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Top 10 NFL Tight Ends of All Time

Top 10 NFL Tight Ends of All Time
Top 10 NFL Tight Ends of All Time

Top 10 NFL Tight Ends of All Time

#10:Dave Casper

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Walter Iooss Jr. for Sports Illustrated

Parlayed his 378 career catches and 13.8 average into a Hall of Fame berth, and was one of game’s best tight ends in the 1970-80s in both Oakland and Houston.

#9: Rob Gronkowski

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Simon Bruty for Sports Illustrated

Despite playing well less than six full seasons, he has notched a mind-boggling 63 touchdown receptions in 76 career games. One of the most challenging matchup problems ever for NFL defenders.

#8: Jason Witten

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Darren Carroll for Sports Illustrated

Big, athletic and wildly durable, Witten and his soft hands have been the heart of the Cowboys’ passing offense for 13 seasons.

#7: Shannon Sharpe

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Damian Strohmeyer for Sports Illustrated

A force in the postseason, Sharpe was on three Super Bowl-winning teams and was one of the game’s prototypical receiving tight ends.

#6: Kellen Winslow

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Andy Hayt for Sports Illustrated

Serving essentially as an extra wide receiver in San Diego’s Air Coryell’s offense, Winslow was extremely athletic and posted three 1,000-yard seasons.

#5: Ozzie Newsome

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Focus on Sport/Getty Images

Never missed a game in 13 seasons and helped re-define the position as an offensive staple of the modern game, earning him Hall of Fame recognition.

#4: Antonio Gates

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John W. McDonough for Sports Illustrated

A model red-zone threat, Gates has 103 career touchdown catches and 10,435 yards on 827 catches.

#3: Mike Ditka

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RHH/AP

A true pioneer at tight end, he transformed what had been largely a blocking role into an offensive position. Was the first tight end inducted in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

#2: John Mackey

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Neil Leifer for Sports Illustrated

Averaged a receiver-like 15.8 yards per catch and posed a deep threat well before tight ends were ever used to stretch the field.

#1: Tony Gonzalez

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David E. Klutho for Sports Illustrated

Ranks second in receptions (1,325) and fifth in receiving yardage (15,127) in NFL history and his athleticism and production were unparalleled.

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