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Julius likely gone

Julius Thomas is headed for free agency, and according to The Denver Post, he's apparently determined to test the market for his services. That's probably not good news for his fantasy outlook; there aren't many quarterbacks in the NFL like Peyton Manning. But it's a positive for fantasy teams in terms of getting another viable tight end into the mix.

While Thomas probably won't be as productive elsewhere, he's still a talented guy who could land with a needy team -- Atlanta? And whoever the Broncos end up starting at the position could be a pretty good option.

On the roster they've got Virgil Green and Jacob Tamme, although Tamme is also headed for free agency. And there will be some intriguing free agent possibilities, like Owen Daniels (long joined at the hip with new head coach Gary Kubiak), Jermaine Gresham and Jordan Cameron.

Here's how the top tight ends have fared on Peyton Manning's teams over his last 10 seasons. In cases where there wasn't a clear, season-long No. 1, due to injury or whatnot, stats of the top two players are combined.

MANNING TIGHT ENDS, 2004-2014
YearPlayer(s)RecYardsTD
2014Julius Thomas4348912
2013Julius Thomas6578812
2012J.Tamme/J.Dreessen839117
2010J.Tamme/D.Clark1049787
2009Dallas Clark100110610
2008Dallas Clark778486
2007Dallas Clark5861611
2006B.Utecht/D.Clark677444
2005Dallas Clark374884
2004M.Pollard/D.Clark8073211

--Andy Richardson

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