Dalton Schultz, 25

Schultz followed up his breakout 2020 season with an even better 2021. On the year he had 78 catches for 800 yards and eight touchdowns. A pretty good year for any tight end, but when you consider he was in an offense with three legitimate wide receiver threats and two pass catching running backs, the season is even better. Signing with a team that has less weapons than Dallas did, Schultz could see another increase next season as he gets more targets. He seems to be a super reliable target that always finds the open spaces in the zone and is athletic enough to beat man coverage (although not an elite athlete by any means). He reminds me of another tight end on this list, Zach Ertz. What puts Dalton Schultz at the top of the free agent list though, is that on top of receiving ability, he is one of the better run blocking tight ends in the league. This combination of receiving ability matched with being a great run blocker could have him entering top five tight end in the league status this year. He fits in almost anywhere, and there is a chance he gets the franchise tag, but he will most likely end up on a team that likes to run and is also missing dependable pass catchers. He could also be a developing, young quarterback’s best friend as a security blanket.

Potential Fits: Indianapolis Colts, Jacksonville Jaguars, New York Jets, Miami Dolphins, Tennessee Titans

Mike Gesicki, 26

This past season, Gesicki set new career highs in catches and yardage, albeit with only two touchdowns. He has improved his numbers steadily since coming into the league, and was a breakout pick for many at the tight end position for 2021. While he did have a good season, it could be argued he underwhelmed. Whether or not that was more on the offense itself or the quarterback than on Gesicki himself remains to be seen. He had 112 targets, but watching some games one would notice that it really did not feel like he was an integral part of the offense. It is also curious as to why he did not sign an extension with the Dolphins before reaching free agency. Assuming McDaniel brings in a Shannahan style offense, the Dolphins may decide they want to get a better run blocking tight end than Gesicki. If this is the case, Gesicki probably moves on to a team that is more pass heavy and can use his size speed combination to the full potential, without counting on him to be a major run blocker. In the right system, he could explode as a receiving threat and set new highs again in every category by a large amount.  

Potential Fits: Los Angeles Chargers, Las Vegas Raiders, Arizona Cardinals, Tampa Bay 

Zach Ertz, 31 

For a while it seemed as though Ertz’s career was coming to a close. His production was declining and he took a back seat to Dallas Goedert. Then the trade to Arizona came. Philly said goodbye to a fan favorite, Arizona welcomed him into a starting position and he played like one. He is 31, but showed he still has some left in the tank. He can be a dependable target, possibly still a number one tight end, but also probably slide into a second tight end who can still get a lot of targets.

Potential Fits: Arizona Cardinals, Green Bay Packers, Jacksonville Jaguars, and Jets or Giants?

OJ Howard, 27/Gerald Everett, 27/David Njoku, 25/Evan Engram, 27

There are two groups of tight ends put together rounding out the free agent class. In this one you have former top picks who have not produced relative to their draft slot. Whether it be injuries like with Howard, brick hands like Engram, or lack of overall production like Everett and Njoku, they all are unproven but definitely possess upside. None of these are elite run blockers, but are good athletes who could become decent weapons for prospective teams if their issues are fixed. Expect them to sign with teams that may want to use their tight ends both in-line and outside, or do not require them to block much. I could see any number of teams signing them as number two tight ends with the chance of being more.

Potential Fits: Buffalo Bills, New York Giants, Seattle Seahawks, Green Bay Packers, Las Vegas Raiders, Los Angeles Chargers 

Tyler Conklin, 26/Hayden Hurst, 28/CJ Uzomah, 29

Conklin, Hurst, and Uzomah are not exactly the same tight ends. Unlike the group above them though, they have good all around skill sets. They are not athletic marvels, but are decent pass catchers and good run blockers. They would be good number two options without worrying about any potential issues. They do not carry the receiving upside that the group above does, but they also do not have the risk of not being a factor period if they are not targeted a bunch (as the group above does not offer much in blocking). These three, with Conklin perhaps having the most upside due to him being younger, should sign to a location that needs a solid number two option that can block if needed. Or, they could also sign as a number one for an offense that does not feature the tight end position as a major pass catching option. 
Potential Fits: Tennessee Titans, Philadelphia Eagles, Dallas Cowboys, San Francisco 49ers, Detroit Lions, Cincinnati Bengals