Ranking the 5 worst tight ends the Bills will face in 2024

There are many tough opponents on the Bills schedule for 2024. Because of this, there are quite a few tight ends that the Bills will face that are the cream of the crop. Notable ones are Travis Kelce, Mark Andrews, Sam LaPorta, Dalton Schultz, George Kittle, and Evan Engram.

That is six top end tight ends, not to mention there are some above-average tight ends like Hunter Henry, Jonnu Smith, and Trey McBride. Two of those above-average ones are in the division, so that is 10 overall games they face above-average to elite tight ends.

So the five worst tight ends they face this year are not the absolute worst in the league, but they definitely are not the biggest threat, especially on their respective teams.

Ranking the 5 worst tight ends the Buffalo Bills will face in 2024

Chigoziem Okonkwo (Tennessee Titans)

To be fair, not many people outside Tennessee know who their starting tight end is. For good reason though, considering they have a lot more threats on offense. With the off-season additions of Tyler Boyd, Calvin Ridley, and Tony Pollard, while still having DeAndre Hopkins on the roster.

So the threat of the Titans in the tight end department is pretty low. Okonkwo didn't have a bad season in 2023, registering 528 yards, 54 catches on 77 targets, and 1 touchdown. His production though might dip in 2024 because of all the other aforementioned weapons on this Titans team.

Jelani Woods (Indianapolis Colts)

Jelani Woods had some buzz around him in his rookie year, but then suffered injuries that forced him to miss the 2023 season. Woods had 25 receptions on 40 targets, 312 yards and 3 touchdowns in 2022.

Even though there is some promise for Woods, he did miss the 2023 season because of injury which could hamper his 2024 season. Not only that, but the Colts also have some decent weapons. They have Michael Pittman Jr., Josh Downs, a promising rookie in Adonai Mitchell, and their premier running back in Johnathan Taylor.

Noah Fant (Seattle Seahawks)

Much like the Titans and the Colts, the Seahawks tight ends are not the focal point of their offense. With the big-time threats of D.K. Metcalf, Tyler Lockett, and Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Fant is on the outside looking in. Fant's 2023 stats were the worst so far in his career, even worse than his rookie season.

Whether it be because of these 3 wide receivers demanding the ball, Fant not getting many looks in the progression of the play, or just a slump. Either way, he is not demanding as much attention from opposing defensive coordinators anymore.

Tyler Higbee (Los Angeles Rams)

Higbee is a key cog in the Rams offense that helps key targets like Cooper Kupp, Puka Nacua and Kyren Williams flourish. With that being said, he is kind of trapped as the fourth or fifth option in the passing game. Unlike the tight ends mentioned above though, he is a more well established tight end that will continue to have the trust of his quarterback more often than not.

Tyler Conklin (New York Jets)

Tyler Conklin didn't really start to emerge as a viable weapon until he got to the Jets. Conklin was traded after his best season in Minnesota, amassing 61 catches, 593 yards, and 3 touchdowns. Since that season, he has been consistent with the Jets and replicating these numbers in his breakout season with the Vikings.

With all that being said, he still isn't a big threat that makes defenses respect him that much more. Plus, he is competing for targets in this offense that has 2 rising stars in Garrett Wilson and Breece Hall, a competent veteran in Mike Williams, and a promising rookie in Malachi Corley.