The free-agent tight end market has not seen much activity lately, which is understandable given the incoming rookie class.
However, a few standout tight ends (George Kittle, Trey McBride, and Dallas Goedert) have been in the headlines for their contract situations. McBride and Kittle received huge four-year extensions from their respective teams, while Goedert and the Eagles agreed to a restructured contract for the 2025 season.
With the Eagles not moving on from Goedert, the hope is that the free-agent tight end market can start picking up momentum before OTAs later this month. Former Houston Texans tight end Jordan Akins hopes to find a new opportunity sooner rather than later after a better-than-expected 2024 season with the Cleveland Browns.
The Browns were one of the worst teams in the NFL last season for a variety of reasons, but the former Texans pass catcher played well despite the turmoil.
Akins posted 40 receptions (58 targets) for 390 yards and two touchdowns. The last time he had 50-plus targets was in his final year with the Texans in 2022. During that season, the vet posted 37 receptions (54 targets) for 495 yards and five touchdowns.
At this stage of his career, Akins is a lower-end TE2 who can be used as a blocker and a pass catcher. Last season, the veteran tight end averaged 4.4 yards after the catch per reception and nine games with at least three catches.
The former Texans’ third-round pick won’t blow defenses away with his speed or anything, but he can be a reliable target in your offense.
During his five-year tenure in Houston, Akins produced 151 receptions (216 targets) for 1,755 yards and eight touchdowns. Spotrac projects the former Texan’s calculated market value as a one-year, $2.9 million deal. If that’s the going rate for Akins, he’ll likely find a new team before the start of training camp.