In the pass-happy NFL, tight ends don’t do as much dirty work, “blocking”, as they used to. They’re more like receivers in tight end’s bodies that split out a lot and look to produce at an elite level in the passing game. There’s nothing wrong with that, but true, old-fashioned tight ends deserve plenty of due as well. I’m sure some heads turned when former Penn State football TE Jess James signed a four-year, $25 million dollar deal with the Detroit Lions, and he’s never put up more than 423 receiving yards.
With that said, it’s not as shocking considering he’s an asset as a blocker.