In its ongoing summer series, The Pewter Report examines and ranks each position group in the NFC South. So far, we’ve documented and ranked quarterbacks, running backs, and wide receivers in the NFC South. We are now entering a tense situation in the NFC South.
quarterback
running back
wide receiver
Similar to wide receivers, NFC South’s tight end room provides wide coverage across the NFL. He has one room that is nominated for one of the best rooms in the entire league, and the other room might be nominated for one of the worst or underperforming rooms. This group considered published grading metrics, taking into account not only traditional statistics such as catches and yards, but also more advanced metrics such as yards per route run, average separation, catch rate, and competitive catch rate. increase. I rate each group based on the expected top 3 tight ends.
Atlanta Falcons
Falcons TE Kyle Pitts – Photo Credit: Cliff Welch/PR
This is the second group of Falcons to emerge in the top spot so far and join the running backroom. The Falcons’ offense as a whole is arguably underrated and most likely to be the highest-scoring offense in the division, despite the biggest question mark being the QB.
Leading this group is “The Unicorn”. Kyle Pitts might be better off with a wide receiver. And if I had done that, it would have boosted Atlanta’s No. 4 receiver room. But he’s listed as a tight end, spending over a quarter of his snaps inline last year (which was a 4% improvement over his rookie season), so we’re keeping him there. I’m going to keep
After averaging more than 15 yards per catch in his 1,000-yard debut season, 2022 saw a slump due to injuries and a decline in quarterback play. He finished with 28 catches for 356 yards and two touchdowns. However, since entering the league, he averaged nearly his 2 yards per route run with an average target depth of 12.0 and a drop rate of just 4.0%. Pitts is one of the league’s few tight ends who has proven that he can work well as a centerpiece of the passing game.
The Falcons acquired Baylor candidate Jonu Smith behind Pitts. Just two years after signing one of the most lucrative tight-end contracts in history, Smith was fired when the Patriots struggled to reach his full potential. One person who knows how to get the most out of Smith is Falcons head coach Arthur Smith. During 2019 and 2020, when Coach Smith was the Tennessee Titans’ offensive coordinator, Smith had the best two years of his career.
The athletic tight end posted Pro Football Focus stats of 72.0 and 75.2 with 76 catches for 887 yards and 11 touchdowns. In addition, Smith is the perfect complement to Pitts, operating more inline and on short to mid-distance routes, allowing Pitts to act as a “moving” tight end both in the slot and wide.
Parker Hesse is expected to serve as third fiddle on the Falcons offense. Hessen isn’t much of a threat with just 17 targets he’s scored in the last two years. However, he is a very effective blocker in 12 and 13 manpower. Hesse scored 77.4 and 70.9 blocking grades and 72.5 and 61.2 runs from the PFF during the same period. Hesse gets some snaps and adds to the Falcons’ dangerous run game.
With a proven Alpha, a reliable No. 2 pass catcher who’s been successful in this offense, and a solid No. 3 blocking block, the Falcons have the best tight end group in the NFC South.
new orleans saints
Saints TE Juwan Johnson – Photo Credit: USA Today
While not as good as the Falcons, the Saints boast one of the best tight-end rooms in NFC when considering depth. Topping the list is the criminally underrated Juwan Johnson. The undrafted free agent from Oregon spent a quiet second year in the league, becoming one of the best tight ends in the NFC.
Emerging as the Saints’ No. 1 tight end, he caught 42 of 61 passes for 508 yards and seven touchdowns. Johnson ranked 17th in the league in yards per route run and 7th in average target depth. And Johnson’s better-than-expected 1.1 yards after a catch ranked him ninth among eligible tight ends. Next generation stats.
Behind Johnson is Foster Morrow’s strong presence. In his first four years in the league, Morrow proved himself a reliable No. 2 behind Darren Waller, averaging 23 catches for 277 yards and three touchdowns per season.Produced by Moreau PFF grade 58.8 to 70.8 It shows he can be a high-end No. 2 with a spot start when he needs to.
The final piece of the Saints’ tight-end puzzle is Taysom Hill, a gadget player extraordinaire. Hill could very well be one of the most unique players in the league. And while he probably won’t be a full-time starter for anything (quarterback or tight end), the fact remains that he’s a big play creator in the tight end room.
With 42 rushing, receiving and passing touchdowns in his career, Hill has to take responsibility for it every time he steps on the field. What he lacks in consistency from play to play, he more than makes up for in the threat of big plays. Hill’s uniqueness sets him apart from other tight ends in the NFC South.
Combining rising talent, a reliable second option and a dangerous weapon, the Saints have the second best tight end room in the NFC South.
carolina panthers
Panthers TE Hayden Hurst – Photo Credit: USA Today
The Panthers’ tight end room ranks third in the NFC South due to its stability and low ceilings. Between Hayden Hurst, Ian Thomas and Tommy Tremble, the Panthers can expect NFL-level play from him in a low profile.
Hurst played a season with the Bengals in 2022 and experienced a bit of a comeback. Tasked with serving as a safety blanket for superstar quarterback Joe Burrow behind elite playmakers Jamar Chase, Tee Higgins and Tyler Boyd, Hurst has been out since being traded from Baltimore to Atlanta after the 2019 season. enjoyed the best season. He secured his 80% of his goals with 52 captures, primarily in a post hoc role.
However, he only gained 414 yards and two touchdowns on 52 catches. Hurst’s target depth average dropped to a career-low 5.3, but his post-catch yards per receive and yards per route run were both below career averages. At this point in his career, Hurst is far from an athlete who contributed to a first-round draft pick. But he’s a solid duo who can find a way to outwit you. For the rookie quarterback who could be a savior.
Thomas received a significant contract extension from the Panthers just over a year ago. Thomas rewarded his team with just 21 catches for 197 yards and no touchdowns. The deal was with the old government, and the current government has no obligation to keep him in office beyond what is economically prudent. Despite his size and athletic prowess, Thomas has yet to establish himself as an NFL starter. His best campaign in terms of scoring was his 2018 he posted. PFF grade is 53.3. Thomas is a solid pass blocker and a decent run blocker, but doesn’t offer much as a receiving threat.
Tremble has similarly failed to live up to his potential as a third-round pick in 2021. The diminutive but athletic tight end hasn’t hit even 65% of his goal in two seasons, despite averaging just 8.6 target depths. . He has struggled to open up and make difficult catches. Perhaps new head coach Frank Reich can get more out of the young pass catcher, but I’m not optimistic.
The Panthers won’t lack a capable tight end play in 2023, but the third ranked tight end group in the NFC South likely has a high end play from this group as well. This is because the sex is the lowest.
Tampa Bay Bucks
Bucks TE Cade Otton – Photo Credit: Cliff Welch/PR
Bucks has NFL’s youngest tight end group, Not to mention NFC South. Cade Otton is technically a veteran of the group, having been drafted hours before Ko Kiev. Otton has had a successful rookie season and has established himself as a more reliable starting candidate towards the end of the season. Otton finished the season with his PFF grade of 56.6.
But there are still serious questions about whether he can be anything more than a replacement-level starter in the NFL. And if he’s by far the best option, with little competition to push him into the starting role, it’s arguably the worst group of tight ends in the NFC South.
With youth comes possibility. And Otton has a lot of potential. Last year it was seen in a spurt, as he made several clutch catches late in the game. These were often big plays on long seam routes and game-winning scores, as was the case against New Orleans on Monday Night Football.
Otton has shown some promise as a receiver, but will need to show he can play a more consistent role throughout the game. The new system offensive coordinator Dave Canales is putting in place is not just quarterback-friendly, it’s also tight-end friendly, which should give Otton those opportunities. But while it’s possible, Otton will need to improve on some aspects of his game. He ranked 33rd in catch percentage (66.7%), 24th in yards after catch (4.5), and 36th in average target depth.
Rookie Payne Durham is considered likely to be number two in this room. Durham is known to be a better college pass catcher than Keeft and a solid blocker that gives him a fuller skill set. The Bucks hope Durham’s tendency to make tough catches and be a goal-line threat will translate into NFL levels, perfect complement to Otton’s post-catch yardage.
Finally, Keeft should be used as the blocking h-back/third tight end that did so well last year. He was a solid but unobtrusive blocker in both the running and passing games, and was a pleasant surprise as a pass catcher. Keeft hit seven of his 10 targets for 80 yards and one touchdown. Keeft may have more chances this year with a revamped Bucks offense.
The Bucs room is probably the most difficult project to pin down and the project with the most variable results. Otton could make a big leap, Keeft could shine with a new offense, and Durham could live up to his reputation as a tough catch. Alternatively, all three could be victims of growing pains due to their youth and lack of experience, with no veterans to help them grow. Ultimately, his number 4 position is the most reasonable place to get them into the NFC South, but by the end of the year, it’s easy for them to move up one position, or maybe two. can be imagined.
final thoughts
Overall, the NFC South has a variety of tight-end rooms. From highly talented, to diverse, to solid but uninspiring, to young and unproven. We get a very interesting evaluation. Ultimately, though, the hierarchy of this position group within the NFC South is fairly two-tiered, with the Falcons and Saints in clear favor against the Panthers and Bucks.
