Every year the league is flooded with first year players fresh from college. Some go on to Pro Bowl and Hall of Fame careers while others are done after one season. And like many of you, we here at the Bruno Boys Fantasy Football have a strange fascination watching these players adapt and adjust to life in the NFL.
With every rookie class, there is a wealth of new talent ready to produce in the league and in fantasy football and this year is no different. We'll continue our rookie report with those rookies who'll be lining up off the tackle, being used as a blocker or pass catching option in their teams' offenses - the rookie tight ends.
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Dustin Keller - New York Jets
Keller is one of those freak-of-nature type guys. He’s got the speed and agility of a wide receiver, yet the body of a tight end (6’3”, 242 pounds). In fact, he originally played that position at University of Purdue before being shifted to tight end, which in large part helped him become a first round pick out of college.
The addition of Keller should help open up the Jets offense, as he is a guy that can be used in many different roles, similar to the way Dallas Clark is used for the Indianapolis Colts. He definitely holds fantasy football value (intitially as a backup tight end) this season and has the upside to emerge as a breakthrough player at the position this season, as long as quarterbacks Kellen Clemens or Chad Pennington can find some consistency and get their big target the football.
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John Carlson - Seattle Seahawks
At University of Notre Dame, Carlson had to bide his time behind current NFL tight ends Greg Olsen and Anthony Fasano before getting a chance to shine. In his last two years at Notre Dame, Carlson caught 87 passes for 1,006 receiving yards and showed the NFL scouts that he has a good set of hands.
Carlson has been known more for his blocking than his pass-catching ability, but the Seattle Seahawks thought enough of him as a receiving tight end to select him ahead of Fred Davis. Intitially, Carlson was supposed to come into Seattle and produce right away, because the only returning tight end Will Heller caught just 13 passes last year, but according to reports he is having trouble grasping the offense. It is uncertain if Carlson will start the season in the playing rotation, therefore the wise thing to do from a fantasy football standpoint is to keep Carlson on your leagues waiver wire, see if he can climb up the depth charts in Seattle and possibly grab him as a bye-week filler.
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Fred Davis - Washington Redskins
Davis is another player that could transition quickly into the league. Davis is similar in size to Keller (6’4”, 243 pounds), as well as athletic ability, as he played running back in high school and often lined up at receiver while a the University of Southern California.
The problem with Davis is that the Washington Redskins already have one of the league’s top tight ends in Chris Cooley. Plus, the team also selected the aforementioned Malcolm Kelly and Devin Thomas. So while Davis may not produce right away, he remains a guy to keep your eye on as he definitely has the ability to be a good tight end in the NFL. Finally, if for some reason Cooley suffered an injury, Davis is the type of talent that can fill in nicely and make an impact for your fantasy football squad.
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Position By Position Rookie Report
Rookie Report - Quarterbacks
Rookie Report - Running Backs
Rookie Report - Wide Receivers
Rookie Report - Tight Ends
Rookie Report - Kickers