2018 NFL free agents: Top five tight ends available for Dolphins

That time is here, the start of the free agents season where the Dolphins have been filling holes in order to set up picking the best player on the board come draft time.

With the moves so far, moving on from Jarvis Landry and replacing him with Albert Wilson and Danny Amendola. The tight end position could become even more key. I have already suspected that coach Gase still claimers for a seam splitting TE to go along with an all-purpose RB to pair with Kenyan Drake. These moves should be coming by free agents, trades or the draft.

The money for FA is being allocated through players being cut or having contracts reduced or restructured. Although restructures should be done with care as we have seen what can happen with the 22 million dollars left behind after Ndamukong Suh will depart the team.

Just because Gase struck out on Julius Thomas is no reason to give up on getting that higher production tight end. And not settling for an average one or a blocking one. There are no signs of committing to 33-year-old TE Anthony Fasano who has blocking talent.

The top five FA TE’s according to NFL Trade Rumors and some contract estimates according to Spotrac.

Tyler Eifert: He claims to be at full health right now. The Raiders and Pats are said to have interest in him. Close to 8 million APY is what he is expected to draw. While he has what seems like unlimited potential it comes the same kind of risk. It’s the old saying: its not if Eifert gets hurt it’s when. In his five seasons, 13 games is the most he played, with one season of just one game and only two last season.

Austin Seferian-Jenkins: he is said to be drawing interest from the Seahawks and Saints. Close to 4 million APY is what he is expected to draw. Like Eifert he also comes with a risk but for off the field trouble. And does have the size and talent one would want in a TE. He says he is ‘extremely interested’ in joining the Seahawks which looks like it would take a bidding war to land him.

Martellus Bennett: He bounced between the Packers and Pats most recently on his long tenured journey being 31 years of age. He says he wants to play but only the Eagles are showing interest in the news and a would be reunion with his brother Michael. There is no market value up on Spotrac but his last APY was 7 million. Although older now he also has the size and talent a team would want.

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Some of the top five got poached already with Jimmy Graham and Trey Burton getting early deals made. Oddly enough the next player on the list is Julius Thomas then Ed Dickson who the Dolphins have shown interest in along with the Falcons and Packers. At 6’4′ / 255 pounds he has the size as the others brought up so far. Dickson has played backup roles so there isn’t a lot of wear on his 30-year-old body. There must be something worthwhile in him or three teams wouldn’t be trying for his services which would come at 3.5 million. Although this also raises the chances of a bidding war.

A few others are former Dolphin Dion Sims with the Bears who having just brought on Trey Burton might be moving on from him. Although he is said to be more of a blocking TE. You may remember him diving for a ball outside of the side of the end zone and giving himself a concussion having started his eleventh and most games started for the Dolphins that season. Last season with the Bears he started and played in 14 games so there may be other injury concerns with him.

It looks like the Lions have a decision to make today on TE Eric Ebron who has a 8.25 million team option that becomes guaranteed. They could try to trade him but his contract is fully guaranteed and it appears that option amount would travel with him.

The type of tight ends the Miami Dolphins end up with could lend credence to how the rest of the offense will play as a whole.

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