The 5 Best Tight Ends In The NFL Today

The tight end position is often a forgotten position; at least, it used to be.

Tight ends have been undervalued at times, but now seem to be making a comeback in today’s NFL.

Some teams are getting back to using them as a weapon to match up against undersized corners or slower linebackers. Either way, if you have a tight end that is a viable pass catcher, you can put up some points.

Here are the best tight ends, in my opinion, today in the NFL.

Let me reiterate: TODAY.

I am not handing out a lifetime achievement award to a couple of the fantastic tight ends that will be on this list.

5. Antonio Gates- San Diego Chargers

Gates has been Philip Rivers’ favorite target over the years. He has 569 catches for 7,468 yards as I write this and has recorded 73 touchdowns in his career.

What makes Gates so much of a threat is not just his size but his speed. He also does an excellent job of using his body as a shield to keep defenders on his back.

4. Jermichael Finley- Green Bay Packers

Finley could be a big wideout if he wanted to. He has that type of speed. He is still young in his career, but could be a future HOF candidate if he stays with Aaron Rodgers.

There are a couple of downsides in Finley’s game though. He tends to drop the ball more than you’d like to see. He has tremendous athletic ability, but he needs to get some better gloves if he wants to be a Hall of Famer. The other thing Finley has working against him is Rodgers has so many options on offense that he can sometimes get lost.

In his career, Finley has 118 catches so far for 1,564 yards and 12 TD’s.

3. Tony Gonzalez- Atlanta Falcons

Gonzalez has proven over time that he is always a great option, especially when a quarterback is scrambling and looking for a sure-handed target to throw it to.

How’s this for career numbers? 1,128 catches for a whopping 13,093 yards and 95 touchdowns. Gonzalez HAS to be a lock for the HOF with those numbers, and he may go down as the best to ever play the position.

He has lost a step in his older age, but he takes great care of his body and is still an excellent safety valve for Falcon QB Matt Ryan.

2. Jimmy Graham- New Orleans Saints

Graham may be young, but he is an athlete. Plain and simple he may be the most athletic tight end in the NFL today.

In his two-year career, Graham already has 98 catches for 1,313 yards. He is quickly becoming Drew Brees’ favorite target. The Saints have a lot of weapons, but that doesn’t seem to be slowing down Graham from hauling in his fair share of catches, and especially red zone looks, as his 6’6 frame has allowed him to snare 8 touchdown catches so far this year.

1. Rob Gronkowski- New England Patriots

Before you are quick to say that I am crazy, let me me preface this selection: I HATE the Patriots. I hate Belichick and Brady more than words can describe. So it is begrudgingly that I put Gronk at the number one spot.

But seriously, look at the guy. He’s 6’6 and built like a Mack truck, and not only does he have great hands he can run. He is the best deep threat Brady has.

Gronk already has 102 catches for 1,410 yards in is two-year career. He is someone the opponent has to account for and causes a match up nightmare for the opposing defensive coordinator.

You may disagree on where these five players fall in my top five, or you may think I snubbed someone, but in my mind, these are the top five tight ends as of today in the NFL.

Who are yours?

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