Fantasy Football: TE Preview

For years the tight end position was always somewhat of an afterthought in fantasy football leagues. There were a few players who put up nice stats, but it didn’t matter too much if you missed out on them. Not so much anymore. After Rob Gronkowski and Jimmy Graham broke practically every single-season tight end record last year, other teams have began to find ways to make their tight end an integral part of their offense. Tight ends probably won’t be the guys who win you your fantasy league, but they can be the ones who complete your team and separate you from everyone else.

Rankings:

1. Jimmy Graham

2. Rob Gronkowski

3. Aaron Hernandez

4. Jermichael Finley

5. Jason Witten

6. Vernon Davis

7. Antonio Gates

8. Fred Davis

9. Jacob Tamme

10. Tony Gonzalez

11. Jared Cook

12. Brandon Pettigrew

13. Jermaine Gresham

14. Brent Celek

15. Martellus Bennett

16. Dustin Keller

17. Greg Olsen

18. Kyle Rudolph

19. Ed Dickson

20. Coby Fleener

Good Vibes (Sleepers):

Jimmy Graham – Again, by no means is Graham a sleeper. I just think that he will finish the season as the top tight end over the common pick of Rob Gronkowski. Graham was targeted more than any other tight end in the league last season, and he also plays on a team with the most accurate quarterback in the NFL so most of those targets are completions. Deep threat Robert Meachem is also out of New Orleans, and Graham is the rare tight end that can quickly run the field. I do think Gronk will have another great year, but he plays on a team with another elite tight end in Aaron Hernandez. The Pats also added Brandon Lloyd, so I don’t see Gronkowski scoring 18 touchdowns again. I’ll take Graham in the receptions and yards department over Gronkowski, and I’d take him in front of Gronk in the draft as well.

Fred Davis – Davis was on pace for a breakout year last season, destined for a 1,000+ yard season through his first 12 games. But then his immaturity set in and he was suspended the last four games of the season for marijuana use. Playing for a tough coach in Mike Shanahan, Davis should know that this season is probably his last chance. The best thing that happened to Fred Davis though was the drafting of Robert Griffin III. He put up those good numbers last season with Rex Grossman throwing him passes; imagine what he can do with a quarterback like RG3. I don’t think that Griffin will be a stud immediately, but young quarterbacks usually turn to their tight ends in their first seasons. Davis and RG3 are both incredible athletes, so I see the two hooking up on a lot of passes from outside of the pocket. Comfortably draft Davis as your #1 tight end, with the chance that he can enter top-5 overall territory.

Jacob Tamme – Jacob Tamme is playing for the Broncos. Peyton Manning is playing for the Broncos. That’s the majority of the argument folks. Two years ago when both were playing for Indianapolis and Dallas Clark got hurt, Tamme played like a #1 tight end when he got his chance. Tamme is now the starter in Denver, and the chemistry is already there between him and Peyton. The Broncos did also sign Joel Dreessen this offseason, so while he will steal some targets and maybe a few touchdowns, I still think Tamme will produce enough to finish as a worthy #1 tight end.

Bad Vibes (Busts):

Antonio Gates – Sad to say, but this season is probably the beginning of the end for Gates. A fantasy stud for years, Gates is 32 years old now and has nothing left in his legs and feet. Not to mention, the Chargers know this and have added weapons for Philip Rivers to compensate for it. Gates doesn’t run the field like he used to, so the yards definitely won’t be there. He might have a decent number of receptions and touchdowns if he stays healthy, and that’s a big if. If he somehow does play the full season, I still see him as a low-end #1 tight end at best.

Tony Gonzalez – Another sorry conclusion to make. Probably the greatest tight end of all time, Gonzalez is also at the end of his career. He surprised many by finishing last season as the #4 tight end, but I don’t think there’s any chance of that happening again. This year will see the tight end position evolve with a newer crop of guys, and Gonzalez definitely is not one of them. Julio Jones will get a lot more of Matt Ryan’s targets this season, and Roddy White was the most targeted player in the entire league last year so he’ll get them again. Gonzalez might finish the season with a nice number of receptions, but the yards and touchdowns won’t be there. Gonzalez’s name might look appealing on the draft board, but refrain from starting him.

Dustin Keller – Surprise, surprise. Another overrated member of the New York Jets. Keller is Mark Sanchez’s favorite target, which would be meaningful if Sanchez didn’t suck. I’m not denying that Keller is a great athlete, but everyone season he has big expectations and he never fully comes through. This year should be no different, especially with Tim Tebow creeping behind Sanchez. Definitely don’t start Keller, and I would suggest not even drafting him. At best he’s a mediocre bye-week filler.

Thanks for reading everybody. Defenses and special teams come out tomorrow.

-PJ Moran