Ranking the 2013 Free Agents: Tight Ends

[michael89156]

Ranking the 2013 Free Agents: Tight Ends


Nathan Jahnke | 2013/02/14
ProFootballFocus





 
Every day this week we’ve been breaking down the top free agents at each position. It’s more than just looking at our grades, but factoring in longevity, age, injuries and so much more in order to tell you who we think are the best gets out there.
 
We’re not going to insult your intelligence though when it comes to guys unlikely to hit the open market because of the franchise tag, so don’t expect to see names like Joe Flacco or Ryan Clady in these pieces. Instead we’re focusing on guys with a real shot at dipping their feet into the free agent pool and making your team better.
 
You’ve been with us through the quarterbacks, running backs, fullbacks, and wide receivers, and now here are the tight ends:
 


1. Martellus Bennett
 
2012 Grade: +12.5
 2012 Snaps: 945
 
Summary: After spending the first part of his career as a backup in Dallas, Bennett signed a one-year, ‘prove-it’ deal with the Giants, and, by season’s end, he proved he could do it all. He had already shown himself as a great run blocker, and this year proved he can support the passing game as well, as he posted 70 or more yards in four games. While he may never lead the league as a receiving tight end, it is rare to find someone who can truly do it all at the position.
 


2. Anthony Fasano
 
2012 Grade: +4.2
 2012 Snaps: 921
 
Summary: Another multi-talented tight end who is coming off a down year. He went through a rough patch midseason with six straight single-catch games. However, he has been incredibly consistent with just three dropped passes over the past three years. From 2008-2011, he ranked in the Top 6 each year in terms of run blocking. He wasn’t as dominant in 2012, but that is more likely an exception rather than a new trend.
 


3. Fred Davis

2012 Grade: +2.0
 2012 Snaps: 413
 
Summary: Over the past two years, Davis has shown he can be a top receiving tight end. In the 19 games he has played over that time, he has 83 catches for 1,121 yards, and has forced 16 missed tackles. The main concern with him is injuries, as he is coming off a torn Achilles’ tendon which cut short his 2012 season. He doesn’t provide much in terms of run blocking, but there is no denying his talent as a receiver.
 


4. Jared Cook

2012 Grade: +0.3
 2012 Snaps: 485
 
Summary: After seeing little playing time his first two years, Cook has spent the past two seasons playing exclusively in passing situations. Despite an underwhelming passing game in Tennessee, Cook has maintained a 1.52 Yards per Route Run over those two years, which is 15th-best among tight ends with at least 500 routes. While Cook has rarely been used in blocking situations, he has been decent on the small sample size.


 
5. Delanie Walker

2012 Grade: +6.0
 2012 Snaps: 589
 
Summary: If you want a receiving tight end, Walker isn’t your man, as his nine regular season drops tied for third-most in 2012. However, if you want a tight end for the purpose of run blocking, then Walker is your man. He is one of just three tight ends to maintain above a run block rating above +5.0 in each of the past three years, and his +10.7 run block rating was second in the league in 2012.

[gbobucsfan]

I know he didn't see much time but is D Noble more of a blocking TE or rec TE? 

I'm wondering if Dom is leaning towards signing a proven rec TE and then letting Stocker or another draft pick handle the blocking duties. 

As of now we have Stocker, Noble, Dunsmore, Byham and the new guy Miller on the roster. I don't see Clark re-signing.  Can any of these guys run block?

[Dolorous Jason]

I'm starting to lean towards Delanie

[JDouble]

Delanie is a reasonably cheap option, and he can run block well. We'd still need to draft a pass catching TE, but I think Delanie makes a lot of sense. Unless Bennett takes a big discount to come play with his brother, Delanie would be my choice.

[GameTime]

isnt delanie about 240?  bennett and a midround draft pick...it makes too much sense!

[dexmonkey]

im fine with walker or cook. both can be had for a pretty cheap contract. bennett if we want to spend more. fasano and davis dont interest me

[JDouble]

isnt delanie about 240? 

Yep, and he's only 6ft too....but he is a great run blocker, plays FB well when asked too, and has even returned kicks. If he had better hands he'd be a great weapon. As is, he is a versatile guy that can block from the TE or FB spot and play both sides of special teams....for a reasonably low salary. Sounds like value to me.

I'm betting he ends up back in San Fran though.

[GameTime]

we use our TE's as HBacks a lot, so i wouldnt be opposed to walker, but i think he is a trivial piece, definitely dont think he would have as much impact on the offense as bennett would. 

interesting note on cook also, that he hasnt been used in blocking situations in the last couple years.  i certainly think he can do it, but it raises some questions.

[Dolorous Jason]

Lots of good options at te. We better land one that's all I know.

[JDouble]

we use our TE's as HBacks a lot, so i wouldnt be opposed to walker, but i think he is a trivial piece, definitely dont think he would have as much impact on the offense as bennett would. 

interesting note on cook also, that he hasnt been used in blocking situations in the last couple years.  i certainly think he can do it, but it raises some questions.

I think it's interesting how we use Lorig, and that we drafted Drake Dunsmore. Maybe we want a certain type of versatile guy that can play FB/HB/TE.....which would make Walker a natural fit.

I'm kinda curious to see if Dunsmore makes the team this year.

[youngone]

Give me Bennett on the cheap or Walker. I wouldn't mind Cook but I just love a TE that can block if he isn't  going to be a freak receiver.

[GameTime]

I think it's interesting how we use Lorig, and that we drafted Drake Dunsmore. Maybe we want a certain type of versatile guy that can play FB/HB/TE.....which would make Walker a natural fit.

I'm kinda curious to see if Dunsmore makes the team this year.

i think noble also was used in a similar way.  now dunsmore/noble certainly arent the blockers that walker is, but possibly the team is high on those guys development.

[bucinsouthFL]

He would be a risk because he is coming of an injury, but Dustin Keller is a FA

http://www.nfl.com/player/dustinkeller/1074/profile

I'm assuming he is a good blocker, since he was there when the Jets were #1 in rushing offense.

Might be able to throw him a 1 year prove it deal

[bradentonian]

Fasano is definitely a Schiano type guy.  He's not an elite weapon but a solid two-way TE that would be a fit for this offense.  If we don't land Bennett I think he'd be a good fit.

[GameTime]

Fasano is definitely a Schiano type guy.  He's not an elite weapon but a solid two-way TE that would be a fit for this offense.  If we don't land Bennett I think he'd be a good fit.

this is probably the type of  FA signings we should expect.   no glitz, but would probably be a quality signing.  only 29 years old, i would have guessed over 30.