NFL free agency 2021: Top 10 NFL tight ends available

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Here's a look at the top 10 NFL tight ends available in free agency this offseason. By Dave Zangaro

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1/10

Still just 26, Henry is entering the prime of his career and is already a very good tight end. The Chargers will want to keep him but he won’t be cheap. He could end up getting a deal worth over $10 million per season. He’s not in the George Kittle/Travis Kelce tier but Henry is still ascending and had a good 2020 season, catching 60 passes for 613 yards and 4 touchdowns.

2/10

Smith is probably going to get overpaid in free agency because there’s some projecting involved. Smith had a very good season with the Titans in 2020, catching 41 passes for 448 yards and 8 touchdowns but many think Smith is just going to continue to get better. There’s a very good chance he does. He has improved every season he’s been in the NFL since getting drafted in the 3rd round back in 2017.

3/10

It’s hard to believe but Gronk is still just 31. His All-Pro days might be behind him but after a year off, he still put together a really impressive season in 2020. He caught 45 passes for 623 yards and 7 touchdowns. And of course he had two touchdown catches in Super Bowl LIV. The future Hall of Famer will probably just end up back with the Bucs in 2021. It’s hard to imagine him going anywhere else. Instead, he’ll be back in Tampa Bay as the Bucs try to run it back.

4/10

Cook is over 30 but he’s still putting up big numbers. He had 37 catches for 504 yards and 7 touchdowns in 2020. He didn’t make his third consecutive Pro Bowl but it looks like Cook still has something left in the tank. He’s been a consistently productive tight end in the NFL for a decade.

5/10

After four seasons with the Rams, the second-round pick has reached the end of his rookie deal. He has shown slow progress during his career but has been behind Tyler Higbee in Las Angeles. Everett in 2020 caught 41 passes for 417 yards and 1 touchdown. A team might view him as a potential breakout player if he gets the chance to be “the guy” elsewhere.

6/10

With the Jaguars in 2020, Eifert caught 36 passes for 349 yards and 2 touchdowns. His only Pro Bowl season came with the Bengals back in 2015 and he’s over 30 now. So he probably won’t get a huge deal this offseason but he could be a nice piece for a new team.

7/10

It was quite a bounce-back season for the 29-year-old in Philly in 2020. He began the season as the third tight end but thanks to injuries, ended up playing a lot and made the most of it. He had 24 catches for 345 yards and 2 touchdowns. It was the second-best season of his NFL career.

8/10

The former 5th-round pick had 28 catches and 262 yards with the Jaguars in 2020. It was the best season of his career and he has never been a high-volume receiver but he’s solid and a good blocker too.

9/10

Hollister’s numbers came down in 2020 but he still caught 25 passes for 209 yards and 3 touchdowns. The 27-year-old was much better in Seattle the last two years than he was with the Patriots to begin his career.

10/10

Kroft’s two years in Buffalo didn’t really go to plan. He showed flashes but ended up catching just 18 passes for 190 yards and 4 touchdowns. He’s 28 and won’t cost much on the open market this offseason. His best career season was in 2017 when he had a 400-yard, 7-touchdown campaign.

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