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Buffalo Bills TE Charles Clay was released Friday, Feb. 15.
Footballguys view: No surprise here and injuries have slowed Clay over the last few years. He hasn't played a full 16-game season since 2013 and Clay only had 21 catches for the Bills in 2018 over 13 games. This might be the end of the road for the 2011 sixth-round pick out of Tulsa. |
Charles Clay player page

Free-agent TE Gavin Escobar (Dolphins) has signed with the San Diego Fleet of the Alliance of American Football.
Link to storyGavin Escobar player page

The Buffalo Bills may be interested in signing someone like Philadelphia Eagles WR Golden Tate, Dallas Cowboys WR Cole Beasley or Oakland Raiders TE Jared Cook in free agency, in the opinion of Forbes' Curtis Rush.
Footballguys view: The Bills have a young group of receivers, led by Zay Jones and Robert Foster. Perhaps adding some veteran depth to that room would help. They could also use a veteran tight end, perhaps like Cook, since Charles Clay isn't getting any younger. |
Jared Cook player page
Golden Tate player page
Cole Beasley player page

Iowa TE T.J. Hockenson is 'more athletic' than people give him credit for, according to an NFL personnel executive, and the executive expects Hockenson to impress at the 2019 NFL Scouting Combine.
Footballguys view: If you're looking for a George Kittle-like prospect then look no further than Iowa (Kittle's alma mater). Hockenson is one of two Hawkeye tight ends (Noah Fant is the other) who could get selected in the first round of the 2019 NFL draft. Watching Hockenson is fun because he can get open down the seam and wins contested catches. He should be a player to watch for Fantasy GMs in the pre-draft process. |

Cincinnati Bengals offensive coordinator Brian Callahan was officially hired Thursday, Feb. 7. Additionally, offensive line coach Jim Turner, tight ends coach James Casey and assistant offensive line coach Ben Martin were officially hired in their respective roles.
Link to storyJames Casey player page

Carolina Panthers TE Greg Olsen (foot) intends to keep playing despite dealing with a nagging foot issue that resulted in two surgeries last season.
Footballguys view: Olsen can still be an effective starter (and quality fantasy asset) when healthy. He's rehabilitating his foot every day trying to get back to full health. The veteran tight end has two years remaining on his contract. |
Greg Olsen player page

University of Houston tight ends coach James Casey was hired to fill the same role with the Cincinnati Bengals on Monday, Feb. 4. The Bengals also hired Union College offensive coordinator Ben Martin to serve as the team's new assistant offensive line coach.
Link to storyJames Casey player page

New England Patriots TE Rob Gronkowski hinted at a return in a suggestive video on QB Tom Brady's Instagram after the Super Bowl victory Sunday, Feb. 3. The video shows Gronkowski weighing his options and Brady nodding his head to return before Gronkowski appears to agree with 'to be continued' afterwards.
Footballguys view: This debate and discussion about Gronkowski could go on for quite some time. The veteran tight end has dealt with various injuries throughout his pro career, but he can still be a weapon as a pass-catcher and is a great blocker. Gronkowski is under contract with the Patriots through the 2019 season. He's got a cap hit of $11.8 million in 2019 with just $2 million remaining in dead money. |
Rob Gronkowski player page

New England Patriots TE Rob Gronkowski said he will decide whether or not he'll continue his career 'in a few weeks or so' during comments made following Super Bowl LIII.
Link to storyRob Gronkowski player page

New England Patriots TE Rob Gronkowski caught seven of his eight targets for 87 yards in a 13-3 win over the Los Angeles Rams in Super Bowl LIII.
Link to storyRob Gronkowski player page

Updating a previous report, New England Patriots TE Rob Gronkowski (lower body) returned to the field in the second quarter of Super Bowl XLIII against the Los Angeles Rams and he did not miss a play. He reportedly didn't receive any medical attention on the sidelines after a rough hit which forced him to limp off on the previous drive.
Link to storyRob Gronkowski player page

New England Patriots TE Rob Gronkowski (lower body) suffered an undisclosed lower-body injury in the second quarter of Super Bowl XLIII against the Los Angeles Rams and he limped off the field.
Link to storyRob Gronkowski player page

The New England Patriots have declared DL Keionta Davis, TE Stephen Anderson, LB Derek Rivers, C James Ferentz, CB Duke Dawson, S Obi Melifonwu and DL Ufomba Kamalu inactive for the Super Bowl.
Link to storyStephen Anderson player page
Obi Melifonwu player page
Duke Dawson player page

New England Patriots TE Rob Gronkowski is entering Super Bowl LIII on Sunday, Feb. 3, healthier than he's been at almost any point this season, in which he's battled a bulging disk in his back and Achilles tendinitis.
Link to storyRob Gronkowski player page

New England Patriots TE Rob Gronkowski, who is reportedly contemplating retirement, is not expected to make an official decision regarding his future immediately after Super Bowl LIII is over, according to a league source with knowledge of the situation.
Link to storyRob Gronkowski player page

New Orleans Saints TE Garrett Griffin was signed to a three-year contract when he was promoted during the playoffs, according to The Times Picayune's Josh Katzenstein.
Footballguys view: The Saints will be a top fantasy destination for a tight end now that Ben Watson is retiring, but Griffin would still have to fight Josh Hill and Dan Arnold for playing time even if they don't sign a free agent or draft one of a deep class of rookies. |

Green Bay Packers TE Jimmy Graham is expected to stay in Green Bay in 2019, according to a source. He is due a $5 million roster bonus by March 15. It was previously reported that the Packers could release Graham to save the money.
Footballguys view: Graham's play generally ranged from mediocre to poor this year, but perhaps another year with Aaron Rodgers under a more creative offensive-minded head coach could revive his fantasy stock. He'll still be well below the optimistic ADP he had last year. |
Jimmy Graham player page

New England Patriots TE Rob Gronkowski is the 'best tight end in the game -- still,' Los Angeles Rams CB Aqib Talib said Tuesday, Jan. 29.
Link to storyRob Gronkowski player page

Carolina Panthers impending free-agent TE Chris Manhertz agreed to a two-year deal, according to agent Sean Stellato. Financial terms weren't disclosed.
Footballguys view: Manhertz is a strong blocking tight end and rookie Ian Thomas showed he can handle the work in the receiving game when Greg Olsen went out last year. The Panthers are set at tight end for now. |
Chris Manhertz player page

New England Patriots TE Rob Gronkowski said he is not sure if Super Bowl LIII will be the last game of his career.
Footballguys view: Gronkowski clearly lost something this year even if he compensated for it by contributing more as a blocker. He is certainly aware of the toll the game has taken on his body and if the Patriots win on Sunday, it would be fitting end to his career. It should be his last game as a Patriot either way. |
Rob Gronkowski player page

Kansas City Chiefs TE Travis Kelce can become just the third tight end in NFL history to achieve four straight seasons of at least 80 receptions and 1,000 receiving yards. Former NFL TEs Tony Gonzalez and Jason Witten are the other two.
Footballguys view: Kelce vs Ertz will be a good debate in 2019 drafts, with both worthy of second-round picks in redraft leagues. |
Travis Kelce player page

Philadelphia Eagles TE Zach Ertz (undisclosed) said he was less than 100 percent down the stretch of the season, but he didn't reveal the exact nature of his injuries.
Footballguys view: Ertz production did tail off at times with Nick Foles, but this could be a better explanation than a lack of chemistry. Still, many players are getting worn down by the end of the year, and it will be difficult to expect more from Ertz next year. |
Zach Ertz player page

Oakland Raiders TE Jared Cook caught three passes for 71 yards against the NFC in the 2019 Pro Bowl.
Footballguys view: Cook made a great statement going into free agency. He might have been underpaid at five million last year with the desire for his skillset to create mismatches in the passing game. He'll likely be a TE1 heading into next year no matter where he lands, but could hit the jackpot for fantasy if he ends up somewhere like New Orleans or on a Gronk-less Patriots team. |
Jared Cook player page

Indianapolis Colts TE Erik Swoope had his practice squad contract expire, making him a free agent.
Footballguys view: Swoope needs to prove he can stay healthy before anyone will sign him, but the former college basketball player has flashed some good hands, speed, and useful size as a receiver in his short stints off of the injury report. |
Erik Swoope player page

Los Angeles Chargers TE Hunter Henry (knee) said he still has not fully recovered from his torn anterior cruciate ligament and will take the next few months to continue his rehab.
Footballguys view: Henry missed all of the 2018 regular season due to this knee injury. He was able to come back in the Divisional Round of the playoffs and certainly didn't look like himself. Henry should be good to go for training camp later this summer. |
Hunter Henry player page

New England Patriots TE Rob Gronkowski could retire after Super Bowl LIII, according to some speculation, and Gronkowski's bother, Chris, said Friday, Jan. 25, that he can't shed any light on the situation. 'I think that's a question that I don't think anybody actually knows the answer to at this point,' Chris Gronkowski said in a video interview posted by TMZ Sports. 'There's so many emotions going throughout a season, throughout an offseason, throughout a game. I think that's probably the last thing on anybody's mind right now. I couldn't tell you. I don't even think at this point that he knows what he's going to do after this season.'
Footballguys view: Gronkowski has previously stated that he only wants to play with QB Tom Brady, but that could always change. We'll see if the Pats win yet another Super Bowl and if Gronkowski wants to move on to the next chapter...perhaps in the WWE. |
Rob Gronkowski player page

Green Bay Packers TE Jimmy Graham could be released during the offseason, in the opinion of the Green Bay Press-Gazette's Pete Dougherty, a move that would save the team $5.3 million in cap space.
Footballguys view: Graham was not that impressive in his first year with the Packers, even though when he signed it sounded like an exciting match. It was kind of like his first year in Seattle, but Graham finished with 55 catches for 636 receiving yards but just two touchdowns. The lack of scores kept Graham from being a TE1 for Fantasy GMs, and he ranked as the no.14 fantasy tight end (standard leagues) in 2018. |
Jimmy Graham player page

Detroit Lions TE Luke Willson's lack of production and the injuries to TE Michael Roberts (shoulder) will have the Lions targeting tight ends in free agency and in the 2019 NFL Draft, according to Michael Rothstein of ESPN.com.
Footballguys view: We could see that happening for the Lions. The tight end class is a good one, and the Lions may be tempted to select someone like T.J. Hockenson (Iowa) in the first round. The Lions currently have the no.8 overall selection in the 2019 NFL draft. |
Luke Willson player page
Michael Roberts player page

Indianapolis Colts TE Jack Doyle (hip, kidney) may need to undergo surgery this offseason on the hip injury he suffered during the regular season.
Link to storyJack Doyle player page

San Francisco 49ers TE Garrett Celek (thumb) underwent thumb surgery after the 2018 season but probably will be ready for the start of offseason workouts.
Link to storyGarrett Celek player page

Updating a previous report, Jacksonville Jaguars impending free-agent TE Austin Seferian-Jenkins said earlier that he is leaving Jacksonville, but team spokesman Tad Dickman stated that the Jaguars have not yet made a decision on picking up Seferian-Jenkins' option or not.
Footballguys view: It sounds like the Jaguars are leaning towards not picking up his option. Seferian-Jenkins should have plenty of suitors on the open market because of his ability as a blocker and receiver. |
Austin Seferian-Jenkins player page

Jacksonville Jaguars impending free-agent TE Austin Seferian-Jenkins tweeted Thursday, Jan. 24, that he is leaving Jacksonville, meaning the Jaguars have declined his $500,000 team option and he will enter free agency.
Link to storyAustin Seferian-Jenkins player page

The Kansas City Chiefs signed WR Josh Crockett, LB Raymond Davison, OT Ryan Hunter, DT Joey Ivie, QB Chase Litton, LB Robert McCray, OT Pace Murphy, DB D'Montre Wade and TE David Wells to Reserve/Futures deals Tuesday, Jan. 22.
Footballguys view: Crockett played his college ball at Central Oklahoma and was known as a big threat. Measuring in at 6'4" 195 pounds, Crockett finished 6th in school history in both receptions (129) and yards receiving (2,003). Crockett also snared 18 touchdown catches from 2014-17. Super deep dynasty formats should monitor him but he's a long-shot to be sure. |

Oakland Raiders impending free-agent TE Jared Cook will be re-signed if head coach Jon Gruden has his way, but Gruden admitted that Cook will be a popular name on the free-agent market.
Footballguys view: In his second season with the Raiders, Cook had a career high 896 receiving yards and six touchdowns (also a career high). Teams should be interested in the soon-to-be 32-year old target who continues to be one of the more athletic tight ends in the league. |
Jared Cook player page

New England Patriots TE Rob Gronkowski was on the field for all 97 offensive snaps during the AFC Championship game.
Footballguys view: Gronkowski may be playing his last NFL game in a couple of weeks when the Patriots take on the Rams in Super Bowl LIII. We'll see if he can play every snap in the big game. |
Rob Gronkowski player page

New England Patriots TE Rob Gronkowski caught six of his 11 targets for 79 yards in a 37-31 win over the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Championship Game Sunday, Jan. 20.
Link to storyRob Gronkowski player page

Kansas City Chiefs TE Travis Kelce caught three of his five targets for 23 yards and a touchdown in a 37-31 loss to the New England Patriots in the AFC Championship Game Sunday, Jan. 20.
Link to storyTravis Kelce player page

New Orleans Saints TE Garrett Griffin posted two grabs for 12 yards and his first-career touchdown in the NFC Championship Game loss against the Los Angeles Rams.
Link to story
Los Angeles Rams TE Gerald Everett posted two receptions for 50 yards on four targets in the NFC Championship Game against the New Orleans Saints.
Link to storyGerald Everett player page

Los Angeles Rams TE Tyler Higbee posted four receptions for 25 yards and a touchdown in the NFC Championship Game against the New Orleans Saints.
Link to storyTyler Higbee player page

The New England Patriots have declared DL Keionta Davis, DE Deatrich Wise Jr., TE Stephen Anderson, C James Ferentz, CB Duke Dawson, DL Ufomba Kamalu and DL Danny Shelton inactive for Conference Championships.
Link to storyDanny Shelton player page
Stephen Anderson player page
Duke Dawson player page

The Kansas City Chiefs have declared DT Kahlil McKenzie, WR Kelvin Benjamin, OT Laurent Duvernay-Tardif, DE Tanoh Kpassagnon, C Jimmy Murray, TE Deon Yelder and LB Dorian O'Daniel inactive for Conference Championships.
Link to storyKelvin Benjamin player page
Tanoh Kpassagnon player page
Dorian O'Daniel player page
Deon Yelder player page

New Orleans Saints TE Josh Hill (concussion) suffered a concussion in the first half of the NFC Championship Game against the Los Angeles Rams and he has been ruled out for the remainder of the game.
Link to storyJosh Hill player page

New Orleans Saints TE Josh Hill (head) left for the locker room in the first quarter of the NFC Championship Game against the Los Angeles Rams with a potential head injury.
Link to storyJosh Hill player page

New Orleans Saints TE Benjamin Watson (illness) has been declared inactive for the NFC Championship game but should be available to play in Super Bowl LIII if the Saints advance.
Link to storyBen Watson player page

The New Orleans Saints have declared OT Derek Newton, WR Keith Kirkwood, RB Dwayne Washington, DL Tyrunn Walker, TE Benjamin Watson, LB Manti Te'o and C Will Clapp inactive for Conference Championships.
Link to storyBen Watson player page
Tyrunn Walker player page
Manti Te'o player page
Dwayne Washington player page

New England Patriots TE Rob Gronkowski will mull retirement this offseason, and instead of pursuing a WWE wrestling career, movies/acting would be a likelier choice.
Footballguys view: Gronkowski may not play football in 2019. If that's the case, it wouldn't surprise us to see him pursue other careers outside of football. Gronk as an action star would be quite the sight to behold. |
Rob Gronkowski player page

Atlanta Falcons TE Austin Hooper's 71 receptions in 2018 were the fourth most among tight ends, and he also ranked seventh in receiving yards (660) and tied for ninth in touchdowns (4) at the position.
Footballguys view: Hooper was the no.7 fantasy tight end in 2018 in standard scoring leagues. The Falcons have made changes to their offense already, mainly firing Steve Sarkisian as offensive coordinator. We'll see how Dirk Koetter runs the offense now as OC in 2019, but he does know how to best use his tight ends. |
Austin Hooper player page

Tampa Bay Buccaneers TE O.J. Howard (foot, ankle) was limited to 10 games in 2018, but his 11 receptions of 20-plus yards were the fifth most among tight ends.
Footballguys view: Howard only played in 10 games in 2018 but he finished 13th in the NFL with 565 receiving yards. It's going to be interesting to see how he fits into the plans of new Bucs head coach Bruce Arians. During his time in Arizona, Arians didn't really use the tight end as much as other offenses. |
O.J. Howard player page

Dallas Cowboys TE Blake Jarwin had at least four catches and 40 yards in three of his final four regular season games, and he had 20 of his 27 catches and 228 of his 307 receiving yards during that stretch.
Footballguys view: Dynasty GMs need to monitor Jarwin or just pick him up if roster space is deep enough. This is especially important in TE premium leagues. No word on who is going to run the Cowboys offense just yet, but Jarwin has good chemistry with Dark Prescott and has TE2 upside. |
Blake Jarwin player page