Off-Season Movement: 2025 Tight End Landscape

Each off-season, I track team needs and the players most likely to fill those needs in a chart like this. In the coming weeks and months, NFL teams will have multiple opportunities to fill those holes, namely the March free agency period and April’s NFL Draft.

In this series, I’ll go position-by-position looking at teams in need, along with the veterans and rookies who could eventually fill the blanks on the chart below. It’s time to wrap up the series with a look at Tight Ends.

Team Needs

Cincinnati Bengals

The Bengals haven’t successfully developed a “home-grown” tight end in years but did once again strike gold in the free agent market after they took a shot on Mike Gesicki. The bad news is Gesicki will be looking for a payday that likely won’t come in Cincinnati. They are likely to sign another veteran and could draft a newcomer as well.

Denver Broncos

We all know how important the tight end position is to Sean Payton and the Broncos. This loaded rookie class and a mid-first-round draft pick could pair very well for Denver. The Broncos gave up on former dynasty darling Greg Dulcich and have no real upside currently on the roster.

Indianapolis Colts

The Colts haven’t had a top-12 scorer at the tight end position since Eric Ebron. Instead, they’ve regularly relied on Day Three draft picks to piece together the tight end room. Like the Broncos, Indy is in a prime spot to grab a high-end prospect on the opening day of the NFL Draft. They’ve routinely been projected to take Penn State’s Tyler Warren.

New Orleans Saints

The Saints have gotten solid production in recent years from Juwan Johnson, but he’s now a free agent. New head coach Kellen Moore’s previous teams have all gotten solid production from the tight end spot, including turning mid-round draft picks into fantasy starters. With so many questions on this roster, especially on the offensive side of the ball, it would be a surprise if New Orleans heavily invested in any tight end.

Washington Commanders

The Commanders struck gold with veteran Zach Ertz a year ago, as he finished as the TE7 on the season. Ertz now enters free agency, though he could return. The team also drafted Ben Sinnott last spring, though he saw relatively little action. While this is obviously on offense on the rise, dynasty managers will want to invest in any player the Commanders add here. For now, both Ertz and Sinnott are very cheap targets.

New York Jets

Remember Dustin Keller? He was the Jets last fantasy TE1 way back in 2011. This just hasn’t been a position of focus in over a decade, across multiple coaching staffs and quarterbacks. It’s hard to see that changing this off-season. Pending the Jets’ quarterback decision, I’ll likely be avoiding this situation altogether.

New York Giants

The Giants’ tight end position fell apart after they heavily invested in former Pro Bowler Darren Waller, who retired following the 2023 season. Last year, they relied on a combination of Daniel Bellinger and promising rookie Theo Johnson. Perhaps the team expects Johnson to take another step in 2025. If they don’t add a relevant tight end through free agency or the draft, Johnson’s value will see a bump.

Carolina Panthers

The Panthers are another team that invested in the tight end position through the 2024 NFL Draft, adding Ja’Tavion Sanders. After a slow start, he led all Carolina tight ends in fantasy production. Similar to the Giants, it could be the moves they don’t make that will tell the story for Sanders and the Panthers.

Los Angeles Chargers

The Chargers made a couple of moves last year, adding veterans Will Dissly and Hayden Hurst. They got solid production from the pair, and Dissly is signed for two more seasons. After a surprisingly competitive season, this team will be looking for upgrades, and tight end could be a strong start.

Los Angeles Rams

Although long-time starter Tyler Higbee is still under contract for two more seasons, the 32-year-old has dealt with injuries and has clearly taken a step back. The Rams have been in the news lately, given the Matthew Stafford rumors, and their ultimate decision in that situation could impact the remainder of their off-season moves.

FREE AGENTS

Juwan Johnson

Veteran tight end Juwan Johnson enjoyed a career year, posting new career highs with 50 receptions for 548 yards, finishing as the TE17 for the year. Now, after five years in New Orleans, Johnson will have the chance to hit the open market. The rumors and reports about Johnson’s pending free agency have been limited, though some have linked him to Denver and his former coach Sean Payton.

Mike Gesicki

After a rough stint in Miami, Gesicki may have revived his career with the Bengals last year. If Gesicki is not looking for a huge payday, he could be back with the Bengals. It would take that type of landing spot to give the veteran any real dynasty value.

Other Free Agents to Follow: Tyler Conklin, Zach Ertz

ROOKIES

Tyler Warren

A lock to be a first-round pick and a threat to land inside the top ten, Warren is another impressive athlete from Penn State. A do-it-all tight end, Warren is not quite in the Brock Bowers range when it comes to expected impact or dynasty value, but he’s not far off. Warren is already being valued as a top-five dynasty tight end, according to our latest dynasty ADP. Warren is regularly projected to land with the Colts.

Colston Loveland

Warren has gotten all of the hype, but Michigan’s Loveland is not far behind. Also seemingly a lock to hear his name called on Day One, Loveland is considered by some as the top tight end in the class. He has often been mocked to the Broncos. He’d see a value boost if that is the landing spot.

Other Rookies to Follow: Harold Fannin, Elijah Arroyo, Mason Taylor