I see that Jermaine Gresham was in New Orleans for a visit. That makes a lot of sense. He needs a team, and they could use another tight end.
The Saints traded Jimmy Graham, so they could use another body at that position. They have Josh Hill, who’s shown some potential as a pass catcher, but he’s inexperienced and unproven, and you need two anyway. Ben Watson is getting up there in years – 34.
Gresham is unsigned in part because of an offseason back surgery. Once they’re comfortable with him, I imagine the Saints will sign him, then use him in a tandem with Hill. Hill would catch more balls (and be a top-10 guy if everything falls right), while Gresham would be more of a blocker and change-up receiving option – 30-35 catches and 3-4 TDs.
Way back when, by the way, Gresham was the only tight end drafted ahead of both Rob Gronkowski and Jimmy Graham.
Gresham has been a disappointment as a pro, of course, but he’s not a bum. He caught 79 percent of the passes thrown his way last year, the highest rate of any tight end in the league. Here are the 32 who had at least 40 passes aimed in their direction.
| CATCH PERCENTAGES FOR TIGHT ENDS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Player | Rec | Trgt | Pct. |
| Jermaine Gresham, Cin. | 62 | 79 | 78.5% |
| Travis Kelce, K.C. | 67 | 87 | 77.0% |
| Jordan Reed, Wash. | 50 | 65 | 76.9% |
| Heath Miller, Pitt. | 66 | 88 | 75.0% |
| Niles Paul, Wash. | 39 | 52 | 75.0% |
| Jace Amaro, NYJ | 38 | 53 | 71.7% |
| Julius Thomas, Den. | 43 | 60 | 71.7% |
| Jason Witten, Dall. | 64 | 90 | 71.1% |
| Martellus Bennett, Chi. | 90 | 129 | 69.8% |
| Antonio Gates, S.D. | 69 | 99 | 69.7% |
| Charles Clay, Mia. | 58 | 84 | 69.0% |
| Greg Olsen, Car. | 84 | 122 | 68.9% |
| Jimmy Graham, N.O. | 85 | 124 | 68.5% |
| Larry Donnell, NYG | 63 | 92 | 68.5% |
| Zach Ertz, Phil. | 58 | 86 | 67.4% |
| Scott Chandler, Buff. | 47 | 70 | 67.1% |
| Rob Gronkowski, N.E. | 82 | 130 | 63.1% |
| Andrew Quarless, G.B. | 29 | 46 | 63.0% |
| John Carlson, Ariz. | 33 | 54 | 61.1% |
| Owen Daniels, Balt. | 48 | 79 | 60.8% |
| Brent Celek, Phil. | 32 | 53 | 60.4% |
| Delanie Walker, Tenn. | 63 | 108 | 58.3% |
| Dwayne Allen, Ind. | 29 | 50 | 58.0% |
| Mychal Rivera, Oak. | 58 | 101 | 57.4% |
| Levine Toilolo, Atl. | 31 | 54 | 57.4% |
| Coby Fleener, Ind. | 51 | 92 | 55.4% |
| Luke Willson, Sea. | 22 | 40 | 55.0% |
| Jared Cook, St.L. | 52 | 98 | 53.1% |
| Vernon Davis, S.F. | 26 | 50 | 52.0% |
| Eric Ebron, Det. | 25 | 49 | 51.0% |
| Jordan Cameron, Clev. | 24 | 48 | 50.0% |
| Jeff Cumberland, NYJ | 23 | 46 | 50.0% |
—Ian Allan