How important is a TE

[Whatever]

(01-30-2024, 03:12 PM)bfine32 Wrote: Name the 4-best TEs in the NFL: One could make a great argument for LAPORTA, KITTLE, KELCE, ANDREWS.
What do they have in common? They all played in the conference Championship game

When discussion turns to TE around here one of the quick arguments is: A TE is not a focal point of a Taylor offense.

Yet:
UZOMAH had a career year the one year he spent w/ JB and Zac

HURST restarted his career in Cincy w/ JB and Zac

HUDSON went from a garbage journeyman to a viable part of our offense

I think we currently have 0 TEs under contract and that's not a bad thing IMO

Many are suggesting Tee is priority#1 in the off-season, but money/draft capital may be better spent getting a stud TE.

FA market is kinda thin at the top. He have the likes of Schultz, Fant, and Gesecki.

The draft has a stud TE (Bowers) and if he makes it to 18 he should be the pick

Then we have "rebuilding teams" that may entertain trade

Hockenson is pricey, but could likely be had from Minny as they clear cap

Pitts is being wasted in ATL, maybe the new regime there would prefer picks

Bears would most likely move KMET

What are other's thoughts on TE?

Hockenson and Kmet recently signed extensions and their teams would eat more dead cap than they would save by trading them.

A guy that COULD become available is Mark Andrews.  The Ravens are in bad cap shape for next year with a ton of pending FA's, plus may have the heir apparent already with Likely.  I doubt we would do a trade, but if he's released(he has a large roster bonus due next year), he would be an option.

Pitts is an interesting option, but it's hard to say how much Atlanta values him, as well as are you getting '21, '22, or '23 Kyle Pitts?  Though, another option is the Falcons need a QB and if Daniels doesn't make it to them, do they trade back for Penix or Nix, maybe opening the door to move up to 8 for an elite talent(Bowers?).