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5 teams that should try to sign Antonio Gates

By Brad Berreman

CARSON, CA - DECEMBER 31: Antonio Gates #85 of the Los Angeles Chargers is seen running onto the field prior to the game against the Oakland Raiders at StubHub Center on December 31, 2017 in Carson, California. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)
CARSON, CA - DECEMBER 31: Antonio Gates #85 of the Los Angeles Chargers is seen running onto the field prior to the game against the Oakland Raiders at StubHub Center on December 31, 2017 in Carson, California. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images) /
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1. Jacksonville Jaguars

The Jaguars have turned over their tight end depth chart this offseason, cutting long-time veteran Marcedes Lewis while signing Austin Seferian-Jenkins and Niles Paul in free agency. They’ve also lost wide receivers Allen Robinson and Allen Hurns in free agency, replacing them with Donte Moncrief in free agency and D.J. Chark in the draft.

Gates’ days as a No. 1, target-hog tight end are long gone. But for a team like Jacksonville that does not have a proven No. 1 wide receiver, he’s got the potential to be a productive piece in an offense that will focus on Leonard Fournette and the ground game, while minimizing the effect Blake Bortles has on games.

Next: 5 potential trade destinations for Rob Gronkowski

Gates can’t fill anything close to the production void left by the offseason departures in Jacksonville’s passing game. But he won’t have to if Seferian-Jenkins takes another step, after catching 50 passes for the Jets last year, and someone like Marqise Lee steps up as Bortles’ No. 1 target on the outside. Last year’s upstart AFC finalist has a bright future and higher expectation in 2018, and Gates could see Jacksonville as the ideal spot.

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