NFL 2014: Tight Ends on the Rise
NFL 2014: Tight Ends on the Rise

 

In today's NFL, more teams are factoring the tight end into the offense.

In 2013, NFL tight ends broke the single-season record for the most receiving yards (27,284) and touchdown catches (236) for the position. Tight ends also combined for 2,384 catches, which ranks second to 2012's record total (2,401).

 

Single-Season Tight End Records:

Season Catches Season Yards Season TDs
Source: NFL
20122,401201327,2842013236
20132,384201127,0802011198
20112,341201226,1972012197

 

"I've never seen this many tight ends this good at one particular time," says Pro Football Hall of Famer Shannon Sharpe, one of eight tight ends enshrined in Canton. "We've never seen the position this dominant. This is the golden age of tight ends."

In a banner season for the position with standout performances by tight ends across the league, Jimmy Graham of New Orleans led the way. His 16 touchdown catches were the second-most in a single season by a tight end in NFL history (Rob Gronkowski, 17 in 2011).

San Francisco's VERNON DAVIS also posted 13 TD receptions in 2013, tied for the third-most ever in a season by a tight end.

 

NFL tight ends with the most touchdown receptions in a season:

Tight End Team Season TDs
Source: NFL
Rob GronkowskiPatriots201117
Jimmy GrahamSaints201316
Vernon Davis49ers200913
Vernon Davis49ers201313
Antonio GatesChargers200413

 

Graham also led NFL tight ends with 1,215 receiving yards in 2013, joining Tony Gonzalez (two) as the only tight ends in NFL history with multiple 1,200-yard receiving seasons.

The versatility of today's tight ends causes matchup problems for the defense, which is crucial in the NFL's never-ending chess game between offensive and defensive coordinators.

"You look at the majority of the explosive pass plays on the field, it's because of tight-end representation," says ESPN analyst and former NFL quarterback Trent Dilfer. "Not because tight ends get them every play, but because of their influence on the field. It's the hardest riddle for the defense to answer, especially if you have two of them that can complement each other."

When an offense trots out a two-tight end, two-receiver personnel group, the defense must be ready for anything, particularly when one or both of the tight ends is a receiving threat.

"I think Kellen Winslow and Ozzie Newsome really revolutionized the position and now you're seeing more and more of these guys," says NBC analyst and former head coach Tony Dungy. "They're difficult to defend and I think you're going to continue to see more tight ends become big-time playmakers."

 

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NFL 2014 - Tight Ends on the Rise