It's that time of the week again. Previously we have discussed potential free agent targets at QB and WR. Since many think Miami should upgrade the TE position and replace Anthony Fasano with a TE that can stretch the field more, I will take a look at some TE targets. Unfortunately, the depth at TE isn't as deep as it is at WR in free agency.
Jermichael Finley: The best TE available in free agency, it is likely Finley will receive the franchise tag if he doesn't agree to terms with Green Bay. Finley is essentially a big-bodied WR playing TE. He has great body control when getting up for the ball and can make the toughest of catches. He would undoubtedly be an upgrade with his receiving capabilities, but he lacks the run support ability Fasano has.
Fred Davis: He surpassed Chris Cooley as Washington's go-to TE last year, but he comes with a risk. He was suspended for four games in 2011 for drug use and is once incident away from being suspended for an entire season. He's a great threat in the receiving game, but he also offers limited ability in run support.
John Carlson: He missed all of last year with an injury and may come at a discounted price because of that and a down year in 2010. He's not the vertical threat many would want, but Carlson does offer abilities as a pass catching TE and a run blocker. Personally, I don't feel Carlson offers much more than Fasano in the passing game.
Martellus Bennett: He's a 6'6 TE that can run well, but not great. He has the build and the speed you'd look for with a TE to help in the passing game, but he lacks the accomplisments as he's been behind Jason Witten his entire career. He's done decently running routes and is getting better in run protection. While it may be risky to hope for him to overtake Fasano, he could at least be a very good complimentary TE that can threaten to take his job. Of course, that leaves Miami in a bind in trying to find room for Charles Clay.
Visanthe Shianco: One of the better all-around TEs out there, Shiancoe is the type that is a jack-of-all-trades, but master of none. His 6'4 height is adequate as well as his hands and speed. He also does a pretty good job in run support. While he is a good option in the short and intermediate passing game, he won't be the deep threat like TEs Jimmy Graham or Vernon Davis. Still, you match him up with another capable TE like Fasano or even Clay, Miami will have some quality weapons in the middle with Davone Bess offering additional support from the slot.
Joel Dreessen: He's a TE I like, but he's not one that many are looking for. He's a solid run blocker, but he lacks the speed to help stretch the seam. Still, he has good hands and is a threat in the short passing game. While he's not physically gifted and won't make the great plays like some of the top receiving TEs, Dreessen just finds a way to get himself in space and make the catch. Still, he doesn't offer anything more than Fasano does already.
Kellen Davis: A tall TE with some pretty good speed, Davis has never produced much, but TEs aren't exactly featured in Mike Martz's offense. Davis has the ability to work well in short and intermediate routes, but I don't believe him to have the ability to stretch the field as well as some others. He still has a bit to improve on and is more of a project player. I would be a little concerned if he was a starter, but he does offer some potential as a #2 TE. Again, that leaves in question the future of Clay as he is no less a prospect than Davis is.
Other notable TEs: Scott Chandler, Jeremy Shockey, Bo Scaife, Jacob Tamme, Randy McMichael, Craig Stevens, and Daniel Fells.
1 recs | 22 comments
davis is money
He was doing well in a redskins passing game that didn’t have the best qb’s. I also would look into Chandler. We need good te’s to compete with new england.
carabetta13 - February 3, 2012 via mobile
Weak
Only a couple TE worth signing. Finley isn’t leave the packers. I wud look at shianco or bennett. Both r good reliable players and have the build to go across the middle and take the hits. Davis is too much of a chance, and after what we went thru wit Ricky. I dnt see that happening
AEllis1 - February 3, 2012 via mobile
Finley is who I would want
But Bennett could be a cheaper option. All are upgrades to what we have behind Fasano. Either way I’m not for getting rid for Fasano. I’d like to keep as many weapons as possible.
NawlinsPhinFan - February 3, 2012
Yeah Finley's age makes him more attractive, in the first meating Jermichel single-handedly beat up NY Giants defense with key 3rd down reciptions & td's!
wild zion beaver - February 3, 2012
Actually...
I only see a few of them as potential upgrades. I’d say Finley and Davis are the only sure upgrades, but Davis comes with a lot of risk.
Finhead83 - February 3, 2012
So your saying that Mastrud and Yeatman
Are better then the free agent TE’s that he has on his list. With 1 reception between the the of them I think all are upgrades. Maybe you miss read my post.
I wasn’t talking about them being upgrades to Fasano,but the players we have as his back ups.NawlinsPhinFan - February 7, 2012
I would go for Bennett or Davis from Chi
They are both young,fast and should come cheap. They came from an offence that didn’t use them often so they may be better than we think. This would also be one lessthing to look at in the draft and young know they can play in the NFL. Which would you rather draft in the first round a DE or TE; I think a DE would be more value. If you try to sign a free agent DE they would be looking for major buck like 5yrs 55mil with 20mil gran. But you could get one of these young TE for 5yrs -15-18mil. Great savings!
bpratt - February 3, 2012
Isn't Tony Gonzalez of Atlanta a free agent?
He’d be great despite his age… he still detroys defenses, whether zone or single coverage.
Miami also has an exclusive rights TE in Jeron Mustrud. Who-ever-the-hell-he-is… lol
Alpha6 - February 3, 2012
Anothony Gonzalez...hmmm... could have sworn that guy played for the Colts.
Just kidding. Anothony Gonzalez signed a 1 year contract extension worth $7 Million dollars the day of the last game of the year, January 1st. He returns to the Falcons next season.
civwarbuff - February 3, 2012
Damn it! I know nothin!!
Alpha6 - February 3, 2012
He signed an extension.
Finhead83 - February 3, 2012
Yes.... thank you, SA Obvious....
Alpha6 - February 4, 2012
lol
Finhead83 - February 4, 2012
I had heard Bennett was a bit of a headache in the locker room, off the field...
Is this true? I’m sure Ireland would be looking at him seeing that he’s a heffer-boy…..
Red Dog - February 3, 2012
Everyone here in Dallas loves Marty-B. Not sure where you got your info.
texascowpunk - February 5, 2012 via Android app
Tight End is without a doubt an issue on this team and one that despite addressing (but only with a 6th round pick)
Ireland was unable in 2011 to adequately deal with. Anothony Fasano is entering the third and final year of his contract and is owed $3.6 Miilion dollars in base salary in 2012 (although I believe 4.325 Million total because he hits a signing bonus checkpoint). That is a completely unacceptable amount of money to Fasano with the current $120 Million dollar cap. He will likely be cut (and Finhead can maybe elaborate on the details of the cap hit better than I can if he is cut?) which opens up a massive void at the postion.
As for Free Agency it is a thin class. In addition to the players you mentioned Zach Potter, Leonard Pope, John Gilmore, Donald Lee, Reggie Kelly, Alex Smith, Justin Peele, Dante Rosario, Kris Wilson, Billy Bajema, Anothony Becht and Matthew Mulligan are unrestricted Free Agents.
As for Finley and Davis though I just want to say two things. First is a simple agreemant about Finley. Even if he doesn’t get tagged, I see it as highly improbable that he hits the market. The Packers if they dont tag him, will offer him a large multi-year contract and he will probably be willing to take it. The one factor weighing against their resigning of Finley is that Scott Wells is also a Free Agent so they are going to have allocate some cap space this offseason. Nevertheless, I think that both will return.
Fred Davis is the hot commodity and I love the possibility of him coming to Miami. I don’t see the Redskins being able to match other teams competition for him either. They have a plethora of critical players hitting free agency (LaRon Landry, London Fletcher, Will Montgomery, Rocky McIntosh, Adam Carriker and Kory Lichtensteiger), and Chris Colley will return from IR next season. Had Chris Cooley not gone down with injury this year Fred Davis wouldn’t have seen this type of action in the first place. Having said that though I am intensely interested in Fred Davis in Miami. He instantly gives the team explosion at a position desperately needing it and he brings things to the table that Fasano simply can’t do. He also may not demand a salary too much larger in 2012 than Fasanos $4.3 Million. Easily the my favorite candidate at the position this Free Agency.
civwarbuff - February 3, 2012
His (Finleys) fit wood be perfect with him knowing the "system to the te" awsum doesent cover just how much!
wild zion beaver - February 3, 2012
JS, VS, and RM are my votes…but only because I’ve used them in Madden…lol. That’s about the extent of my knowledge of any of the TE’s listed.
tuscanitunr x2 - February 3, 2012
Tamme
Could be exactly what this team is looking for. Even more so if we have Manning.
small balls - February 3, 2012 via mobile
Agreed.
SoxDolphin - February 4, 2012
Kellen Davis
Cheap.
JuniorCane - February 4, 2012
The kid from Clemson would be a great pick
Patssuck456 - February 5, 2012
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