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From John Buckley our friend from Rotohog.com
Okay, now that we’ve got the scrubs out of the way (21-30), we can get to some guys that can really contribute to your fantasy teams. While most standard leagues only use one tight end, I’ve played in leagues that use two, or that use a WR/TE flex position – and don’t forget about PPR leagues. These guys can help you in all those, plus can be useful in shallow standard leagues. Whatever type of league you play in, it’s always useful to know what players are out there in case of the inevitable – injuries, bye weeks, or just plain unproductiveness. So, here’s tight ends 11-20, and a recap of 21-30.
30) John Carlson – Seattle Seahawks : My Projection : 22 rec, 232 yds, 1 TD
29) Leonard Pope – Arizona Cardinals : My Projection : 25 rec, 260 yds, 1TD
28) Kevin Boss – New York Giants : My Projection : 28 rec, 285 yds, 1 TD
27) David Martin – Miami Dolphins : My Projection : 36 rec, 326 yds, 1 TD
26) Vinsanthe Shiancoe – Minnesota Vikings : My Projection : 28 rec, 331 yds, 1 TD
25) Ben Utecht – Cincinnati Bengals : My Projection : 33 rec, 331 yds, 1 TD
24) Jeff King – Carolina Panthers : My Projection : 48 rec, 431 yds, 1 TD
23) Marcedes Lewis – Jacksonville Jaguars : My Projection : 25 rec, 397 yds, 2 TDs
22) Dustin Keller – New York Jets : My Projection : 38 rec, 424 yds, 2 TD
21) Eric Johnson – New Orleans Saints : My Projection : 44 rec, 421 yds, 2 TDs
20) Zach Miller – Oakland Raiders: Surprisingly, former Sun Devil Zach Miller was a top-20 TE performer in most standard leagues. Despite the instability at the QB position in Oaktown, Miller put up almost 450 yards and 3 TDs. Hardly world-shattering numbers, I know, but not bad for a young player on a dysfunctional team. Look for him to at least put up similar numbers this year, or even improve on them if JaMarcus Russell can put down the KFC bucket and get to chucking the ball. Miller was a stud in college and there’s no reason why he can’t become a consistent performer in the NFL. My Projection: 46 rec, 438 yds, 3 TDs
19) Desmond Clark – Chicago Bears: Clark has put up decent fantasy numbers throughout his nine-year NFL career. He was even a top-15 performer at TE last year despite having Rex Grossman throwing to him most of the time. The only reason I have him this low this year is because the Bears offense (actually a respectable 18th is points scored last year) figures to regress heavily with the defection of Bernard Berrian and the release of Cedric Benson, and because second-year man Greg Olsen figures to cut into his reps. Either way, expect solid production out of the pair of Chicago TEs, as the Bears receiving corps is absolutely dreadful. My Projection: 40 rec, 460 yds, 3 TDs
18) Randy McMichael – St. Louis Rams: During his five years in Miami, McMichael was a solid fantasy contributor, averaging 620 yards and almost four TDs a year from 2002-2007. His numbers dipped a bit in his first year in St. Louis, however. Whether this can be blamed on the injuries around him on offense or a decline in his skills has yet to be seen. If it’s the former, then a healthy Marc Bulger, Orlando Pace and Stephen Jackson should allow the Rams’ offense to return to the top of the league, and McMichael will once again be a reliable fantasy option. If not, expect his numbers to dip even further. I’m just going to play it safe and say they’ll stay about the same – although he’s a player to keep an eye on as the season progresses. My Projection: 47 rec, 480 yds, 3 TDs
17) Donald Lee – Green Bay Packers: Lee came out of nowhere last year to become a top-10 TE fantasy force, especially in the second half of the season – five of his six TDs came week 10 or later. I rode his production to the playoffs in more than one league last year. He developed an excellent rapport with gunslinger Brett Favre, as shown by his three grabs of 40 yards or more – amazing for a tight end. However, expect his numbers to regress towards his mediocre career averages this year, due to Favre’s retirement. Aaron Rodgers should be an adequate replacement, but the Pack’s offense as a whole should take a couple steps back. Of course, there’s always the chance that Favre comes back. Make sure to keep tabs on that situation. My Projection: 42 rec, 477 yds, 4 TDs
16) Greg Olsen – Chicago Bears: Olsen is the second Bears TE to make this list, and is currently behind the other (Desmond Clark) on the depth chart. No matter. The Bears used a first-round pick on the former Hurricane last year, so they clearly plan to utilize him. With the Bears’ other skill players being as, well, awful as they are, expect them to take advantage of two TE sets frequently – meaning Olsen and Clark will see their fair share of passes. While both should contribute, my money is on Olsen being the better fantasy option, given his solid hands and 4.5 speed. Worth a late-round flyer. My Projection: 45 rec, 486 yds, 4 TDs
15) L.J. Smith – Philadelphia Eagles: Smith was a fantasy disappointment last year, missing multiple games due to injury and being ineffective when on the field. However, he is one of the league’s more consistent TEs when healthy, and a favorite target of Donovan McNabb, who also missed time last year. Now that both are healthy (for the time being), expect Smith to put up his usual decent numbers. He’s a solid goal line option and has a knack for making key grabs. Don’t be afraid to grab him late if other owners let him slide due to injury concerns. My Projection: 49 rec, 584 yds, 3 TDs
14) Benjamin Watson – New England Patriots: Patriots TEs are always solid fantasy contributors, and Watson is no exception. Tom Brady loves to look for his tight end in the red zone, and Watson responded with 6 TDs last year, good for sixth overall among TEs. The yardage may be lacking – Brady loves to spread the ball around between the 20s – but Watson delivers where it counts. Not a bad option if you decide to address your starting TE late, but he’s even better in a flex position. Not as useful in PPR leagues. My Projection: 41 rec, 441 yds, 5 TDs
13) Alge Crumpler – Tennessee Titans: Crumpler, long a top fantasy contributor at TE, saw his numbers drop of precipitously last year. He finished a mediocre 14th among TEs, and his season-ending numbers of 444 yards and 5 TDs are somewhat misleading, as he went for 67 yards and two TDs in week 17 – a week after most formats are over. Some of this can be blamed on the ugliness of the Falc’s post-Mike Vick offense, but Crumpler seemed a bit lost on the field last year. Perhaps looking for a change of scenery, Crumpler signed with the Titans in the offseason. The parallels between Vick and Vince Young are blatant, and Crumpler could be due for a fantasy resurgence. But the Titans like to use multiple TEs, and Young still has to show that he’s an NFL-caliber passer, so temper your expectations. My Projection: 48 rec, 571 yds, 4 TDs
12) Tony Scheffler – Denver Broncos: You might be surprised to find out that Scheffler was a top-10 fantasy TE last year in standard formats. This even though he missed the first four games of the season. His numbers – 549 yards and 5 TDs – projected over 16 games are over 700 yards and 7 TDs – borderline top-5 TE material. I’m not saying he’ll be that good, but Scheffler could be very useful this season, especially if Jay Cutler takes the step forward that is expected of 3rd-year QBs. I’m going to predict similar numbers to last year, but I can easily see him moving a few more spots up this list. And remember, most standard leagues are 12 teams, so Scheffler and everyone ahead of him here should be considered startable every week. My Projection: 51 rec, 562 yds, 5 TDs
11) Vernon Davis – San Francisco 49ers: Davis is a tough player to project. He has all the talent and natural ability to be a fantasy force, but he has no one around him in San Francisco. Alex Smith has not produced like the team envisioned when they used a number one draft choice on him in 2005, and the receiving corps isn’t any better. The Niners’ passing game is, to put it mildly, dreadful. Yet, despite missing two games, Davis was a top-15 TE last year. I can’t imagine Smith and Co. will be as terrible this year, so I’m projecting Davis’ numbers to go up – but they could just as easily stay level or even go down. Draft with caution, but his obvious speed and skill may make him tough to pass up in the mid-to-late rounds. My Projection: 59 rec, 641 yds, 4 TDs
Most of the guys on this middle tier of tight ends should see roster action at some point during the season. Some of them should even be starters most weeks – but these guys aren’t the elite at the position. Make sure to read my rankings for the top ten TEs, the guys you should be gunning for on draft day.
Tags: Zach Miller Desmond Clark Randy McMichael Donald Lee Greg Olsen L.J. Smith Benjamin Watson Alge Crumpler Tony Scheffler Vernon Davis
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I have nothing against the guy Lenny, but he flat takes away from your show. You have votes on all sorts of things...put a poll up about limiting Tony's comments to the written word.