I think you should look up what the word "need" means.
So when you say we "need" one, that's wrong. Teams win all the time without a lot of production from their #2 TE. It's a want, and a luxury to have one. But it's not a "need."
There is pretty much a weak TE Draft class. Don't see help there. We have a need at TE and WR as well. I think I have suggested this a few times but I will articulate. We know Williams is more of a third OT. Hopefully he will blossom this year. Even a dozen catches would keep the Defenses honest.
If we had more help at OT. Perhaps an athletic OT you could make Williams at least have a thought to be covered. It would help in the run game as well. Now we don't have to positively have a run block first TE.
I would love to see OT Kelvin Beachum from the Steelers. Might be reasonable with an ACL recovery. He might be Volmer's replacement. Now we don't have to have a stay on line TE.
The AH seasons with Gronk were dynamic. My theory is Coby Fleener. 6'6" 251lbs and 4,54 speed. 50 Catches last there years and the Colts did not feature the TE. Use him as the AH TE. Take James White and make him a WR. Have him learn the route tree in preseason. TB trusts him. WR and TE resolved.
Get Forte who could easily catch 100 from TB. He can still get yards and if Lewis comes back healthy we are set at RB. It frees up a roster spot if James White can back up both RBs.
Spend the money that a WR would cost on Fleener. After Jeffrey, they are either too old or will get overpaid. Fleener up the seam deep with Gronk would be formidable. You have Edelman, White and Danny (maybe) underneath. This is how you stop the Broncos D as well.
Both Safeties can't cheat. Gronk or Fleener should draw double Teams.
You add that one quickest O Lineman like Beachum versus the slow footed Volmer (certainly seek better than Cannon or Flemming). You pick up Jahari Evans as help inside. He has at least two more years in him while Mason and Jackson rotate with him and grow.
Now you don't have to keep Gronk in. He and Fleener can actually be your deep threats (relatively for TB) and you have the little guys running underneath with single coverage......and Forte leading the Team in catches.
TE and WR at the same time solved. Helps the O Line and Forte might still reach 1,000 yards plus 100 catches.
Cost too much?
My guess on cost.
Fleener=$6m
Forte=$3m
Beechum=$6.m
Evans=$4m
$19 spent (cut Mayo, Amendola [resign], LaFell, Cannon, Chandler gives you that much) The rise in 2016 CAP and the 2015 $ leftover could be used to resign Hightower, Collins,extend Jones and fast track Butler with a signup now rather than later.
Moves like Kline, Jones ,Freeney, Dobson, Branch and Bostic cuts, you could resign Hicks, get a top tier speed LB who can cover like Zach Brown (maybe your Von Miller SPEED pass rush guy) who has diversity to play ILB or OLB and sign my "binkie" SS Eric Weddle on the D. Now I see Chung as a OLB. He has played that this year.
Now Draft for depth over need. WR, CB, OT, RB, TE
DW Toys