The tight ends of Gen Z poised to take over the NFL

Carmen Vitali

NFC North Reporter

We’ve been spoiled with generational talent at the tight end position in the NFL for so long. 

In 2010, Rob Gronkowski came into the league. By the time he retired (the second time) after the 2021 season, he had solidified himself as the greatest tight end in the history of the NFL and a first-ballot Hall of Famer.

But Chiefs star Travis Kelce isn’t far behind in chasing Gronk’s records. He also has multiple Super Bowls under his belt. With Gronk no longer in the picture, Kelce is undoubtedly the leader of this current tight end class. Fellow All-Pro George Kittle of the 49ers is right in the mix, too. The rise of the Tight End University — started by Kittle, Kelce and former Panthers tight end Greg Olsen — has helped shine the spotlight on a sometimes under-appreciated position.

Here’s the thing, though. Kelce and Kittle are on the other side of the dreaded age of 30. But fear not, a new class of tight ends — and there are quite a few — are ready to make star-like ascensions.

In a league where the ever-versatile tight end is criminally underrated, this new wave is making more noise. They are bigger factors in the flashy receiving game, but in a fun twist, so many of them are excellent as extensions of the offensive line. 

Tight ends are also being used more these days, so we’re getting to know these names earlier. Last season, teams trotted out a multiple tight-end personnel grouping (12 personnel or 13 personnel) an average of 21.8 percent of the time. Twelve personnel (one running back, two tight ends, two receivers), take up the lion’s share of that having been deployed an average of 19.3 percent of the time.

Compare that with five years ago, where in 2018, multiple tight end sets were used 20.2 percent of the time, which doesn’t sound like a whole lot of difference until you break it down between 12 and 13 personnel yet again. In 2018, teams ran 12 personnel just 16.5…

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Publish date : 2024-08-08 15:06:02

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