NFL free agency is a year-round process, as teams scout opposing players in an effort to defeat them during the year and perhaps sign them in the offseason.
Now we're at the end of the 2023-24 NFL season, the free agency picture is coming into focus, and teams are beginning to identify potential targets to improve their roster weaknesses.
Here are the top tight ends slated to hit free agency in 2024. Click here for PFF's full list of the top 200 free agents.
1. TE DALTON SCHULTZ, HOUSTON TEXANS
2024 Free agency rank: 36
Schultz played on the franchise tag in Dallas in 2022 and was the victim of a very weak tight end free-agent class. So many poor outcomes for second-tier tight ends in free agency recently led to the group getting pinched last offseason. A year later, Schultz served as a reliable target for rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud in Houston. Schultz is sure-handed and has a respectable 867-yard average depth of target but doesn’t rack up a ton of yards after the catch.
As a blocker, Schultz is capable enough in line to be a positive in the run game, earning grades above 60.0 in five straight seasons.
Top free agent comparison: Jordan Cameron, 2015
| Player | Receiving grade | Yards per route run | Positive run-block grade percentage | APY as % of Cap at signing | |
| Dalton Schultz | 70.6 | 1.45 | 9.0% | ? | |
| Jordan Cameron | 71.7 | 1.59 | 7.7% | 5.2% | |
*All data in tables reflects two years prior to UFA contract signing
Contract projection: Available in PFF's free agency rankings
2. TE HUNTER HENRY, NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS
2024 Free agency rank: 46
Henry served as one of the few consistent and reliable targets for a New England Patriots passing attack that went through lengthy droughts since his arrival as a free agent in 2021.
In a weaker free-agent class at tight end, perhaps the high-floor veteran has a few suitors looking to add at a position where a known commodity is a value.
Top free agent comparison: Tyler Eifert, 2020
| Player | Receiving grade | Yards per route run | Positive run-block grade percentage | APY as % of Cap at signing | |
| Hunter Henry | 67.8 | 1.18 | 4.4% | ? | |
| Tyler Eifert | 68.2 | 1.36 | 1.9% | 2.4% | |
*All data in tables reflects two years prior to UFA contract signing
Contract projection: Available in PFF's free agency rankings
3. TE NOAH FANT, SEATTLE SEAHAWKS
2024 Free agency rank: 53
The former Denver Broncos first-round pick was sent to the Seattle Seahawks as a part of the Russell Wilson trade, and despite a decline in receiving yards in four consecutive seasons, Fant has had the potential for more production. Fant has breakaway speed in the open field for a tight end to go with a good understanding of how to let blocks develop in front of him and use the full field to avoid would-be tacklers.
Top free agent comparison: Eric Ebron, 2018
| Player | Receiving grade | Yards per route run | Positive run-block grade percentage | APY as % of Cap at signing | |
| Noah Fant | 68.3 | 1.35 | 4.4% | ? | |
| Eric Ebron | 72.5 | 1.46 | 3.3$ | 3.7% | |
*All data in tables reflects two years prior to UFA contract signing
Contract projection: Available in PFF's free agency rankings
Everett earned Justin Herbert’s trust on critical downs and in the red zone over the past two seasons and has forced 28 missed tackles since 2022, the second most among tight ends. Everett does well to plant his foot in the ground on his first step after the catch and then bounce off contact, and he consistently shakes out of arm tackles by continuing to drive his feet.
Everett is more of a check-down and tunnel screen outlet, averaging more than five yards after the catch in five consecutive seasons with an average depth of target around just six yards, but he can make the occasional contested catch — which was particularly on display in 2022 when he made eight contested snags.
Top free agent comparison: Austin Hooper, 2022
| Player | Receiving grade | Yards per route run | Positive run-block grade percentage | APY as % of Cap at signing | |
| Gerald Everett | 73.2 | 1.35 | 4.1% | ? | |
| Austin Hooper | 68.3 | 1.28 | 8.1% | 2.9% | |
*All data in tables reflects two years prior to UFA contract signing
Contract projection: Available in PFF's free agency rankings
5. TE Adam Trautman, Denver Broncos
2024 Free agency rank: 113
Top free agent comparison: Geoff Swaim, 2019
| Player | Receiving grade | Yards per route run | Positive run-block grade percentage | APY as % of Cap at signing | |
| Adam Trautman | 54.6 | 0.84 | 8.1% | ? | |
| Geoff Swaim | 57.3 | 0.99 | 8.1% | 1.7% | |
*All data in tables reflects two years prior to UFA contract signing
Contract projection: Available in PFF's free agency rankings
6. TE Austin Hooper, Las Vegas Raiders
2024 Free agency rank: 118
Top free agent comparison: Benjamin Watson, 2013
| Player | Receiving grade | Yards per route run | Positive run-block grade percentage | APY as % of Cap at signing | |
| Austin Hooper | 69.2 | 1.15 | 4.1% | ? | |
| Benjamin Watson | 69.8 | 1.26 | 6.4% | 1.3% | |
*All data in tables reflects two years prior to UFA contract signing
Contract projection: Available in PFF's free agency rankings
7. TE Mike Gesicki, New England Patriots
2024 Free agency rank: 119
Top free agent comparison: N/A
| Player | Receiving grade | Yards per route run | Positive run-block grade percentage | APY as % of Cap at signing | |
| Mike Gesicki | 60.4 | 0.86 | 2.0% | ? | |
| Ryan Griffin | 55.8 | 0.89 | 4.3% | 0.6% | |
*All data in tables reflects two years prior to UFA contract signing
Contract projection: Available in PFF's free agency rankings
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