When looking at who are the best tight ends of all time it’s important to focus on the era they were playing. By doing so we can get a more accurate measurement of their impact on the game. Let’s take a closer look and break down the greatest tight ends to play in the NFL.

10. Charlie Sanders

Picking the 10th-best tight end was the toughest choice. Charlie Sanders, the Detroit Lions legend makes the cut. The Hall of Fame tight end was considered one of the best during his 10-year career. Many credit Sanders for revolutionizing the position as he was one of the first great pass catching tight ends. Like many of the tight ends we see in today’s game, Sanders had a basketball background. This allowed him to use his athleticism to high point the ball and come up with acrobatic catches. Sanders was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2007 and passed away in 2015.

9. Jason Witten

Throughout his 17-year career, Jason Witten established himself as one of the most consistent and dependable tight ends in the NFL. Known for his high football IQ, precise route-running, and reliable hands, Witten consistently produced at a high level. His toughness and leadership on and off the field earned him immense respect from teammates and coaches. Witten will always be a fan favorite in Dallas and should one day make the Hall of Fame.

8. Mike Ditka

Mike Ditka was the first ever tight end to make the Hall of Fame. As a player, he was a dominant force in both the receiving and blocking aspects of the game. Ditka’s physicality, toughness, and tenacity set the standard for future generations of tight ends. His contributions as a player and later as a successful coach further solidify his legacy. Ditka was one of the most influential figures in the history of the position.

7. Antonio Gates

Antonio Gates unique journey from college basketball player to NFL star exemplifies his exceptional athletic ability and adaptability. Gates seamlessly transitioned into football and became one of the most reliable and productive tight ends of his generation. Known for his basketball-like skills on the field, Gates utilized his size, leaping ability, and strong hands to create mismatches and consistently make big plays throughout his illustrious career with the San Diego/Los Angeles Chargers. He will be eligible for the Hall of Fame in 2024 and surely will make it in.

6. Ozzie Newsome

Ozzie Newsome’s consistent production and reliability made him one of the most respected tight ends of his era. Throughout his 13-year career with the Cleveland Browns, Newsome showcased exceptional hands, precise route running, and a knack for making crucial plays in key moments. His ability to consistently contribute as a receiver and a blocker earned him the nickname “The Wizard of Oz” and solidified his place among the best tight ends of all time.

5. Kellen Winslow Sr.

Kellen Winslow Sr.’s revolutionary contributions to the passing game set him apart as a true trailblazer at the tight end position. His exceptional receiving skills and athleticism paved the way for future generations of tight ends. Winslow Sr.’s memorable performances, including the legendary “Epic in Miami” playoff game, etched his name in NFL history and solidified his status as one of the all-time greats.

4. Shannon Sharpe

Shannon Sharpe’s remarkable speed and versatility made him a game-changer at the tight end position. His ability to stretch the field and make explosive plays resulted in three Super Bowl victories and numerous records. Sharpe’s impact as both a receiver and a blocker showcases the diverse skill set that sets him apart in the annals of tight end history. Sharpe continues to make an impact in the sports industry as a media personality.

3. Tony Gonzalez

Tony Gonzalez’s 17-year career is a testament to his unparalleled consistency and exceptional receiving skills. Known for his precise route running and sure hands, Gonzalez set the standard for modern tight ends. His ability to contribute as a blocker and a receiver, along with his record-breaking statistics, solidifies his position as one of the greatest tight ends of all time.

2. Travis Kelce

At age 33, Travis Kelce is showing no signs of slowing down. Kelce and Patrick Mahomes are the greatest quarterback/tight end duo the game has ever seen. Kelce possesses elite route-running abilities and the shiftiness of a wide receiver. With 2 Super Bowl titles already under his belt, the 8-time All-Pro tight end will no doubt be enshrined in the Hall of Fame.

1. Rob Gronkowski

Rob Gronkowski’s combination of size, strength, and athleticism makes him a matchup nightmare for any defense. His ability to overpower defenders and make acrobatic catches in the red zone has made him one of the most dominant tight ends in history. Gronkowski’s rapport with Tom Brady resulted in numerous record-breaking seasons and four Super Bowl championships, cementing his legacy as the best tight end of all time.

Looking for more all-time great lists? Check out our top 10 quarterbacks of all time feature.

The post Top 10 Tight Ends of All Time appeared first on Pro Football Mania.

In truth, there are really only a handful of tight ends in the history of the NFL who stack up to Gronkowski. This is a handful that includes Travis Kelce, Kellen Winslow, Antonio Gates, Tony Gonzalez, John Mackey, and depending on your generosity, maybe one or two others. Simply put, Gronkowski is in rare company. For the sake of a relevant comparison, Kelce is the best of these names to compare to Gronkowski due to the two’s shared era.

Receiving Yards Per Game (Regular Season)

• Gronkowski – 64.9
• Kelce – 71.8

Receiving Touchdowns Per Game (Regular Season)

• Gronkowski – 0.6
• Kelce – 0.5

Kelce does have a slight edge over Gronkowski in the yardage department, but also has 1.4 more receptions per game. Despite this, Gronkowski averaged ever-so-slightly more touchdowns per game. This could symbolize a difference in the way the two tight ends were primarily utilized. Kelce, as been well-documented, tends to make up his own routes as he goes along, an innovative style of play. Gronkowski was that massive target at 6’6” that was going to go up and get the football in jump ball situations and not be denied.

Gronkowski also has those four Super Bowl championships with the New England Patriots and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, four first-team All-Pro selections, five Pro Bowl selections, and his naming to the Hall of Fame’s All-2010s Team. He’s also unlikely to ever come out of retirement again to play in the NFL, regardless of how many fans may want to see it happen. That means he’s a sure lock for induction in the Pro Football Hall of Fame as soon as he becomes eligible. Like other recent retirees J.J. Watt and Gronkowski’s buddy Tom Brady, that matter of eligibility is the only this keeping him out right now.

We’re talking about one of the top three or four tight ends to ever play in the NFL when it comes to Gronkowski. It’s that simple. No tight end has ever scored as many touchdowns in a single season as he did in 2011. It’s also unlikely that that single-season record will be broken any time soon. No question about it, Gronkowski is a first-ballot Hall of Famer and one of the greatest players in the history of the NFL.

The post Is Rob Gronkowski a Future Hall of Famer? appeared first on Pro Football Mania.

By: Jake Rajala

The prolific quarterback Tom Brady threw for 5,235 passing yards, 39 passing touchdowns, and achieved 13 victories at the age of 35. TB12 will be 45 years old and striving for a Super Bowl ring in the 2022-2023 season. Brady won’t have Wes Welker and potentially Rob Gronkowski in his offensive unit, but he will have Mike Evans and Chris Gowin to catch footballs.

So, the vital question is: can Brady have a performance similar to his 2021 or 2011 season? Well, I’m going to unveil likely the floor and ceiling of his ability in 2022.

Floor of Brady

Captain Obvious doesn’t need to state that Brady might have the best floor of any player in the league via his combination of work ethic and arm talent. The Bucs QB will have the utterly talented Byron Leftwich calling a familiar offense for Brady and it’s clear Brady has flourished as a Buc.

Brady has averaged 4,974 yards and 41.5 touchdowns over the past two seasons. He obviously won’t have Antonio Brown (and likely Gronk), but it’s worth mentioning that AB has played in 15 of the past 33 games for TB. Brady will really lean on the speed demon Scotty Miller (503 yards in 2020) to be effective in 2022.

It should be noted that Brady threw for 5,316 yards and 43 touchdowns without Chris Godwin for three games and Gronkowski for five games in 2021, as well.

I can really forsee a floor of 4,700+ passing yards and 35 touchdowns for Brady next season. I believe Godwin and Mike Evans are one of the top WR combinations in the league and Miller should have a career season in 2022. Sure, the probable absense of Gronk will hurt, but I still expect a lot more red zone targets to be in play for the physical WRs.

Ceiling of Brady

Well, what do we have here ….

I honestly expect Brady to be in strong consideration for MVP for the second straight season. Brady will continue to outwork the world this offseason and Leftwich will brew more creative play designs for his offense to cook. Mike Evans had a career high 14 touchdowns last season and Godwin was on pace for his best season prior to his ACL injury. It may seem like Brady’s offense will be weaker “on paper”, but he will surely uplift the profiles around him.

I also absolutely expect Brady to be more prepared to battle the Saints defense that has lost Marcus Williams and Malcolm Jenkins this offseason. I would be dumb struck if Brady scored 0 or 3 points against Dennis Allen’s defense in another NFC South showdown.

The biggest x-factor for Brady is his sharp focus to chase Michael Jordan’s aura in sports and win another Super Bowl.

I expect a true ceiling of Brady to be around 5,600 with a “healthy WR duo”, improved performances against the Saints brick wall defense, and his flame that refuses to be put out.

The post What is the floor and ceiling of Tom Brady in 2022? appeared first on Pro Football Mania.

The Los Angeles Chargers feature a 23-year-old signal-caller that threw 5,014 passing yards and 38 passing touchdowns last season. The Chargers will prioritize retaining their top WR Mike Williams (76, 1,149, 9), but they will need more of a bolt in their TE room. The days of Antonio Gates are sadly gone.

The Chargers carry Jared Cook, but he’s 34 years old (two years older than Gronk) and clearly not a Pro Bowl TE at this stage in his career. The Chargers should really revamp their TE position and potentially bring in a more explosive, younger TE to help the potential MVP candidate Justin Herbert. With that said, who could the Chargers sign at TE? Well, here are a few options.

Evan Engram

I feel absolutely confident that Evan Engram would have a career season in year one with the Chargers. The athletic freak who runs a 4.4 40 time may wise to have a “prove-it deal” with a quality team like LA. The Giants recently cut Kyle Rudolph and they’ve been rumored to trade Saquon Barkley. In general, it’s obvious that they’re building and I would expect Engram to receive more money from an ascending team with a potent quarterback.

It’s also exciting for teams interested in Engram that he is only 27 years old, which noticeably younger than Ertz (31) and Gronk (32). If he excels early, it’s clear the Chargers have a new long-term “weapon” in Engram. Engram may also switch to slot WR, according to New York Post. He would surely be an excellent third receiving option in Herbert’s arsenal.

Zach Ertz

It will really not be easy for the Chargers to ink Zach Ertz, as he has a plethora of talented, potential suitors. Nonetheless, the Chargers could be a great combination of culture and money (second in cap space) to lure the Eagles legendary TE. They have also been very curious about landing Ertz in the past, as shown in the first Twitter link on this article.

Ertz recorded 763 yards and five touchdowns with the Cardinals/Eagles in 2021. He has stated that he would like to return to AZ, but it may be a challenge for the “Kyler Murray-led” Cardinals to afford Ertz. He could also decide to return to Philly as a TE2/WR3 and sort out a better contract.

Rob Gronkowski

It’s very hard to predict what Gronk wants to do in 2022. He expressed interest in the Bengals and the Bills, but he might have an unexpected team that wins his heart at the end. Gronk should feel confident that he can be the chess piece that can guarantee the Chargers at least a wildcard playoff spot next season.

It isn’t like the Bills are a clear Super Bowl favorite or very wealthy team at the moment, too (24th in cap space). The Chargers could swoop in and he could be enticed about the QB, location, and contract that the Chargers could propose.

The post Free agent tight end targets for the LA Chargers appeared first on Pro Football Mania.

By Zach Kurt

There is always a week of overreaction in the first week of the season and as smart fantasy managers, you should take advantage of the overreactions. There are also a lot of panic trades (products of the overreactions) in the first few weeks of the season. PAY ATTENTION TO INJURIES and if someone had Ryan Fitzpatrick as a starting QB in Superflex, then sell high on a mediocre QB. Also, watch for the players dropped on waivers! Paying attention to the overreactions, waiver wire transactions, and injuries allow you to sell high and make a profit from these specific individuals. 

Antonio Brown had an absolutely monster game and has been one of the best to ever play the game. However, I do believe he is the 3rd target in this offense and is just a 1-year rental. Brown is 33 years old, he has a troublesome past and this is likely Brady’s last year. Not a lot of WR’s are fantasy relevant at 34 years old. I just saw Brown get traded for a 1st and a 2nd in dynasty. This is an absolute overpay which is why you can sell high because he is AB. People are buying into the narrative of him being vintage AB. Sell, Sell, Sell!

We have seen the Sam Darnold Robby Anderson connection before and it was not lucrative. Robby was an absolute PPR machine last year. He filled a role on that team that was missing due to CMC’s absence. Now CMC is back, D.J. Moore is the WR1, and Terrace Marshall had double the amount of targets in comparison to Robby’s targets. Robby had one monster 12 point play but besides that one play he put up a goose egg. If you are going to sell Robby do it as fast as you can. He is the #4 option on this offense and that is just not something I want as well as it seemed to work this week..

The leader of the texans backfield has arrived. Mark Ingram had a lot of volume on Sunday. He accumulated  25+ carries as well as a score on the ground. In a crowded backfield, he seemed to get the edge. However, this will more than likely be the only team they beat this year. This is why they had such a run-heavy game script. Ingram may be the “lead back” but all 3 backs had a TD and all had decent involvement. To me this means it is going to be split up every game and Ingram will be used in positive game scripts Like I said above this may be the only team that they have a positive game script against. I would sell as high as you can although for a 31-year-old RB on a very bad team you aren’t likely to get a huge return.

Gronk looked like vintage Gronk against a very bad team this week. However, I don’t believe he is in prime Gronk form. Everyone in fantasy absolutely loved Gronk he was similar to Kelce just more TD-heavy! He is a 1-year asset and is the 4th target on the team. A crowded WR room and a crowded TE room for Gronk screams sell him on nostalgia. This isn’t 2016 as much fun as that would be!

Tyrod Taylor has gotten replaced every season over the past couple of years. It could happen again this year. Now I like Tyrod as a player but there is nothing special about him. Tyrod is a mobile QB that can throw the ball accurately enough to pass as a starter in the NFL. the Texans drafted David Mills and with my projection of the Texans being one of the worse teams in the NFL I believe he will assume the starting role at some point this season. I say that because at some point they will be knocked out of playoff contention and they need to see what they have in mills before they grab a high capital QB in the 2022 draft! Go find the guy that just lost Fitzpatrick and offer him a “Steal” on Tyrod.

Now I don’t expect you to get an absolute bounty for any of these players. I do expect many of these players to lose value over the course of the season. They all have great opportunities to sell on. Don’t forget to pay close attention to those transactions and injuries.. It is a way to take your league by storm and sell high. As always send those trade offers because DYNASTY NEVER RESTS!

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