Jordy McElroy
July 8, 2024 1:29 pm ET
The tight end role could be a serious position of strength for the New England Patriots in 2024, depending on the development of their rookie talent.
Hunter Henry is one of the better tight ends in the NFL, and the team signed veteran Austin Hooper to a one-year deal in free agency. That duo alone gives the Patriots a formidable pair to attack opposing defenses with on the field.
However, things really get interesting when considering the ways the offense could evolve with a versatile playmaker like rookie seventh-round draft pick Jaheim Bell. Undrafted rookie Jacob Warren also hopes to factor into the equation at training camp.
But it all starts at the top for the Patriots with Henry, who signed a three-year extension to stay in New England in the offseason. Henry is one of the most reliable all-around skilled position players on the roster, and he could serve as a nice safety blanket receiving target for veteran quarterback Jacoby Brissett or rookie Drake Maye.
Here’s where the eight-year veteran ranked in Pro Football Focus’ top-32 highest-graded tight ends:
32. Chigoziem Okonkwo, Titans
Jan 7, 2024; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Titans tight end Chigoziem Okonkwo (85) stiff arms Jacksonville Jaguars safety Rayshawn Jenkins (2) during the first half at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-USA TODAY Sports
Grade: 62.1
30. Noah Fant, Seahawks
Nov 19, 2023; Inglewood, California, USA; Seattle Seahawks tight end Noah Fant (87) catches a pass during pre-game drills before an NFL game against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports
Grade: 62.9
30. Noah Gray, Chiefs
Feb 11, 2024; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Kansas City Chiefs tight end Noah Gray (83) runs with the ball against the San Francisco 49ers during the fourth quarter of Super Bowl LVIII at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Grade: 62.9
29. Charlie Woerner, Falcons
Dec 17, 2023; Glendale, Arizona, USA; San Francisco 49ers tight end Charlie Woerner (89) against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Grade: 63.5
26. Gerald Everett, Bears
Nov 26, 2023; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Chargers tight end Gerald Everett (7) celebrates his touchdown scored against the Baltimore Ravens during the second half at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Grade: 65.6
26. Tyler Conklin, Jets
Jan 7, 2024; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New York Jets tight end Tyler Conklin (83) runs the ball against the New England Patriots in the first half at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
Grade: 65.6
26. Isaiah Likely, Ravens
Jan 20, 2024; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens tight end Isaiah Likely (80) runs the ball against Houston Texans cornerback Desmond King II (25) during the third quarter of a 2024 AFC divisional round game at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports
Grade: 65.6
25. Pat Freiermuth, Steelers
Jan 15, 2024; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills cornerback Kaiir Elam (24) tackles Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth (88) in the first half in a 2024 AFC wild card game at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Grade: 65.8
24. Andrew Ogletree, Colts
Aug 24, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Indianapolis Colts tight end Andrew Ogletree (85) on the sidelines against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
Grade: 66.2
22. Kyle Pitts, Falcons
ATLANTA, GEORGIA – DECEMBER 10: Kyle Pitts #8 of the Atlanta Falcons reacts after scoring a touchdown during the first half of a against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on December 10, 2023 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Alex Slitz/Getty Images)
Grade: 68.1
22. Luke Musgrave, Packers
Jan 14, 2024; Arlington, Texas, USA; Green Bay Packers tight end Luke Musgrave (88) catches a touchdown catch over Dallas Cowboys safety Jayron Kearse (1) during the second half for the 2024 NFC wild card game at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Grade: 68.1
21. David Njoku, Browns
Jan 13, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Cleveland Browns tight end David Njoku (85) before a 2024 AFC wild card game at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-USA TODAY Sports
Grade: 68.2
20. Dalton Kincaid, Bills
Jan 15, 2024; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills tight end Dalton Kincaid (86) scores a touch-down in the first half against the Pittsburgh Steelers in a 2024 AFC wild card game at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Grade: 68.8
19. Hunter Henry, Patriots
Aug 10, 2023; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots tight end Hunter Henry (85) warms up before a game against the Houston Texans at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports
Grade: 69.3
18. Darren Waller, Giants (retired)
Dec 31, 2023; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Giants tight end Darren Waller (12) after a game against the Los Angeles Rams at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Grade: 69.4
17. Brevin Jordan, Texans
Jan 13, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Texans tight end Brevin Jordan (9) celebrates their win against the Cleveland Browns in a 2024 AFC wild card game at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Grade: 69.9
16. Dallas Goedert, Eagles
Jan 15, 2024; Tampa, Florida, USA; Philadelphia Eagles tight end Dallas Goedert (88) makes a catch against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the second half of a 2024 NFC wild card game at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-USA TODAY Sports
Grade: 71.0
15. Will Dissly, Chargers
Detroit Lions linebacker Malcolm Rodriguez (44) tackles Seattle Seahawks tight end Will Dissly (89) during the second half at Ford Field in Detroit on Sunday, Sept. 17, 2023.
Grade: 71.3
14. Dalton Schultz, Texans
Jan 13, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Texans tight end Dalton Schultz (86) scores a touchdown during the second quarter in a 2024 AFC wild card game at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Grade: 71.5
13. Evan Engram, Jaguars
Jacksonville Jaguars tight end Evan Engram (17) hauls in a pass against the Tennessee Titans during their game at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., Sunday, Jan. 7, 2024.
Grade: 71.6
12. Pharaoh Brown, Seahawks
Oct 29, 2023; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; New England Patriots tight end Pharaoh Brown (86) reacts after running with the football against the Miami Dolphins during the third quarter at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports
Grade: 73.3
11. Cole Kmet, Bears
Nov 9, 2023; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears tight end Cole Kmet (85) runs after a catch against the Carolina Panthers during the third quarter at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Bartel-USA TODAY Sports
Grade: 73.7
10. Jake Ferguson, Cowboys
Jun 4, 2024; Frisco, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys tight end Jake Ferguson (87) goes through a drill during practice at the Ford Center at the Star Training Facility in Frisco, Texas. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
Grade: 74.5
9. Josh Oliver, Vikings
Nov 19, 2023; Denver, Colorado, USA; Minnesota Vikings tight end Josh Oliver (84) reacts after scoring a touchdown in the first half against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Grade: 75.1
8. Taysom Hill, Saints
Jan 7, 2024; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Taysom Hill (7) against the Atlanta Falcons during the first half at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports
Grade: 75.3
7. Trey McBride, Cardinals
Arizona Cardinals tight end Trey McBride (85) is tackled by San Francisco 49ers cornerback Deommodore Lenoir (2) during the third quarter at State Farm Stadium in Glendale on Dec. 17, 2023.
Grade: 76.3
6. Sam LaPorta, Lions
Jan 28, 2024; Santa Clara, California, USA; Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta (87) runs with the ball against San Francisco 49ers cornerback Ambry Thomas (20) during the first half of the NFC Championship football game at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
Grade: 77.0
5. Marcedes Lewis, Bears
Oct 1, 2023; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears tight end Marcedes Lewis (84) makes a catch against the Denver Broncos during the second half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike Dinovo-USA TODAY Sports
Grade: 77.1
3. T.J. Hockenson, Vikings
Nov 20, 2022; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson (87) looks on during the first quarter against the Dallas Cowboys at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
Grade: 78.8
3. Mark Andrews, Ravens
Sep 18, 2022; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Baltimore Ravens tight end Mark Andrews (89) reacts during the game against the Miami Dolphins at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Grade: 78.8
2. Travis Kelce, Chiefs
Feb 11, 2024; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (87) celebrates after winning Super Bowl LVIII against the San Francisco 49ers at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Grade: 82.6
1. George Kittle, 49ers
Nov 23, 2023; Seattle, Washington, USA; San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle (85) carries a roast turkey as he jogs to the locker room following a 31-13 victory against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
Grade: 87.7
