Fantasy Football: A Plan For Drafting Tight Ends In 2009

You know the traditional fantasy football manager; the one who grabs his running backs early, and gets everything else later.

Well, one of those positions that will need to be addressed is the infamously overlooked tight end.

It seems that of all positions, the tight end gets handed the shaft the most.

But why?

Tight ends are most commonly compared to with wide receivers, for the simple reason that they are both on the receiving end of a quarterbacks dial-up. 

However, they [tight ends] are considered inferior to their fellow pass-catching brethren despite the fact that there are less top options to be had, (not to mention less options overall).

Here's a side-by-side of the Nos. 1, 10, and 20 tight ends and wide receivers:

1.  TE—Tony Gonzalez: 1,058 yards, 10 touchdowns, (158 fantasy points)

1.  WR—Larry Fitzgerald: 1,431 yards, 12 touchdowns, (210 fantasy points)

10.  TE—Tony Scheffler: 645 yards, 3 touchdowns, (77 fantasy points)

10.  WR—Randy Moss: 1,008 yards, 11 touchdowns, (155 fantasy points)

20.  TE—Kellen Winslow: 428 yards, 3 touchdowns, (55 fantasy points)

20.  WR—Eddie Royal: 980 yards, 5 touchdowns, (129 fantasy points)

We see that the No. 1 TE, Tony Gonzalez, performed about the same as No. 10 WR Randy Moss, suggesting that the quality of tight ends expire much, much more quickly than that of wide receivers. 

We also see that the No. 20 TE, Kellen Winslow, produced not even half as many fantasy points as No. 20 WR Eddie Royal. 

Basically if you want to get a tight end that is worth your while, you will have to grab one of the top-tier this year

Included in the top-tier are:

• Jason Witten
• Antonio Gates
• Tony Gonzalez
• Dallas Clark
• Kellen Winslow
• Greg Olsen
• Chris Cooley
• Owen Daniels

Jason Witten—Dallas Cowboys, (round 4.3)

Last season, Witten produced 952 yards and four touchdowns. Not bad numbers, but a drop-off from the previous seasons' stats in which he totaled 1,145 yards and seven scores.

There is reason to believe that Witten will improve upon his slightly disappointing numbers from a season again though. Distraction Terrell Owens is gone, which should lead to more opportunities for Witten since there is one less player that would potentially take away looks.

Wide receivers that are going around the spot where Witten is being drafted include: Roy Williams and Braylon Edwards.

Projection:  900 yards, eight touchdowns

Antonio Gates—San Diego Chargers, (round 4.12)

Gates, like Witten, suffered a bit of a down season last year. One season removed from a stellar 984 yard, nine touchdown performance, Gates just managed 704 yards and eight touchdowns this past season.

However, Gates did miss a game last year, and was partially battling with an injury all season. This certainly could have played a factor in his overall numbers declining.

It is important to note, (for those who are down on Gates), that he is one of the surest tight ends there are. Over his six year career, Gates has averaged 8.5 touchdowns a year, easily the highest among all active players at the position.

Wide receivers that are going around the spot where Gates is being drafted include: Chad Ochocinco and Santonio Holmes.

Projection:  850 yards, nine touchdowns

Tony Gonzalez—Atlanta Falcons, (round 5.7)

Perhaps there is no surer thing when it comes to tight ends than this man. Over his career he has averaged over 900 yards and six touchdowns a season. Last season was no different, as he improved about those totals and managed to grab 1,058 yards and 10 touchdowns.

In the offseason, Gonzalez was traded from the Kansas City Chiefs to the emerging Atlanta Falcons—a move that can only help Gonzalez. 

He goes from a city where there was no legitimate threat at running back, quarterback, or wide receiver, (minus Dwayne Bowe), to a city that has a star running back, star quarterback, and star receiver. Tell me that this guy's numbers won't go up this season.

Wide receivers that are going around the spot where Gonzalez is being drafted include: DeSean Jackson and Antonio Bryant.

Projection:  1,000 yards, seven touchdowns

Dallas Clark—Indianapolis Colts, (round 5.10)

Last year, Clark enjoyed his highest yardage total of his young career at 848 yards. His touchdowns however slipped from 11 in 2007-08 to six last year.

It seemed that quarterback Peyton Manning and Clark found chemistry last year, and the fact that Marvin Harrison is now gone opens the door for Clark to cement himself as one of Manning's favorite targets.

Wide receivers that are going around the spot where Clark is being drafted include:  Antonio Bryant and Anthony Gonzalez.

Projection:  750 yards, nine touchdowns

Kellen Winslow—Tampa Bay Buccaneers, (round 7.2)

I'll be the first to admit that I do not like Winslow this year. Aside from the fact that he is injured every other game it seems, he goes from a quality passing team in Cleveland, to a run-first team in Tampa. 

Tight ends on a run-first are notoriously known to do bad. It doesn't help that Tampa has no reliable option at quarterback either.

Steer clear of this guy.

Wide receivers that are going around the spot where Winslow is being drafted include:  Santana Moss and Lance Moore.

projection: 600 yards, five touchdowns, (10 games played)

Greg Olsen—Chicago Bears, (round 7.3)

I have totally opposite feelings about this guy than I did the former. I have a man-crush on Olsen for this year. 

He is losing an inconsistent quarterback and gaining an star quarterback (Jay Cutler), who knows how to utilize the tight end position as we all saw with Tony Scheffler.

Last season Olsen set career highs in both yards (574), and touchdowns (five). Granted, it was only his second season in the NFL, but that too is a good thing. 

I liken the situation to a dog; if you get one already trained, then he will have a harder time adjusting. But if you get one young, then he will follow your every command.

Wide receivers that are going around the spot where Olsen is being drafted include:  Santana Moss and Lance Moore.

Projection:  700 yards, six touchdowns

Chris Cooley—Washington Redskins, (round 8.1)

Cooley, a fantasy player himself, had a mixed season last year. On one hand, he managed to set a career high in yards, with 836. And on another hand, he only snagged one touchdown.

However that stat is an outlier, seeing as though his previous career low was (six). Look for him to rebound in that category for the upcoming season.

Wide receivers that are going around the spot where Cooley is being drafted include:  Laveranueus Coles and Steve Breaston.

Projection:  900 yards, four touchdowns

Owen Daniels—Houston Texans, (round 8.5)

This guy's a stud. Not only can he be had the latest out of all these here mentioned tight ends, but he can also produce: 862 yards, two touchdowns last season. 

Now, like Cooley, Daniels set a career high in yards, but a career low in touchdowns last year. But unlike Cooley, Daniel's quarterback—good quarterback Matt Schaub—played in only 11 games last season.

Imagine how good Daniels' stats would be had he had Schaub for five more games.

Wide receivers that are going around the spot where Daniels is being drafted include:  Kevin Walter and Jerricho Cotchery.

Projection:  950 yards, six touchdowns, (if Schaub plays full season), 750 yards, five touchdowns, if not

If you're tired of being that guy who waits on tight ends, year after year, and constantly ends up with one who produces more eggs than Donald Duck, then grab one of these quality tight ends, and enjoy the eight to 10 points a game that you will get as a result.