NFL free agents 2022: Ranking the top 10 tight ends originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston
After doling out a combined $87.5 million on Hunter Henry and Jonnu Smith last offseason, the New England Patriots are likely content to sit out the free agent market for tight ends this time around.
Should they be?
While Henry developed into a favorite target for rookie quarterback Mac Jones, particularly in the red zone, Smith was essentially a nonfactor for New England in Year 1. The Patriots still have Devin Asiasi and Dalton Keene, third-round picks in the 2020 NFL Draft, under team control, although neither player caught a pass in 2021.
Top 2022 NFL free agents by position: QB | RB | WR | OL | DL | EDGE | LB | CB | S | K | Top 25 overall
Should New England dip back into the free-agent pool for upgrades at tight end, it will find several notable veteran players — including one who called Foxboro home for nine seasons. Here’s a look at the top 10 tight ends set to become…