AFC East best teams by position
By Brian Miller
TIGHT ENDS
New England Patriots
Aug 13, 2015; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) on the side line during the fourth quarter against the Green Bay Packers at Gillette Stadium. The Green Bay Packers won 22-11. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports
There is no one better in the AFC East and maybe the entire NFL as Rob Gronkowski. Gronkowski is the primary target of New England’s Tom Brady and teams know that Brady will go in that direction but simply can’t stop him. Big and bruising with a perfect combination of pass catching and blocking abilities, “Gronk” is simply one of the best at the position. The Patriots won’t just rely on Gronkowski this year and while Gronk alone would make the Patriots the best in the AFC East at the position, the addition of Scott Chandler makes the unit even better. Chandler is a better blocker than Gronkowski but extremely effective in the passing game and could have his best season in 2015 with Brady throwing him passes.
Miami Dolphins
Aug 11, 2015; Davie, FL, USA; Miami Dolphins wide receiver Jordan Cameron (84) during training camp at Doctors Hospital Training Facility. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
The Dolphins lost versatile tight-end Charles Clay to the Bills but they added a former pro-bowler in Jordan Cameron. Cameron is the first legitimate seam threat tight-end the Dolphins have had in decades. While not a speed burner, Cameron uses his body very well and is a big time threat in the red-zone. In addition the Dolphins are seeing a lot of improvement in third year tight-end Dion Sims. Sims is becoming more and more proficient in the passing game as receiver and gives the Dolphins a solid two tight-end set that will be hard to defend.
Jets and Bills
Charles Clay could be the star of the Bills offense but he isn’t a prototype tight end. In Miami he was used as an H-back/fullback/tight-end hybrid. He is very good in pass protection but his main threat is on the outside as a receiver. In Miami Clay wasn’t a big red-zone target so the Bills will need to find a way to use him inside the 20 yard line. In New York the Jets are still hoping to see improvement in second year tight-end Jace Amaro. Amaro has all the physical tools to be one of the better tight-ends in the league but he has yet to showcase that talent consistently and struggled his rookie season.