BHu's Fantasy Football Primer Pt. 4: Tight Ends

With the emergence of the TE in many offences around the league, TE has become a much deeper position than in previous seasons. Considering there are about 12 legitimate starting TE options and another 7 or 8 fringe starters, there is really no need to draft a TE too early, with the exception being Antonio Gates in the 4th or 5th round (at the earliest!). After Gates is off the board there really isn't a heck of a lot of difference between options 2 and 12. It all depends on how you like their situation going into the season.

Throughout my drafting experiences this year, I've drafted my QBs, RBs (usually about 5), and my WRs (about 4) before picking a TE and have been choosing between guys like LJ Smith, Randy McMichael and Jason Witten. When you consider that I could draft a running back like Brandon Jackson when guys like Alge Crumpler are going off the board or else waiting for later and taking Witten when backs like Chris Brown and TJ Duckett are the most inspiring options, passing on Crumpler for Witten makes a lot of sense.

Tier 1

1.) Antonio Gates - Posts WR2 numbers from the TE position. Clearly the cream of the crop.

Tier 2

2.) Alge Crumpler - I like Crumpler's physical tools alot, even without Vick. Might drop him a bit, though, with the offseason surgery.

3.) Todd Heap - Very consistent TE option. If he only had a QB.....

4.) Tony Gonzalez - Age and a depleted O-Line (ie. more blocking in the running game) will lower Gonzalez's effectiveness.

5.) Chris Cooley - Great young player that really found some chemistry with Jason Campbell at the end of last year.

6.) Jeremy Shockey - Probably the second best receiver on a team with a strong armed QB.

Tier 3

7.) LJ Smith - Great option in PPR leagues....has great chemistry with McNabb.

8.) Vernon Davis - If he develops quickly, should provide Tier 2 value.

9.) Ben Watson - A favorite target of Tom Brady. May see less balls with the addition of Moss, Stallworth, et. al.

10.) Randy McMichael - Boom or bust. In a great offense but can he put last year's disappointing season behind him?

11.) Jason Witten - Was underutilized under Parcells. May see his role increase with the coaching changes.

12.) Kellen Winslow - Tremendous talent, but injury concerns abound. No need to take a gamble on him early with so many solid options later.

Tier 4

13.) Dallas Clark - Starting TE in Colts offence. Somewhat enigmatic in the regular season.

14.) Heath Miller - Highly regarded out of college, Miller has been unable to find a niche as a pass catcher in the Steelers conservative offence.

15.) Desmond Clark - Would benefit from a more consistent QB. Has first round pick Greg Olsen challenging for playing time.
16.) Tony Scheffler - Finished last year strong but the Broncos signed Daniel Graham in free agency. Also recovering from off season surgery.
17.) Owen Daniels - Posted most of his gaudy numbers in only a couple games. Is he legit or a fluke?

18.) Eric Johnson - Overrated in real football but could have moderate value in fantasy. 19.) Jeramy Stevens - If off field issues are behind him, could be a threat in T-Bay. Also, Stevens is a yearly injury concern.

20.) Marcedes Lewis - Highly touted rookie failed to show anything last year. Could adjust to the pro game this year.

21.) Bo Scaife - Was Young's teammate in college. Somebody needs to catch passes in Tennessee.

Tier 5

22.) Greg Olsen - I don't like taking rookie TEs. Especially ones that most experts considered overrated coming out of college.

23.) David Martin - The feature TE in Miami and they say the intend to feature him a lot. We'll see.

24.) Leonard Pope - A high draft pick, Pope has the skills but is still very raw.
25.) Visanthe Shiancoe - Minnesota paid this guy an assload of money, even though he was a back-up last year. I assume that means they intend to get him a bunch of touches.
26.) Daniel Graham - More of a blocking TE than a pass catcher. Still, he plays in a decent offense.

27.) George Wrighster - Appears set to overtake the starting TE position from Lewis in Jacksonville.
28.) Donald Lee - Brett Favre's TE. Question: Did Bubba Franks suck or did Favre just not like throwing to TEs? I don't know.

29.) Chris Baker - Jets TE. Not great, not going to kill you.

30.) Alex Smith - Could be the starter in T-Bay and has great potential if they use him.

31.) Courtney Anderson - Has the tools but might not have Oakland's coaches confidence.

32.) Dan Campbell - Likely Detroit Lions TE.

33.) Casey Fitzsimmons - Possible Detroit Lions TE. Perhaps more skilled in the passing game than Campbell.
34.) Zach Miller - 2nd TE taken in the draft, could see lots of time in Oakland. Rookie TE in Oakland. Yuck.
35.) Marcus Pollard - Never draft Marcus Pollard. Don't say I didn't warn you.....
36.) Ben Utecht - Back-up Colts TE. Colts offence = possible value!

There you go. I'm not going to rank defences and kickers. I don't believe in drafting kickers period and defences can effectively be plucked from waiver wires to play week to week match-ups in many leagues. My strategy is to not draft a kicker and instead take a flyer on a high ceiling player that could start with a nice camp (Jerry Porter, Chris Henry (Titans), etc.) and then pick up a waiver wire kicker before Week 1.

Next up will be my sleepers and busts.