The 2016 NFL Draft wasn’t as heavy on tight ends as in years past. In fact, the tight end market has been a bit damp since the Lions drafted Eric Ebron at No. 10 overall two years ago and Austin Seferian-Jenkins went in the second round.
The 2013 tight end class made waves, but because of Ebron’s ineffectiveness and Seferian-Jenkins’ injury problems, there haven’t been many younger TEs that have taken over the league since. 2013 had guys such as Tyler Eifert, Zach Ertz and Travis Kelce, among others.
Last year’s class was mostly non-existent with Maxx Williams and Clive Walford leading the way, although both should see increased roles in their second years.
Will any of this year’s tight ends make immediate impacts, or will we have to wait, much like we have the last couple seasons, for guys to step up in the fantasy world?
Hunter Henry, San Diego Chargers
Henry was by far the highest-rated tight end among this year’s class. He dominated the college ranks (51 catches, 739 yards, three TDs), didn’t drop a pass last season and that all led to the John Mackey Award.
It didn’t take long for him to make an impression with the Chargers as he made headlines almost immediately in San Diego. With Ladarius Green gone, there’s no doubt he will see time this year, but with Antonio Gates still there, he won’t have a major role.
Because of that, Henry will only be a worthy fantasy play if Gates gets hurt, and that’s not out of the question for a guy that’ll be 36 years old when the season starts. In addition to Gates, the Chargers added Travis Benjamin in the offseason to go with Keenan Allen and Stevie Johnson. Philip Rivers already has more options than a season ago and it’s hard to see Henry becoming a main option due to those factors.
He could be a TE1 next season, but targets in 2016 will be hard to come by for Henry. Yet, if Gates gets hurt, Henry will be on everyone’s waiver list.
(Jerod Foster/Icon Sportswire)
Austin Hooper, Atlanta Falcons
Hooper maybe isn’t as talented as Henry (getting drafted about 40 picks later shows that), but his situation looks a little better. The Falcons have been in need of a relevant tight end since Tony Gonzalez left. All of the hype in the world didn’t make Jacob Tamme any better last year and Levine Toilolo will always be more of a blocker.
As head coach Dan Quinn said, they intend to use Hooper as a receiving option, due to his “separation and the ability for him to break off in the option routes.” He’s an athletic guy that maybe needs to add some muscle, but he’s a weapon and that’s what the Falcons need.
Outside of Julio Jones, the options are a toss up with new WR Mohamed Sanu stepping in to go with Justin Hardy and Devin Hester. With so much attention on Jones all over the field, most notably in the end zone, expect Hooper to carve out some kind of role in this offense.
At 6-foot-4, Hooper could end up being Ryan’s second-favorite red zone target. He’ll be a late-round tight end to keep an eye on, maybe more so than Henry.
Tyler Higbee, Los Angeles Rams
Higbee was drafted about 30 picks later than Hooper, and the same can be said about him; Higbee may see more action than both Henry and Hooper.
The Rams put all their money into Jared Goff and they drafted weapons around him. That includes tight ends Higbee and Temarrick Hemingway, but also receivers Pharoh Cooper and Mike Thomas.
Obviously, Higbee’s assault charges are a concern, but the Rams were confident enough to draft him in the fourth round.
He’s a big guy (6-foot-6) that Goff could find a liking to, probably more so than Lance Kendricks. With the top WR options being Tavon Austin, Kenny Britt and Brian Quick, it wouldn’t be a surprise if Higbee was a starter out of the gates and made an impact. Of course, that only happens if he doesn’t get suspended.
Seattle drafted Nick Vannett in the third round, but don’t expect much from him as he’ll be used mostly along the line as a blocker.
Every other tight end drafted was in the sixth round or later and it’s hard to see any of them making an impact in their rookie seasons. Former Baylor basketball player Rico Gathers is a project and won’t do much this season, while Thomas Duarte could find a role with the Dolphins, just not this year.
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