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Let me start off by saying there isn't going to be much to choose from at tight end this year in free agency. On top of that, the Raiders spent two draft picks on the position last year and they weren't even supposed to be the starters. David Ausberry was slated as the starter but he was lost for the season with a shoulder injury.
The best tight end in the NFL, Jimmy Graham, is seeing his contract come up and the thought of adding him to a roster has many GM's drooling. But the real question is if he will even reach the market. I don't think he will. I mean, would you want to leave Drew Brees? The Saints just cleared a ton of cap space so they have the means to bring Graham back and I think they will.
The only other hot ticket tight end in the group is Dennis Pitta and he too is expected to return to his team, the Ravens. That doesn't leave much to choose from for a team who may be looking to add a solid tight end to the mix. I see only two.
Brandon Pettigrew 28 - This former first round pick has at times looked like the type of player the Lions thought they were getting when they made him the 20th overall selection in the 2009 draft. Most notably his 2010 and 2011 seasons in which he averaged 77 catches for 750 yards and had a total of nine touchdowns. The other three seasons were pretty average. He is also one of the better pass blocking tight ends.
Scott Chandler 29 - At 6-7, 270 pounds you won't find many players who can line up eye to eye with him. He towers over most linebackers and defensive backs and if he were more fleet of foot, he could be a wide receiver. Chandler became the starter in Buffalo three seasons ago and has seen his receiving numbers go up each season, culminating in last season in which he caught 53 passes for 655 yards.
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