2010 Fantasy Football TE Rankings
Every fantasy team needs a good tight end. Ask Chris Cooley.
The tight end position is almost as obnoxious as that of the lonesome kicker. Every team needs at least one and there are only a few premium TEs to grab. After that it’s all about hope and upside. For that reason, many fantasy owners will blow an early draft pick going after one of the elite tight ends which is generally a mistake.
As an example Jason Witten and Greg Olson were nabbed early in most drafts last season and both saw kickers out-perform them in fantasy points. Of course this amplifies an even more intriguing point, that even the top TEs don’t score much more than the best kickers. So with that in mind why grab a TE before than the 7th round, or at the very earliest after you have a QB, 2 RBs, 2 WRs and at least one flex player?
If one of the elite or semi-elite TEs slip 2-3 rounds past their standard ADP (average draft position) then snap them up. In most drafts Dallas Clark is going in the 4th round, with Vernon Davis, Jermichael Finley, Antonio Gates and Jason Witten all going in the 5th round.
Meanwhile Tony Gonzalez is going around the 9th round. Vinsanthe Shiancoe, who scored identical numbers to Gonzalez, is going in the 13th round.
Just some food for thought; save that early pick for a player who will give you more production than even the top TEs.
Tier One – The Elite
RANK
PLAYER
TEAM
BYE
ONE LINER
1
Dallas Clark
IND
7
He continues to flourish with Peyton at QB
2
Antonio Gates
SDG
10
With Jackson out he’s important than ever
3
Vernon Davis
SFO
9
Solid chemistry with Alex Smith helps
4
Jermichael Finley
GBP
10
Freakish skills but will be overhyped this year
5
Brent Celek
PHI
8
Should be a favorite target for Kevin Kolb
6
Jason Witten
DAL
4
Off year, should rebound nicely in 2010
Tier Two – The Safe Mid-Round Options
RANK
PLAYER
TEAM
BYE
ONE LINER
7
Tony Gonzalez
ATL
8
A healthy Matt Ryan should boost his stats
8
Kellen Winslow
TB
4
4th in targets in ‘09 with QB carousel
9
Owen Daniels
HOU
7
IF healthy he goes here, monitor his rehab
10
Greg Olsen
CHI
8
Top 5 skills, poor supporting cast
11
John Carlson
SEA
5
Needs O-line help and a healthy Hasselbeck
12
Chris Cooley
WAS
9
Solid pick. Shanahan should boost value
13
Zach Miller
OAK
10
Big jump with Jason Campbell at QB
14
Vinsanthe Shiancoe
MIN
4
If Favre retires his value drops big time
Tier Three – All About Upside
RANK
PLAYER
TEAM
BYE
ONE LINER
15
Dustin Keller
NYJ
7
Ranking based more on promise and hope
16
Heath Miller
PIT
5
Big Ben suspension hurts Heath
17
Jared Cook
TEN
9
Best TE in Tennessee (sleeper alert)
18
Kevin Boss
NYG
8
Poor yardage but always a redzone threat
19
Tony Scheffler
DET
7
Value picks up in Detroit with Stafford at QB
20
Jermaine Gresham
CIN
6
At this point I value upside of veteran mediocrity
21
Jeremy Shockey
NOS
10
Saints offense means he’s always a threat
22
Ben Watson
CLE
8
The Browns need a reliable set of hands up the middle and in the rezone
23
Rob Gronkowski
NEP
5
Like Gresham above, he’s all about rookie upside
27
Tony Moaki
KCC
4
Another rookie with upside
Tier Four – Desperate Measures
RANK
PLAYER
TEAM
BYE
ONE LINER
24
Todd Heap
BAL
8
A decent #2 TE option with Flacco at QB
25
Fred Davis
WAS
9
Moves up several spots if Cooley gets moved
26
Brandon Pettigrew
DET
7
May not be ready for the start of the season
28
Dante Rosario
CAR
6
A match-up bye week filler
29
Marcedes Lewis
JAX
9
Without a better QB, he’s hit or miss
30
Anthony Fasano
MIA
5
Always capable of surprising
Fuente: Fantasy Knuckleheads
