He served as quarterback Colt McCoy's safety valve and has a chance to thrive in coach Pat Shurmur's new West Coast offense. Over the first four years of his career (two with the Ravens and two with the Atlanta Falcons), Hurst has hauled in greater than 70 percent of targets and averaged 1.21 yards per route run. Health is the biggest limiting factor here. They replaced him with a familiar AFC North face in Hayden Hurst. He averaged just 9.1 yards per reception in 2010. It doesn't get brought up very often in the list of Detroit Lions needs this offseason, but tight end definitely merits inclusion. Jack Doyle retired in March and that leaves Moe Ali-Cox as their most experienced tight end. Ryan McCrystal breaks down the 2022 rookie impact for the AFC North including Kyle Hamilton, Kenny Pickett, Dax Hill, George Pickens, and more. If you like what you see on this site, we now have an ad-free option available for a donation of $25 per year, and you can enjoy the site entirely ad-free! In terms of both sheer roster numbers and quality of player performance in 2022, tight end and safety stand above all other positions in terms of immediate need for the Packers. Goedert has never received more than 87 targets in a single season. That said, we have a fairly clear picture of the identity of this team, one that wants to control the game on the ground, take methodical shots downfield set up through play action, and utilize increased heavy personnel sets to pair with a top-five offensive line. 3 job in Cleveland remains up in the air as Miller Forristall, Nakia Griffin-Stewart, Zaire Mitchell-Paden, and Marco Santos-Silva will battle it out for the third and final spot on the roster at the position. Hes been a real key to the Ravens success on the ground while in 12 personnel. With a new quarterback and an offense that will reportedly be opened up, in terms of routes run and shots taken over the middle of the field, Freiermuth could have an even bigger second season for the Steelers. Defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald is the lone change amongst the big three but has experience coaching a 3-4 base defense from the seven years he spent with the organization prior to a short stint at Michigan. Kolar is more of an in-line option that fits the Ravens system very well. University of Georgia defensive tackle Jalen Carter, one of the top prospects in the 2023 NFL Draft, is the subject of arrest warrants in Athens, Georgia, on reckless driving and racing charges as a result of an ongoing investigation into a fatal car crash on Jan. 15, the Athens-Clarke County Police Department said on Wednesday. All six picks should start the season as depth pieces, with first-rounder Hill the likeliest to make the most immediate impact in certain light packages on the back end. As the primary target in Baltimores offense, Andrews 26% target share was easily the best among tight ends and ranked sixth among all pass catchers. Temporibus autem quibusdam et aut officiis debitis aut rerum necessitatibus saepe eveniet. Further, among the 35 qualifiers at the position that had a minimum of 40 targets, he ranked 2nd in receptions (107), 2nd in first down receptions (75), and 3rd in yards per route run (2.18). In 2020, the Ravens ran the football a massive 555 times compared to just 382 pass attempts were unlikely to see that level of unbalance based on a slightly declining defense and middle-of-the-pack offensive line, but the point remains. At this stage of the offseason, it does feel unlikely that the Raiders will be able to retain him for the 2023 season. Brian Gutekunst on Aaron Rodgers: 'All options are on the table right now', Packers GM: Jordan Love is 'ready to be an NFL starting quarterback', Packers restructure contract of DL Kenny Clark, create $11M of salary cap space, Aaron Rodgers on future: 'I'll make a decision soon enough', Packers rank 6th overall in NFLPA's new team report cards, Packers QB Jordan Love ups comfort, confidence and intensity in Year 3, Tracking Packers' moves to get under the salary cap before 2023 league year, Packers GM Brian Gutekunst points to tight end and safety as obvious roster needs, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. The parity should continue into the 2022-23 campaign. 2 tight end that was brought into the fold in free agency from the Kansas City Chiefs, but he has just 57 career catches in five seasons. The Steelers selected Pat Freiermuth with the number 55 overall selection in the 2021 NFL Draft on the heels of him being named the KwalickClark Tight End of the Year in 2020. Njoku finally found his game in the NFL last year for the Browns as well, turning in a 36/475/4 season, leading to a huge extension from the Browns after receiving the franchise tag. Uzomah . Panthers head coach Frank Reich came away impressed after a meeting with free-agent quarterback Derek Carr on Tuesday, but he said the team is still evaluating both veteran and rookie QB options. Fast forward to the modern era, Cincinnati was a threat in the AFC North by winning a few division titles, but they hadn't won a playoff game since 1990 until 2021. Depth: Harrison Bryant, Miller Forristall, Marcus Santos-Silvia. But when given a chance, Goedert is an outstanding pass-catching weapon. It also could be nothing more than the team maintaining the same depth in the running back room. Either should continue to live in that short-to-intermediate range of the field, further boosting the likely volume for Diontae underneath. He proved himself as a red zone threat with seven touchdowns. The AFC North has been one of the most unpredictable divisions in football over the past few years. Kelce and Andrews are a little underrated as blockers, but neither is on George Kittles level. At 6-foot-7, he could be valuable as a possession receiver, but likely lacks the athleticism to be the . Freiermuth was targeted at the highest clip (61.0 percent) and accumulated his most yardage (345) on throws from 0-9 yards downfield. That remains to be seen. The contracts of Robert Tonyan and Marcedes Lewis voided, and Tyler Davis is a restricted free agent who isnt likely to receive a tender. The Bengals called 53% pass plays when playing with a lead in 2021 compared to 63% when playing from behind. . The most telling off-season moves were the re-signings of David Njoku and Jadeveon Clowney, both of whom represent the particular identity of this team. AFC North Bengals Browns Ravens Steelers AFC South Colts Jaguars Texans Titans AFC West Broncos Chargers Chiefs NFC East Commanders Cowboys Eagles Giants NFC North Bears Lions Packers. Although he does not have a decision yet, he recognizes the benefit of giving the team an answer in the near future. We are about two weeks from the NFL's new league year. Tight End - After being traded from the Ravens to the Falcons then replaced with Kyle Pitts, Hayden Hurst is starting to look more and more like an NFL journeyman. Safeties are the communication center of the secondary and must wear many hats in coverage. In 2021, he ranked 10th among qualifiers at the position in pass-blocking grade (72.4), having allowed one quarterback sack on 50 allowed pressure opportunities. Watch the reveal of the tight ends on 2022 AFC, NFC Pro Bowl rosters. 2 in Cleveland, though it remains a run-heavy system overall. It is highly recommended that you use the latest versions of a supported browser in order to receive an optimal viewing experience. Second-round rookie TE Trey McBride could see time in 12 personnel, but hell have to get past Maxx Williams just to become Arizonas No. Visit NFL.com's transaction hub for a daily breakdown. Uzomah, New York Jets The Colts have been notable for using multiple tight ends in the pass-and-running game. On Monday, five Pro Bowl players were revealed, including Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady, who set an NFL record with his 15th Pro Bowl selection. With L.A. needing to get under the cap and rumors of Keenan Allen becoming a cut candidate, Chargers GM Tom Telesco said Wednesday on GMFB that the veteran WR isn't going anywhere. Despite a good season from Cole Kmet, the offense received nothing behind him. Pittsburgh Steelers: Team needs, draft targets, salary cap, and prospects to watch. Aaron Rodgers is going through his annual career decision-making process. Thats likely because the Bucs were trying to reduce his wear and tear. A historically great blocker for the tight end position, Gronkowski was only asked to block on 36.6% of his snaps, one of the lowest TE rates in the league. Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers spoke publicly for the first time since completing his darkness retreat. The next two highest totals are . The Bengals wasted no time in addressing their offensive line this off-season, signing offensive linemen Lael Collins, Alex Cappa, and Ted Karras away from the Cowboys, Buccaneers, and Patriots, respectively. Baltimore GM Eric DeCosta updated reporters on Wednesday on where things stand with the star QB. The Steelers had somewhat of a down year defensively last season, allowing the 22nd most points per game at 24.4. The Florida alum rewarded Atlantas faith, posting the second-most yards receiving (1,026) and third-most receptions (68) of any rookie TE in NFL history. All three will immediately step into a new-look offensive line built around former first and second-round picks Jonah Williams (left guard) and Jackson Carman (left tackle). DeAndre Hopkins is suspended for the first six games of the season, Christian Kirk departed in free agency, and its unclear if the Cardinals have figured out how to use Rondale Moore. More specifically, he was most impactful on short passes in the center of the field where he caught 25 of 29 targets for 214 yards and 16 first downs. The Penn State product could make significant strides in his sophomore season. Interested in following the two positions at the NFL Scouting Combine? Wilcox is the veteran of the group, which could push Moss to the practice squad once again, though Moss had great production with Burrow in college at LSU. Wide receiver George Pickens came off the board next at pick 52 in the second round, followed by defensive end DeMarvin Leal in the third (84th overall), wide receiver Calvin Austin III in the fourth (138th overall), tight end/fullback hybrid Connor Heyward in the sixth (208th overall), linebacker Mark Robinson in the seventh (225th overall), and quarterback Chris Oladokun in the seventh (241st overall). So theres some holes there. 23) Albert Okwuegbunam, Denver Broncos His career production is up there with Gonzalez, Antonio Gates, Jason Witten, and other legends at the position. Njoku seemed to find his game last season, becoming that big-play threat the Browns expected him to be after drafting him in the first round in the 2017 NFL Draft. His target count the year prior was just 89. Here is how we rank the AFC North's tight ends: 1. Players in this tier include pass catchers that will finish far ahead of the next group of players at the position, guys like Travis Kelce, George Kittle, Darren Waller, Mark Andrews, and newest arrival Kyle Pitts. Sign up for our newsletter and get every update delivered to your inbox! You can call me a homer for ranking David Njoku at this spot, but I truly believe he is worthy of the position. The Browns have a very nice on-paper roster, but we cant help but feel like the self-induced off-field distractions brought on through the trade for Deshaun Watson and subsequent quarterback outbursts will have some sort of lingering effects this season. 2 tight end last season, developing well as an in-line blocker while hauling in a career-high 19 catches for 197 yards. Taylor returns for his fourth season in Cincinnati and brings back defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo and offensive coordinator Brian Callahan. The Commissioners Exempt list makes a lot of sense considering the civil nature of the suit. All four teams (the Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, and Pittsburgh Steelers) have general managers, front offices, and personnel departments that have proven more than capable of evaluating, acquiring, and retaining talent in recent years. Gutekunsts moving on comment suggests a few if not all three could be departing in free agency. Three different teams have won this division in the last three years, in fact, while the poor Browns are still looking to win it for the first time ever. The Lions bring back Pro Bowler T.J. Hockenson, who should be healthy and ready to roll once again. Across the league, youd be hard-pressed to find a deeper, more talented tight end room than the Ravens. The AFC North is a perpetual battleground with four rosters that have talent abound, the strengths of which can (and do) vary from position to position. Still, the Bengals have some decent talent at the position, which should help lead to success over the middle of the field as teams key in on the best receiving group in the AFC North, in my opinion. Thats an especially vital skill in a San Francisco offense that ran the ball at the fourth-highest clip in the league in 2021. However, our focus here specifically relates to thestarting tight endsin the division. https://packerswire.usatoday.com/2023/03/01/packers-gm-brian-gutekunst-points-to-tight-end-and-safety-as-obvious-roster-needs/, Packers GM Brian Gutekunst expects Mason Crosby back in 2023, Packers optimistic about Rashan Garys recovery from ACL injury. Odds & lines subject to change. Gambling problem? 24) Cole Kmet, Chicago Bears Kevin Rader, rookie sixth-round draft pick Connor Heyward, and veteran Jace Sternberger round out the depth chart at tight end, making for a tight competition in training camp for the third tight end role. It could be a breakout campaign for the playmaker that inked a four-year $54.75 million ($17 million fully-guaranteed) contract this offseason. As a whole, I really like our nucleus coming back.. The secondary needs to be so much better besides Minkah Fitzpatrick, who continues to be an amazing . Hes probably the most complete tight end in the NFL, and his highs are extremely high, as evidenced by his 88-1,377-5 effort in 2018. Signed to a four-year extension last November, Goedert will be part of Philadelphias offensive attack for seasons to come. 14) Pat Freiermuth, Pittsburgh Steelers The 6-foot-5, 251-pound former Nittany Lion made an immediate impact in the Steelers' passing attack, as the 4th-most targeted player on the team (82 targets) and highest-graded playmaker (75.2). 2 TE role well. While Kelce aligns in-line enough. You won't want to miss a moment of the 2022 season! Pittsburgh has long taken care of its own under Tomlin and this year is no different with the in-house promotion at defensive coordinator. A fourth-round pick from 2019, Moreau has established himself as one of the better tight ends in the league. Behind Hurst, the Bengals will feature Drew Sample, Thaddeus Moss, Nick Ewbanks, Mitchell Wilcox, Justin Rigg, and Scotty Washington. Andrews, who hauled in a career-high 107 passes for 1,361 yards. It appears likely Emerson will find his way into the starting lineup this season after the team traded slot corner Troy Hill. NFL and the NFL shield design are registered trademarks of the National Football League.The team names, logos and uniform designs are registered trademarks of the teams indicated. Of course, following the Raiders acquisition of Davante Adams, Waller may not be the target hog he once was. He made some spectacular catches as a sure-handed weapon, though he did have some game-changing mistakes as well. Spending most of his time in the slot or out wide, Gesicki was asked to block on only 29% of his snaps, fifth-fewest among TEs. Skinny: Heap, a 10-year veteran, is on the downside of a productive career, but he continues to make plays for Baltimore. Eight NFL teams are sending at least five players to Las Vegas, where the game will be played Feb. 6 at Allegiant Stadium, led by the streaking Indianapolis Colts with seven: running back Jonathan Taylor, defensive lineman DeForest Buckner, center Ryan Kelly, linebacker Darius Leonard, cornerback Kenny Moore II, guard Quenton Nelson and long snapper Luke Rhodes. Kelce turns 33 in October, so he should have a few excellent years left. The Ravens started their draft by addressing a pass defense that ranked just 25th in 2021 (which, as well see shortly, had a lot to do with injuries more than anything else), selecting safety Kyle Hamilton with the 14th pick of the first round. Ford ascended into a starting job as Savage faltered last season and could be a target to return, while Leavitt was a top special teamer. 25) Tyler Conklin, New York Jets The Arizona Cardinals must address the tight end position this offseason. Top NFL tight ends in 2022 1) Travis Kelce, Kansas City Chiefs The epitome of consistency, Travis Kelce has been a first or second-team All-Pro in each of the past six seasons. But . According to ESPN Stats & Information, Miller had the most receptions (42) last season at the position without a drop. Nose tackle D.J. But after posting a career-high 73 catches and 780 yards in 2021, there doesnt seem to be much reason to change his role. Last season, the Baltimore Ravens ascended to the top spot in my Ranking The Rooms: AFC North TEs piece, in large part due to the star power of Andrews, and the impressive depth featuring names like Nick Boyle and Tony Poljan. Los Angeles Chargers safety Derwin James intercepts Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith pass at the goal line in the Pro Bowl Games. Andrews, who hauled in a career-high 107 passes for 1,361 yards and nine touchdowns, really emerged into one of the top 5 tight ends in the entire NFL. We spoke to the improved offensive line above, leaving the only other major change to this offense the addition of tight end Hayden Hurst. Cincinnati aims to rebuild at the position after losing CJ Uzomah to the New York Jets in free agency. Hes quickly become the top target in Baltimore. With Chris Godwin likely to begin the season on the physically unable to perform list, Gronk would join Russell Gage and Cameron Brate as options over the middle with Mike Evans on the perimeter. The Colts drafted Jelani Woods in the third round of the 2022 NFL draft. Anarumos 4-2-5 base defense over-performed last year relative to the talent level of his players, primarily due to the complex nature of the scheme itself. NFL.com keeps you up to date with all of the latest league news from around the NFL. Jimmy Graham made the same case when he was franchised in 2014 and was in the process of appealing an arbitrators decision against him when he agreed to an extension with the Saints. Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry's short TD puts AFC ahead before halftime in second flag football contest. Look for a return to form this season from the Ravens defense, which should, again, help to increase the likelihood of more rush attempts from this team. Skinny: Watson was Cleveland's best receiving threat last year, as the team's receivers continue to struggle. 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