When a football quarterback drops back to pass the main targets he looks for are wide receivers and tight ends. The similarities between receivers and tight ends stop there however, since the positions line up differently, have different duties and vastly different player attributes.
Wide Receiver Job Description
The primary job of wide receivers is to catch passes. Receivers do have blocking assignments on running plays, but those are secondary to their duties as a pass catcher. In fact, many times, receivers run fake routes on running plays in an effort to take some defenders out of the play. Teams play with at least two and up to five receivers on the field at once, using more for obvious passing situations.
Tight End Job Description
Tight ends are more balanced in their job duties. Tight ends are seen as primarily blockers on running plays who also catch passes in passing situations. However, it is important to note that tight ends do not always go out for passes, instead they can be asked to block on passing plays as well. Tight ends are always blockers for running plays and are often thought of as a sixth offensive lineman.
Formation Lineup
Wide receivers and tight ends line up in different places on the field due to their duties. Tight ends line up on the line of scrimmage or right behind it on the end of the offensive line. Depending on the formation, tight ends could line up on the outside of the left or right tackle. Wide receivers line up wide, usually about 10 yards toward the sideline from the end man on the line of scrimmage. This can vary based on the number of receivers, the type of play called and the individual offensive scheme. Wide receivers line up wide to give them room to run their routes and keep them clear of the line area. Tight ends are tight to aid in blocking around the line of scrimmage.
Size and Speed
Two of the biggest differences between wide receivers and tight ends are size and speed. According to Mocking the Draft, speed and quickness is important for wide receivers with size being less important. Meanwhile, for tight ends, height and weight is important for blocking purposes, while speed is less important because tight ends are only secondary receivers.
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