22:
450:
all, they have to block linebackers and defensive linemen. They also run routes and catch passes from the quarterback and have to out run corners. They are also among its heavier players, with only linemen and some linebackers weighing more than averaged-sized tight ends. As a result, tight ends are almost universally slower than wide receivers and running backs, although occasionally one with exceptional speed appears. An example of a tight end with a speed advantage—at the expense of blocking ability—is 6-foot-3-inch (1.91 m) 248-pound (112 kg)
425:
often stronger than the cornerbacks and safeties who try to tackle him. In general, there is an inherent trade-off between a tight end's speed and agility and their size, meaning more mobile tight ends tend not to be as effective as blockers. This results in great premiums being placed on tight ends that can fill both roles effectively. When a team cannot find both in a single player they often rotate between those who are stronger in one role better than the other depending on the type of skill required by given plays.
376:
164:
37:
91:, and overall team dynamic. In some systems, the tight end will merely act as a sixth offensive lineman, rarely going out for passes. Other systems use the tight end primarily as a receiver, frequently taking advantage of the tight end's size to create mismatches in the defensive secondary. Many coaches will often have one tight end who specializes in blocking on running plays while using a tight end with better pass-catching skills in passing situations.
111:
416:
situations or to sow confusion in the defensive backfield with such an unusual formation. When a blocker larger than a tight end is desired without sacrificing the player's ability to catch a pass the position is sometimes filled by an offensive lineman who reports to the referee that he is an eligible receiver, referred to colloquially as a "tackle eligible".
476:; tight ends are able to wear any number other than 50–79. The NCAA "strongly recommends" ends wear 80–99, but this is not required. In the NFL, numbering has changed in 2021, which allows them to wear numbers 0-49 and 80–89. The 0–49 number range is a relatively recent addition to the rules; as a result, most tight ends still bear numbers in the 80–89 range.
76:. As part of the receiver corps, they play inside the flanks (tight), contrasted with the split end who plays outside the flanks (wide). Like offensive linemen, they are usually lined up on the offensive line and are large enough to be effective blockers. On the other hand, unlike offensive linemen, they are
449:
Most tight ends are large in size, with an average height of 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) and a weight exceeding 254 lb (115 kg). They are usually among the taller members of the team, comparable in height to many linemen. Tight ends need to be this size and weight because they do it
424:
Historically, the primary role of a tight end was blocking, with strategic use as a receiver. Over time the emphasis of offense has shifted from running to passing, and with it the role of the tight end as a receiver expanded. The tight end is usually faster than the linebackers who cover him and
415:
Historically, a single tight end was used, typically placed on the right side of the offensive line. In the early 2000s two tight end formations began to be used with more frequency. Specialty plays may deploy 3- or 4-tight-end sets in "heavy" or "jumbo" packages, usually to block in short-yardage
191:
characterized as a "three ends" system. The receiver spread out on numerically inferior "weak" side of the formation was commonly known as the "split end;" the end lining up to the same side as the flanker, positioned close to the blocking linemen, became known as the "tight end." This tight end
432:
speed, coupled with greater overall size and strength. Plays utilizing their assets are designed to capitalize on their combination of size, speed, and wingspan, at times spreading them out on the line like wide-receivers, off the line in the slot, or putting them in motion in the backfield.
255:
were less popular. Strong safeties in those times also were favored for their run defense over coverage speed. Providing them another defender to help cover
Winslow opened up holes for other receivers. Winslow would line up unpredictably in any formation, variously in a
137:
during the 1940s and '50s. Originally, substitutions were limited by rule, forcing players to be adept on both sides of the ball, with most offensive linemen doubling as defensive linemen or linebackers, and running backs and receivers doubling as defensive backs.
391:
Tight ends have two primary roles: (1) act as a blocker and (2) act as a receiver. Very occasionally, a tight end is also given the opportunity to rush with the ball. This typically happens when they are put in motion before the ball is snapped.
279:'s athletic prowess as a route-runner helped change the way tight ends were used by teams. Consistently double-covered as a receiver, he became the first tight end in NFL history to rack up over 10,000 career receiving yards.
303:
that season also passed
Winslow with 1,310 yards. Six of the NFL's 15 players with the most receptions that year were tight ends, the most in NFL history. Previous seasons usually had at most one or two ranked in the top.
652:
637:
412:, to block for both running backs and receivers. Tight ends are used as blockers to protect the quarterback during passing plays, to open holes in the line, and downfield to tie up linebackers and defensive backs.
319:
the tight end serves as the 3rd offensive lineman (along with the center and guard). Although they are eligible receivers they rarely go out for passes and are usually only used for screen passes when they do.
717:
441:
The decline of the fullback as a rushing position has seen the occasional deployment of tight ends as ball carriers, either aligned in the backfield or out of the slot in a reverse or sweep.
698:
97:
Tight ends in 2024 make an average of 8 million dollars a year. Some of the top tight ends make around 17 million dollars a year. This position is one of the lowest paid in the NFL.
272:
notes that the pass-catching tight ends that get paid the most are "all direct descendants of Kellen
Winslow", and there are fewer tight ends now that can block on the line.
629:
725:
836:
862:
428:
At the extreme end the receiving spectrum are 'hybrid' tight ends that are drafted primarily for their pass-catching abilities. Often, these players have near-
660:
1083:
800:
473:
901:
Kraemer, William; Torine, Jon; Silvestre, Ricardo; French, Duncan; Ratamess, Nicholas; Spiering, Barry; Hatfield, Disa; Vingren, Jakob; Volek, Jeff (2005).
777:
195:
Greater use of the tight end as a receiver in the cutting edge offenses of the 1960s led to the emergence of the first stars at the position, including
192:
position, developed in the 1950s, embraced both blocking and receiving functions and flourished as part of the specialization of the two-platoon era.
183:
By the start of the 1960s many pro clubs had begun to position the flanker back far to the outside, just behind the line of scrimmage, part of what
702:
675:
153:
sets quickly became a thing of the past, with a hybrid running back–receiver known as the "flanker back" positioned outside and behind the
902:
472:
Specific skill positions typically are issued jersey numbers in a restricted range. High school rules nationally are determined by the
1076:
1361:
958:
1367:
367:
Since 2019, the NFL celebrates
National Tight Ends Day on the fourth weekend of October to highlight tight ends in the league.
559:
408:, and therefore able to block more effectively. Among offensive ball-handlers it is the job of the tight end, along with the
1394:
1069:
268:
referred to such multi-dimensional tight ends as "jokers", calling
Winslow the first ever in the NFL. Patriots head coach
1275:
1144:
141:
With the relaxation of substitution rules in professional football from the 1940s and after 1964 in the college game, a
1132:
467:
157:
and running backs, at their "flank." The receivers on each end of the line of scrimmage retained their historic name,
145:
of offense and defense became the norm, with most players active on only one side of the ball. With the advent of the
1052:
873:
252:
227:
Nonetheless, tight ends remained primarily blockers lined up next to an offensive tackle and given short to medium
212:
1283:
683:
1371:
1356:
295:
brought height, setting single-season tight end records in 2011 with 17 touchdowns—breaking Gates's and
848:
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1253:
1241:
409:
150:
1249:
1157:
1139:
1092:
1015:
983:
485:
748:
A study conducted by Apex
Fantasy Leagues indicated 69.1 percent of peak seasons fall within that range.
1341:
1303:
1229:
1188:
1152:
1061:
288:
1148:
758:
352:
324:
1349:
1333:
1203:
158:
323:
However, in
Canadian football, tight ends are, in general, no longer used professionally in the
941:
243:, or put in motion to avoid being jammed at the line. Defenses would cover him with either a
548:
316:
88:
287:, who both played basketball in college, pushed the position toward wide receiver speed and
21:
356:
168:
83:
The tight end's role in any given offense depends on the preferences and philosophy of the
801:"NFL celebrates National Tight Ends Day with rap song, custom shirts, celebrity shoutouts"
8:
739:
208:
184:
114:
94:
Offensive formations may have as few as zero or as many as three tight ends at one time.
73:
239:
in wide receiver-type routes. Winslow was lined up wide, in the slot against a smaller
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29:
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555:
344:
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77:
65:
57:
937:
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1113:
917:
335:
is a former tight end in
Canadian football. There remain some tight ends in use at
261:
53:
455:
299:'s record of 13—and 1,327 receiving yards, surpassing Winslow's record of 1,290.
264:
receiver's stance, or put in motion like a flanker or offensive back. Head coach
216:
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61:
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532:"Washington Redskins: All Will Be Bright and Shiny — Except After Kickoffs,"
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118:
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1207:
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380:
332:
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133:
The advent of the tight end position is closely tied to the decline of the
25:
550:
The Games That
Changed the Game: The Evolution of the NFL in Seven Sundays
163:
1199:
1184:
1174:
1162:
232:
188:
154:
146:
1091:
387:, demonstrates the athleticism of a tight end in its role as a receiver.
68:. It is a hybrid that combines the characteristics and roles of both an
36:
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248:
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228:
196:
110:
84:
351:
or possibly receive a tryout in the NFL. He was drafted by the CFL's
921:
1329:
1287:
328:
307:
Tight ends generally hit their peak between the ages of 25 and 30.
699:"Graham, Gronkowski go back and forth with tight end yardage mark"
505:
176:
837:
Double trouble: Cowboys' Parcells jumping on two-tight-end trend
1345:
1257:
903:"Body Size and Composition of National Football League Players"
990:
851:
by Mike Tanier, October 20, 2006. Retrieved
February 25, 2010.
1307:
900:
40:
Example of tight end positioning in an offensive formation.
718:"Ever-evolving tight end position truly changing the game"
778:"What is National Tight Ends Day? History of NFL holiday"
630:"The Indispensable Tight End Is Making His Presence Felt"
401:
404:), the tight end is larger, stronger, and slower than a
676:"Playoffs showcase Browns' lack of big-play tight end"
759:"Mock 2.0: Ankou, Senior jump up the charts - CFL.ca"
474:
National Federation of State High School Associations
984:"Football: 2016 and 2017 Rules and Interpretations"
839:, September 20, 2006. Retrieved February 25, 2010.
611:
609:
607:
547:
80:and potent weapons in a team's offensive schemes.
1386:
849:Too Deep Zone: Running with Multiple Tight Ends
604:
1016:"NFL Jersey Numbers | NFL Football Operations"
827:by Mark Lawrence. Retrieved February 25, 2010.
539:
310:
1077:
910:Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research
327:, but are still used at the college level in
653:"New Breed of Tight End Is Unchecked So Far"
536:New York: Fawcett Publications, 1961; p. 35.
896:
894:
863:"Average NFL Height and Weight by Position"
798:
359:as an undrafted free agent that same year.
355:in 2017, but instead signed with the NFL's
179:, was large even by contemporary standards.
1084:
1070:
715:
503:
362:
825:Football 101: Tight Ends and Quarterbacks
891:
799:McCarriston, Shanna (October 22, 2023).
673:
650:
374:
347:, was a contender to be selected in the
162:
109:
35:
20:
528:
526:
1387:
1042:
775:
640:from the original on January 30, 2013.
627:
444:
222:
1065:
716:Darlington, Jeff (February 2, 2012).
696:
628:George, Thomas (September 29, 2002).
674:Ridenour, Marla (January 16, 2012).
523:
860:
740:"The Peak Age For an NFL Tight End"
651:Battista, Judy (January 17, 2012).
129:before a snap during a game in 2018
13:
1036:
872:. Idaho University. Archived from
506:"Tight end Contracts and Salaries"
468:Uniform number (American football)
14:
1406:
461:
400:In the National Football League (
776:Molski, Max (October 23, 2022).
1047:. Lerner Publications Company.
1008:
976:
951:
854:
842:
830:
818:
792:
769:
751:
732:
709:
697:Flori, Mike (January 1, 2012).
690:
667:
343:, formerly a tight end for the
291:strength and wingspan. At 6'6"
1045:Football's Toughest Tight Ends
644:
621:
592:
580:
568:
497:
235:offense began using tight end
125:) lining up on the end of the
1:
615:
598:
586:
574:
545:
491:
383:, shown here playing for the
16:Position in American football
701:. NBC Sports. Archived from
659:. p. B9. Archived from
554:. Random House. p. 92.
419:
7:
1395:American football positions
486:American football positions
479:
395:
311:Tight ends in other leagues
10:
1413:
959:"2017 NHFS Football Rules"
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105:
100:
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1265:
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337:university level football
231:. Starting in 1980, the
175:, a four-time first-team
370:
353:Saskatchewan Roughriders
1043:Aaseng, Nathan (1981).
363:National Tight Ends Day
989:. NCAA. Archived from
663:on September 11, 2012.
546:Jaworski, Ron (2010).
454:, who achieved a 4.38
388:
180:
167:At 6'6" and 265 lbs.,
130:
41:
33:
996:on September 27, 2016
780:. NBC Sports Bay Area
378:
317:Arena Football League
166:
113:
89:offensive coordinator
39:
24:
744:Apex Fantasy Leagues
728:on February 5, 2012.
686:on January 20, 2012.
680:Akron Beacon Journal
357:Tampa Bay Buccaneers
169:New England Patriots
28:a tight end for the
879:on January 26, 2021
705:on January 8, 2012.
445:Physical attributes
379:At 6'7", 265 lbs.,
223:The modern position
209:St. Louis Cardinals
185:Washington Redskins
32:, in the open field
1193:Kickoff specialist
1020:operations.nfl.com
947:on March 16, 2013.
657:The New York Times
634:The New York Times
534:Pro Football 1961.
389:
385:New Orleans Saints
181:
143:two-platoon system
135:one-platoon system
131:
78:eligible receivers
42:
34:
30:Kansas City Chiefs
1382:
1381:
1377:
1376:
1365:
1242:Halfback/Tailback
1101:Canadian football
1097:American football
746:. April 10, 2023.
561:978-0-345-51795-1
345:Laval Rouge et Or
260:blocking stance,
70:offensive lineman
66:Canadian football
58:American football
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765:. April 3, 2017.
755:
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729:
724:. Archived from
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688:
687:
682:. Archived from
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504:Overthecap.com.
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1037:Further reading
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456:forty yard dash
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217:Baltimore Colts
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1250:Change of pace
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1118:Skill position
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466:Main article:
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462:Jersey numbers
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372:
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364:
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349:2017 CFL Draft
341:Antony Auclair
312:
309:
293:Rob Gronkowski
277:Shannon Sharpe
275:In the 1990s,
270:Bill Belichick
237:Kellen Winslow
224:
221:
173:Rob Gronkowski
127:offensive line
107:
104:
102:
99:
62:arena football
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1318:Wide receiver
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1300:Kick returner
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1296:Punt returner
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1246:Triple-threat
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1237:Running backs
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1133:Special teams
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616:Jaworski 2010
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599:Jaworski 2010
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587:Jaworski 2010
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575:Jaworski 2010
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1368:Nomenclature
1325:
1226:Long snapper
1208:Game manager
1044:
1023:. Retrieved
1019:
1010:
998:. Retrieved
991:the original
978:
966:. Retrieved
953:
942:the original
916:(3): 485–9.
913:
909:
881:. Retrieved
874:the original
869:
856:
844:
832:
820:
808:. Retrieved
804:
794:
782:. Retrieved
771:
762:
753:
743:
734:
726:the original
721:
711:
703:the original
692:
684:the original
679:
669:
661:the original
656:
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633:
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594:
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533:
513:. Retrieved
510:Over the Cap
509:
499:
471:
452:Vernon Davis
448:
440:
427:
423:
414:
399:
390:
381:Jimmy Graham
366:
333:Tony Gabriel
322:
314:
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301:Jimmy Graham
297:Vernon Davis
274:
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205:Jackie Smith
194:
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56:position in
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26:Travis Kelce
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1204:Dual-threat
1200:Quarterback
1185:Placekicker
1175:Edge rusher
1163:Nose tackle
810:October 28,
784:October 28,
258:three point
233:Air Coryell
229:drag routes
213:John Mackey
189:Bill McPeak
155:quarterback
147:T-formation
1357:Formations
1314:Receivers
1292:Returning
1284:Nickelback
1272:Cornerback
1218:Linebacker
805:CBS Sports
601:, pp.93–94
492:References
266:Jon Gruden
251:, because
249:linebacker
241:cornerback
197:Mike Ditka
171:tight end
117:tight end
115:LSU Tigers
85:head coach
1338:Tackling
1326:Tight end
1222:Snapping
1093:Positions
1025:April 18,
515:April 29,
420:Receiving
262:two point
149:, double
54:offensive
46:tight end
1389:Category
1372:Strategy
1330:Slotback
1322:Eligible
1288:Dimeback
1280:Halfback
1262:Wingback
1254:Fullback
938:24997384
930:16095394
883:July 15,
870:Webpages
638:Archived
480:See also
410:fullback
396:Blocking
329:U Sports
151:halfback
74:receiver
52:) is an
1350:Utility
1180:Kicking
1158:Linemen
1140:Linemen
1126:Defense
1114:Offense
1000:May 23,
968:May 23,
722:NFL.com
618:, p.112
577:, p.81.
437:Rushing
315:In the
215:of the
207:of the
199:of the
177:All-Pro
159:"ends."
106:Origins
101:History
1346:Upback
1342:Gunner
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1276:Safety
1258:H-back
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1167:Tackle
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763:cfl.ca
589:, p.93
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1149:Guard
994:(PDF)
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371:Roles
247:or a
123:right
1362:List
1099:and
1049:ISBN
1027:2024
1002:2019
970:2019
926:PMID
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283:and
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1095:in
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325:CFL
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