Fantasy Football 2012: 4 TEs Who Could Have Breakout Seasons

The importance of having a stud TE in the NFL and in fantasy was more evident than ever last season.

Rob Gronkowski and Jimmy Graham helped many fantasy teams to the title.

And in the NFL postseason, Gronkowski, Graham, Aaron Hernandez and Vernon Davis all played big parts in their teams’ postseason success.

So the question for both fantasy owners and NFL GMs is: Who’s the next TE that will break out?

Here are four candidates.

Fred Davis: Washington Redskins

Davis put up career-best numbers despite missing the season’s final four games due to a suspension for violating the league’s substance abuse policy. He finished with 59 catches for 796 yards and three TDs.

Projected out to 16 games, he would have had 79 catches for 1,059 yards and four TDs.

Those numbers would have put him third in yards and tied for third in catches among TEs.

The TD number is low, but Davis didn’t have Aaron Rodgers, Drew Brees or Tom Brady throwing to him in the red zone. A step up in QB play would have brought his TD total to a respectable seven or eight.

Because of the suspension, Davis didn’t get a multi-year deal in free agency. But, the Redskins were confident enough in the TE to slap the franchise tag on him and give him a shot to prove he can produce on the field AND stay out of trouble off of it.

He should certainly be motivated. And with his talent, Davis could be the breakout fantasy stud at TE jumping from the No. 12 fantasy TE last year into the top five.

Martellus Bennett: New York Giants

Maybe a change of scenery (and his best opportunity as a No. 1 TE) will be the motivation that the 25-year-old Bennett needs.

At least, that’s what the New York Giants are hoping.

In a similar situation to Fred Davis' in some ways, Bennett signed a one-year deal worth $2.5 million.

However, Bennett does not have the statistical track record of Davis. In fact, his only four career TD catches came in his rookie year—2008.

If Bennett puts in the effort with New York and Eli Manning, he could be a stud fantasy TE. He has great size (6’6”, 270 lbs) and is a matchup problem for any defense.

Defenses will also be focused on outside threats Hakeem Nicks and Victor Cruz, which should help open up the middle for Bennett.

Jermaine Gresham: Cincinnatti Bengals

Gresham is another young TE (23) with great size and athleticism.

After missing all of 2009 with a knee injury, Gresham has put up two solid seasons—with a slight improvement in 2011 as he caught 56 balls for 596 yards and six TDs.

Year two with QB Andy Dalton should provide a significant jump in production for Gresham though, as Dalton can focus more on developing chemistry than learning the offense on the go (as he did as a rookie).

Dalton, A.J. Green and Gresham are a young group of starting skill players for the Bengals that should continue to grow and thrive together. 

Jared Cook: Tennessee Titans

At just 24 years old, Cook is quickly rising in the ranks of NFL TEs.

And while Cook already had a drastic statistical improvement from his second to third season in the NFL (all with the Titans), 2012 could be the year he makes a name for himself nationally.

In 2010, Cook caught 29 balls for 361 yards with a TD.

In 2011, Cook caught 49 balls for 759 yards with three TDs.

Cook also played his best football late in the season for the Titans.

In Weeks 15-17, Cook averaged seven catches and 112 yards per game.

Cook is just 24 years old, so expectations will be high as he enters his prime. And if somehow Cook has Peyton Manning throwing him the rock in 2012—look out.