As the offseason begins to take shape, the discussion on roster improvement and player movement is front and center. Teams will be looking to shed salary on top of the players already listed as free agents. As of today these are the top listed FA’s looking for new contracts. The Fantasy Football impact is definitely real as players entertain staying with their clubs or moving on to a new system. Exciting times are upon us, as teams begin to re-tool and build for next season. It’s time to speculate!
Top Free Agent Tight Ends:
Jimmy
Graham (SEA)
Age: 31
| 2017 Salary: $10,000,000 | FA Rank #1
Finishing
off the season as the third best touchdown receiving option in the NFL this
season was the great Jimmy Graham. Jimmy was able to haul in ten (10)
touchdowns for the Seahawks in what became a pass first offense with no
resemblance of a run attack. Even with a pass happy scheme, Graham saw career
lows in receptions and yards with exception to his rookie and injured seasons.
The Seahawks were quite baffling at times on offense as Graham was able to
break free from his defenders with regularity, but only seemed to generate
targets in the red zone. If Seattle was willing to pay Jimmy one million per
touchdown, they got their money’s worth and return on investment. Jimmy is a
top tier talent at the tight end spot that seems to be somewhat lacking these
days in the NFL. Only a handful of teams employ elite level talent at the
position, while others use multiple players or rarely target them during each
game. Graham feel into the category of limited targets which made his final
year stat-line look abysmal. At age 31, nearly three years removed from that
horrific knee injury, Jimmy has proven he is back and can remain durable
playing the full slate these past two seasons.
Graham
should demand top dollar on the open market as a mutual separation looks to be
on the docket as the Seahawks begin to retool their roster. Jimmy should have
many suitors this offseason, including his former stomping grounds in New
Orleans. It’s extremely difficult to predict Graham’s landing spot in 2018 as
most teams are looking for a bargain at the tight end spot. Teams with heavy
cap room and short passing schemes would garner the most interest for his
talents. To that point, what is Graham looking to accomplish as this could be
his last big money deal of his career. If Graham‘s desire is to win a
championship in his football twilight years, he would indeed have to take a
hair-cut on his salary for that to transpire. Could we potentially see Graham
in a Packer uniform if Green Bay chooses to move on from Jordy Nelson and
Randal Cobb? Do the 49ers make a run on most of the best receiving talent in
the free agent pool with ample money to burn? This situation will be
fascinating to watch as the offseason moves forward. Either way, Jimmy has a
few great high producing years left in him.
Tyler
Eifert (CIN)
Age: 27
| 2017 Salary: $2,064,000 | FA Rank #2
The major concern
for Tyler Eifert and any team willing to give him another shot, is can he stay
healthy? In his five year career Eifert has missed an astonishing amount of
games totaling 41 absences of 80 contests due to injury. Tyler is a unique
talent that could potentially dominate in this league but hasn’t been able to
put it all together. Proven in Cincinnati when he has been able to suit up, he
is a red zone nightmare for opposing defenses and can make nearly every catch.
There is no question that Eifert will be looking for a new home next season, as
the Bengals are willing to cut their losses and let the injury prone tight end
move on. Eifert’s statistical resume isn’t something teams will gush over but
will undoubtedly give him an opportunity on a non-guaranteed contract. Based solely
on talent, Tyler still has the ability to be a force in this league.
The
questions have been brought up; is Eifert’s career is in jeopardy due to his
latest season ending back surgery? It will be interesting this offseason because
when healthy, Tyler would be a definite upgrade at the position on most teams.
ADF can see a plethora of teams taking a chance on Eifert on a one year deal
with absolutely no guaranteed money!
Trey
Burton (PHI)
Age: 26
| 2017 Salary: $2,746,000 | FA Rank #3
Probably the
most intriguing player in the free agent tight end pool is the Eagles Trey
Burton. Even though Burton was given an invitation to the NFL scouting combine
back in 2014, he went undrafted and was scooped up by the Eagles and signed to
a three year contract. With the Eagles brain trust unsure of their potential
star Zach Ertz being the long term answer, they Eagles gave Burton a second
round tender which he ultimately signed returning to Philly for one more season.
Trey was relegated to a minimized role this year as the potential was finally
reached from their starting tight end (Ertz), as he was on a touchdown a game
pace for most of the season. Trey did have opportunities this year to prove he
has ability, to which he came through. Burton was able to find the end zone a
career high five times in the absence of Zach Ertz due to injury. At six foot
three inches, 235 pounds, Burton will be a hot commodity come the start of free
agency. It would be safe to say he’s played his last days in Philadelphia.
At age 26,
still very much in his prime, teams will be lined up to take a chance on the
potential Burton has to offer. Both the Dolphins and the Jets could be easy
landing spots as they look to upgrade the talent at the position. Baltimore and
Denver are teams that would also entertain employing Trey as their tight end
situation is in utter shambles. The Detroit Lions could also be front runners
as Eric Ebron hasn’t been the player they hoped he would be. ADF is very
excited about Burton’s landing spot as we believe he could be a massive sleeper
going into next season.
Austin
Seferian-Jenkins (NYJ)
Age: 25
| 2017 Salary: $1,313,730 | FA Rank #4
ASJ was a
great story going into the 2017 NFL season, as his trials and tribulations filled
the headlines. Admittedly Austin struggled with addiction which hindered his ability
to not only preform on the field but in society. ADF pegged ASJ as a top
sleeper candidate before the season began (2017 ADF Draft Kit), as playing for the
New York Jets posed a great opportunity to right his wrongs. While Seferian-Jenkins
had a hand full of games where his production was looking to match his potential,
he left a lot to be desired with missed plays and referee call backs. For the
first time in his career ASJ almost played the entire slate of games suiting up
for 13 contests. Enjoying his highest level of production in receptions (50), Seferian-Jenkins
proved he is a capable receiving threat that any team looking to upgrade would definitely
entertain.
Provided ASJ
remains the course and stays on the straight and narrow, he should have teams
ringing his phone off the hook. With only 38 games played in his five year
career, Austin shouldn’t generate top tear money making another one or two year
prove-it deal on the menu. The Jets could easily be the favorite to re-sign
Seferian-Jenkins, but teams like Denver, Jacksonville, Dallas, Chicago, and
Seattle could all be in the mix. His off field issues will be a major concern
for teams to offer much if any guaranteed money.
Antonio
Gates (LAC)
Age: 37
| 2017 Salary: $5,500,000 | FA Rank #5
At age 37
and perhaps the greatest tight end to ever play this game, Antonio Gates has
indicated he wants to continue his playing career. It seemed obvious, out of
respect, the Chargers kept the future first ballot Hall of Famer on the club at
his inflated salary for 2017. The Chargers have been extremely patient to pass
the reins to young star up and comer - Hunter Henry, moving on from Gates. It
would be a shock to ADF if he found a way to convince the Chargers to re-sign
the 15 year pro to another one year deal. It’s very clear that Gates isn’t the
player he once was, but still is an upgrade to teams with no talent at the position.
The Chargers in fact did reintroduce Gates to the offensive scheme when Henry
went down with a lacerated kidney late in the season. Antonio showed he’s still
capable of generating decent numbers, as week 16 gave a glimpse to vintage
Gates where his stat line produced; 6 receptions, 81 yards, and 1 touchdown!
Antonio
might get pushed out of the NFL as youth should be favored on most NFL clubs.
As free agency moves past the first couple weeks, we could see teams inquiring
about the star even in his twilight years. ADF believes Gates will find a home
in 2018 with a potential Super Bowl contender fronting the bill. The amount of
value would be in question if Gates is a secondary option for any team.
Potential Value Tight Ends:
Niles Paul
(WAS)
Ed Dickson
(CAR)
Luke Wilson
(SEA)
Darren Fells
(DET)
Benjamin
Watson (BAL)
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