Vernon Davis and League's 6 Most Dynamic Tight Ends

The new "it" position in the NFL is none other than the tight end, a position formerly reserved for skinny offensive linemen who could catch and run a little bit too.

Nowadays, the tight end is becoming as explosive a position as any wide receiver in the league, and for good reason. Players are now coming out of college with basketball-player height and track-star speed and re-writing what it means to be a tight end.

Here are some of the most dynamic tight ends in the NFL today.

Vernon Davis

The tale of the tape on Vernon Davis is impressive on its own, but to see Davis in action takes it to an entirely different level. 

Davis is elevating his legend in the playoffs mores o than any other player with his performance in clutch situations. He is quickly becoming the most un-coverable man in the NFL playoffs this season and helping to resurrect the career of his quarterback, Alex Smith, as well.

The addition of Jim Harbaugh as his coach seems to have awoken the inner competitor in Davis, and that is scary for the rest of the NFL. 

Rob Gronkowski

The record-setting performance by Gronkowski in 2011 should speak for itself. No other tight end has registered more touchdowns and more receiving yards in a season than Gronk.

His height and giant hands make almost any ball thrown his way a sure catch, and he is as tough to being down as anyone in the NFL. When thinking about the difficulty of tackling Gronkowski, compare it to trying to tackle Ben Roethlisberger in the open field if he were a tight end.

This is surely just the beginning of a long and prosperous career by Mr. Gronkowski.

Jimmy Graham

Drew Brees' new favorite toy in New Orleans is the beastly matchup that he has in Jimmy Graham against any team he faces. 

Graham fell short of the receiving yards record to Gronkowski this season by a scant 18 yards, even though he outpaced him in receptions 99 to 90.

If there is anyone in the NFL besides Gronkowski himself who can threaten the new touchdown and receiving yards record for a tight end, it is Jimmy Graham. 

Jermichael Finley

It could be unfair that Finley has the most promising quarterback going forward of all the tight ends on this list, but regardless of that fact, he would be a star anywhere he played.

Finley is an athletic route runner who has a knack for getting open and likes to score his touchdowns in bunches.

Having a tight end like Finley is a huge key to the success of Aaron Rodgers and the Packers passing attack and will be for many years to come. 

Jason Witten

Is there a more underrated tight end over the past few years than Jason Witten in Dallas?

Witten has six seasons with over 900 yards receiving in his nine-year career and shows no signs of stopping entering his 10th. He is equally as valuable as a blocker and always seems to be a safety valve for Tony Romo in clutch situations.

Antonio Gates

Even though injuries have slowed down Antonio Gates in the last two seasons, it hasn't slowed down his touchdown production. In the last two seasons Gates has only played in 23 of 32 potential games but still managed to score 17 touchdowns.

Only poor health can slow down the explosive tight end who has as much to do with the success in San Diego as anyone else on the roster.