AFC East: Tight Ends
Next in the series we look at the tight end position for the AFC East.
4) New York Jets
Last year, the Jets had a tight end nobody had heard of starting for them. To address that need, they used their 2nd round pick on Jace Amaro from Texas Tech. Standing at 6’6, 265, Amaro is a big-body guy that can go over the middle and move the chains. However, he is not really fast, cannot block, and is brought down really easy, even by guys half his size. Plus, he is more of a slot receiver due to his inability to play in-line. That, and the fact the Jets lack any real depth at the position is the reason they are 4th.
3) Buffalo Bills
The Bills leading receiver at TE last year was Scott Chandler. While the main reason for that was injuries to Robert Woods and Stevie Johnson, a tight end getting 600+ yards is pretty good, especially for a guy who is a third target at best. Scott Chandler is a “meh” tight end; he isn’t horrible and he isn’t great. What Chandler gives the Bills is a guy who can move the chains and make some big plays up the seams, but his lack of jumping ability and speed makes him a limited player. Behind him is Tony Moeaki, who, when healthy is a very good athletic guy who can make some nice plays. However, his problem is that he isn’t that healthy. Rounding out the depth chart is Lee Smith, who is a very good blocking tight end, but that is it. The lack of a real game changer at tight end is why the Bills are 3rd.
2) Miami Dolphins
The Fins entered preseason last year with Dustin Keller looking to be the guy. Unfortunately, he suffered a horrific injury which forced the Fins to rely on a guy who didn’t do much so far in his career. That guy took advantage of that and developed into a guy known as Big Play (Charles) Clay. Clay broke out last year, catching 69 passes for 759 yards and was a go-to guy for Tannehill. His coming-out party came against the Steelers, where he flat-out dominated, catching 2 TD passes and 7 passes for 97 yards. Now that Mike Sherman is gone, new OC Bill Lazor brings a scheme that will better exploit his talents. Clay gives the Dolphins a legitimate game changer at tight end but they have the depth too. Egnew Inferno is a guy who is finally in a system that will use him correctly, and they have Arthur Lynch from Georgia who is a very good blocking tight end. Those three guys give Tanny (QB Ryan Tannehill) a deadly trio in the middle of the field. Oh, and I forgot Gator Hoskins; he is a future HOFer.
1) New England Patriots
Gronk (TE Rob Gronkowski). He is the best tight end in the NFL, who unlike Jimmy Graham, doesn’t disappear in big games. What Gronk gives the Patriots is a guy that teams game plan around and even then, they are unable to stop him. He takes over games whenever he is on the field and is a deadly receiving threat and blocking threat. However, he is always injured and when he isn’t playing, the Patriots’ offense struggles. Due to his injury concerns, the Patriots need solid depth and they have one guy who gives the best tight end group in the AFC East (well two, forgot Justin Jones). HOOMANAWANUI!!!!! The Hoo-man not only has a legit name but is also a very good blocker. He puts the Patriots into 1st place.
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