Who are some of the top free agent options available at the tight end position for the Indianapolis Colts this offseason?
As general manager Chris Ballard said after the season, the Colts need a much greater presence in the passing game from the tight end position.
The Colts’ tight end unit as a whole in 2024 would total just 467 receiving yards. Believe it or not, there were actually 25 individual tight ends last season who had more receiving yards than the Colts entire tight end room.
There is also something to be said for having a tight end who can impact both the running and passing games. When that element is present in an offense, there’s a layer of unpredictability that comes with that, and can help keep defenses off-balanced because there are a variety or roles that player can have on any given play.
However, when it comes to addressing this need, the draft may end being the Colts best avenue for doing so. This year’s free agent class at the tight end position isn’t very strong, which and either lead to contracts increasing or not finding the desired impact that’s needed.
But on the flip side of that, adding some sort of help in free agency can reduce the feeling of ‘we have to address this position’ in the draft. No team wants to feel like drafting a certain position group is a must because it can limit flexibility. And while everyone is fixated on the Colts landing Tyler Warren, that’s not a given either.
From a salary cap perspective, the Colts have just over $28 million in available space. This likely won’t be enough to get through an entire offseason, but they do have the ability to create more room.
With help from Pro Football Focus’ free agent rankings, here are three of the top available options at tight end:
Juwan Johnson, Saints
Johnson had his most productive year as a pass-catcher in 2024, totaling 50 receptions on 64 targets (78%) for 548 yards with three scores. In two of the last three seasons, he’s eclipsed the 500 yard receiving mark.
For what it’s worth–and while not the be-all-end-all by any means–as a run-blocker in PFF’s grading system, he’s graded out as average to below-average in that category.
Mike Gesicki, Bengals
According to PFF’s metrics, Gesicki greatly improved as a run-blocker in 2024 compared to his grades in previous seasons–although his bread-and-butter is as a receiving threat. As a pass-catcher, he totaled 665 yards in 2024 with two touchdowns.
Of note, Gesicki was rarely asked to line up in-line, and instead spent his time in the slot or on the boundary. During the 2020 and 2021 season with Miami, Gesicki surpassed 700 receiving yards in each of those seasons.
Tyler Conklin, Jets
Conklin’s production has been steady in the passing game over the last four seasons. He totaled 449 receiving yards and four touchdowns in 2024, while from 2021-2023, he totaled at least 550 receiving yards in each of those seasons.
Conklin lines up primarily in-line, although he can play from the slot, and by PFF’s grading system, he’s graded out as a so-so run-blocker.
