While Super Bowl 56 still has to be played, it’s never too early to look towards the offseason. Much will change between now and March 16, when free agency starts. However, fantasy football players are anxious to see who signs with what team and the fantasy impact. In a four-part series, I will give the best fantasy landing spot for the top free agents at each position. Restricted free agents won’t be part of this series as they usually end up back with their current teams. Also, this list will not include potential cap casualties, focusing on only upcoming free agents. So without further ado, let’s dive into it. Last up are tight ends.
Be sure to check out all four parts of the series here.
Dalton Schultz → Dallas Cowboys
Schultz finished the 2020 season as the TE11, averaging 9.2 fantasy points per game in PPR scoring. Then he finished last season as the TE3, averaging 12.3 fantasy points per game. As Schultz heads toward free agency, he should be the top priority for the Cowboys this offseason. If he returns, the Cowboys will likely release Blake Jarwin, creating more snaps for Schultz. The Cowboys will also likely have to move on from either Michael Gallup or Amari Cooper. While the Cowboys have three excellent wide receivers, Schultz was one of their prime red zone targets. He finished second on the team with a 13.3 percent red zone target share this season, only behind Cooper. As great as he was in 2021, Schultz could have a career year in 2022.
Mike Gesicki → Indianapolis Colts
After having a career year, the Miami Dolphins could offer Gesicki a new contract. However, they spent a third-round pick on Hunter Long in last year’s draft. Meanwhile, the Colts have a hole at tight end. Jack Doyle is considering retirement, and Mo Alie-Cox is an upcoming free agent. Adding Gesicki would be a massive upgrade over both. While he struggled at times last season, Carson Wentz produced a top tight end in Zach Ertz all those years in Philadelphia. The last time the Colts had a dominant tight end, Eric Ebron finished second in the NFL with 13 receiving touchdowns in 2018, ending the year as the TE4. If Gesicki lands with the Colts, he has top-five upside for next season.
Zach Ertz → Arizona Cardinals
When Ertz got traded to Arizona, his fantasy value took off. From Week 7 on, Ertz was the TE4, averaging 12 fantasy points per game. Even with the slow start in Philadelphia, Ertz finished the season as the TE5. Furthermore, he ended the year strong. Over the last four games of the regular season, Ertz averaged 10.8 targets and 13.3 fantasy points per game. The Cardinals have several upcoming free agents, including A.J. Green and Christian Kirk. With Kyler Murray needing a weapon in the middle of the field, Ertz should have a solid target share next season. When defenses double team DeAndre Hopkins, Murray will make them pay by targeting Ertz in the middle of the field.
Rob Gronkowski → Cincinnati Bengals
With Tom Brady’s retirement, many believe Gronkowski will retire as well. However, if he decides to continue playing, the Bengals are the ideal spot for him. In Tampa Bay, Gronkowski had weapons all around him and a quarterback who could make all the throws. He would walk into the exact same situation with the Bengals. C.J. Uzomah had a career-high 128.3 fantasy points this season. He also had career highs in receptions (49), receiving yards (493), and receiving touchdowns (five). Now that Brady has officially retired, Gronkowski should only play for a team with a young gun-slinging quarterback like Joe Burrow. With Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, and Tyler Boyd at wide receiver, Gronkowski will never see a double team in Cincinnati.
David Njoku → New York Jets
The Cleveland Browns have three talented tight ends on their roster. Unfortunately, that made all three of them poor fantasy options. However, Njoku led the unit in receiving yards, touchdowns, and fantasy points per game. After back-to-back years with at least four receiving touchdowns and 385 receiving yards, Njoku had a total of 254 receiving yards and three touchdowns the next two years before last season. Meanwhile, the Jets threw to their tight ends only 77 times last season, one worst teams in the NFL. Furthermore, their tight ends combined for three touchdowns while Njoku had four last season. With Elijah Moore and Corey Davis at wide receiver, Njoku could fill in at tight end and be a difference-making in the middle of the field for Zach Wilson.
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