Juwan Johnson, Jimmy Graham, and Foster Moreau of the New Orleans Saints combined for 64 receptions, 600 yards, and nine touchdowns in 2023. The Saints tight ends averaged just 25 receptions for 223 yards, even after accounting for Tysom Hill, who had 33 catches for 291 yards and two touchdowns.
The prior offensive coordinators should share some of the responsibility for not involving Johnson or Graham in the offense nearly enough. This offseason, the team might still try to add another two-way threat to the position. particularly because Graham, 37, is about to enter free agency.
On Wednesday, NFL free agency officially got underway. Though they won’t have much salary cap room for major acquisitions, the Saints should be able to take care of a couple of their requirements. A tight end isn’t always essential. The organization could, nevertheless, look into a few names and Klint Kubiak’s offensive scheme as a potential replacement for the offensive coordinator.
(Patents for age and former team)
• Chargers’ Gerald Everett (29).
• Panthers’ Hayden Hurst (30)
• Bengals’ Irv Smith Jr. (25).
• Patriots’ Mike Gesicki (28).
Raiders’ Austin Hooper (29).
• Noah Fant, Seahawks (26).
Hayden Hurst, a tight end for the Carolina Panthers, attempts to stiffen Kenny Moore II, a cornerback for the Indianapolis Colts (23).
When it comes to free agency, Everett may be the finest player still available in this position. At 6’3″ and 250 pounds, Everett is a huge target who possesses the athleticism to give him an advantage against linebackers in a contest. Despite not being a particularly good blocker, he is a reliable in-line tight end who can play a significant role in the passing game.
Hurst has injury concerns because he missed the final eight games of the previous season due to a major head/neck injury. Apart from that, Hurst is a capable blocker with the athleticism and route-running ability to be an effective receiver out of the slot or off the line.
Irv Smith Jr., the son of former Saints tight end Irv Smith Sr., has spent the majority of his four-year career dealing with injuries. While he may not be as skilled as his father at blocking, he is undoubtedly a superior pure receiver. Smith might be a steal as a free agent if he maintains his health. During his first several seasons with the Vikings, he also played for the new offensive coordinators, Kubiak and Rick Dennison of the Saints.
Irv Smith Jr. (81) of the Cincinnati Bengals, a tight end, scores a touchdown pass against the Buffalo Bills.
Throughout his six-year career, Gesicki has shown flashes of excellence as a pass catcher, despite being underutilized in his final two seasons. Gesicki, at 6’6″ and 245 pounds, is a slender target. Although he is a passable blocker, he offers significant matchup benefits for the passing game.
Hooper is a talented pass catcher but has spent his entire career largely as a blocker. Although he lacks the athleticism of some of the players on this list, he is a reliable release off the line, making him a good intermediate choice.
Similar to Smith, Fant was once selected highly in the draft but hasn’t lived up to the hype. Fant has experienced limited offensive opportunities with frequently poor quarterback performance. Despite this, he is a strong pass receiver who has the potential to be an every-down player as a blocker.
Mike Gesicki (88), a tight end with the New England Patriots, makes a catch while playing the Buffalo Bills.
The offense led by Klint Kubiak uses several tight ends. Juwan Johnson has demonstrated his ability to be a reliable receiving option. Johnson would be even more productive with the addition of another tight end, particularly one with strong blocking skills and a reliable release off the line.
New Orleans might target this position in what appears to be a rather deep draft class. The Saints are even reportedly selecting Georgia tight end Brock Bowers as the 14th overall choice in some mock drafts.
There will be a number of excellent tight ends available in free agency, as was already mentioned. The Saints may add a fresh weapon for Klint Kubiak without significantly impacting their salary cap because the position doesn’t always command a high salary on the open market.
