Which Teams Should Make a Bid for Chris Cooley After Release from Redskins?

The eight-year run for tight end Chris Cooley in a Washington Redskins uniform ended Tuesday. 

Cooley announced he was being released by the only NFL team he's ever played for during a short press conference with the media, according to the Redskins' official Twitter account. 

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Cooley: "The Washington #Redskins are releasing me today. This will be my last day as a Redskin."

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Cooley caught 428 passes for 4,703 yards and 33 touchdowns over 108 games with the Redskins. Over the last three seasons, Cooley has missed 20 games due to various injuries. 

This tweet from the team makes it clear that Cooley was released because of his desire to start, but it's possible that the Redskins made that an easy decision with $3.8 million owed to the 30-year-old tight end this season and another $3.85 million in 2013. He was always a candidate to be released before his salary was guaranteed. 

In the following slides, we take a look at the teams that could now be interested in kicking the tires on Cooley. 

New York Jets

We don't need to retread the numbers of the Jets offense during the preseason to give you a better understanding of where this unit is. It needs help, and maybe Cooley could find a place behind Dustin Keller as the "move" tight end. 

Also, keep in mind that Keller is still on the mend from a hamstring injury, and those ailments can linger, even if the proper time is given for recovery. 

Nabbing Cooley would give the Jets another option on offense and veteran insurance in case Keller misses any significant time down the road.

Oakland Raiders

There probably isn't a team in the NFL that lacks talent at the tight end position quite like the Raiders. The team's current depth chart has names like Brandon Meyers and Richard Gordon, who aren't exactly guys that bring to mind the next coming of Tony Gonzalez or Kellen Winslow. 

If Cooley proves himself to be healthy, Oakland GM Reggie McKenzie could do worse than giving the veteran tight end a chance. 

At the very least, the Raiders could get a flexible tight end option who is considered one of the better blockers at the position. It's a talent upgrade if Cooley is close to 100 percent. 

Dallas Cowboys

Jason Witten (spleen) is a question mark for Week 1, leaving the Cowboys with John Phillips and James Hanna as the top tight ends on the roster. 

While Dallas is expecting Witten back in a full capacity early in the 2012 season, adding Cooley now could give the Cowboys a solid duo at the position when both are back to full strength. 

There's also the added benefit of taking a popular player from a hated division rival. I'm not sure how much adding Cooley for that reason would benefit the Cowboys, but it's something for Jerry Jones to chew on. 

Miami Dolphins

There are few teams in the NFL that lack playmakers in the passing game more than the Dolphins, which makes taking a peek at Cooley a must. 

Anthony Fasano and Charles Clay currently handle the position in Miami, and the team drafted Michael Egnew in 2012. But this is an offense that has a big need for guys who can make plays for rookie quarterback Ryan Tannehill. 

If he's healthy, Cooley instantly becomes a guy Tannehill can lean on and a player who would demand snaps in a limited offense.

Baltimore Ravens

Injuries could necessitate the Ravens taking a long look at Cooley. 

Both Ed Dickson and Dennis Pitta sustained injuries this preseason, leaving the Ravens precious few options behind them. However, both are expected to return early in the regular season, and both may even play in Week 1.

If either Dickson or Pitta suffer a setback, the Ravens may come calling on a guy who could still play a role on a Super Bowl contender.