver or Los Angeles).
Colston Loveland is the smoothest TE in the 2025 Draft.
He easily turns from receiver to runner and has cleaned up drops from 2023 to 2024—down from 10% drop rate to just 3.4%
Questions surround his contested catching, but his ability to create easy separation helps with that. pic.twitter.com/GSfwmr1hkf
— NFL Draft Files (@NFL_DF) January 16, 2025
The Colts should have the option of selecting Warren in the draft but have plenty of other roster holes to fill. The Titans, who hold the first overall pick, won't land one of the top options but can snag Harold Fannin Jr., Gunnar Helm, Elijah Arroyo, Terrance Ferguson, or Mason Taylor in later rounds. Ultra-athletic Chig Okonkwo found his stride late in the 2024 season, which could have bought him one more season as the starter in Tennessee.
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