Eric D. Williams, ESPN Staff Writer 8y

Chargers position outlook 2016: Tight ends

SAN DIEGO -- The Chargers could have the most turnover on the roster at the tight end position, with no one who played a snap during the regular season last year signed for the 2016 season. However, general manager Tom Telesco recently indicated that he would like future Hall of Famer Antonio Gates to return this year, and the soon-to-be unrestricted free agent said he would like to continue playing.

On the bubble: Sean McGrath, Asante Cleveland

Free agents: Antonio Gates, Ladarius Green, John Phillips, David Johnson

The good: Gates missed four games at the start of the season because of suspension and another due to a MCL knee sprain. However, the 35-year-old tight end played through pain during the second half of the year and still produced. Gates finished with 56 catches for 630 yards and five touchdowns. With 104 career touchdown receptions, Gates is seven away from the NFL's career leader in touchdown receptions for tight ends, Tony Gonzalez (111). Green played well with Gates out, totaling 14 receptions for 174 yards and two touchdowns through the first four games.

The bad: While he played well early, Green did not have much of an impact in the second half of the year, as nagging injuries slowed his production. In the last eight games, Green totaled 11 catches for 125 yards and no touchdowns. Green finished the season on the injured reserve list with an ankle issue. Philips and Johnson combined for 435 snaps and a total of 11 catches this season. Inconsistent play by the two run-blocking tight ends contributed to San Diego’s struggles running the football in 2015.

The money: With Gates, Green, Phillips and Johnson all unrestricted free agents, the Chargers have some flexibility in terms of salary at the position. Gates should return on a reasonable, two-year deal with an average salary of around $6 million per season. But considering his talent and potential at 25 years old, along with the fact that tight end is a thin position in free agency, the Chargers could be priced out of Green’s market. At 6-5 and 250 pounds, Cleveland gives the Chargers a young player at 23 years old with a similar skill set to Green. McGrath is an in-line tight end who can serve as a lead blocker as an H-back and also has soft hands in the passing game.

Draft priority: If Green leaves in free agency, the Chargers have no future replacement for Gates. So drafting a developmental tight end should be a priority. A player like Ohio State’s Nick Vanett makes some sense because of his ability to block in the running game, along with underrated pass-catching skills. South Carolina tight end Jerell Adams also flashed in this year’s Senior Bowl. The Chargers could also look to someone like Tennessee Titans pending-free-agent tight end Craig Stevens as a stop-gap, run-blocking tight end. Stevens was in Tennessee when current San Diego tight ends coach John McNulty was the quarterbacks coach with the Titans, and the 31-year-old Cal product is a Southern California native.

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