The NFL's increased use of tight ends could have an impact on how teams approach the draft
The move by NFL offenses in recent years to counter nickel defenses by using more and more tight ends at the same time could have a big impact on the way some teams approach this week's draft . The multiple tight end formations that teams like Seattle, the Los Angeles Rams and Chicago Bears used with great success in 2025 to exploit smaller defenses will likely be adopted by more teams this year. That could put a premium on drafting the big versatile players who can contribute as both run blockers and pass catchers.
“I think offenses have tried to counter that by getting them back into base defenses by going heavier,” Bears coach Ben Johnson said of the approach of offenses against defenses with extra defensive backs. "Sometimes 12 personnel (one running back, two tight ends) will do the trick, other times 13 (one running back, three tight ends) will do the trick. I think having some versatility at the tight end position, that’s hard to find.
... When you have that versatility, it really opens up Pandora’s box. ” The Bears ran the third-most plays last season with multiple tight ends on the field with 501 after surprising some experts by drafting Colston Loveland 10th overall last year to team with Cole Kmet.
But they were far from alone. The 48,102 offensive snaps played by tight ends last season were the most on record going back 20 years, according to Sportradar. Tight ends also set a record for most receptions (2,866) and yards receiving (29,072) with the yardage per game total increasing 37% over the past 20 seasons.
“I think it’s awesome,” said Kenyon Sadiq , the top tight end prospect in this year's draft. “More tight ends in the game, more snaps for everyone. I think you’re just able to do so much with different kinds of tight ends and different types of personnels in the game.
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