TIGHT ENDS
TIER ONE
1. #Antonio Gates, SD | Age: 28.3 | Value Score: 98
When healthy, he's been a tier unto himself among tight ends. Chargers offense could have a tough time working out the cobwebs early with so many key components returning from injury.
2. Jason Witten, DAL | Age: 26.4 | Value Score: 97
A great bet to stay heavily involved in the offense, if not quite as impressively as in '07.
3. Kellen Winslow II, CLE | Age: 25.1 | Value Score: 95
Similar to Frank Gore in that many believe he will age quickly due to the seriousness of past leg injuries, but that's mere speculation for now and he's producing like a stud.
TIER TWO
4. Tony Gonzalez, KC | Age: 32.5 | Value Score: 82
Hasn't slowed down yet, but turns 33 during the season and has major QB issues.
5. Chris Cooley, WAS | Age: 26.2 | Value Score: 80
How will he produce in the West Coast offense with a new head coach? He's a terrific red zone weapon, and a consistent bet for 65-70 receptions and 750 yards.
6. Jeremy Shockey, NO | Age: 28.1 | Value Score: 79
There's a definite injury factor here, but it's going to be interesting to see him in a high-powered Saints offense.
7. Vernon Davis, SF | Age: 24.5 | Value Score: 77
Kept up statistically with guys like Heath Miller & Jeremy Shockey over the second half of '07 and offers much more upside. Huge risk, huge reward in Martz's offense. Wouldn't surprise if he's elite by season's end, nor would it surprise if he's firmly enconced in the doghouse.
8. Todd Heap, BAL | Age: 28.5 | Value Score: 77
One of the best buy-lows of the off-season at any position; even with putrid QB play, Heap has been a difference maker when healthy.
9. Tony Scheffler, DEN | Age: 25.5 | Value Score: 73
Young, athletic Heap clone as a receiver benefits from an obvious rapport with Cutler and stands to build on outstanding second half numbers.
10. Dallas Clark, IND | Age: 29.2 | Value Score: 73
Long-term contract offers very good dynasty value in Colts offense; will he be used as heavily as he was last season, or was that a one-year aberration?
TIER THREE
11. Greg Olsen, CHI | Age: 23.5 | Value Score: 66
Showed promise on that 1st round talent, but he worked much better with Griese and Desmond Clark re-signed to bleed value from Olsen.
12. Zach Miller, OAK | Age: 22.7 | Value Score: 65
One of the few bright spots in the Raiders offense, he had rookie teammate JaMarcus Russell's attention when the two of them played together in Weeks 16 & 17.
13. Heath Miller, PIT | Age: 25.9 | Value Score: 65
Great red zone option and very good in the open field, but he just doesn't see consistent enough targets to move to the next level.
14. Owen Daniels, HOU | Age: 25.8 | Value Score: 64
A major component of the Texans passing attack, but he needs to be more involved in the red zone game plan.
15. Dustin Keller, NYJ | Age: 23.9 | Value Score: 59
When the local writers are already calling a player "generally unstoppable" early in his first training camp, then it's time to target that player.
16. #Ben Watson, NE | Age: 27.7 | Value Score: 55
Running out of time to make good on that tremendous promise. Very good big-play ability, and a nice red zone target, but his poor hands often leave him without the trust of his QB.
TIER FOUR
17. Donald Lee, GB | Age: 28.0 | Value Score: 43
2007 is flashing "career year" in bright neon lights, especially with Rodgers taking over for Favre.
18. Alge Crumpler, ATL | Age: 30.7 | Value Score: 45
Becomes the safety valve for another subpar passer, but he was always able to take that and make it valuable with Vick.
19. Anthony Fasano, MIA | Age: 24.5 | Value Score: 42
Finally a shot to start in Miami, but how good is he really? And will the Dolphins offense put up any points this season?
20. Marcedes Lewis, JAX | Age: 24.3 | Value Score: 40
Not heavily involved in the Jags offense, but expecting steady, continued improvement isn't unreasonable; came on strong down the stretch and in the playoffs.
21. Randy McMichael, STL | Age: 29.2 | Value Score: 35
New OC Al Saunders vows to put the ball in McMichael's hands.
22. L.J. Smith, PHI | Age: 28.4 | Value Score: 35
Could bounce back in '08, but not much security here if he doesn't sign a long-term deal with the Eagles.
23. John Carlson, SEA | Age: 24.3 | Value Score: 30
24. Ben Utecht, CIN | Age: 27.2 | Value Score: 29
TE2 possibility as easily the best receiving tight end of the Carson Palmer/Marvin Lewis era Bengals. Some are expecting him to be used as Palmer's version of Dallas Clark, but he's not that talented and the Bengals don't use their tight ends as much as the Colts do.
TIER FIVE
25. Dante Rosario, CAR | Age: 23.8 | Value Score: 20
26. Kevin Boss, NYG | Age: 24.7 | Value Score: 17
Impressed as a receiver in the Giants' playoff run, and now he should have the starting gig to himself with Shockey finally dealt.
27. Alex Smith, TB | Age: 26.3 | Value Score: 16
Talented but always left his NFL team and his fantasy owners wanting more; now in a dogfight with Troupe for his job.
28. Martellus Bennett, DAL | Age: 21.5 | Value Score: 15
29. Fred Davis, WAS | Age: 22.7 | Value Score: 15
30. Jacob Tamme, IND | Age: 23.5 | Value Score: 15
TIER SIX
31. Dave Thomas, NE | Age: 25.2 | Value Score: 10
Nice sleeper stash if Watson's hands continue to leave doubts about his game.
32. Ben Troupe, TB | Age: 26.0 | Value Score: 10
Buccaneers hoping he pushes Alex Smith to the sidelines more often; Troupe has had some obvious issues over the past couple of seasons, but the upside is there if he can put it all together.
33. Delanie Walker, SF | Age: 24.1 | Value Score: 9
34. #Ben Patrick, ARI | Age: 24.1 | Value Score: 8
35. Desmond Clark, CHI | Age: 31.4 | Value Score: 7
Still putting up interesting numbers, but he's already 31-years-old with Olsen hot on his heels for the starting job while siphoning production in the meantime.
36. Chris Baker, NYJ | Age: 28.8 | Value Score: 7
37. Leonard Pope, ARI | Age: 25.0 | Value Score: 7
38. Jeff King, CAR | Age: 24.5 | Value Score: 9
You just saw his career year as the Panthers move to an offense requiring a more physical tight end.
39. #Martin Rucker, CLE | Age: 23.3 | Value Score: 6
TIER SEVEN
40. Brad Cottam, KC | Age: 23.8 | Value Score: 4
41. Jermichael Finley, GB | Age: 21.5 | Value Score: 3
42. Brent Celek, PHI | Age: 23.7 | Value Score: 3
43. Gary Barnidge, CAR | Age: 22.9 | Value Score: 3
44. #Derek Schouman, BUF | Age: 23.5 | Value Score: 2
45. Visanthe Shiancoe, MIN | Age: 28.3 | Value Score: 2
46. #Derek Fine, BUF | Age: 25.0 | Value Score: 2
47. Joe Klopfenstein, STL | Age: 24.8 | Value Score: 2
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Tight End Rankings | August 26, 2008
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Posts
.jpg)
4 comments:
Tony Scheffler may be the hardest guy to get a read on at TE. I think he could be up by Gonzo or down by H.Miller. I'm slightly concerned that he didn't really turn it on last season until he and Marshall were the only guys Cutler could throw to last season. But I like that he's only in his 3rd year. I gues I'm wondering if you think he'll be closer to Gonzo or H. Miller? The tiers kinda say Gonzo, but I guess I'm kinda looking for a reasoning on that end, especially since Scheffler isn't on the field near as much as many of the guys he's ranked near.
Heath Miller is one of those guys who is a much, much better NFL player than fantasy player. I like his talent, and I think he's a much better player than some of the guys ranked ahead of him, but his numbers are capped by his role in the Steelers offense. It's extremely rare for him to get more than 3-4 receptions in a game, so his upside is limited to borderline TE1/TE2 production.
Scheffler is all about upside to me. He's riskier than Miller, but he's also going to be used as a receiver more than Miller . . . and he's more athletic. In two out of the last three games of 2007, Scheffler had more receptions in a game (7) than Heath Miller has ever had in a game.
Totally agree on Miller. I'd like to see the Steelers use him more often and I think they would be better off if they went to him more often, but for some reason they don't. Maybe he's too valuable as a blocker?
The one problem I have with Scheffler is that yes he had 7 catches in 2 of the last 3 games, but Stokley, Graham missed that week and Walker was in stage one of shell shock mode. Point being if it wasn't going to Marshall, it was going to Scheffler. Notice how Marshall had 10+ catches during those same 2 games Scheffler had 7. Maybe I'm reaching to find a fault(I have Marshall and Scheffler)but I don't feel comfortable that he'll improve or even maintain his pace from last season.
That's a legit point on Scheffler's last few games.
I admit there's risk there. I just like his upside as a good, athletic receiver and the #2 option in that passing offense. I think he has room to grow and can be a higher ceiling guy . . . whereas I feel like Miller is the kind of guy I'd be hesitant to run out there every week even if things are going well.
I don't really want to keep up with the Joneses and their 3 catches for 45 yards -- I want to outdo the Joneses with 5 or 6 catches for 65 yards. I feel like Scheffler gives me a better chance to do that than Miller does.
Post a Comment