Part I: Overview

Part II: Quarterbacks

Part III: Running Backs

Part IV: Wide Receivers

The tight end position is evolving right in front of our eyes.

Tight ends are asked to block like offensive lineman and have the catching ability of a wide receiver, if a tight end can do both of these things it will prove to be a very valuable weapon for the quarterback.

However this tight end class of free agents is very thin as you will see.

Jermichael Finley:

Finley is an elite talent and a very valuable piece to the Green Bay offense. The Packers will either tag him or try to sign him long-term however, if he hits the free agent market there will be VERY HIGH interest from other teams. With his great hands, ability to win jumpballs, and body control, Finley has proven to be one of the better tight ends in the league.

However, Finley had a sub-par season with inconsistent play (drops) and does have a history of injuries so it will be interesting to see how Green Bay approaches his contract situation. Regardless of his sub-par season, if Finley does hit the open market he will receive a lot of attention and will demand a high paying contract.

In the end, I expect Green Bay to franchise tag him.

Fred Davis:

Davis has surpassed Chris Cooley on the depth chart in Washington and now it is time for Washington to pay up. Davis is an excellent receiving tight end that can beat man coverage and eat up zone coverage. Davis had a decent year considering the quarterbacks that were throwing to him.

Davis number this past season were 59 catches 796 yards and 3 touchdowns. Not bad conisdering he had Rex Grossman and John Beck throwing to him. Not to mention, he was suspended towards the end of the year for violating the drug substance abuse policy during the lockout.

The Redskins are big spenders in the off-season and I fully expect them to try to retain Davis on their team by either using the franchise tag or signing him long-term. I believe Davis would want to be franchised so he can break the bank next offseason.

John Carlson:

Carlson is rehabbing a torn labrum and saw his production drop in 2011. However, Carlson does have the potential to be a great bargain for a team looking for a tight end.

Carlson has a chance to be the sleeper pick for teams looking to acquire a tight end, The Giants make a lot of sense here because of their lack of depth at tight end. Also both Beckum and Ballard will start the year on the PUP (Physical Unable to Perform) after both players suffered torn ACL’s in the super bowl.

Carlson can be a great combo tight end, he is not an Antonio Gates, Jimmy Graham, Rob Gronkowski type tight end but can be a very productive player in terms of blocking and red zone catches.

I told you the tight end market was thin..

Stay tuned for my next article: NFL Offseason 2012 Part VI – Offensive Lineman

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