Fantasy Football Preview: The Tight Ends
http://www.atomicsportsmedia.com/articles/873/1/Fantasy-Football-Preview-The-Tight-Ends/Fantasy-Football-Preview-The-Tight-Ends.html
Andrew Mindzak
After a long and successful 15 year baseball career that started off walking his first 8 batters, then hitting the 9th before getting pulled, he has switched gears to writing about sports instead of playing them (although he is always up for a game of wiffleball).
The reigning 2006 shuffleboard champion on his cruise to Alaska, Andrew feels that there is nothing better than early-mid 90's music and taking it in with a nice cold Dos Equis.
He has been participating in Fantasy Football for over 10 years and is a firm believer in awarding fantasy points for 'Super Models Dated'. Another firm belief is Donald Arthur Mattingly should be in Cooperstown. But that will be another story...until then, email him here.
The reigning 2006 shuffleboard champion on his cruise to Alaska, Andrew feels that there is nothing better than early-mid 90's music and taking it in with a nice cold Dos Equis.
He has been participating in Fantasy Football for over 10 years and is a firm believer in awarding fantasy points for 'Super Models Dated'. Another firm belief is Donald Arthur Mattingly should be in Cooperstown. But that will be another story...until then, email him here.
By Andrew Mindzak
Published on 08/2/2007
Like teammate LDT, Antonio Gates is the class of his position. With two studs like this, it's hard to imagine how the Chargers ever lose, but that's fodder for a different column. ASM's fantasy preview continues with Andy Mindzak's look at the best tight ends for 2007.
Like teammate LDT, Antonio Gates is the class of his position. With two studs like this, it's hard to imagine how the Chargers ever lose, but that's fodder for a different column. ASM's fantasy preview continues with Andy Mindzak's look at the best tight ends for 2007.
Fantasy Football Preview: The Tight Ends
“A good tight end is hard to find,” Hugh Hefner once said…. Actually, I’m not sure he said that at all with the over abundance of solid tight ends at the Playboy Mansion, but maybe that was his initial thought before he started his empire. With tight ends in mind, the 2007 NFL football season should have enough solid play at the TE position to go around when it comes to drafting your fantasy squad this year. Only problem is, their stats will read something like 75-800-6 instead of 34C. No TE in 2006 had over 1,000 yards receiving, or even more than 10 TD’s, so it seems like all the buzz around tight ends taking over the sport went right down the tubes, so don’t rush too quickly trying to pick one up in your draft this year. Here are the top 10 tight ends (sadly, there will be no mention of Jessica Biel ☹ ):
1. Antonio Gates – TE San Diego Chargers
Antonio Gates enjoyed himself another solid season in 2006 and solidified his spot as the top TE in the NFL. He put up 71 catches for 924 yards and 9 TD’s during the ’06 season, even though all the attention went to LT in the San Diego offense. Having a more mature Rivers at QB should bode well for Gates, as I would expect his numbers to be very similar if not better in 2007.
2. Tony Gonzalez – TE Kansas City Chiefs
Tony Gonzalez is a sure fire hall of famer, but his fire isn’t out just yet. After posting 73 catches and 900 yards with 5 TD’s in 2006, he should do much of the same as the #1 pass catching option in KC. Even though Green was sent packing to Miami, Huard should find Gonzo plenty of times to keep fantasy owners happy. After all, their #1 WR is Samie Parker….
3. Todd Heap – TE Baltimore Ravens
Todd Heap had a very solid 2006 campaign with 73 catches, 765 yards and 6 TD’s. He is one of the more consistent TE’s week by week, and should be thought of as such during your draft this year. Even though Baltimore has Clayton and Mason at WR, Heap seems to be the most reliable and consistent, which plays right into the strategy of McNair.
4. Jeremy Shockey – TE New York Giants
Jeremy Shockey had himself a nice little 2006 season, putting up 66 catches for 623 yards and 7 TD’s. With Tiki Barber retiring, I would expect Eli to look for Shockey more frequently than in years past. I would expect a catch total in the range of 75 and his yardage to be around 750, but look for his TD production to be around 8-9 TD’s this year.
5. Chris Cooley – TE Washington Redskins
Chris Cooley had a decent year in ’06 putting up 57 receptions for 734 yards and 6 TD’s. With the maturation of Jason Campbell, I would expect more out of Cooley this year. I wouldn’t be surprised to see his reception total around 65 and his yardage output near 750 in 2007.
6. Kellen Winslow – TE Cleveland Browns
Kellen Winslow had a great 2006 season, leading all TE’s with 89 catches and put up 875 yards and 3 TD’s. Sadly, he might be the only offense weapon in Cleveland besides Travis Hafner. Unfortunately, Hafner plays baseball, so that does zero good for the Brownies. Look for lots of catches, but not the same production in the end zone for Winslow in 2007.
7. Jason Witten – TE Dallas Cowboys
Jason Witten put up a solid 2006 season, catching 64 balls for 754 yards and 1 TD. He seemed to play better once they inserted Tony Romo as the starting QB, and I would look for more solid production out of Witten again this year. With Owens and Glenn taking the secondary down the field with them, Witten had the middle of the field all to himself.
8. L.J. Smith – TE Philadelphia Eagles
L.J. Smith put up 50 catches for 611 yards and 5 TD’s in 2006. Not one of the more reliable TE’s when it comes to fantasy production; I would look for solid stats from Smith in 2007 being as it is a contract year for him. If McNabb can stay healthy, he can definitely go above and beyond all of his stats from 2006.
1. Antonio Gates – TE San Diego Chargers
Antonio Gates enjoyed himself another solid season in 2006 and solidified his spot as the top TE in the NFL. He put up 71 catches for 924 yards and 9 TD’s during the ’06 season, even though all the attention went to LT in the San Diego offense. Having a more mature Rivers at QB should bode well for Gates, as I would expect his numbers to be very similar if not better in 2007.
2. Tony Gonzalez – TE Kansas City Chiefs
Tony Gonzalez is a sure fire hall of famer, but his fire isn’t out just yet. After posting 73 catches and 900 yards with 5 TD’s in 2006, he should do much of the same as the #1 pass catching option in KC. Even though Green was sent packing to Miami, Huard should find Gonzo plenty of times to keep fantasy owners happy. After all, their #1 WR is Samie Parker….
3. Todd Heap – TE Baltimore Ravens
Todd Heap had a very solid 2006 campaign with 73 catches, 765 yards and 6 TD’s. He is one of the more consistent TE’s week by week, and should be thought of as such during your draft this year. Even though Baltimore has Clayton and Mason at WR, Heap seems to be the most reliable and consistent, which plays right into the strategy of McNair.
4. Jeremy Shockey – TE New York Giants
Jeremy Shockey had himself a nice little 2006 season, putting up 66 catches for 623 yards and 7 TD’s. With Tiki Barber retiring, I would expect Eli to look for Shockey more frequently than in years past. I would expect a catch total in the range of 75 and his yardage to be around 750, but look for his TD production to be around 8-9 TD’s this year.
5. Chris Cooley – TE Washington Redskins
Chris Cooley had a decent year in ’06 putting up 57 receptions for 734 yards and 6 TD’s. With the maturation of Jason Campbell, I would expect more out of Cooley this year. I wouldn’t be surprised to see his reception total around 65 and his yardage output near 750 in 2007.
6. Kellen Winslow – TE Cleveland Browns
Kellen Winslow had a great 2006 season, leading all TE’s with 89 catches and put up 875 yards and 3 TD’s. Sadly, he might be the only offense weapon in Cleveland besides Travis Hafner. Unfortunately, Hafner plays baseball, so that does zero good for the Brownies. Look for lots of catches, but not the same production in the end zone for Winslow in 2007.
7. Jason Witten – TE Dallas Cowboys
Jason Witten put up a solid 2006 season, catching 64 balls for 754 yards and 1 TD. He seemed to play better once they inserted Tony Romo as the starting QB, and I would look for more solid production out of Witten again this year. With Owens and Glenn taking the secondary down the field with them, Witten had the middle of the field all to himself.
8. L.J. Smith – TE Philadelphia Eagles
L.J. Smith put up 50 catches for 611 yards and 5 TD’s in 2006. Not one of the more reliable TE’s when it comes to fantasy production; I would look for solid stats from Smith in 2007 being as it is a contract year for him. If McNabb can stay healthy, he can definitely go above and beyond all of his stats from 2006.
Fantasy Football Preview: The Tight Ends
9. Vernon Davis – TE San Francisco 49ers
Vernon Davis had a rough rookie year in ’06 catching 20 balls for 265 yards and 3 TD’s, but he did have a leg injury which caused him to miss 6 games. With Alex Smith maturing and Frank Gore already a monster, look for Davis to put up solid numbers in 2007.
10. Benjamin Watson – TE New England Patriots
Benjamin Watson caught 49 balls for a very solid 643 yards and 3 TD’s in 2006. When you combine that with the fact he missed 3 games in ’06, 2007 is looking pretty promising. With Tom Brady being the master at spreading the ball around the field, look for Watson to get his fair share of action in 2007.
The best of the rest...
11. Randy McMichael – TE St. Louis Rams: Moving from Miami to St. Louis will put him on a better overall team, but cut down on his action, hurting his fantasy value.
12. Dallas Clark – TE Indianapolis Colts: Stellar playoff run in ’06, look for Peyton to look for him more with defenses focusing on Harrison and Wayne.
13. Alge Crumpler – TE Atlanta Falcons: With Vick out, Crumpler’s value drops, as does the whole Falcons team, but Harrington will look to Crumpler often in ’07.
14. Desmond Clark – TE Chicago Bears: Had 626 yards and 6 TD’s in ’06, and I would expect much of the same, even though they drafted TE Olson.
15. Daniel Graham – TE Denver Broncos: Solid red zone option in Denver, look for Cutler to use him early and often.
16. Heath Miller – TE Pittsburgh Steelers: A run first offense usually favors the TE, so look for Miller to improve on his numbers from ’06.
17. Eric Johnson – TE New Orleans Saints: When your QB throws for 4,000 yards, you can expect a lot of action to come your way.
18. David Martin – TE Miami Dolphins: With Chambers having to ride his bicycle to work everyday, look for Martin’s value to increase. Don’t forget Green new QB in town, and he loved his TE in KC….
19. Marcus Pollard – TE Seattle Seahawks: Look for Hasselbeck to go to Pollard often in their passing attack, especially since D-Jack is now in S.F.
20. Jerramy Stevens – Tampa Bay Buccaneers: A change of scenery should do wonders for Stevens…that and no real solid WR’s (come on, Joey Galloway doing it again in ’07?? Please…).
Vernon Davis had a rough rookie year in ’06 catching 20 balls for 265 yards and 3 TD’s, but he did have a leg injury which caused him to miss 6 games. With Alex Smith maturing and Frank Gore already a monster, look for Davis to put up solid numbers in 2007.
10. Benjamin Watson – TE New England Patriots
Benjamin Watson caught 49 balls for a very solid 643 yards and 3 TD’s in 2006. When you combine that with the fact he missed 3 games in ’06, 2007 is looking pretty promising. With Tom Brady being the master at spreading the ball around the field, look for Watson to get his fair share of action in 2007.
The best of the rest...
11. Randy McMichael – TE St. Louis Rams: Moving from Miami to St. Louis will put him on a better overall team, but cut down on his action, hurting his fantasy value.
12. Dallas Clark – TE Indianapolis Colts: Stellar playoff run in ’06, look for Peyton to look for him more with defenses focusing on Harrison and Wayne.
13. Alge Crumpler – TE Atlanta Falcons: With Vick out, Crumpler’s value drops, as does the whole Falcons team, but Harrington will look to Crumpler often in ’07.
14. Desmond Clark – TE Chicago Bears: Had 626 yards and 6 TD’s in ’06, and I would expect much of the same, even though they drafted TE Olson.
15. Daniel Graham – TE Denver Broncos: Solid red zone option in Denver, look for Cutler to use him early and often.
16. Heath Miller – TE Pittsburgh Steelers: A run first offense usually favors the TE, so look for Miller to improve on his numbers from ’06.
17. Eric Johnson – TE New Orleans Saints: When your QB throws for 4,000 yards, you can expect a lot of action to come your way.
18. David Martin – TE Miami Dolphins: With Chambers having to ride his bicycle to work everyday, look for Martin’s value to increase. Don’t forget Green new QB in town, and he loved his TE in KC….
19. Marcus Pollard – TE Seattle Seahawks: Look for Hasselbeck to go to Pollard often in their passing attack, especially since D-Jack is now in S.F.
20. Jerramy Stevens – Tampa Bay Buccaneers: A change of scenery should do wonders for Stevens…that and no real solid WR’s (come on, Joey Galloway doing it again in ’07?? Please…).