EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - NOVEMBER 06: Gerald Everett #7 of the Los Angeles Chargers runs during the game against the New York Jets on November 6, 2023 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire)
Colby Parkinson, Los Angeles Rams Three Years, $22.5 Million
Parkinson was the surprise signing off the offseason at tight end. Not only were we surprised about the landing spot because he could now find himself in a starting role for at least a good portion of the season, but no one expected him to get paid that much money. We still don't like him as a fantasy option, however, there is a real chance he holds fantasy relevancy for a stretch of this season.
This is a terrible landing spot for Everett. On the right team, he could be a fantasy-relevant tight end with solid production. Chicago is not that team. He will be the TE2 behind the superior Cole Kmet and is at best the fifth option for a rookie QB and it's more likely he's the sixth option. As long as Kmet is healthy, Everett is useless.
Jonnu Smith, Miami Dolphins Two Years, $8.4 Million
This was a good spot for Smith who will slide in as the TE1 in Miami. For the first time, this team will have a tight end that can both catch passes and block. Head coach Mike McDaniel has expressed the desire to use a TE in the passing attack but lacked a TE that can do both. He could have a bigger role than people expect coming off a much better year than people expected in 2023.
Mike Gesecki, Cincinnati Bengals One Year, $2.5 Million
Every year, the Bengals sign a new tight end with a name we know but haven't quite lived up to expectations. Those guys have all failed to live up to expectations as our fantasy flier picks with the Bengals as well.
Gesicki has the athleticism and skill to be an excellent pass-catcher. The issue is he lacks the physicality to be a tight end. So he's essentially just a big wideout out there. We aren't writing him off because we've seen him flash in the past, but his inability to block kills his snap counts.
Odds are he'll be very TD-dependent, however, this is as good of a landing spot as we could have hoped for. If he's ever going to bounce back, it's this season.
Austin Hooper, New England Patriots One Year, $3.125 Million
Hooper is no longer fantasy-relevant even on a team that loves to utilize two TEs. He'll go waste away behind Hunter Henry like everyone else. Also, don't buy into any positive reports out of camp. Ask Jonnu Smith and Mike Gesicki how much those matter.
Hayden Hurst, Los Angeles Chargers One Year, $1.125 Million
Hurst is a just a guy. Nothing special. However, all their tight ends are mediocre to bad and Hurst may be the best one. He's definitely the most proven pass-catcher. We expect him to be Justin Herbert's top receiving tight end this season. What that's worth, we're not quite sure yet. There is a chance he will pop up in a lot of waiver articles in 2024.
Will Dissly, Los Angeles Chargers Three Years, $14 Million
The Chargers also signed Dissly, who has had some nice stretches in the past. Still, we view him as more of the blocking TE in LA. However, there is a world where he could end up the top guy in LA.
Irv Smith, Kansas City Chiefs One Year, $1.292 Million
Smith never panned out like many hoped after his career was derailed by injuries. It's unlikely he does much in Kansas City behind Travis Kelce either.
Jody Fortson, Miami Dolphins One Year, $1.225 Million
Fortson is a gifted pass-catcher, however, he has been plagued by injuries as much as any player I've ever seen. We don't expect much out of him, but there is a chance he becomes an end-zone threat in Miami on the off chance he stays healthy.
Pharaoh Brown, Seattle Seahawks One Year, $3.2 Million
When given opportunities in New England last season, Brown actually looked pretty good. The issue was the lack of opportunities. Odds are he'll be buried behind Noah Fant, but Brown has some pass-catching chops if they give him a shot.
Woerner was buried on the depth chart in New Orleans and not much will change in Atlanta.
Chris Manhertz, New York Giants One Year, $1.377 Million
Manhertz is little more than a depth signing who may not make the team.
Jack Stoll, New York Giants One Year, $1.105 Million
Stoll will be battling Manhertz for a roster spot and isn't fantasy-relevant.
Giovanni Ricci, Cleveland Browns One Year, $1.105 Million
Who? Hell if I know. This is the only free agent that has signed at any position that I saw the name and had no idea who he was. So I'll go with not relevant.
