Explosive receivers are great, but having a versatile tight end can be even better. With the evolution of the spread offense, tight ends are required to do more than just block. In a league all about matchups, the tight end has become the one position that can offer the most difficult matchup for a defense to account for.
Two types of tight ends exist in the National Football League: blockers and play makers. On the rare occasion, there is the guy who can do both. However, the big, explosive "hybrid" pass-catchers are revolutionizing the position and are providing the most value for the franchises who have them.
10. Brandon Pettigrew (Detroit Lions)
· Experience: Five seasons
· Size: 6’5” 265 pounds
· Coach: Jim Caldwell
Summary: When he’s healthy, Pettigrew is a potent target. He provides Matthew Stafford with another weapon aside from Calvin Johnson. In 2013, Pettigrew collected 41 receptions for 416 yards and two touchdowns. He had his most prolific season in 2011 when he snagged 83 balls for 777 yards and five touchdowns. Pettigrew is a good blocker, but an explosive player on the receiving end. He excels in jump ball situations and is an exceptional safety valve in the redzone. Pettigrew has 284 receptions for 2,828 yards and 16 touchdowns in his career. His biggest obstacle this year may be getting touches. The Lions drafted Eric Ebron in the top 10 of this year's draft to be a Tight End better than 10th in the positional rankings.
9. Zach Miller (Seattle Seahawks)
· Experience: Eight seasons
· Size: 6’5” 255 pounds
· Coach: Pete Carroll
Summary: In three seasons (2011-13), Miller has turned into a reliable tight end for Seattle. While an exceptional blocking, Miller also has great hands. He’s totaled 96 receptions for 1,016 yards and eight touchdowns in his career. Last season, he recorded 33 catches for 387 yards and five touchdowns. Miller was third on the team in receptions (33) and yards (387). He tied for first on the team in touchdowns in 2013 with five. Miller helped the Seahawks achieve a playoff berth, an NFC title and a Super Bowl victory in 2013. He has 322 receptions for 3,728 yards and 20 touchdowns in his career.
8. Julius Thomas (Denver Broncos)
· Experience: Four seasons
· Size: 6’5” 250 pounds
· Coach: John Fox
Summary: In 2013, Peyton Manning showed many how Thomas can be a valuable weapon in Denver’s receiving core. Thomas can set the edge for running backs and protect the quarterback, but he’s a primetime receiver. He has deceptive speed despite his size and creates matchup nightmares for defenses. Thomas excels in redzone situations and can move the chains on third down. Last season, he finished third on the team in receptions (65) and yards (788). Thomas collected 12 touchdown receptions and averaged 12.1 yards per catch. He helped the Broncos notch a playoff berth, an AFC title and a Super Bowl berth in 2013. Thomas has 66 receptions for 793 yards and 12 touchdowns.
7. Jason Witten (Dallas Cowboys)
· Experience: 12 seasons
· Size: 6’6” 261 pounds
· Coach: Jason Garrett
Summary: Witten has the complete package at tight end. He has been the staple of the Cowboys and he’s seen every up and down of Tony Romo’s career. Despite his age (32 years old), Witten continues to be consistent and productive. In 2013, he was second on the team in receptions (73), targets (111), yards (851) and touchdowns (8). He is an exceptional blocker as well as good pass catcher. Witten can move the chains on third down and is a clutch target in the redzone. His best season was in 2010 when he recorded 94 catches for 1,002 yards and nine touchdowns. Witten has 879 receptions for 9,799 yards and 52 touchdowns in his career.
6. Greg Olsen (Carolina Panthers)
· Experience: Eight seasons
· Size: 6’5” 250 pounds
· Coach: Ron Rivera
Summary: In eight seasons, Olsen has played with two good quarterbacks. He was on the receiving end of passes from Jay Cutler in Chicago for four seasons (2007-10) and now he’s the safety blanket for Cam Newton in Carolina (2011-present). Olsen’s best season in Chicago was in 2009. He amassed 60 receptions for 612 yards and eight touchdowns. Last season was Olsen’s finest in Carolina. He led the team in receptions (73), targets (109), yards (816) and touchdowns (6). Olsen helped Chicago achieve its first playoff win against Seattle in 2011. He guided the Panthers to a playoff berth in 2013. Olsen has 381 receptions for 4,180 yards and 36 touchdowns in his career.
5. Dennis Pitta (Baltimore Ravens)
· Experience: Four seasons
· Size: 6’4” 245 pounds
· Coach: John Harbaugh
Summary: Like Pettigrew, Pitta is a force on offense when he is healthy. He is the safety valve for Joe Flacco and provides him with another weapon aside from Torrey Smith and Jacoby Jones. Despite his size, Pitta displays great leaping abilities. He high-points the ball well and can make catches in traffic. In 2012, Pitta tied Todd Heap for the most receptions by a Ravens tight end (61). He brought in 669 yards and seven touchdowns in 2012. Pitta helped Baltimore become an AFC Champion and a Super Bowl Champion in the 2012 season. He cracked the NFL’s top 100 in 2013 debuting at No. 100. Pitta will look to have a bounce back year in 2014. He caught 20 passes for 169 yards and a touchdown last season. Pitta has 112 receptions for 1,244 yards and 11 touchdowns in his career.
4. Antonio Gates (San Diego Chargers)
· Experience: 12 seasons
· Size: 6’4” 255 pounds
· Coach: Mike McCoy
Summary: He may be on the tail end of his career, but Gates is still putting up numbers. With his basketball frame, Gates can still out-leap defensive backs and linebackers for the football. He continues to take pressure off Phillip Rivers. Despite racking up 13 touchdowns in 2004, Gates’s best all-around season was in 2009. He caught 79 passes for 1,157 yards (14.6 yards per catch) and eight touchdowns that year. Gates led the team in receptions (77) and targets (116) in 2013. He finished second in yards (872) and touchdowns (4). Gates has guided the Chargers to AFC West Division crowns (2004, 2006-09) and six playoff appearances (2004, 2006-09, 2013). He has 719 receptions for 9,193 yards and 87 touchdowns in his career.
3. Vernon Davis (San Francisco 49ers)
· Experience: Nine seasons
· Size: 6’3” 250 pounds
· Coach: Jim Harbaugh
Summary: Davis is a big time, play making tight end. He has speed along with great leaping abilities. Davis has built a relationship with Colin Kaepernick is one of San Francisco’s more consistent receivers. He excels at creating space at the line of scrimmage and causing matchup problems for defenses. 2009 and 2013 were Davis’s best seasons. He brought in 78 receptions for 965 yards (12.4 yards per catch) and 13 touchdowns in 2009. Davis had 850 yards receiving and 13 touchdowns last season. Despite his production, Davis’s character has raised question marks. If he can improve on being a better leader, Davis could really help this team get over the hump and win a Super Bowl.
2. Jimmy Graham (New Orleans Saints)
· Experience: Four seasons
· Size: 6’7” 265 pounds
· Coach: Sean Payton
Summary: Graham is a freak athlete. He’s sometimes referred to a “twinner” because he has the body of a tight end and the speed of a receiver. Graham can lineup on the offensive line, in the slot or as an outside receiver. He locates the football well and creates havoc for opposing defenses. Graham takes a lot of pressure off Drew Brees with his ability to go up and snatch passes. He caught 99 passes for 1,310 yards and 11 touchdowns in 2011. Last season was Graham’s was prolific year. He led the team in receptions (86), targets (144), yards (1,215) and touchdowns (16) in 2013. Graham is a two-time Pro Bowl selection (2011, 2013). He made the AP First-team All-Pro in 2013. Graham has 301 receptions for 3,863 yards and 41 touchdowns in his career.
1. Rob Gronkowski (New England Patriots)
· Experience: Five seasons
· Size: 6’6” 265 pounds
· Coach: Bill Belichick
Summary: When Gronkowski is healthy, he is the best tight end in the NFL. Having Tom Brady as your quarterback is a plus, but Gronkowski makes Brady’s job easier by making huge plays. He is a threat on short to intermediate passes; however, Gronkowski can burn defensive backs on long balls too. His best season was in 2011. Gronkowski caught 90 passes for 1,327 yards and 17 touchdowns. Knee injuries (ACL and MCL) slowed him down in 2013, but Gronkowski managed to total 592 receiving yards and four touchdowns. He was a two-time Pro Bowl selection (2011, 2012), a two-time All-Pro selection (2011, 2012) and an AFC Champion (2011). Gronkowski was the NFL’s leading touchdown receiver in 2011 (17 touchdowns). He has 226 receptions for 3,255 yards and 42 touchdowns in his career.