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NFL Rankings: 10 best tight ends in the league

By Brad Rowland

New Orleans Saints tight end Jimmy Graham (80) dunks over the goal post following a touchdown against the Tennessee Titans during a preseason game at Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
New Orleans Saints tight end Jimmy Graham (80) dunks over the goal post following a touchdown against the Tennessee Titans during a preseason game at Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /
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San Francisco 49ers tight end Vernon Davis (85) makes a touchdown catch against Green Bay Packers strong safety Morgan Burnett (42) and inside linebacker A.J. Hawk (50)during the second haf of the 2013 NFC wild card playoff football game at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports
San Francisco 49ers tight end Vernon Davis (85) makes a touchdown catch against Green Bay Packers strong safety Morgan Burnett (42) and inside linebacker A.J. Hawk (50)during the second haf of the 2013 NFC wild card playoff football game at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports /

4) Vernon Davis, San Francisco 49ers

Regardless of position, Vernon Davis is one of the best pure athletes in the NFL. He is the fastest tight end in the league (potentially by a wide margin), and because of his strength and explosiveness, Davis can serve as an above-average blocker if deployed in the right setting.

As a pass-catcher, it was a down year from a volume perspective in 2013, as Davis caught only 52 balls, but he translated that to 13 touchdowns (second in the NFL) and with a more accomplished quarterback, he would likely explode statistically. The knock on Davis at this point is that he has been somewhat inconsistent, but much of that can be attributed to some system issues in San Francisco, and all told, he is basically the complete package at the tight end position for the “new” NFL.

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