NFL free agency 2017: Best 5 tight ends available

NFL free agency 2017: Best tight ends available

Jan 22, 2017; Atlanta, GA, USA; Green Bay Packers tight end Jared Cook (89) runs the ball against Atlanta Falcons outside linebacker De'Vondre Campbell (59) during the third quarter in the 2017 NFC Championship Game at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports /

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Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

1. Martellus Bennett

Bennett found a nice fit with the New England Patriots as Rob Gronkowski’s understudy this past season, with 55 receptions for 701 yards and seven touchdowns over 16 regular season games. But he is slated to become a free agent in March, and after New England’s Super Bowl 51 win over the Atlanta Falcons Bennett openly and optimistically acknowledged that “you know they overpay Super Bowl champions.”

Bennett is likely headed for offseason surgery on a troublesome ankle, and a knee issue limited him in practice during the Patriots’ playoff run. Neither injury should hamper his free agent market all that much though, and even with the prospect of heading for his fifth NFL team this offseason Bennett has at least 53 receptions in five straight seasons now.

Next: 2017 NFL free agency: 5 best running backs available

A return to New England may be on Bennett’s radar, despite his humorous comment about cashing in big as a free agent, and there should be some mutual interest to bring him back in light of Gronkowski’s durability concerns. But if a clear-cut starting job and a big contract are Bennett’s top priorities in free agency, and they very well could be at 30 years old, he’s more likely to find those things elsewhere.

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