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New York Giants' fans have wondered throughout the team's offseason free-agent frenzy when, or how, the team would address the tight end situation. Well, the first tight end domino has fallen as the Giants have signed veteran tight end Kellen Davis.
A six-year veteran (five with the Chicago Bears, one with the Seattle Seahawks), Davis is a 6-foot-7, 265-pound blocking tight end. In his six seasons he has only 50 receptions, including a career-best 19 with the Bears in 2012. The arrival of Davis likely means the end of the career of blocking tight end Bear Pascoe as a Giant. Pascoe, a free agent, remains unsigned.
The Giants have young, unproven tight ends Adrien Robinson and Larry Donnell on the roster. It would seem a good bet that the Giants will still address the tight end position in the draft. As they have done with many other free-agent signings, however, the arrival of Davis lessens the urgency to force a pick at that position. Davis is likely insurance in the event that Robinson or Donnell are unable to secure a job.
In 2013, Davis played 172 snaps and received a -6.3 Pro Football Focus grade, including -5.3 as a run blocker. In 2012 with the Bears he was -8.8, but that score came largely because he graded -10.9 as a pass receiver.