Mason's top 10 tight end free agents

On the one hand, his drops spiked to a career-worst rate and he had fewer receiving yards last year than in any season since his 2010 rookie campaign. Both of these could be interpreted as signs of age; the nine-year veteran will turn 32 during the 2018 season. But he also had 10 touchdowns, his second-highest total in the last six seasons. Underutilized at times with the Seahawks as their offense struggled to find balance, he could return to his 80-catch production of his days with the Saints in the right scheme. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)

Opportunities were scarce for Burton, who played behind Zach Ertz and caught 23 passes for 248 yards last year. But one out of every 4.6 of his receptions went for scores, including a 27-yard catch against the Broncos in his only 2017 start when Ertz was injured. That production doesn't even account for the "Philly Special" touchdown pass he threw to Nick Foles in Super Bowl LII, a play that will give him a permanent place in NFL lore. The 6-foot-3, 235-pounder operates well in space and will likely smash all of his previous career standards at his next stop. (Greg Trott via AP)

The Bucs drafted Alabama's O.J. Howard last year, but the Harvard product remained their most productive tight end. Over the last two seasons, Brate has amassed 1,251 yards and 14 touchdowns on 105 receptions, providing Jameis Winston with a valuable security blanket down the middle. Brate has caught at least one pass in each of the last 42 consecutive games in which he has played. For teams looking for an in-line blocker, Brate will not fit the bill, but as a target in space who can cause matchup problems and can make receptions in traffic, Brate is worth a look. (AP Photo/Mike Roemer)

The most important thing for the talented Seferian-Jenkins is the progress he has made away from football; two months ago, he shared an Instagram post to commemorate a year of sobriety. It is not a coincidence that the 25-year-old had his most productive season last year, catching 50 passes for 357 yards and three scores while delivering solid work as a run blocker. He could have more downfield potential in a different scheme, and with his career and life on the upswing, he could represent an intriguing opportunity for a team that can offer him a supportive environment. (Evan Pinkus via AP)

It's not a question of whether Eifert is good enough. If you take his career numbers -- 127 receptions, 1,537 yards, 20 touchdowns -- and distill them down to a per-16-game rate, Eifert's averages would be 52 receptions, 631 yards and 8.2 touchdowns. He is an outstanding red-zone target when healthy, as he showed in 2015 when he averaged one touchdown per game. But injuries have caused him to miss more regular-season games (41) than he's played (39), including 22 of the past 32. (Jeff Haynes/AP Images for Panini)

The torch has been passed to Hunter Henry with the Chargers, as the 37-year-old Gates started just four games last year and posted a career-low 316 receiving yards and scored on just three of 30 receptions. But two of his scores came in the Chargers' last three games, and he remains a reliable short-to-intermediate target. If Gates wants to give it another go, he should still have something in the tank as a situational player who can also provide invaluable leadership. Nevertheless, it's hard to imagine him not having a lightning bolt on his helmet. (Ryan Kang via AP)

Proving that his late-career productivity was not just a product of being in the Saints' electric offense in 2015, the 37-year-old Watson posted 522 yards and four touchdowns on 61 receptions for the Ravens last year in a bounce-back season after missing 2016 because of a torn Achilles tendon. The likely question isn't whether Watson will have an opportunity, but whether he will want to pursue it. Watson told NFL Network in January that he was "working through the process" of deciding whether to return for another season, which would be his 16th. (AP Photo/David Richard)

Known mostly as a pass blocker, Dickson showed a surprising spark as a pass catcher last season, posting reception and yardage totals that were his best since 2011 (30 receptions, 437 yards) as he filled in for the injured Greg Olsen. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)

A dependable blocker who also contributed four touchdowns for the Seahawks last season, Willson could be the budget-friendly option for the Seahawks to bring back if they end up parting ways with Graham, who was not franchised. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)

Miller's emergence after his 30th birthday with the Bears the last three years was one of the best late-career renaissances in recent memory, but that came to a frightening halt when he was injured at New Orleans last season and nearly lost his leg. He faces a long rehabilitation, and realistically, he might be looking at a potential return in 2019 if everything goes well. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)