2012 Free Agents: Tight Ends

2012 NFL Free Agent Positions:
QB | RB | FB | WR | TE | OT | G | C | DE | DT | OLB | ILB | CB | S | K/P | FA Grades | FA Mock

2012 Free Agency: Star rating is out of five. Age listing as of Sept. 1, 2012.
Follow me @walterfootball for updates.

Jermichael Finley, TE, Packers. Age: 25.
Re-signed with Packers (2 years, $15 million)

Big things were expected out of Jermichael Finley this year, but he caught only 55 passes. Even worse, he had a whopping 14 drops – the most for any tight end in the NFL. The good news is that he’s just 25, so the sky is still the limit for him.
Fred Davis, TE, Redskins. Age: 26.
Re-signed with Redskins (1 year, $5.416 million)

Fred Davis caught 59 balls for 796 yards and three touchdowns in 2011. He’s a really skilled tight end, but the downside is that one more suspension for substance abuse will result in a season-long suspension.
John Carlson, TE, Seahawks. Age: 28.
Signed with Vikings (5 years, $25 million; $11 million guaranteed)

How is John Carlson 28 already? The former Notre Dame tight end missed all of 2011 with a shoulder injury, and it’s safe to wonder if he’ll ever reach his potential.
Scott Chandler, TE, Bills. Age: 27.
Re-signed with Bills (2 years)

Scott Chandler caught 38 balls for 389 yards in 2011. He’s a pretty mediocre talent.
Kevin Boss, TE, Raiders. Age: 28.
Signed with Chiefs (3 years, $9 million)

Kevin Boss is a decent end zone target (16 TDs last three years with Giants) and a solid blocker.
Jacob Tamme, H-Back, Colts. Age: 27.
Signed with Broncos (3 years, $9 million; $3.5 million guaranteed)

I know quarterbacking was a major issue, but it still bothers me that Jacob Tamme didn’t step up when Dallas Clark went down this year. Tamme did nothing to prove that he wasn’t a system product manufactured by Peyton Manning in 2010.
Dallas Clark, TE, Colts. Age: 33.
Signed with Buccaneers (1 year)

Dallas Clark looked awful without Peyton Manning last year. He struggled with injuries and drops, as it gave credence to those who believed that he was just part of Indianapolis’ system. Clark should sign with whichever team is lucky enough to land Manning (Update: It’s pretty telling that the Broncos didn’t even want Clark, opting for Jacob Tamme instead).
Martellus Bennett, TE, Cowboys. Age: 25. — Signed with Giants (1 year, $2.5 million)
Joel Dreessen, TE, Texans. Age: 30. — Signed with Broncos
Daniel Graham, TE, Titans. Age: 33.
Visanthe Shiancoe, TE, Vikings. Age: 32. — Signed with Patriots (1 year, $1.2 million)
Jeremy Shockey, TE, Panthers. Age: 32.
Kellen Davis, TE, Bears. Age: 26. — Re-signed with Bears (2 years)
Zach Potter, TE, Jaguars. Age: 26.
Leonard Pope, TE, Chiefs. Age: 28. — Signed with Steelers
John Gilmore, TE, Saints. Age: 32.
Randy McMichael, TE, Chargers. Age: 33. — Re-signed with Chargers (2 years)
Bo Scaife, TE, Bengals. Age: 31.
Daniel Fells, TE, Broncos. Age: 28. — Signed with Patriots
Bear Pascoe (RFA), TE, Giants. Age: 26.
Donald Lee, TE, Bengals. Age: 32.
Reggie Kelly, TE, Falcons. Age: 35.
Alex Smith, TE, Browns. Age: 30. — Re-signed with Browns (1 year)
Justin Peelle, TE, 49ers. Age: 33.
Dante Rosario, TE, Broncos. Age: 27. — Signed with Chargers
Kris Wilson, TE, Ravens. Age: 31.
Billy Bajema, TE, Rams. Age: 29.
Will Heller, TE, Lions. Age: 31. — Re-signed with Lions
Anthony Becht, TE, Chiefs. Age: 35.
Kory Sperry (RFA), TE, Chargers. Age: 27. — Re-signed with Chargers (1 year)
Jake O’Connell (RFA), TE, Chiefs. Age: 26. — Re-signed with Chiefs (1 year)
Matthew Mulligan, TE, Jets. Age: 27. — Signed with Rams