NFL Free Agency 2016: Ranking Top Available TEs

Plenty of names are hitting free agency at the tight end position. Even a future Hall of Famer is set to hit the market as of this writing.

As far as talent goes, the list seems rather lackluster. Either free agents are ancient by NFL standards, or they are plagued by inconsistency or injury.

Let's dive into the position, ranking free agents based on age, recent production and injury concerns.

Honorable Mention

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You might think Vernon Davis belongs in this group, but not after what we've seen the past few seasons. Davis' skills have eroded along with his athleticism, and he has a problem with effort at times to boot. The 32-year-old is just a name at this stage in his career.

There is one Zach Miller worthy of the top 10 here, and another who should find himself languishing on the market for some time. 

Were it not for Garrett Celek inking a four-year extension with the San Francisco 49ers, he would have certainly made this list. He may not be a sexy name—that would be Selleck—but he showed he could be a No. 1 option at his position when he was pressed into that role last season.

10. Clay Harbor, Jacksonville Jaguars

Phelan M. Ebenhack/Associated Press

2015 Statistics

Age	Tgt	Rec	Yds	Y/R	TD	Lng	R/G	Y/G
28	20	14	149	10.6	1	26	0.9	9.9

 

2015 Review

Though he did get a glimmer of what it might be like to start last season, he continued to do what he does best—produce at backup levels.

 

2016 Outlook

There are no delusions here—Harbor is strictly a part-time player as a backup, and that is where he will be in 2016 and beyond. He is 28 years old, so he has a few years left of quality second-string work in the tank.

 

Potential Suitors

The Jaguars would do well to keep Harbor around, especially if Marcedes Lewis doesn't return. Harbor has been with the team for three years now and with young quarterback Blake Bortles for two. 

If he moves on, a ton of teams out there could use a backup of his caliber. Depending on which tight ends sign elsewhere, Harbor would be welcome in Miami, Chicago, New England, Arizona, Houston and beyond.

9. Marcedes Lewis, Jacksonville Jaguars

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2015 Statistics

Age	Tgt	Rec	Yds	Y/R	TD	Lng	R/G	Y/G
31	37	16	226	14.1	0	45	1	14.1

 

2015 Review

Julius Thomas was all the rage for the Jaguars heading into the 2015 season. The talented tight end had inked a massive five-year, $46 million deal and was expected to immediately boost the offense.

It didn't quite work out that way, though—Thomas broke his hand and missed the first four weeks of the season. Unfortunately, that didn't do much for Marcedes Lewis—Harbor overtook him in the offense, at least in the pass-catching department, and Lewis couldn't even muster a catch in the first three games of the year.

 

2016 Outlook

Of course, Lewis isn't exactly Rob Gronkowski. His skills as a pass-catcher have faded, but the 31-year-old is still a quality starter. Why? Because he can block, and head coach Gus Bradley recognizes that, per Mike DiRocco of ESPN.com:

"

Marcedes [was] pretty good now. He might be one of our best pass blockers. Now, you look at his contributions and say how many catches? How many touchdowns? That might not show up but when you watch it on tape [you see] his ability to block at the line of scrimmage and his ability to protect and some of the big plays [he made]. 

"

 

Potential Suitors

The Jaguars are prioritizing Lewis in free agency, per Ryan O'Halloran of the Florida Times-Union, which would make him a Jaguar for life. They have the most cap space in the league, so it's tough for him to become too expensive in their eyes.

Of course, contract negotiations can go south in a hurry, and Lewis could be the beneficiary of a relatively weak market and draft at tight end. If he does hit free agency, teams such as the Miami Dolphins and New York Jets make sense, as they need quality blockers at the position.

8. Ben Watson, New Orleans Saints

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2015 Statistics

Age	Tgt	Rec	Yds	Y/R	TD	Lng	R/G	Y/G
35	110	74	825	11.1	6	46	4.6	51.6

 

2015 Review

Where did Ben Watson come from?

The former Patriots and Browns tight end had been with New Orleans for two seasons, but nobody saw his breakout coming. He hit career highs in just about everything on the wings of 110 targets; he was clearly a focal point of the Saints offense in the wake of Jimmy Graham's departure.

 

2016 Outlook

As good as he was last season, it's tough to see Watson being little more than a one-hit wonder considering he is 35 years old. Few non-quarterbacks can thrive this far into their 30s, and Watson isn't exactly Tony Gonzalez or Antonio Gates.

 

Potential Suitors

Why New Orleans wouldn't bring Watson back would be a mystery. He helped Saints fans forget Graham ever existed last season, and he was a great safety blanket for Drew Brees.

The crystal ball refuses to show me any other location, though. It's almost as if the soon-to-be 36-year-old might have a tough time finding work elsewhere.

7. Dwayne Allen, Indianapolis Colts

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2015 Statistics

Age	Tgt	Rec	Yds	Y/R	TD	Lng	R/G	Y/G
25	29	16	109	6.8	1	21	1.2	8.4

2015 Review

Another year, another injury for Dwayne Allen.

The big tight end missed three games again this season; it was his third incomplete year out of four. His inability to stay healthy has been a drag on his production and his offense to date.

Last season was brutal all around for the Colts, and Allen had a particularly bad time of it. He just could not produce, scoring just one touchdown after hitting paydirt eight times in 2014.

 

2016 Outlook

If Allen could only find a way to guarantee he will stay healthy. There is a chance he will, but his injury history will scare a lot of teams off.

That said, his potential will be attractive enough to land him a starting gig—or, at the very least, a shot at one—given the state of the market. Allen has always been a nice all-around tight end, capable of staying in-line and blocking or catching passes down the seam.

 

Potential Suitors

Allen would be a nice fit just about anywhere. Again, if he can stay on the field.  

For his part, he said he would like to stay with the Colts, per Colts.com writer Kevin Bowen. His injury history might make re-signing him a bargain, and he would be a worthwhile retention for Indianapolis.

New England might make for the best landing spot outside of Indianapolis. The Patriots need a second tight end, and Allen would be a perfect fit. Not only would he give Gronkowski some relief as a blocker, but the duo would be a nightmare for opposing defenses to cover over the middle.

With Heath Miller retiring, the Pittsburgh Steelers also have an opening that Allen might fill best. 

6. Zach Miller, Chicago Bears

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2015 Statistics

Age	Tgt	Rec	Yds	Y/R	TD	Lng	R/G	Y/G
31	46	34	439	12.9	5	87	2.3	29.3

 

2015 Review

Who knew Zach Miller had it in him?

Taking full advantage of the injuries that Martellus Bennett suffered throughout the 2015 season, Miller posted a career year. It was perfect timing for the former Jaguar, who needed to show out before free agency.

If you look at Miller's career statistics, you will note that 2012 through 2014 were conspicuously absent. That's because he spent those years either on a practice squad or injured reserve.

 

2016 Outlook

Miller was great in 2015, but was it all a mirage? Offensive coordinator Adam Gase—now the head coach of the Miami Dolphins—is known to be a bit of a tight end whisperer, which could be the biggest explanation for Miller's breakout.

After all, he is a 31-year-old converted fullback with a lengthy injury history. 

 

Potential Suitors

Perhaps Miller will follow his old mentor down to South Florida. The weather is nicer, after all. 

Per ESPN.com, Miller has already been linked to the Dolphins in the free-agent rumor mill because it's convenient, but there are plenty of places he could land. 

The New Orleans Saints make for a rather intriguing option. They may or may not keep Watson, who is going on 36 anyway. Miller would be a nice second option even if Watson stays.

New England makes sense here, too, but Miller isn't nearly as good of a blocker as some of his free-agent peers.

5. Jermaine Gresham, Arizona Cardinals

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2015 Statistics

Age	Tgt	Rec	Yds	Y/R	TD	Lng	R/G	Y/G
27	32	18	223	12.4	1	22	1.2	14.9

 

2015 Review

Need a blocking tight end? Jermaine Gresham is the man for you.

The 27-year-old has never been a big part of his team's passing game, even when he was the No. 1 option on his own team. To wit, Gresham has had a meager statistical output in 2015 despite playing on one of the best passing offenses in the league.

Granted, he had back surgery before last season.

 

2016 Outlook

Gresham will be 28 in June—not young, but not too old either. He shouldn't see any sort of drop-off in the near future, barring injury.

 

Potential Suitors

Teams that are looking for a good all-around option at the position should look no further than Gresham. We revisit the Patriots, who would get a great deal out of him as a blocker with bonus pass-catching ability.

He used to play for a rival, but Gresham would fit in nicely with the Steelers as Heath Miller's replacement. 

4. Jared Cook, Los Angeles Rams

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2015 Statistics

Age	Tgt	Rec	Yds	Y/R	TD	Lng	R/G	Y/G
28	75	39	481	12.3	0	49	2.4	30.1

2015 Review

It's never a good thing when you garner 75 targets and manage to score zero touchdowns. Jared Cook must be used to disappointing fans and fantasy owners by now, though. 

 

2016 Outlook

Cook followed his old head coach out to St. Louis, which has probably been a drag on his free-agent stock in and of itself. While he has never really reached his potential given his excellent athleticism, Cook has been stuck in quarterback purgatory his entire career. 

If he latches on with a good quarterback in 2016, who knows how good he could be?

 

Potential Suitors

What if that quarterback was Aaron Rodgers?

Cook's release probably means he won't be back with the Rams in Los Angeles, and that will be a blessing in disguise. Of course, he will need to make a wise decision in free agency.

Green Bay would be an excellent landing spot for Cook, where he could thrive with the former MVP Rodgers slinging the ball. If he can cure himself of the dropsies, the big tight end would be a huge boon for the Packers offense.

Cook could also be a nice addition to the Giants offense, too. New York may have found something in Will Tye, but the position has needed augmentation ever since Martellus Bennett walked.

The Dolphins have Jordan Cameron, but new head coach Adam Gase might want to add to the position. Cook would be a theoretical upgrade, and the Dolphins would have a pair of tight ends with serious potential to do damage if both can stay healthy.

3. Antonio Gates, San Diego Chargers

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2015 Statistics

Age	Tgt	Rec	Yds	Y/R	TD	Lng	R/G	Y/G
35	85	56	630	11.3	5	40	5.1	57.3

 

2015 Review

Was 2015 the beginning of the end for Antonio Gates?

Dogged by injuries, he fell far short of the marvelous 2014 campaign he posted. He did return from a four-game suspension to much fanfare, scoring two touchdowns in prime time to seemingly pick up where he left off.

But he only caught three more the rest of the way as he played through a knee issue.

 

2016 Outlook

How much does Gates reasonably have left in the tank? The 35-year-old veteran is going on his 14th season in the league, having run thousands of routes, made thousands of blocks and caught 844 balls. He shook off injuries to post a fabulous 2014 season, but he was only able to play in 11 games last season.

 

Potential Suitors

It's difficult to envision Gates anywhere else but San Diego. Philip Rivers has been his quarterback for Gates' entire career. The duo has a rare rapport, one that has helped propel Gates to future Hall of Fame heights.

If he does shake loose from the Chargers, there could be plenty of interest around the league, even if teams are aware he is in the twilight of his career. 

2. Ladarius Green, San Diego Chargers

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2015 Statistics

Age	Tgt	Rec	Yds	Y/R	TD	Lng	R/G	Y/G
25	63	37	429	11.6	4	31	2.8	33

 

2015 Review

The four-game suspension handed down to Antonio Gates was a golden opportunity for Ladarius Green. He almost seized it. He scored four touchdowns in the first six games of the year, being seemingly more involved in the offense. Then, he fell off the face of the earth.

Green missed three games due to injury and didn't score a touchdown the rest of the way.

 

2016 Outlook

The coronation was a bust.

Green has been the heir apparent to Gates' throne since the Chargers drafted him. But he has done little with his opportunity. Much like Jared Cook, Green has a ton of talent that he hasn't been able to parlay into consistently good play in the NFL.

Green still has a ton of potential, and it's possible a new situation will help him fulfill his promise. He is only 25 years old, and he is an athletic option at a thin position. He'll be in demand this offseason.

 

Potential Suitors

Assuming the Chargers bring Gates back, Green is going to look for his money elsewhere. It's scary to think of what the Packers could do with a man of his athletic abilities. 

Or what if the New England Patriots nab him and go with a scorched earth, two-tight end offense in 2016? 

The New Orleans Saints might be looking to liven up their roster with younger players too.

1. Coby Fleener, Indianapolis Colts

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2015 Statistics

Age	Tgt	Rec	Yds	Y/R	TD	Lng	R/G	Y/G
27	84	54	491	9.1	3	57	3.4	30.7

 

2015 Review

Everybody's production was down in Indianapolis last season, so we shouldn't be too hard on Fleener for a big letdown after scoring eight touchdowns in 2014.

Andrew Luck's woes and ultimate injury sunk the Colts offense last season, and everyone around him suffered. 

 

2016 Outlook

What Fleener lacks in the all-around talent that teammate Dwayne Allen possesses, he makes up for in durability. 

Fleener hasn't quite been able to take advantage of Allen's absence on the field over the years. Though he has had few big games, his inconsistency as a pass-catcher has haunted him and the offense.

He isn't nearly the blocker Allen is, and he has a penchant for dropping passes. But he still possesses upside, and the fact he hasn't missed a game in three years is a big plus. He is capable of lining up anywhere on the field and creating mismatches, a feature that helped him put up that nice 2014 campaign.

 

Potential Suitors

Given quality options will be limited in free agency and the draft, the Colts should try to keep the man they drafted to accompany Luck to the NFL from Stanford.

Fleener's inconsistency will put a cap on what he can get in free agency, but he will have plenty of suitors if the Colts let him get away. The Patriots have come up a lot here, and they seem like just the team that would steal Fleener and turn him into a monster alongside Gronkowski.

 

All statistics courtesy of Pro-Football-Reference.com.