A good tight end can make or break a fantasy season. Of course the critical word there is “good.”
Most leagues have a 10 or 12 team format- and usually a starting slot for a tight end. But finding 10 or 12 consistently productive tight ends is not an easy task.
Consider that only two tight ends finished in the top one hundred fantasy scorers in 2007- and not the good half. In most standard scoring systems, Jason Witten was 91st overall, Antonio Gates was 97th.
Selecting a tight end might be an afterthought if not for the fact that most leagues have a mandatory starting TE slot. The position must be given it’s due attention. Players that can produce points every week can be the difference between a win and a loss. An unproductive player who goes weeks without scoring can become a drain on an otherwise solid roster.
The MonsterDraft draft guide can customize your draft board with player values based on your league’s specifications- including number of teams, starting line-up structure, points awarded per yardage/scoring play, and various other critical factors. That numerical value will be extraordinarily useful on draft day when you’re trying to decide if the tight end you are looking at is worth the selection you’re using.
Here are the top 5 tight ends the tool produced after entering specifications of a ten team league with 6 points for a receiving TD, 1 point for per 25 yards receiving, and 1 point per reception. Some scoring systems may place more importance on yardage- while others may not award points per reception. As a MonsterDraft member, you can enter your specific scoring system- and receive a draft guide with player values calculated just for you.
#5- Tony Gonzalez- Chiefs- Tony entered 2007 unhappy with his contract, his team, and his legacy. He proceeded to record 99 receptions for 1,200 yards. Not much has changed for 2008- except that Tony is a year older and possibly a step slower. The KC QB situation is still sketchy at best- and the overall team prospects are not terribly good. At least Gonzalez has shown he can still be productive in the worst of situations- so expect him to continue grinding out points as arguably the best receiving tight end in the league.
#4- Chris Cooley- Redskins- Cooley became a favorite red zone target in ’07- hauling in 8 TD’s and earning him the number 4 spot in this scoring format. His 66 receptions and 786 yards was virtually a mirror image of his two previous seasons- which means he brings consistency you can count on. He also brings upside- the Skins say they have plans to move Cooley around and even use him in the slot at times. Entering his fifth season, Cooley is faster than he looks- and plays extremely smart and disciplined. If Jason Campbell takes his game up a notch- even just a small notch- Cooley could easily carve his name into the upper echelon of the league’s tight ends.
#3- Kellen Winslow- Browns- The only reason to stay away from Winslow is if his past injuries spook you. Winslow used 2007 for his coming out party- and aside from another off-season knee surgery- there is no reason to think that he can’t improve upon an impressive 82 reception, 1,100 yard season. Derek Anderson is back, Braylon Edwards is playing lights out, and the running attack is strong. The door is wide open for Winslow to become that special type of tight end- the kind that is basically the same value as a top flight receiver. Winslow can run away from or run over tacklers- and has the hands and athleticism to make the tough catch.
#2- Antonio Gates- Chargers- 2007 was the first time in three years that Gates wasn’t the runaway leader of fantasy tight ends. The 75 reception, 984 yard effort was first rate- but Witten rumbled past him with an amazing year. Gates did, however, best Witten by 2 TD’s- and figures to be an endzone hound again in ’08. Consider that a bad toe (which eventually required surgery) limited him- and Gates starts looking every bit the fantasy stud he has been since ’04. The Chargers’ offense is powerful- and is building a history with Rivers. Gates is the perfect package of speed, size, and hands. Keep a close eye on the toe progress to be sure he is coming back 100%.
#1- Jason Witten- Cowboys- What does it take to be tops at the tight end position in the fantasy world. How about 96 receptions, 1,145 yards. And 7 touchdowns? That was enough for Jason Witten in ’07- and enough to land him at the top spot on this impressive list. ’07 was Witten’s best season- and it can’t be overlooked that he and Tony Romo are forming a special bond. A steal in most ’07 drafts- Witten won’t be around nearly as long in ’08- but will give his owners that productive punch from a slot that other owners will be lagging. Witten is one of the few tight ends that require a cornerback to truly cover him. And facing a team with TO- that’s rarely possible.
The MonsterDraft tool will not only provide you with a complete list of players at every position- customized to your league and ranked in an easy to read style to guide you through every pick of the draft- but it will also generate additional, updated lists with the very latest rankings based on injuries, roster changes, or last minute adjustments made in your league. So join today- and be a Monster on draft day.