Top free-agent tight ends
Andrew Mason continues his look at free agency by running through the best options at tight end when the market opens in a few weeks. (Photos by AP)
Despite his age (he'll be 30 next season), Bennett's performance for the Patriots ensures he will be in high demand -- if the Patriots let him test the market. New England's massive cap room and Rob Gronkowski's extensive injury history could make this a franchise-tag situation.
Cook exploded in his first postseason as a pro, catching 18 passes for 229 yards and two touchdowns in the Packers' run to the NFC Championship Game -- an appearance made possible by Cook's clutch sideline catch in the waning seconds of regulation against the Cowboys to set up Mason Crosby's game-winning field goal. As with Bennett, Cook will turn 30 this spring, but now that he's shown the potential he long seemed to possess, he'll be in demand -- even though the best situation for him would likely be a return to Green Bay to build on his budding partnership with Aaron Rodgers.
Doyle ruled in a breakthrough 2016 season that saw him comfortably exceed the reception, yardage and touchdown totals of his first three seasons combined. A reliable underneath target for Andrew Luck, the 6-foot-6, 267-pounder has good size -- and the ability to use it effectively.
It's not a question of whether Cameron is good enough. It's about four concussions in four seasons, most recently last Sept. 25, which ended his season and could end his career. Cameron made a Pro Bowl with Cleveland and picks up first downs on 37.5 percent of his career receptions, but those attributes are secondary to his health concerns.
Despite infrequent playing time behind Zack Ertz, Burton was effective when called upon, finishing with 327 yards on 37 receptions -- 23 of which came in the final six games of the 2016 season. He's also an improving blocker.
A good complement to Jimmy Graham, Willson has career averages of 13.2 yards per catch and one touchdown every 10.6 receptions. He should be able to get more playing time and better production if he moves on in free agency.
At 32, Fasano's pass-catching production is down, but he remains one of the league's best blockers at the position.
Still reasonably productive, Gresham has missed just one regular-season game since undergoing surgery for a herniated disc in his back two years ago. That surgery kept him on the market much longer than expected, but he should find a landing spot quicker this time around.
He had career highs in receptions and yardage in 2016, but he also dropped one of every 11 catchable passes (five drops in 55 on-target passes). He's an average blocker for his position who should at least be part of a two-tight end rotation.
One of the better blockers on the market -- particularly in the running game -- Paulsen has also allowed just one sack in the last two seasons, according to ProFootballFocus.com.
Sims had some solid production last year after being pressed into more extensive work following Jordan Cameron's season-ending concussion, and at 6-foot-4 and 271 pounds, he has some still-untapped potential as a blocker.
A torn ACL ended his contract year before it began and temporarily blocked his improvement as a run blocker, but he should get another shot this season.
The former Bronco had a good bounce-back year in his return to his hometown, catching 44 passes for 583 yards and two touchdowns with the Redskins last year. At 33, he's a good complement to Jordan Reed and the Redskins would be wise to bring him back for 2017.
The late-blooming former European pro basketball standout isn't yet eligible for unrestricted free agency -- even though he turns 31 in April. He showed a spark in Arizona, particularly the last two seasons, and has a career average of 13.4 yards per reception, but his age is working against him, even though he has little of the long-term wear and tear other players of his age possess.
The expected passing of the torch from certain Hall of Famer Jason Witten to Escobar in Dallas never happened, and Escobar remains untested and unproven, with just 30 receptions in four seasons -- but he has eight touchdowns, giving him one score every 3.75 receptions.
