NFL free agency 2021: Best tight ends available

Tight end may no longer be a marquee position in every passing game across the NFL, but there are several marquee players available in free agency at the position in 2021.

The tight end position has seemingly been devalued in offenses across the NFL, but that also has coincided by a recent dearth of talent at the position, which could send teams shopping for an upgrade via free agency in 2021.

While there has been a dearth of production from tight ends overall, with just the Kansas City Chiefs’ Travis Kelce and Las Vegas Raiders’ Darren Waller among the NFL’s top-10 leading receivers last season, tight ends still play a vital role in several schemes across the league.

Given that there is a fairly significant drop off from Florida’s Kyle Pitts and Penn State’s Pat Freiermuth and the rest of the tight ends in the 2021 NFL Draft class, it wouldn’t be surprising to see teams look to free agency to add quality depth and target reliable pass catchers at the position.

5) Tyler Kroft

Last season, Dawson Knox emerged as a favorite target of quarterback Josh Allen as Kroft spent a pair of stints on the COVID-19 reserve list.

Kroft only caught 10 presses for 107 yards and a pair of touchdowns in seven games in a diminished role. Even in the games that he was active for, Kroft appeared in fewer than half of the Bills’ offensive snaps.

At age 28, remains a fluid route-runner and at times flashes reliable hands, but it remains to be seen whether he is anything more than a second-option in two-tight end sets at this stage of his career.

It is highly unlikely that the Bills will make any real attempt to bring Kroft back, but he could offer upside to a team looking to fortify depth at tight end and could provide some value on a one-year prove-it contract.