Whilst twiddling my thumbs patiently awaiting the next NFL season to arrive, I’ve discovered all sorts of new hobbies and activities. I now have plenty of time to purge some of my 28,000 archived sent email files. Riveting! I’d forgotten all those crazy talking dog videos I’d sent out.

And did you know that Brain Games comes on the National Geography channel at least four times every day? I’m learning so much about my brain! Like how enhanced my senses are, on a daily basis … especially when I watch Brain Games three or four times each day.

You wouldn’t believe what all I have found underneath the back seat of my Land Rover. No adjectives can describe it all. So that’s what nine month old onion rings look like. And suffice it to say that my favorite sunglasses have never been quite the same, without that little screw.

Here’s one other thing we hopeless footballers can do this offseason: prepare for next season. Research. Study. So, today, we’ll look at some of the top free agent tight ends available in the NFL marketplace—along with their impact to potential suitors for the upcoming 2014 season. With Tony Gonzalez and his Hall of Fame numbers headed out to permanent vacation, there’s one less top shelf tight end in the league. So, without further ado, let’s have a look; shall we? Players are listed below, along with their current team.

6. Brandon Pettigrew, Detroit Lions

You know the crop is a bit thin, when I’m starting off with the behemoth, 29 year old former Oklahoma State Cowboy. This year, Pettigrew caught 41 balls and two touchdowns from Matthew Stafford in one of the more pass-happy offenses in the league. Granted, one Calvin Johnson controls a great deal of Lions offensive real estate, and should remain option one, two and three for Stafford. Even so, there are only so many times to throw into the Megatron double-coverage. Pettigrew played over 900 snaps, so it’s obvious he’s more than just another jump-ball candidate in the red zone. Conversely, his counterpart, Joseph Fauria, played roughly one-third as many snaps but scored seven touchdowns to Pettigrew’s two. Still, his size, experience and well-rounded play should draw attention from a team or seven this free agent season.

5. Garrett Graham, Houston Texans

Playing only 12 games this season—and splitting time with Owen Daniels for the first five of those—Graham rolled out a solid stat line of 47 catches for 522 yards and four touchdowns. Oh, and much of that time, he was catching balls from a green quarterback, scrambling about for his life, in Case Keenum. His solid play is reflected in other numbers, as well. He only dropped three passes on over 80 targets, and committed only two penalties all year on 784 snaps. He’ll make someone a consistent target, who doesn’t make many mistakes. Good for you, GG. Yes, I just gave him a pretty lame nickname. Go get your money. You’ve earned it.

4. Brandon Myers, New York Giants

Two seasons back, Myers caught 79 passes for over 800 yards, catching balls from Carson Palmer in Oakland. That’s right, this guy caught the fourth most catches by a tight end in 2012. This past year, Myers got caught in the quagmire known as the New York football Giants offense. It’s safe to say not a lot went right for Eli Manning and company; Myers caught only 47 passes and four touchdowns. Even though he’s nearing the 30 year mark, there are probably two-thirds of teams in the league that could do much worse than rely on a reliable pass-catching tight end who can find an opening in the middle of the field. Myers can hope a Palmer-esque quarterback targets him in 2014. Yeah, a Palmer-esque quarterback of the Carson variety versus the Jordan variety.

3. Jermichael Finley, Green Bay Packers

Yet another quality pass-catcher whose 2013 season blew up due to a scary spinal injury, Finley has, by all accounts, all the tools necessary to be a top flight tight end in this league. The only argument to that might be his hands; Finley seemed to irritate Aaron Rodgers at times with his lack of concentration or ability to reel in passes. In fact, he led the league in dropped passes in 2011, and was in the top five in that category in 2012. Given the right scenario—some team will have to take a risk that he’ll recover long term from the injury—I could see Finley becoming a legitimate playmaker along the level of Jordan Cameron’s upside from this past year.

2. Dennis Pitta, Baltimore Ravens

During the Ravens Super Bowl season of 2012, Pitta caught 61 balls—good for ninth most amongst tight ends—and seven touchdowns. Then he missed the first 12 games of the 2013 season with significant right hip injuries. New offensive coordinator Gary Kubiak has stated he has a high opinion of Pitta and his tight ends have played a strong role in his offenses during his days running the Texans offense. Yet, Pitta will be 29 years old next season and the Ravens aren’t loaded with cap room flexibility. But where are they going to go? Dallas Clark or Ed Dickson? I’m smelling a franchise tag for Pitta to stay in Baltimore for at least another year. Who’s with me?

1. Jimmy Graham, New Orleans Saints

Saying Jimmy Graham is the cream of the free agent tight end crop is like saying Michael Phelps had a pretty solid summer Olympics back in 2008. Very few expect him to jump ship, and leave the Saints, but wouldn’t it be fun to speculate? Can you imagine Graham taking his boxing out, pass-catching methodology (and 16 touchdowns from this past year) to join forces with those dual threat receivers up in Chicago? Or replacing the legend and ridiculous red zone target, Gonzalez, in Atlanta? Nah, me either. It’s not happening. And for that, Drew Brees, Sean Peyton and company won’t be singing those traditional blues in New Orleans.

The free agent class of tight ends may seem thin, headed into next season. But as we all know, some team will find just what they’re looking for. 

So now I found the little screw, but no longer have my favorite sunglasses; sometimes life seems to hand out these quandaries. Chicken or egg? Cart before horse? Sunglasses or screw? Such strenuous questions to ponder.