NFL free agency 2019: Best tight ends available

OAKLAND, CA - OCTOBER 28: Jared Cook #87 of the Oakland Raiders celebrates after his 25-yard touchdown against the Indianapolis Colts during their NFL game at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on October 28, 2018 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Robert Reiners/Getty Images) /

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BALTIMORE, MD – NOVEMBER 04: Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Jesse James (81) catches a long pass in the fourth quarter against Baltimore Ravens cornerback Brandon Carr (24) on November 4, 2018, at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, MD. The Pittsburgh Steelers defeated the Baltimore Ravens, 23-16. (Photo by Mark Goldman/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

2. Jesse James (Pittsburgh Steelers)

Back in 2015, the Pittsburgh Steelers stayed close to home in the fifth round of the NFL Draft and grabbed Nittany Lions’ tight end Jesse James. That year would prove to be the final season for veteran Heath Miller, who would wind up retiring after 11 seasons while being part of three Super Bowl teams.

But could James replace a performer who would miss just eight regular-season games during his career while hauling in 592 passes for 6,569 yards and 45 scores? As a rookie, James took the field for eight contests and made two starts. He caught eight passes for 56 yards and one score. He would pull down just one pass in the team’s postseason split with the Cincinnati Bengals and Denver Broncos.

His second season in the NFL would be a different story and he hasn’t missed a game since. He’s been the Steelers’ primary starter at the position the past three seasons. In ’16, he caught 39 passes for 338 yards and three scores. In the club’s three playoffs meetings with the Miami Dolphins, Kansas City Chiefs and New England Patriots, James pulled down a combined 11 receptions for 137 yards.

Over the past three seasons, there have been a combined 112 grabs for 1,133 yards and eight touchdowns. He could be an unspectacular but solid addition for a number of clubs.

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