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Baltimore Ravens tight end Charlie Kolar interacting with some teammates after a big play versus the Miami Dolphins.
The New York Jets will sign free agents of all shapes and sizes this offseason.
NFL Insider Matt Lombardo told me on “Boy Green Daily” that a “deep sleeper” to watch for the Jets this offseason is Baltimore Ravens tight end Charlie Kolar.
“I’ll give you a bit of a deep sleeper to watch here, and I think he is going to cash in, maybe not at the top of the market because there are so many top tight ends this year, but keep an eye on Charlie Kolar, the No. 3 tight end from the Baltimore Ravens,” Lombardo said.
“Not a lot of production because, of course, he was stuck in that room with Mark Andrews and Isaiah Likely the last couple of years. When he had opportunities, he was a bit of a big play magnet: 10 catches, 142 yards, two touchdowns last year, all career highs when he was given more of an opportunity,” Lombardo explained.
“He is a guy I keep hearing that teams really like. They like what they have seen in glimpses; they love the personality and the leadership traits.”
“You look at the Jets situation we talk about all the time, the value of a reliable tight end for a young quarterback. Let’s just assume that they’re drafting a quarterback at some point, you bring in a Charlie Kolar, and he is essentially the Zach Ertz for Jayden Daniels or the Tony Gonzalez for a Matt Ryan. Now obviously not comparing skill sets, but in terms of reliability [and a] veteran presence,” Lombardo told me on the podcast.
#NFL Insider Matt Lombardo told me a “deep sleeper” to watch for the #Jets in free agency: #Ravens TE Charlie Kolar.
“He is a guy I keep hearing that teams really like. They like what they’ve seen in glimpses. They love the personality and the leadership traits that they have
Projecting What Kind of Deal Kolar Could Sign
Kolar, 27, entered the league as the No. 128 overall pick in the fourth round of the 2022 NFL draft.
In his four years in the NFL, he has appeared in 47 games and has made 13 starts. With those opportunities, Kolar has totaled 30 receptions on 41 targets for 409 receiving yards and four touchdowns.
The former Iowa State product just completed his $4.3 million rookie contract. According to Spotrac’s calculated market value, he is in line for a similar bag of money this offseason. He is projected to be worth a one-year $1.7 million contract.
According to Over The Cap, that $1.7 million annual salary would place him No. 55 among the highest-paid tight ends in the NFL.
The folks over at The Athletic project him to receive a much larger contract on the open market. According to Daniel Popper’s contract projections, Kolar is expected to land a three-year, $21 million contract.
That $7 million annual salary would place Kolar No. 22 among the highest-paid TEs in the league, per OTC.
On the Ravens’ official roster sheet, Kolar is listed at 6-foot-6 and weighs 265 pounds.
“Kolar is an elite run-blocking tight end with untapped potential as a pass catcher. He has [a] great sense and timing on double-team combo blocks. [Kolar] delivers a shot and then climbs to the second level, and he is a bona fide weapon in those specific blocking schemes. He has outstanding movement skills and athleticism in space … He has the speed to stretch the seams and good hands, and he is slippery after the catch,” Popper wrote.
How Badly Do the Jets Need an Upgrade at Tight End?
The Jets invested the No. 42 overall pick in LSU’s Mason Taylor in last year’s NFL draft. He certainly showed some flashes, but his numbers don’t jump off the page.
Before the 2025 season wrapped up, the Jets extended Jeremy Ruckert on a $10 million deal. He is a solid depth piece. Ruckert can block and catch the ball out of the backfield.
If the Jets had a chance to add some sizzle to the TE room, they should do it. A dynamic receiving threat would be a nice complement to Garrett Wilson.
It’s unclear if Kolar checks off that box, considering his limited sample size of success.
Paul Esden Jr. covers the New York Jets for Heavy.com. A New York native, he co-hosts a morning show, “The Manchild Show with Boy Green Digital.” Before joining Heavy in 2021, Esden Jr. covered both national and New York sports for FanSided, Elite Sports NY, and The Score 1260. More about Paul Esden Jr.
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