Top Free Agents: Gates, Green, Davis among TEs set to hit open market

With free agency just around the corner, theScore takes a look at the top available players at each position. Unrestricted free agents can officially sign at 4 p.m. ET on March 9.

Top Free Agents By Position

• Quarterbacks
• Running Backs
• Wide Receivers
• Tight Ends
• Offensive Linemen
• Edge Rushers
• Defensive Linemen
• Linebackers
• Cornerbacks
• Safeties

Tight Ends

Antonio Gates

Height: 6'4"
Weight: 255 lbs.
Age: 35

2015 stats: 630 yards receiving, 5 TDs, 56 catches

Gates turns 36 years old in June, but proved last season that he can still be productive when healthy. With both him and fellow Chargers tight end Ladarius Green set to become free agents, it's possible one or both will be looking for a new home for the first time in their careers. As the top tight end of this year's free agent class, Gates should attract plenty of suitors if he hits the open market.

Potential landing spots: San Diego Chargers, New York Jets, Houston Texans, Atlanta Falcons

Ladarius Green

Height: 6'6"
Weight: 237 lbs.
Age: 25

2015 stats: 429 yards receiving, 4 TDs, 37 catches

Between him and Gates, Green seems like the more likely of the two Chargers tight ends to sign elsewhere. His age, size, and playmaking ability should appeal to a lot of teams, and he's coming off a season in which he set career highs in catches, receiving yards, and touchdowns. It wouldn't be a surprise to see the Saints give Green a serious look, as he possesses physical traits and abilities similar to that of Jimmy Graham.

Potential landing spots: San Diego Chargers, Pittsburgh Steelers, New Orleans Saints, Miami Dolphins, San Francisco 49ers, Atlanta Falcons, New York Jets, Houston Texans, Green Bay Packers

Vernon Davis

Height: 6'3"
Weight: 250 lbs.
Age: 32

2015 stats: 395 yards receiving, 38 catches

Getting traded to the Broncos didn't exactly work out the way Davis was hoping it would production-wise, but he did get a Super Bowl ring out of it. Switching teams mid-season likely had a lot to do with that, as he and Peyton Manning were never able to get on the same page. He figures to be one of the cheaper free agents available, and is also among the most resilient, having missed only 12 games since entering the league in 2006.

Potential landing spots: Denver Broncos, Green Bay Packers, Houston Texans, New York Jets, Atlanta Falcons, San Diego Chargers

Benjamin Watson

Height: 6'3"
Weight: 255 lbs.
Age: 35

2015 stats: 825 yards receiving, 6 TDs, 74 catches

The Saints needed someone to step up at tight end after trading away Jimmy Graham and Watson answered the call. His receiving yards were more than double his total from the previous two seasons combined, and he matched a career high with six touchdown catches. He's expressed interest in returning to the Saints, and it makes sense for the team to keep him around after a career year.

Potential landing spots: New Orleans Saints, New York Jets, Houston Texans, Atlanta Falcons, New England Patriots

Zach Miller

Height: 6'4"
Weight: 233 lbs.
Age: 31

2015 stats: 439 yards receiving, 5 TDs, 34 catches

The Bears experienced a rash of injuries at wide receiver in 2015, which Miller took full advantage of. He came up huge in the second half of the season, particularly in a Week 10 win over the St. Louis Rams, when he caught five passes for 107 yards, including an 87-yard touchdown. He's reportedly looking for a new deal in the $5-million-per-year range, but may have to lower his asking price.

Potential landing spots: Chicago Bears, Houston Texans, Atlanta Falcons, New England Patriots

Dwayne Allen

Height: 6'3"
Weight: 255 lbs.
Age: 25

2015 stats: 109 yards receiving, 1 TD, 16 catches

The Colts find themselves in a very similar situation to the Chargers, with their top two tight ends set to become free agents. Allen is the younger of the two, but experienced diminished production in 2015 and struggled as a run blocker before landing on injured reserve with a calf issue. He has plenty of potential, he just needs to find a coach that's willing to play to his strengths.

Potential landing spots: Indianapolis Colts, Pittsburgh Steelers, Miami Dolphins, San Francisco 49ers, Atlanta Falcons, Houston Texans, New York Jets, New England Patriots, Green Bay Packers

Coby Fleener

Height: 6'6"
Weight: 250 lbs.
Age: 27

2015 stats: 491 yards receiving, 3 TDs, 54 catches

Fleener put up some of the lowest numbers of his career in 2015, but was also without Andrew Luck for a good portion of the season. His age, durability, and pass-catching prowess will make him one of the more attractive free agents on the market, should the Colts opt to let him loose.

Potential landing spots: Indianapolis Colts, Atlanta Falcons, New York Jets, Houston Texans, Arizona Cardinals, Green Bay Packers, New England Patriots

Jermaine Gresham

Height: 6'5"
Weight: 261 lbs.
Age: 27 ​

2015 stats: 223 yards receiving, 1 TD, 18 catches

While Gresham has never quite lived up to the expectations of a first-round pick, he has great size, speed, and athleticism for the tight end position. His first season with the Cardinals was marred by injury and limited production, so a fresh start may be in order. The Dolphins and Colts are potential good fits for Gresham, and could give him the opportunity to re-establish himself as a top tight end.

Potential landing spots: Arizona Cardinals, Houston Texans, Pittsburgh Steelers, Miami Dolphins, Indianapolis Colts, Atlanta Falcons, New York Jets, New England Patriots

Other notable free-agent tight ends

• Marcedes Lewis
• Scott Chandler
• Rhett Ellison
• Andrew Quarless
• Clay Harbor