2022 Money Tiers: Tight Ends

Michael Ginnitti
Michael Ginnitti, Managing Editor & NFL/MLB ExpertAugust 25, 2022
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With the regular season just two weeks away, our final installment of 2022 Money Tiers focuses on the Tight End position. We've classifed a few dozen big men into various categories, noting those with multi-year financial security, plenty more on veritable one year tenders, and a few ready for their next big payday.

 

Three & We'll See

David Njoku (Browns, 26)

Signed Thru: 2025
Guarantees Thru: 2024
Guarantee Remaining: $28M

Njoku’s extension was a surprise for some, but he started to find his sea legs (finally) toward the end of 2022, and the prospect of a major QB upgrade with Deshaun Watson could really lift him to higher ceilings. His new contract carries $17M fully guaranteed right now, but another $11M locks in next March. Behind him 4th-rounder Harrison Bryant holds a 2 year, $1.9M non-guaranteed contract.

Dallas Goedert (Eagles, 27)

Signed Thru: 2025
Guarantees Thru: 2024
Guarantee Remaining: $24.25M

Goedert’s massive extension contains early vesting guarantees right through the 2024 season, though his 4 year payout of $43M isn’t exactly a market resetting cash flow. Jack Stoll (UDFA minimum) stands to get work behind him right now.

Let's Play Two

Mark Andrews (Ravens, 25)

Signed Thru: 2025
Guarantees Thru: 2023
Guarantee Remaining: $26.5M

Andrews snagged 107 balls last year, the most in his career. With Hollywood Brown now in Arizona, and Lamar Jackson looking for more reasons to garner a fully guaranteed contract, the upside potential here is massive. Financially Andrews’ $7.5M salary for 2023 is already fully guaranteed, but the final 2 years, $22M thereafter is fluffy. Nick Boyle remains his TE2 in 2022, but a high cap number ($10.3M) next year could mean change in that regard.

George Kittle (49ers, 29)

Signed Thru: 2025
Guarantees Thru: 2023
Guarantee Remaining: $23.1M

Kittle’s deal remains healthy through the 2023 season, after which there’s a 2 year, $29M non-guarantee. With youngster Trey Lance now at the helm, look for Kittle’s usage rate to soar in 2022, with increased targets for 6th-rounder Charlie Woerner as well.

Taysom Hill (Saints, 32)

Signed Thru: 2025
Guarantees Thru: 2023
Guarantee Remaining: $20M

Hill enters the 2022 season as the #2 TE on the Saints depth chart, despite holding some of the highest guarantees among the entire league positionally. He’ll factor into special teams, and may even get a few snaps at QB still, but we’ll need a TED talk someday to fully understand his financial career. Hill is fully guaranteed this year at $10.1M, and fully guaranteed next year at $9.9M.

Zach Ertz (Cardinals, 31)

Signed Thru: 2024
Guarantees Thru: 2023
Guarantee Remaining: $17.5M

With Chrisitan Kirk now in Jacksonville, and Deandre Hopkins on the shelf for 6 weeks, Ertz could be a major factor in Kyler Murray’s passing game this season. He’s financially secure through 2023, with a $10M option thereafter. 2nd-rounder Trey McBride and veteran Maxx Williams will provide strong depth for Arizona here.

Jonnu Smith (Patriots, 27)

Signed Thru: 2024
Guarantees Thru: 2023
Guarantee Remaining: $15.25M

Smith remains one of the highest paid blocking tight ends in NFL history, and is not only fully guaranteed this year at $9M, but $6.25M of his 2023 salary is already locked in as well. Can the Patriots find him more than 28 catches in 2022? Maybe, but Henry & Smith don’t appear to be the 1-2 punch we expected.

C.J. Uzomah (Jets, 29)

Signed Thru: 2024
Guarantees Thru: 2023
Guarantee Remaining: $15M

Uzomah platformed a big year in Cincy into a $15M guarantee with the Jets and could be a very strong 1-2 punch with Tyler Conklin in 2022, if the QB position improves. Uzomah’s deal is 2 years, $16M with an $8M “option” for 2024.

Tyler Conklin (Jets, 27)

Signed Thru: 2024
Guarantees Thru: 2023
Guarantee Remaining: $10M

Conklin signed a slightly lesser version of C.J. Uzomah’s free agent contract with the Jets this March, including $6M guaranteed for 2022, and another $3.9M in 2023. The two should create a formidable arsenal for the Jets QB (TBD).

Mo Alie-Cox (Colts, 28)

Signed Thru: 2024
Guarantees Thru: 2023
Guarantee Remaining: $8.2M

Alie-Cox garnered an extension prior to free agency, locking in $11.6M over the next two seasons. He’s caught 70 balls in 4 seasons to date. Behind him, 4th-rounder Kylen Granson carries a non-guaranteed 3 years, $2.8M, while new 3rd-rounder Jelani Woods could push to be the main pass catcher of this group at some point.

Gerald Everett (Chargers, 28)

Signed Thru: 2023
Guarantees Thru: 2023
Guarantee Remaining: $8M

The Chargers signed Everett away from Seattle, guaranteeing $8M of a $12M contract through 2023. He’s a 50 catch TE when all is well, but that could increase in Justin Herbert’s pass-heavy offense. Former UDFA Donald Parham (1 year, $895k), and 3rd-rounder Tre McKitty (3 years, $3.1M) will provide depth this season.

Ian Thomas (Panthers, 26)

Signed Thru: 2024
Guarantees Thru: 2023
Guarantee Remaining: $8M

Thomas was extended 3 years this past February despite just 90 catches in 4 seasons. He’s a versatile TE though, and could take a step forward in the passing game with Baker Mayfield at the helm. 3rd-rounder Tommy Tremble remains the TE2 in Carolina with 3 non-guaranteed years left on his rookie contract.

Extension Ready

T.J. Hockenson (Lions, 25)

Signed Thru: 2023
Guarantees Thru: 2023
Guarantee Remaining: $12.7M

Detroit exercised a $9.3M option for 2023, fully guaranteeing it. Hockenson has posted back to back solid seasons - but still hasn’t had that full breakout campaign as of yet. He projects to a 4 year, $54M extension currently, but all signs point to Detroit waiting a year to lock that in. UDFA Brock Wright projects to win the TE2 spot on a minimum salary.

Dalton Schultz (Cowboys, 26)

Signed Thru: 2022
Guarantees Thru: 2022
Guarantee Remaining: $10.9M

Schultz will play out a 1 year, $10.9M franchise tag in Dallas, despite 78 catches, 800 yards, and 8 TDs last season. Another tag would cost $13.1M, which shouldn’t be considered out of the question for 2023. Schultz projects to a 4 year, $58M extension in our system. 4th-rounder Jake Ferguson projects to slot into the TE2 role, with 4 years, $4M ahead of him.

Mike Gesicki (Dolphins, 26)

Signed Thru: 2022
Guarantees Thru: 2022
Guarantee Remaining: $10.9M

Gesicki is a wide receiver dressed up like a TE for football season, but a projected reduced role in this new Dolphins’ offense has many wondering if he’s actually a late summer trade candidate. For now, he’s a 1 and done candidate in Miami on his signed franchise tag, carrying a 4 year, $57M projection in our system. Vet Durham Smythe was brought back on a 2 year, $7M ($3.5M guaranteed) deal to fill in behind him.

Hunter Henry (Patriots, 27)

Signed Thru: 2023
Guarantees Thru: 2022
Guarantee Remaining: $10M

Henry quietly caught 50 passes for 600 yards and 9 touchdowns last season, and with a wide receiver room that didn’t get markedly better this offseason, there’s no reason to believe he won’t factor in this manner again. If this becomes the case, look for New England to restructure 2023 into an extension that works better for both sides.

Noah Fant (Seahawks, 24)

Signed Thru: 2023
Guarantees Thru: 2023
Guarantee Remaining: $9M

The Seahawks exercised a $6.85M option in 2023 for Fant upon acquiring him from Denver, but a strong 2022 campaign should translate into a multi-year extension sooner rather than later. Fant carries a 4 year, $59.5M projection in our system currently. Behind him, Will Dissly throws his hat into the overpaid TE2 race, as the 26 year old scored a $10M guarantee this season, with a chance at $6M more next year.

Travis Kelce (Chiefs, 32)

Signed Thru: 2025
Guarantees Thru: 2022
Guarantee Remaining: $2M

Kelce’s deal has 4 years, $53M remaining on it, but is only structurally secure through 2022. If he has the year most expect him to have sans Tyreek Hill, ripping up the last 3 seasons on this contract and starting fresh could benefit both sides financially. Behind him, Blake Bell was brought back on a veteran minimum deal and former 5th rounder Noah Gray will compete for time.

Darren Waller (Raiders, 30)

Signed Thru: 2023
Guarantees Thru: N/A
Guarantee Remaining: $0

Waller has a hamstring and contract issue heading into 2022 - and both should be concerning. With 2 years, $13.8M non-guaranteed left on his deal, and a $13.9M valuation in our system, there’s a lot of progress to be made here financially. Will the Raiders give in? Is this a sneaky late summer trade possibility? Either way, Foster Moreau (1 year, $2.54M) & Nick Bowers (1 year, $825k) will be vaulted into bigger roles to start the season.

Dawson Knox (Bills, 25)

Signed Thru: 2022
Guarantees Thru: N/A
Guarantee Remaining: $0

Knox doubled his production in 2021, and has developed a strong relationship with QB1 Josh Allen for on and off the field. He’s a late summer extension candidate that will become a franchise tag candidate should a deal not be completed. Knox projects to a 4 year, $49M deal in our system currently. Behind him, Buffalo brought in O.J. Howard on a 1-year flier ($3.5M).

Rookie Pending

Kyle Pitts (Falcons, 21)

Signed Thru: 2024 (+ option)
Guarantees Thru: 2024
Guarantee Remaining: $11M

The Falcons have plenty of roster deficiencies to begin 2022, but freak weapon at TE isn’t one of them. Pitts was targeted 110 times last season, but with lesser options in the passing game, should see plenty more this time around. Veteran Anthony Firkser will begin the year as the TE2 in Atlanta.

Pat Freiermuth (Steelers, 24)

Signed Thru: 2024
Guarantees Thru: 2022
Guarantee Remaining: $934k

The #55 overall pick last year caught 60 passes and found the end zone 7 times in his rookie campaign. More consistent QB play should improve upon these numbers even more. 5th-rounder Zach Gentry is the early TE2 candidate in Pittsburgh, entering a contract year on his rookie deal.

Cole Kmet (Bears, 23)

Signed Thru: 2023
Guarantees Thru: N/A
Guarantee Remaining: $0M

After years of Jimmy Graham, the Bears will finally turn this thing over to Kmet, who showed plenty of signs he can be a true TE1 last season (60 catches). The Bears aren’t ready to win, but seeing a strong relationship between Justin Fields and Kmet form shouldn’t be out of the question for 2022. Behind him, vets Ryan Griffin & James O'Shaughnessy will battle for the TE2 gig on 1 year contracts.

Albert Okwuegbunam (Broncos, 24)

Signed Thru: 2023
Guarantees Thru: N/A
Guarantee Remaining: $0M

Okwuegbunam caught 33 balls in a limited role behind Noah Fant last season, but he’ll get the keys to the car with Russell Wilson for 2022. His 2 years, $1.9M is non-guaranteed through 2023. Behind him 3rd-rounder Greg Dulcich projects to win the TE2 spot, with 4 years, $5.2M ahead on his rookie contract.

Daniel Bellinger (Giants, 21)

Signed Thru: 2025
Guarantees Thru: 2022
Guarantee Remaining: $793k

This year’s 4th-round pick will be vaulted into immediate TE1 duties for Daniel Jones. He’s a pass-catch first type player, who may thrive in a dink and dunk type Giants offense that may very well be blown up after 2022. UDFA Chris Myarick is slated to add depth for NYG this season.

One & Done

Evan Engram (Jaguars, 27)

Signed Thru: 2022
Guarantees Thru: 2022
Guarantee Remaining: $8.25M

Engram joins the Jags following a mediocre showing with the Giants, but is being paid to break out under Doug Pederson’s new offense ($10M max). Jacksonville will run out veteran Dan Arnold in a 1 year, $2.5M deal & former 5th-rounder Luke Farrell (3 years, $2.7M) behind him this season.

Austin Hooper (Titans, 28)

Signed Thru: 2022
Guarantees Thru: 2022
Guarantee Remaining: $6M

Hooper joined the Titans after his release from Cleveland this past March. Can he be the right weapon to fill the shoes that Jonnu Smith left 2 years ago? He’s two seasons removed from 75 catches and 6 TDs, so there’s at least a glimmer of hope. Veteran Geoff Swaim scored a $3.4M guarantee on a 1 year contract to fill in behind Hooper this season.

Pharaoh Brown (Texans, 28)

Signed Thru: 2022
Guarantees Thru: 2022
Guarantee Remaining: $3M

A UDFA back in 2017, Brown is on his 3rd team, but finally gets a chance to be the #1 option at his position in 2022. 5th-rounder Brevin Jordan has 3 non-guaranteed years left on his deal, while new 5th-rounder Teagan Quitoriano is under contract through 2025. Houston appears to be band-aiding this position currently.

Logan Thomas (Commanders, 31)

Signed Thru: 2024
Guarantees Thru: 2022
Guarantee Remaining: $2.2M

A torn ACL derailed what was a really nice 25 or so game stretch for Thomas, who is looking to regain that production now with Carson Wentz at the helm. He’s on a one-and-done contract structurally, but holds decent financial value going forward if he can return to form. Former 4th-rounder John Bates figures to slot into the TE2 role in year two of his rookie contract.

Hayden Hurst (Bengals, 29)

Signed Thru: 2022
Guarantees Thru: 2022
Guarantee Remaining: $2M

Hurst was brought in to replace CJ Uzomah after two mediocre years with the Falcons. He’s got 60 catch potential, but in a loaded Bengals’ offense, may simply be a role player for 2022, making his $3.5M price about right. Drew Sample will slot into the TE2 role again in the final year of his rookie contract.

Robert Tonyan Jr. (Packers, 28)

Signed Thru: 2022
Guarantees Thru: 2022
Guarantee Remaining: $1M

Tonyan is on his way back from a torn ACL, but had a great rapport with Aaron Rodgers in 2020-21. Half of his 1 year contract is based on per-game active bonuses, but a healthy season could mean a small extension thereafter. Behind him, Marcedes Lewis is set to play out the final year of his contract on a $4M salary.

Cameron Brate (Buccaneers, 31)

Signed Thru: 2023
Guarantees Thru: N/A
Guarantee Remaining: $0

Brate signed a 2 year, $8M restructured contract to remain in Tampa Bay this year, and will likely share time quite a bit with newly signed vet Kyle Rudolph as well. Tom Brady still has plenty of mouths to feed on this offense, but with the exception of Chris Godwin - much of the contracts are in a one-and-done capacity.

Tyler Higbee (Rams, 29)

Signed Thru: 2023
Guarantees Thru: N/A
Guarantee Remaining: $0

Higbee is entering year 4 of a 5 year contract with the Rams, with 2 years, $12.8M non-guaranteed remaining. With 60+ catches and 5 touchdown grabs last season, it stands to reason that another impactful season would lead to a restructured extension next offseason. Former 4th-rounder Brycen Hopkins (2 years, $1.9M) and UDFA Roger Carter will compete in a depth role.

Irv Smith (Vikings, 24)

Signed Thru: 2022
Guarantees Thru: N/A
Guarantee Remaining: $0

The former #50 overall pick is entering a contract year in 2022, but also returning from recent thumb surgery. Many expect the Vikings to post big offensive numbers again, but just how effective Smith will be in a pass-catching role remains to be seen. Behind him, Johnny Mundt joins from the Rams on a small guarantee ($200k).

Adam Trautman (Saints, 25)

Signed Thru: 2023
Guarantees Thru: N/A
Guarantee Remaining: $0

Trautman is actually listed as the TE1 on early Saints depth charts, despite just 42 catches in two seasons. He’s a jack of all trades type player, so a non-guaranteed 2 year, $2M remaining contract is priced right.


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