This is the fourth and final part in our 2011 Offseason Market Analysis for offensive skill-position free agents and trade candidates.
For the other position breakdowns, click here:
The Quarterback MarketThe Running Back MarketThe Wide Receiver MarketLet's start with tight ends certain to be available once transactions are allowed.
Surefire Tight End Free Agents1. Bo Scaife, TitansScouting Report: After posting career highs of 58 receptions and 561 yards in 2008, Scaife's receiving numbers dropped off for the second straight year. He managed just 36 receptions for 318 yards while being exposed as one of the league's worst run-blocking tight ends. Scaife is no longer a threat after the catch, and he adds nothing to the red-zone offense. His Titans career speaks more about being in the right place at the right time than it does about his talent level. Seeing his name atop this list is a dead giveaway about the lack of quality on the tight-end market this offseason.
Availability: Scaife has been overpaid as the Titans' franchise player for two year. A college roommate of
Vince Young, Scaife was finally sent to the pine late last season, so the Titans could get a long look at the more talented
Jared Cook. The Titans will make no effort to bring Scaife back this summer. The Bills, with little bankable depth at the position, could have interest.
Prediction: Bills
2. Daniel Graham, BroncosScouting Report: Graham has always been more blocker than receiver, but his contributions in the passing game reached new lows last year. Only three NFL tight ends played more than Graham's 982 snaps, and yet he managed just 1.1 receptions per game, 9.25 yards per game, and 8.2 yards per catch. His best bet may be to go the
Alge Crumpler route, bulking up as an extra lineman in jumbo packages.
Availability: The new Denver regime cut ties with Graham in early March, saving more than $5 million for the 2011 season. He won't be in demand at age 32, but Seattle makes sense as a landing spot. The Seahawks recruited Graham hard in 2007, and new offensive line coach Tom Cable was on the staff at Colorado when Graham starred for the Buffaloes.
Prediction: Seahawks
3. Randy McMichael, ChargersScouting Report: One of the most dangerous tight ends in the league from 2002-2006, McMichael hasn't exhibited after-the-catch ability since a broken tibia and ligament damage in 2008. He did show nice hands as a late-season fill-in for
Antonio Gates, but McMichael is stretched as anything more than an emergency option. His body can't hold up to the pounding of 16 games at age 32.
Availability: McMichael's contract with the Chargers expired after the season, sending him to the open market. His best bet is to re-sign in San Diego as Gates insurance.
Prediction: Chargers
Other surefire free agent tight ends: Chris Baker,
Ben Patrick,
Donald Lee,
Desmond Clark,
Reggie Kelly,
Jonathan Stupar,
Greg EstandiaThree- to Five-Year Restricted Free Agents1. Zach Miller, RaidersScouting Report: Easily the top tight end available and one of the premier all-around talents at his position, Miller has been the Raiders' top receiving threat since he entered the league in 2007. Last season was a mixed bag, as Miller's production dropped by six receptions and 120 yards. He garnered rave reviews for his toughness, though, playing through a painful bout of plantar fasciitis that sapped his effectiveness from Halloween through Thanksgiving. Now healthy and not yet 26 years old, Miller is the ideal candidate for a long-term commitment.
Availability: Miller drew a first- and third-round RFA tender from Oakland. As a veteran of four years, his freedom is dependant on the specifics of the next labor agreement. Miller was optimistic after long-term talks with the Raiders in early March, but he switched agents in April -- perhaps a sign that he intends to go where the money takes him should he hit the open market. Owner Al Davis is aggressive in keeping his toys, so it's a good bet that he'll top any offer Miller receives.
Prediction: Raiders
2. Kevin Boss, GiantsScouting Report: Consistent from year-to-year but highly inconsistent from week-to-week, Boss fought through injuries to clear 500 yards again in 2010. One of the league's premier blocking tight ends when healthy, Boss' role in the passing game tends to hinge on the availability of the Giants' top receivers. He's a prime red-zone target regardless. Coming off post-season arthroscopic hip surgery, Boss was able to participate in Camp Eli in early May. He expects to be 100 percent by training camp.
Availability: Like the majority of his free agent teammates, Boss drew a second-round tender from the Giants. As a four-year veteran, his freedom hinges on labor outcome. The Giants are expected to bring him back as the starter regardless.
Prediction: Giants
This is the fourth and final part in our 2011 Offseason Market Analysis for offensive skill-position free agents and trade candidates.
For the other position breakdowns, click here:
The Quarterback MarketThe Running Back MarketThe Wide Receiver MarketLet's start with tight ends certain to be available once transactions are allowed.
Surefire Tight End Free Agents1. Bo Scaife, TitansScouting Report: After posting career highs of 58 receptions and 561 yards in 2008, Scaife's receiving numbers dropped off for the second straight year. He managed just 36 receptions for 318 yards while being exposed as one of the league's worst run-blocking tight ends. Scaife is no longer a threat after the catch, and he adds nothing to the red-zone offense. His Titans career speaks more about being in the right place at the right time than it does about his talent level. Seeing his name atop this list is a dead giveaway about the lack of quality on the tight-end market this offseason.
Availability: Scaife has been overpaid as the Titans' franchise player for two year. A college roommate of
Vince Young, Scaife was finally sent to the pine late last season, so the Titans could get a long look at the more talented
Jared Cook. The Titans will make no effort to bring Scaife back this summer. The Bills, with little bankable depth at the position, could have interest.
Prediction: Bills
2. Daniel Graham, BroncosScouting Report: Graham has always been more blocker than receiver, but his contributions in the passing game reached new lows last year. Only three NFL tight ends played more than Graham's 982 snaps, and yet he managed just 1.1 receptions per game, 9.25 yards per game, and 8.2 yards per catch. His best bet may be to go the
Alge Crumpler route, bulking up as an extra lineman in jumbo packages.
Availability: The new Denver regime cut ties with Graham in early March, saving more than $5 million for the 2011 season. He won't be in demand at age 32, but Seattle makes sense as a landing spot. The Seahawks recruited Graham hard in 2007, and new offensive line coach Tom Cable was on the staff at Colorado when Graham starred for the Buffaloes.
Prediction: Seahawks
3. Randy McMichael, ChargersScouting Report: One of the most dangerous tight ends in the league from 2002-2006, McMichael hasn't exhibited after-the-catch ability since a broken tibia and ligament damage in 2008. He did show nice hands as a late-season fill-in for
Antonio Gates, but McMichael is stretched as anything more than an emergency option. His body can't hold up to the pounding of 16 games at age 32.
Availability: McMichael's contract with the Chargers expired after the season, sending him to the open market. His best bet is to re-sign in San Diego as Gates insurance.
Prediction: Chargers
Other surefire free agent tight ends: Chris Baker,
Ben Patrick,
Donald Lee,
Desmond Clark,
Reggie Kelly,
Jonathan Stupar,
Greg EstandiaThree- to Five-Year Restricted Free Agents1. Zach Miller, RaidersScouting Report: Easily the top tight end available and one of the premier all-around talents at his position, Miller has been the Raiders' top receiving threat since he entered the league in 2007. Last season was a mixed bag, as Miller's production dropped by six receptions and 120 yards. He garnered rave reviews for his toughness, though, playing through a painful bout of plantar fasciitis that sapped his effectiveness from Halloween through Thanksgiving. Now healthy and not yet 26 years old, Miller is the ideal candidate for a long-term commitment.
Availability: Miller drew a first- and third-round RFA tender from Oakland. As a veteran of four years, his freedom is dependant on the specifics of the next labor agreement. Miller was optimistic after long-term talks with the Raiders in early March, but he switched agents in April -- perhaps a sign that he intends to go where the money takes him should he hit the open market. Owner Al Davis is aggressive in keeping his toys, so it's a good bet that he'll top any offer Miller receives.
Prediction: Raiders
2. Kevin Boss, GiantsScouting Report: Consistent from year-to-year but highly inconsistent from week-to-week, Boss fought through injuries to clear 500 yards again in 2010. One of the league's premier blocking tight ends when healthy, Boss' role in the passing game tends to hinge on the availability of the Giants' top receivers. He's a prime red-zone target regardless. Coming off post-season arthroscopic hip surgery, Boss was able to participate in Camp Eli in early May. He expects to be 100 percent by training camp.
Availability: Like the majority of his free agent teammates, Boss drew a second-round tender from the Giants. As a four-year veteran, his freedom hinges on labor outcome. The Giants are expected to bring him back as the starter regardless.
Prediction: Giants
3. Evan Moore, BrownsScouting Report: The former Stanford basketball player may be designated a tight end, but he's been utilized as an over-grown wide receiver in Cleveland. Moore was split out wide on 87 percent of his 193 snaps last season -- nearly 30 percent more than the next closest tight end. A vertical seam stretcher, Moore averaged a team-best 20.1 yards per reception before hernia surgery landed him on injured reserve in December. He's fully recovered as of May.
Availability: Moore was tendered at the second-round level, an indication that the Browns still value him highly as a situational complement to
Ben Watson. Moore has only been in the league three years, so his free agency will be restricted regardless of the labor outcome.
Prediction: Browns
4. Daniel Fells, RamsScouting Report: Don't let the career-high 41 receptions, 395 yards, and 63 percent catch rate fool you. Fells chips off the line for dump-offs, but he was targeted deep only 7.7 percent of the time. Offering little as a blocker, Fells also has subpar after-the-catch skills, and he was pushed down the depth chart every time
Michael Hoomanawanui recovered from an injury. Fells is purely backup material.
Availability: Although Fells drew the original-pick tender in early March, there's now speculation that the Rams may rescind the offer after drafting
Lance Kendricks in the second round. Curiously enough, Josh McDaniels and Bill Belichick have both
flirted with the idea of adding Fells in the past. McDaniels has since done a 180 in his valuation of tight ends, so Fells' fit in the Rams offense is dubious.
Prediction: Rams
5. Dante Rosario, PanthersScouting Report: Rosario can get downfield and flashes intriguing pass-catching ability, but he's never been able to beat out the pedestrian
Jeff King for the starting job. Although Rosario established a career high with 32 catches last year, his per-play effectiveness fell off with
Jimmy Clausen at quarterback. Rosario does contribute on special teams, so he has value as a No. 2 tight end.
Availability: A four-year veteran, Rosario drew a tender offer from the Panthers in early March -- likely of the original-pick variety.
Jeff King, a five-year vet, also drew an offer. With
Jeremy Shockey now on board as the presumptive starter, the Panthers may only keep one of their restricted free agents. Rosario offers more value as a pure backup to Shockey.
Prediction: Panthers
Other three- to five-year restricted running backs: Jeff King,
David Thomas,
Leonard Pope,
Matt Spaeth,
Scott Chandler,
Brad Cottam,
Gijon Robinson,
Tom SantiTrade Candidates1. Martellus Bennett, CowboysScouting Report: A former hoopster at Texas A&M, Bennett was widely considered the most talented tight end in the 2008 draft. The Cowboys staff spent last summer hyping
John Phillips, ostensibly as a message to Bennett. Consider that message received. After Phillips tore his ACL, Bennett responded with a career-high 33 receptions while excelling as an in-line run blocker for a second straight season. He remains valuable
Jason Witten insurance in Dallas.
Availability: The Cowboys missed their window to maximize Bennett's value when they turned down a "significant offer" from the Bengals at the 2009 trade deadline. Bennett is once again hearing rumors that he's on the block, but Dallas won't get fair value for their talented 24-year-old. He'll battle Phillips for the backup job behind Witten.
Prediction: Cowboys
2. Greg Olsen, BearsScouting Report: Olsen's snap count stayed the same under coordinator Mike Martz, but he finished just 21st in the league in tight-end targets while his receptions and yards dropped by 19 and 208 respectively. It's a credit to Olsen, though, that he managed to top 40 receptions, a feat never accomplished by a tight end under Martz. Olsen can stretch the seam with the best of the league's tight ends, as evidenced by his three-catch, 113-yard performance against Seattle in the playoffs. Though he's
Jay Cutler's most reliable target in the passing game, Olsen figures to be under-utilized again in 2011.
Availability: Olsen was shopped around prior to the 2010 draft. A potential trade to New England fell through, and the Patriots ended up grabbing
Rob Gronkowski and
Aaron Hernandez instead. Martz and GM Jerry Angelo are both suggesting that Olsen's role will grow in the Bears offense this season. Even with agent Drew Rosenhaus seeking a "lucrative extension" for Olsen, it seems the Bears will hold on to their tight end in hopes of another playoff season.
Prediction: Bears
Release Candidates Alge Crumpler,
David Martin,
Jim KleinsasserFollow
Chris Wesseling on Twitter.