It wasn’t too long ago that the tight end position was almost an afterthought in NFL offenses. There were a handful of guys Jay Novacek of the Dallas Cowboys or Mark Bavaro of the New York Giants. The real change in the position started with Kieth Jackson of the then Philadelphia Eagles who was part of the 1992 case against the NFL that opened unrestricted free agency and left after the court victory for the Miami Dolphins.
Jackson was the first legit, game-changing weapon at tight end in the passing game for teams, which is why the Dolphins and Dan Marion were so happy to add him to their offense. He remained that valuable until his final season when he caught 63 passes for 505 yards and 10 touchdowns in Green Bay’s 1996-97 Super Bowl run with Brett Favre and fellow former Eagles Free Agent Reggie White.
Every since then tight ends have become more and more important in NFL offenses, with guys like Tony Gonzalez for the Kansas City Chiefs and Antonio Gates for the San Diego Chargers taking it up another notch until the league is filled with Tyler Eiferts, Greg Olsens, Travice Kelces, Julius Thomases and Rob Gronkowskis.
So knowing that every team needs to have, if not multiple offensive threats at tight ends, here are the five best guys free agents still on the market.
John Phillips, Tight End, San Diego Chargers
2015: 10 catches, 69 yards, one touchdown, Age 28
OK, it’s a fair question to ask why Phillips is on the list, but the truth is these things work best if there are at least five names on them. What Phillips does have in his favor is his versatility and size. He’s 6-foot-5 and 250 pounds and played fullback, tight end and even a little wide receiver back in 2011 for the Dallas Cowboys. He’s also a reliable target when used in the passing games, catching all but one pass thrown his way last season. In fact,t hat pass was just one of two times he was targeted over the last four seasons where he didn’t haul it in.
Phillips costs next to nothing to have on your team, he’s a true professional and when his number’s called he can deliver. So, hey, that’s as good a reason to have him on this list than any. Best fits: Dallas Cowboys, Buffalo Bills, Green Bay Packers
Andrew Quarless, Tight End, Green Bay Packers
2015: Four receptions, 31 yards, Age 27
A neck injury limited Quarless last year and some off-the field issues before the season started didn’t help. But he was the best blocker at tight end the Packers had on an offense that got more depleted by personnel by the day. As much as he’s known as a blocker, Quarless, when healthy, can produce in the passing game. In 2014 he averaged 11.1 yards per catch, hauled in 29 passes and scored three touchdowns. His 2013 was nearly as good with 312 yards, 32 catches and two scores.
Quarless is another guy that shouldn’t be too expensive to add to a roster. He’s got good size at 6-foot-4 and 252 pounds and knows how to use it in a power-based running attack. Best fits: Indianapolis Colts, Pittsburgh Steelers, Chicago Bears
Daniel Fells, Tight End, New York Giants
2015: Six catches, 60 yards, Age 32
Fells has been an underrated player since he first entered the league as an undrafted free agent with the then St. Louis Rams back in 2008. He’s carved out a nice little niche for himself in the meantime. Like Phillips, he’s been listed as a fullback an wide receiver at times on rosters too with productive stints with the Rams, the Denver Broncos and the Giants as a blocker, role player and third down option.
Fells missed most of last season with an MRSA infection so there’s no word on how he’s recovered from that yet. If he does, he shouldn’t have trouble landing somewhere as a solid No. 2. Best fits: Arizona Cardinals, New Orleans Saints, Atlanta Falcons
Scott Chandler, Tight End, New England Patriots
2015: 23 receptions, 259 yards, four touchdowns, Age 30
If you play fantasy football then Scott Chandler is no secret to you. Back when he was with the Buffalo Bills he was a consistent performer in yardage and touchdowns, with his best year coming in 2013 when he caught 53 passes for 655 yards and two touchdowns.
Chandler signed a one-year deal with New England last year and had a decent season, catching 259 yards worth of passes for four touchdowns. He would be an excellent fit on a contender that really needed a physical 6-foot-7, 270 pound guy that knows how to get open when it counts. Best fits: Cincinnati Bengals, Oakland Raiders, Denver Broncos
Owen Daniels, Tight End, Denver Broncos
2015: 46 catches, 517 yards, three touchdowns, Age 33
For his entire career all Daniels as done is caught passes, piled up yards and hauled in touchdowns. Even in his shortest season, when he just played eight games due to injury in 2009 he still caught 40 passes for 519 yards and five touchdowns. He’s been instrumental in playoff runs with the Houston Texans, the Ravens and the Broncos and finally got his much-deserved Super Bowl ring last season.
Daniels is a mercenary at this point, but it’s not his fault. His age, coupled with the nature of the salary cap will keep teams from signing him long term. He should still find a job and it wouldn’t surprise me if he isn’t just waiting for the right team with the right Super Bowl run planned to call. Best fits: Indianapolis Colts, New York Giants, Atlanta Falcons
