The Browns cut Gary Barnidge a day after drafting David Njoku in the first round, and rather surprisingly he hasn't signed with a new team yet. But maybe he will be an option for a Ravens team that used to be known as the Browns, because they keep taking hits at a previously overstocked position.
Dennis Pitta injured a hip and is done for the season, you knew that. And now Darren Waller has been suspended for a year, so he won't be an option. It also sounds like Maxx Williams is a candidate to open the season on the PUP list coming off knee surgery.
Suddenly the team's top tight end might be wizened 36-year-old Benjamin Watson, coming back from an Achilles tear. They've also got Nick Boyle, with a suspension history of his own (and 24 career catches) and Crockett Gillmore. Not surprising, then, that Barnidge is viewed as a possible signing by the Baltimore Sun's Jeff Zrebiec.
It's a position which should have plenty of fantasy value, once Baltimore sorts out who their main option is. A year ago, Pitta accounted for 20% of the team's receptions, and only five of the league's tight ends commanded a higher share. Barnidge in Cleveland accounted for 16%, which was a top-10 figure.
We'll see where Barnidge finally signs, but if it's Baltimore, he'll be a player to strongly consider at the position.
| TIGHT ENDS, PERCENT OF TEAM, 2016 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Player | %Rec | %Yds | %TD |
| Greg Olsen, Car. | 26% | 27% | 14% |
| Travis Kelce, K.C. | 23% | 29% | 21% |
| Jason Witten, Dall. | 21% | 18% | 12% |
| Delanie Walker, Tenn. | 21% | 22% | 24% |
| Zach Ertz, Phil. | 21% | 21% | 25% |
| Kyle Rudolph, Minn. | 20% | 20% | 35% |
| Charles Clay, Buff. | 20% | 17% | 24% |
| Dennis Pitta, Balt. | 20% | 17% | 10% |
| Jimmy Graham, Sea. | 18% | 21% | 26% |
| Gary Barnidge, Clev. | 16% | 17% | 13% |
| Jordan Reed, Wash. | 16% | 14% | 24% |
| Cameron Brate, T.B. | 16% | 16% | 28% |
| Lance Kendricks, L.A. | 16% | 15% | 14% |
| Jack Doyle, Ind. | 16% | 13% | 16% |
| Eric Ebron, Det. | 16% | 16% | 4% |
| C.J. Fiedorowicz, Hou. | 16% | 16% | 27% |
| Antonio Gates, S.D. | 15% | 12% | 21% |
| Martellus Bennett, N.E. | 15% | 16% | 22% |
| Ryan Griffin, Hou. | 14% | 13% | 13% |
| Zach Miller, Chi. | 14% | 12% | 21% |
| Will Tye, NYG | 13% | 10% | 4% |
| Vernon Davis, Wash. | 11% | 12% | 8% |
| Coby Fleener, N.O. | 11% | 12% | 8% |
| Hunter Henry, S.D. | 10% | 11% | 24% |
| Jesse James, Pitt. | 10% | 8% | 9% |
| Garrett Celek, S.F. | 10% | 11% | 14% |
| Trey Burton, Phil. | 10% | 9% | 6% |
| Jermaine Gresham, Ariz. | 10% | 9% | 7% |
--Andy Richardson