As the 2021-2022 NFL season concludes, tight ends competed with the receivers for best in the league with Travis Kelce, George Kittle among others thriving this year. So I take a look at 3 tight ends who didn’t have the best season but have a very good chance to have a breakout season next year.
David Njoku, Cleveland Browns
Recording 36 receptions, 475 yards on 13.2 yards per catch on 4 touchdowns, Njoku had a very productive year for the first time since his 2018 season where he recorded over 600 receiving yards. With him staying healthy this season. He was first among the Browns’ top-five most-used receivers with a 67.9 percent catch rate, accumulated by catching 36 of 53 targets. The percentage was Njoku’s highest of his career. But the real question is whether David resigns with Cleveland because he is a upcoming free agent. So we’ll see if he can keep his season momentum going whether it’s with Cleveland or with another team.
Gerald Everett, Seattle Seahawks
With the main headline for the Seahawks being Russell Wilson missing time with the hand injury, Everett has been somewhat productive with whoever was at quarterback for Seattle. He tallied up 48 receptions, gaining 478 receiving with reaching the end zone 4 times. Everett finished a respectable ninth among tight ends with 50 or more targets averaging 5.2 yards after the catch per reception. He was 3rd on the team in yards after catch, becoming one of Russell Wilson’s favorite targets so if like Njoku, Everett is also on a contract year so it would seem like it would be in the interest of both the Seahawks and Everett could reach a long term deal it would be efficient for both of them.
Evan Engram, New York Giants
Evan Engram is apart of the disappointing Giants offense that was near the bottom of the league in everything category for offense but himself had an improving season. He secured 46 catches on 408 yards averaging 8.9 yards per catch with getting 3 touchdowns. He is an undervalued pass catcher but excels in some blocking aspects. With the Giants hiring Brian Daboll formerly the Bills offensive coordinator had a big part in the explosive offense that Buffalo had and hopes to translate that to help turn around the Giants franchise and involve Engram in a way that the Patriots successfully utilized Rob Gronkowski.
