With free agency set to begin in March, Redskins.com's Stephen Czarda previews the 2016 NFL free agent class position-by-position. Today's focus is on the tight ends.

With Jordan Reed coming off a career year in his third season and Niles Paul putting in extra hours to get back to full strength following a season-ending ankle injury suffered last August, the Washington Redskins may have one of the best one-two punches in the NFL in terms of receiving tight ends.

Factor in Derek Carrier when healthy, too, and the Redskins have several different options from which to choose at the position.

But with Carrier's timetable for recovery from a torn ACL likely spilling into most of the regular season and a need for a more traditional blocking tight end, the Redskins may be in the market for another body or two at the position.

Logan Paulsen filled that role well from 2010-2014, but the UCLA product, who recently turned 29, is a free agent coming off a season-ending toe injury.

Alex Smith was signed late in the season by the Redskins after Carrier's injury, but the 33-year-old may have only been an emergency signing as he approaches free agency once again.

Here are the veteran tight ends set to become free agents via NFL.com:

--Brian Leonhardt, San Francisco 49ers
--Dwayne Allen, Indianapolis Colts
--Garrett Celek, San Francisco 49ers
--Chase Coffman, Seattle Seahawks
--Jared Cook, Los Angeles Rams
--Kellen Davis, New York Jets
--Vernon Davis, Denver Broncos
--Dorin Dickerson, Tennessee Titans
--Rhett Ellison, Minnesota Vikings
--Daniel Fells, New York Giants
--Coby Fleener, Indianapolis Colts
--Antonio Gates, San Diego Chargers
--Ladarius Green, San Diego Chargers

--James Hanna, Dallas Cowboys
--Clay Harbor, Jacksonville Jaguars
--Michael Hoomanawanui, New Orleans Saints
--Rob Housler, Chicago Bears
--Marcedes Lewis, Jacksonville Jaguars
--Anthony McCoy, Seattle Seahawks
--Zach Miller, Chicago Bears
--Tony Moeaki, Atlanta Falcons
--Bear Pascoe, Detroit Lions
--Logan Paulsen, Washington Redskins
--John Phillips, San Diego Chargers
--Allen Reisner, Baltimore Ravens
--Alex Smith, Washington Redskins
--Benjamin Watson, New Orleans Saints

Vernon Davis has ties to both the region and Redskins general manager Scot McCloughan, as is from the Washington, D.C., area, attended the University of Maryland and was drafted to the San Francisco 49ers when McCloughan was with the organization.

While he is in the twilight of his career, Davis can still contribute to a NFL team.

For his 11-year career, Davis has recorded 461 receptions for 5,841 yards and 55 touchdowns.

Gates, of course, is one of the best tight ends in NFL history as he's accumulated 844 receptions for 10,644 yards and 104 touchdowns in his career.

Despite the fact he has nearly 3,000 receiving yards in his career, Gresham is also known for his abilities as a blocker.

He has a connection to current Redskins head coach Jay Gruden when he was the offensive coordinator with the Cincinnati Bengals.

2016 Free Agency Outlook

--Quarterbacks

--Running Backs 

--Wide Receivers

--Defensive Ends

--Defensive Tackles

--Outside Linebackers

--Inside Linebackers (3/6)

--Tackles (3/7)

--Cornerbacks (3/8)

--Guard/Centers (3/8)

--Safeties (3/9)

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