These top free-agent tight ends for 2024 are not the most exciting position group. However, some names should provide depth and upside for both NFL and dynasty league fantasy football teams at the tight end position for 2024.
Signed Free Agent Tight Ends for 2024
Dalton Schultz – Houston Texans – 3 years – $36 million
The former Cowboy racked up 2000 yards and 17 touchdowns in his last three seasons there before heading to the other side of Texas in free agency. Dalton Schultz produced his second-best statistical season in 2023 and will continue to benefit from having one of the top young quarterbacks in the NFL, C.J. Stroud, throwing him the ball. There’s no doubt in my mind that what he did in Dallas was no fluke and not just due to the design of their offensive scheme. He’s the real deal and easily a top-12 option at the position in fantasy football.
Hunter Henry – New England Patriots – 3 years – $27 million
Hunter Henry is the last man standing in a position that’s been a revolving door recently in Foxborough. Mike Gesicki is unlikely to return. This deal from new GM Eliot Wolf hopefully means a commitment to fully utilizing Henry as the talented receiver that he is. The Patriots still don’t have a quality quarterback on the roster, but maybe they change that in April.
Jonnu Smith – Miami Dolphins – 2 years – $10 million
It didn’t take long for free agency to kick off early as news of Jonnu Smith returning to the AFC East with the Dolphins leaked this Thursday. It’s an affordable deal that should add more firepower to an offense already loaded with Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle. Smith flashed the athleticism and yards-after-catch ability last season that initially earned him that massive 4-year, $50 million contract from the Patriots in 2021. While his time there ended in disappointment and a trade to Atlanta, I think that was ultimately because of a bad fit in New England.
Zach Ertz – Washington Commanders -1 year – $5 million
At 33 years old, Zach Ertz is no longer the elite receiving threat he was in Philadelphia. The Cardinals opted not to re-resign him after the emergence of Trey McBride at the end of the 2023 season. Still, he quickly found a new home in Washington with his former head coach, new OC Kliff Kingsbury. Maybe he still has a little juice left to put up a decent season if the Commanders draft a capable quarterback with the 2nd overall pick.
Top Remaining Free Agent Tight Ends for 2024
Noah Fant
The former first-round draft pick has had a rough go of things in the NFL. A revolving door of quarterbacks in Denver and then a lack of usage in Seattle, do we even know who Fant is at this point? There seems like untapped potential in Noah Fant. The Bengals, Chargers, and Colts could all use help at the position, so there’s a decent market out there. Considering he’s only 26 years old, I think Fant is the best option currently left.
Update: Fant returns to the Seahawks on a 2-year, max $21 million contract.
Gerald Everett
The Chargers didn’t exactly have a season to brag about in 2023, but nobody told Gerald Everett. His 411 yards and 3 touchdowns stat line falls just slightly below his career averages. He’s only 29 years old. Spotrac estimates his value at a two-year contract for an AAV of $8.6 million. He probably won’t return to the Chargers as Jim Harbaugh and GM Joe Hortiz look to retool the roster with negative cap space. I think a reunion with the Rams would be ideal. They need to find a tight end for the season due to Tyler Higbee’s impending absence from a torn ACL.
Update: Everett is signing with the Bears on a 2-year, $12 million deal.
Mike Gesicki
Going from the Dolphins to the Patriots tanked Mike Gesicki from a fantasy perspective. That’s not a shocker. He’s always had insane athleticism and while I don’t expect him to be in the upper echelon of players at the position, he can do far more than the role he was stuck in last year.
Update: Gesicki escapes New England and signs with the Bengals for 1-year, $3.25 million.
Logan Thomas
The Commanders released Logan Thomas after signing Zach Ertz. It’s not a surprise given that there’s a new coaching staff in Washington. He’s turning 33 in the summer but didn’t get regular game time in the NFL until 2017. He posted 496 yards and 4 touchdowns on 55 receptions last season. Some teams will be happy to add him on a one-year deal.
Flier Free Agent Tight Ends for 2024
Austin Hooper
A two-time Pro Bowler, Austin Hooper has seen career highs that few of the players in this article have. Since 2021, he’s bounced from Cleveland to Tennessee to Las Vegas. While he is only 29 years old, he’s on the path towards an early retirement. The 234 yards receiving and 0 touchdowns he put up for the Raiders in 2023 did little to inspire confidence.
Update: Hooper signs with the Patriots on a deal worth a maximum of 1-year, $4.25 million.
Adam Trautman
Sean Payton traded for Adam Trautman and brought the former draft pick from his time with the Saints to Denver. It unfortunately didn’t provide a career renaissance. He’s never posted even a 300-yard receiving campaign in his first four seasons. Part of that may be that he’s been used more as a blocker than receiver, but I’m skeptical we ever see that from him. Spotrac puts his expected contract at 3 years and $11 million. That’s not breaking the bank, so if that’s accurate, I’m sure he’ll end up on a roster, but there’s not much fantasy relevance.
Harrison Bryant
A former John Mackey award winner, Harrison Bryant looks like a capable receiver when he gets the ball, but he’s not much of a blocker. And that means there’s not a long-term role for him in Kevin Stefanski’s offense. I doubt he will return to the Browns. His landing spot is something to keep an eye on, just in case he finds greener grass elsewhere.
Irv Smith
The former Minnesota Vikings second-round draft pick signed with the Cincinnati Bengals on a one-year deal and made zero impact. Irv Smith is looking for a new home and his third team in three seasons. The main positive for him is his age (25), which could tempt a team to take another chance on him. At this point though, maybe it’s time we accept that he’s just not a starting option at the position.
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