NFL Free Agency 2021: Ranking the 5 best tight ends available

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - NOVEMBER 29: Kyle Rudolph #82 of the Minnesota Vikings reacts after a play in the fourth quarter of the game against the Carolina Panthers at U.S. Bank Stadium on November 29, 2020 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images) /

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Hunter Henry. (Photo by Chris Unger/Getty Images) /

2. Kyle Rudolph (Released by Minnesota Vikings)

It was not a super shock that the Vikings let go of veteran Kyle Rudolph after 10 seasons. He was one of the team’s most reliable players but the writing seemed to be on the wall. In any case, whoever claims the two-time Pro Bowler will be getting a quality pass catcher. It wasn’t all that long ago he was catching the game-winning score in overtime when the Vikings surprised the Saints in the 2019 wild card playoffs at the Superdome.

For his career, Rudolph has snared 453 balls and 48 have gone for scores in 140 regular-season contests. But he also comes off a 2020 season in which he played in just a dozen games and totaled only 28 receptions. And his one touchdown was a career-low.

1. Hunter Henry (Los Angeles Chargers)

A year ago, 26-year-old veteran Hunter Henry played for the franchise tender for his position in the form of a one-year, $10.607 million deal. There was speculation that the Los Angeles Chargers might tag him for a second consecutive time but that never transpired. A second-round pick by the club in 2016 from the University of Arkansas, he missed the entire 2018 regular-season due to injury but did return a postseason game vs. the Patriots that year.

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So in 55 career regular-season outings he’s totaled 196 receptions for 2,322 yards and 21 scores. This past season and with young Justin Herbert as the primary quarterback, he finished with career bests in targets (93) and catches (60).

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