Tight ends. Probably one of the more underrated positions in the league and in real life football. It is the perfect mix of offensive line and wide receiver. Tight ends play a huge role in this league and it is time to give the thicc boys a little bit of love. With the season 22 draft nearing, a lot of teams have been listed with a need at the position. So, who are the cream of the crop and what makes them different from the rest? Let’s take a look.
In the season 22 class there are a total of 24 tight ends on record; 20 of them are rostered in the DSFL. Now not all prospects are created equal or earn the same. Lets get a break down of the TPE numbers at the position.
>200: 1
180-200: 2
150-180: 1
100-150: 2
60-100: 8
50-60: 10
Most of the earners at the tight end position are under 100TPE. The class was quite large so there was always the prospect of people going IA shortly after creating or being unable to earn efficiently. With the figure of teams needing a tight end around 5, the top of the class (being over 100 TPE) will suffice for the teams needs. There are also a number of tight ends in the system already that could be dealt around or move in free agency. A few names will be in regression like Jammerson Irving and Johnny Blaze so those teams will be looking for some young talent to replace their stars.
Now where are all these tight ends at in the DSFL? Some teams like to hold on to a few of them and play them in multiple roles while others are just one and done.
Myrtle Beach: 3 | High: 195 Low: 66
Dallas: 3 | High: 228 Low: 65
London: 4 | High: 143 Low: 50
Kansas City: 1 | High: 57 Low: 57
Portland: 3 | High: 182 Low: 81
Norfolk: 2 | High: 50 Low: 50
Minnesota: 1 | High: 81 Low: 81
Tijuana: 2 | High: 83 Low: 65
The top of the class seems to be in four locations those being Myrtle Beach, Dallas, London, and Portland. A few of those will likely be send downs to help their teams in the coming season but 3 to 4 of the top 6 could very well see themselves being called up to start the next season. If the player is in the top 3 of the position, they could very well be chosen within the first three rounds. With two expansion teams and a lot of players hitting regression, it is not much of a reach considering two tight ends went in the first 12 picks last draft. If you need one, you will have to grab one early if you want the best of the best.
Now not all tight ends are built the same. Some are built to be a 6th offensive lineman while others are more suited as a slot receiver. Whichever archetype is chosen, the versatility is there. In the league there are 4 archetypes, each having their own strengths and weaknesses. Vertical threat is better suited to playing in a more wide receiver role while the heavy blockers are like a discount lineman.
With the aforementioned 24 tight ends making up the season 22 class, the archetype breakdown is as follows:
Vertical Threat: 4
Blocking: 1
Balanced: 18
Possession: 1
Balanced is the clear favorite among tight end creates. It is easy to see why. It allows the player to be good but not great at nearly every stat. They have high strength, hands, and speed cap while still being capable in the blocking game. It’s an easy selection for an all-around player, but maybe this means another look need to be made at the archetypes to make them more desirable. Vertical threat is a favorite among veterans like Austin McCormick and Johnny Blaze and allows them to be faster on the field and act like a bigger, strong wide receiver.
This tight end class is full of a ton of top earners and is likely one of the best in recent years. This of course could have to do with the shear size of the class that came in. Even with a loaded class ahead of them in season 21, this class takes the cake as far as tight end talent. As of right now there are no tight ends in the season 23 class. This of course could change during the off-season but if you need a franchise player at tight end and you don’t already have one, this is the draft you need to capitalize on. So take notes general managers. This kind of tight end class doesn’t come around often.
(794 words)
In the season 22 class there are a total of 24 tight ends on record; 20 of them are rostered in the DSFL. Now not all prospects are created equal or earn the same. Lets get a break down of the TPE numbers at the position.
>200: 1
180-200: 2
150-180: 1
100-150: 2
60-100: 8
50-60: 10
Most of the earners at the tight end position are under 100TPE. The class was quite large so there was always the prospect of people going IA shortly after creating or being unable to earn efficiently. With the figure of teams needing a tight end around 5, the top of the class (being over 100 TPE) will suffice for the teams needs. There are also a number of tight ends in the system already that could be dealt around or move in free agency. A few names will be in regression like Jammerson Irving and Johnny Blaze so those teams will be looking for some young talent to replace their stars.
Now where are all these tight ends at in the DSFL? Some teams like to hold on to a few of them and play them in multiple roles while others are just one and done.
Myrtle Beach: 3 | High: 195 Low: 66
Dallas: 3 | High: 228 Low: 65
London: 4 | High: 143 Low: 50
Kansas City: 1 | High: 57 Low: 57
Portland: 3 | High: 182 Low: 81
Norfolk: 2 | High: 50 Low: 50
Minnesota: 1 | High: 81 Low: 81
Tijuana: 2 | High: 83 Low: 65
The top of the class seems to be in four locations those being Myrtle Beach, Dallas, London, and Portland. A few of those will likely be send downs to help their teams in the coming season but 3 to 4 of the top 6 could very well see themselves being called up to start the next season. If the player is in the top 3 of the position, they could very well be chosen within the first three rounds. With two expansion teams and a lot of players hitting regression, it is not much of a reach considering two tight ends went in the first 12 picks last draft. If you need one, you will have to grab one early if you want the best of the best.
Now not all tight ends are built the same. Some are built to be a 6th offensive lineman while others are more suited as a slot receiver. Whichever archetype is chosen, the versatility is there. In the league there are 4 archetypes, each having their own strengths and weaknesses. Vertical threat is better suited to playing in a more wide receiver role while the heavy blockers are like a discount lineman.
With the aforementioned 24 tight ends making up the season 22 class, the archetype breakdown is as follows:
Vertical Threat: 4
Blocking: 1
Balanced: 18
Possession: 1
Balanced is the clear favorite among tight end creates. It is easy to see why. It allows the player to be good but not great at nearly every stat. They have high strength, hands, and speed cap while still being capable in the blocking game. It’s an easy selection for an all-around player, but maybe this means another look need to be made at the archetypes to make them more desirable. Vertical threat is a favorite among veterans like Austin McCormick and Johnny Blaze and allows them to be faster on the field and act like a bigger, strong wide receiver.
This tight end class is full of a ton of top earners and is likely one of the best in recent years. This of course could have to do with the shear size of the class that came in. Even with a loaded class ahead of them in season 21, this class takes the cake as far as tight end talent. As of right now there are no tight ends in the season 23 class. This of course could change during the off-season but if you need a franchise player at tight end and you don’t already have one, this is the draft you need to capitalize on. So take notes general managers. This kind of tight end class doesn’t come around often.
(794 words)