Biggest Names
Owen Daniels (RFA), Anthony Fasano (RFA)
Not much to choose from at tight end in terms of unrestricted talent. Benjamin Watson may be the best available in that category, otherwise there are a lot of younger players who'll be tough to pry loose as RFAs. None of the UFAs finished among the top 50 pass catchers in 2009.
Possible Patriots
Matt Spaeth (RFA), Reggie Kelly
There's a good bet the Patriots will look into signing a tight end since that's one position Bill Belichick almost always explores. The trouble is most of the talented ones, as indicated above, are restricted. Spaeth is a huge blocker who has caught an occasional pass working behind Heath Miller in Pittsburgh and wouldn't command a huge offer sheet. Kelly is a high-character guy coming off a knee injury that knocked him out of action in 2009. That could make him an affordable option.
The Full List
Name 2009 Team Position Status
Becht, Anthony ARZ TE UFA
Campbell, Dan NO TE UFA
Coats, Daniel CIN TE RFA 3
Crumpler, Alge TEN TE UFA
Daniels, Owen HST TE RFA 4
Dinkins, Darnell NO TE UFA
Estandia, Greg CLV TE RFA 3
Fasano, Anthony MIA TE RFA 4
Fells, Daniel SL TE RFA 3
Fitzsimmons, Casey DET TE UFA
Foschi, J.P. CIN TE RFA 3
Gaines, Michael CLV TE UFA
Hartsock, Ben NYJ TE UFA
Heller, Will DET TE UFA
Johnson, Darcy NYG TE RFA 3
Jones, Edgar BLT TE RFA 3
Kelly, Reggie CIN TE UFA
King, Jeff CAR TE RFA 4
Klopfenstein, Joe BUF TE RFA 4
Manumaleuna, Brandon SD TE UFA
McMichael, Randy SL TE UFA
Miller, Billy NO TE UFA
Patrick, Ben ARZ TE RFA 3
Ryan, Sean KC TE UFA
Scaife, Bo TEN TE RFA 5
Scheffler, Tony DEN TE RFA 4
Schouman, Derek BUF TE RFA 3
Smith, Alex PHI TE RFA 5
Smith, L.J. BLT TE UFA
Spach, Stephen ARZ TE RFA 3
Spaeth, Matt PIT TE RFA 3
Sypniewski, Quinn BLT TE RFA 4
Thomas, David NO TE RFA 4
Watson, Benjamin NE TE UFA
Wilford, Ernest JAX TE UFA
Wilson, Kris SD TE UFA
Yoder, Todd WAS TE UFA
Up next in the Free Agent Preview series: quarterback, coming Wednesday, Mar. 3.
