Top tight ends in NFL currently

The record of great candidates to be thought-about among the many greatest tight ends in 2023 might be even longer than it was a 12 months in the past.

Granted, in the case of the highest tight ends within the NFL, it’s often apparent who belongs on the high of the record. However since we wished to create an inventory of the ten greatest tight ends at present, the variety of candidates is kind of lengthy.

Rating the perfect tight ends in 2023

Amongst football positions, tight finish often appears to go neglected. Nevertheless, we all know that the highest tight ends within the NFL are all the time difference-makers.

In truth, the record of tight ends within the NFL able to making a major affect for his or her workforce will get longer yearly. That’s why it was fairly a problem developing with a good rating for the ten greatest tight ends in 2023.

10. Evan Engram

After setting a career-high for receiving yards final 12 months, it’s doable that Evan Engram is lastly reaching his full potential. The Jaguars had been actually satisfied sufficient by his efficiency to make use of the franchise tag on the previous first-round decide.

He’s all the time had flashes of brilliance all through his profession, even when Engram has struggled to search out consistency. Engram will flip 29 in September, so time is beginning to run out. However there’s nonetheless an opportunity for him to construct off of final season and put collectively one other productive season in Jacksonville.

9. Dalton Schultz

It stays to be seen how a transfer from the Cowboys to the Texans will affect Dalton Schultz. However he did greater than sufficient throughout his time in Dallas to be thought-about among the many high 10 tight ends within the league.

Schultz was a non-factor throughout his first two years within the league however has grown by leaps and bounds over the past three seasons. He’s averaged 66 catches per 12 months over the past three seasons, scoring 17 touchdowns throughout that span. Schultz could by no means attain the elite class of NFL tight ends, however he’s certainly higher than most.

8. T.J. Hockenson

Even after going to the Professional Bowl twice within the final three years, the jury continues to be out on T.J. Hockenson. He’s had nice moments however hasn’t all the time been constant. His numbers went down from 2020 to 2021, as they did when he was traded to Minnesota final 12 months.

After the commerce to the Vikings, Hockenson caught 60 passes in 10 video games however averaged lower than 9 yards per catch. That being stated, Hockenson’s upside is simple, particularly in the case of being a goal within the pink zone, which is why he can’t be neglected as probably the greatest tight ends in 2023.

7. Pat Freiermuth

Throughout his first two seasons within the NFL, Pat Freiermuth has slowly labored his method towards being thought-about probably the greatest tight ends within the league. Have in mind the Steelers drafted Freiermuth within the second spherical of the 2021 Draft, so they’d excessive hopes for him.

He’s caught at the least 60 passes in every of his first two seasons within the league however improved from 8.3 yards per catch in 2021 to 11.6 yards per catch final 12 months. However it looks as if Freiermuth is but to achieve his full potential, which might set him up for an much more spectacular season in 2023, particularly if the Steelers can get extra constant quarterback play from Kenny Pickett.

6. Darren Waller

By buying and selling for Darren Waller again in March, the Giants are betting on him having the ability to get again to being the participant he was in 2019 and 2020. Over these two seasons, Waller had over 2,300 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns, turning into one of many elite tight ends within the NFL.

Nevertheless, he’s performed simply 20 video games over the previous two seasons, barely reaching 1,000 receiving yards complete over that span regardless of turning into the highest-paid tight finish within the league. Clearly, there at the moment are causes to be skeptical of Waller, who will flip 31 in September and is not any spring rooster. However it’d be a mistake to write down him off simply but.

5. Dallas Goedert

It’s nearly unfathomable to imagine that Dallas Goedert is but to be chosen for the Professional Bowl. After sharing the highlight with Zach Ertz early in his profession, Goedert’s productiveness has elevated considerably over the past two seasons.

Regardless of being restricted to 12 video games final 12 months, he performed a pivotal function in getting the Eagles to the Tremendous Bowl because the workforce’s no. 3 receiver. Whereas he nonetheless has some room for enchancment in the case of discovering the top zone, Goedert has nonetheless emerged as one of the constant tight ends within the NFL.

4. Kyle Pitts

Over the past decade, few tight ends have entered the league with expectations as excessive as Kyle Pitts had. The Falcons made him the fourth general decide within the draft in 2021, anticipating him to be a direct game-changer. He was precisely that, amassing over 1,000 receiving yards and going to the Professional Bowl as a rookie.

In fact, that was with Matt Ryan as his quarterback. In his second season, Pitts took a step backward, largely due to much less dependable quarterback play and accidents that restricted him to 10 video games. However 2023 might be a brand new season for Pitts, giving him an opportunity to choose up the place he left off as a rookie. Because of his disappointing season, Pitts doesn’t have the identical monitor file of consistency as another tight ends. However when it comes to expertise, there aren’t many tight ends within the league on his stage.

3. George Kittle

It’s been a number of years since we’ve seen George Kittle at his greatest. He was a power to be reckoned with in 2018 and 2019 however has didn’t get again to 1,000 receiving yards in three straight seasons.

Nevertheless, Kittle is coming off 11 landing catches in 2022, and that was with three completely different beginning quarterbacks. Even together with his numbers dropping off just a bit bit, Kittle has nonetheless been to the Professional Bowl in 4 of the final 5 seasons and figures to be one of many NFL’s greatest tight ends in 2023.

2. Mark Andrews

With three Professional Bowl choices up to now 4 years, Mark Andrews has emerged as one of many elite tight ends within the league. Two years in the past, Andrews led all tight ends in receptions and receiving yards whereas tying for probably the most touchdowns.

Even with the accidents to Lamar Jackson in recent times and a few instability at quarterback in Baltimore, Andrews has maintained a excessive stage of play.

1. Travis Kelce

Till additional discover, it’s a secure assumption that Travis Kelce might be ranked first on any record of the highest tight ends within the NFL. There’s already an argument that he needs to be on the shortlist of the greatest tight ends in NFL history. He’s been to eight consecutive Professional Bowls and appears unstoppable at instances with Patrick Mahomes delivering him the soccer.

Amongst tight ends, Kelce has led the NFL in receiving in three of the final 4 seasons, together with his single-season file of 1,416 yards in 2020. Likewise, he’s had probably the most receiving touchdowns by a decent finish in three consecutive years. Kelce has put collectively seven straight seasons with at the least 1,000 receiving yards and nonetheless seems to be on the high of his sport, so no different tight finish within the league is wherever near his stage.