New York Giants' Positional Breakdown: Tight end

Let's continue our position-by-position review of the New York Giants by looking at tight end, a position that may get a makeover in 2014 in both personnel and the way it is utilized.

2013 Overview

The tight end position did not give the Giants nearly what they hoped for in 2013. Brandon Myers was a poor fit, not a good enough blocker and never really a weapon in the passing game. Adrien Robinson languished through a second straight wasted season. Larry Donnell is a raw player who did not develop, and Bear Pascoe is a limited "try hard" player and nothing more.

Individuals

Brandon Myers -- Came to the Giants as a free agent to replace Martellus Bennett a season after catching 79 passes with the Oakland Raiders. The 6-foot-4, 250-pound Myers caught 47 passes and never really fit with the Giants. He was easily the smallest tight end the Giants have started during the Tom Coughlin era, and his blocking left much to be desired. He never really grasped Kevin Gilbride's offense, either, and was not a consistently reliable target for Eli Manning. It would be a huge surprise if the Giants decide to bring him back. Contract Status: Unrestricted Free Agent

Bear Pascoe -- Pascoe is versatile enough to be adequate as a blocking tight end or fullback, but is exceptional in neither role. He caught 12 passes in 2013 and 38 in five seasons with the Giants. It seems unlikely he will be retained. Contract Status: Unrestricted Free Agent

Larry Donnell -- The Giants like the 6-foot-5, 270-pound Donnell but the 25-year-old undrafted free agent remains a raw, unpolished jewel. He was the Giants' third tight end this season, unable to unseat Bear Pascoe as the backup despite being younger, bigger, more athletic and a better pass-catcher. Contract Status: Entering second year of two-year, $900,000 contract.

Adrien Robinson

Adrien Robinson -- Robinson, given the unfortunate moniker "the JPP of tight ends" by GM Jerry Reese when he was drafted in the fourth round in 2012, has been a Giant for two seasons. After all that time he remains a complete mystery. His rookie season was basically a red-shirt year as he missed most of the offseason program. His second season was also largely a waste. He suffered a foot injury in the final preseason game, missed roughly half the season, didn't dress until Week 16 and suffered a knee sprain on the opening kickoff. He didn't play after that. The 6-foot-4, 265-pound Robinson has -- at least the Giants think he has -- athleticism, pass-catching and blocking ability that should allow him to thrive at tight end. He has never come close to showing it, however, and it is hard to believe the Giants would hand him the job unchallenged in 2014.Contract Status: Entering third year of four-year, $2.485-million contract.

Perhaps the lack of development of Donnell and Robinson is part of the reason long-time tight ends coach Mike Pope was recently fired.

NFL Draft/Free Agency

This is a spot where the Giants could be aggressive during the offseason. Jermichael Finley, who caught 61 passes for the Green Bay Packers two seasons ago, is a free agent. Considering that former Green Bay tight ends and quarterbacks coach Ben McAdoo is now Giants' offensive coordinator, it's a logical leap to think the Giants will make a run at Finley. If they don't add a name free agent they could use a high pick on a tight end who can both block and be a weapon as a receiver. Finley played only six games in 2013, suffering a season-ending bruised spinal cord. His health will have to be carefully checked if the Giants are interested in him.