National Football League

Andrew Quarless: I'm in the 'top echelon' of NFL tight ends

Published Apr. 16, 2015 4:11 p.m. ET

foxsports

By David Kenyon

The NFL doesn’t have many elite tight ends, but most everyone knows who they are: Jimmy Graham, Rob Gronkowski and, wait, Andrew Quarless?

Well, according to Weston Hodkiewicz of the Green Bay Press-Gazette, Quarless believes he’s in the same class.

“I consider myself the top echelon of tight ends," Quarless said recently. "That’s really where I see myself and that’s really where I’m trying to take it. A couple other guys like (Rob Gronkowski) and a couple guys who are up there. I put myself in that bracket. That’s definitely where I’m training to be.”

Now, the correct terminology is “upper” echelon, but fine, semantics. However, the only reason Quarless would be in the same class as Graham or Gronkowski would be if we subjectively classify the tight end position as one single tier.

In 85 career games, Quarless has managed 85 catches for 909 yards and six touchdowns. Martellus Bennett tallied 90 receptions, 916 yards and six scores last season for the Chicago Bears.

Granted, it’s not worth getting too worked up about Quarless’ comments, because he’s probably just showing confidence in himself and his offseason work. There’s nothing wrong with that.

Plus, when considering the pass-happy spread offenses in the NFL, tight end could be argued as the position that’s dying the most. But it’s not dead.

Quarless, I’m sorry, but you can find your seat somewhere on the middle of the bus. Look for Anthony Fasano or Lance Kendricks. It’s right around there.

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