Owen Daniels' Knee Looks Fine: 2010 Fantasy Football Projections

Last season Houston Texans tight end Owen Daniels was enjoying a breakout season that was putting him in the class of elite pass catchers at his position. In the first eight games of the season, Daniels helped fantasy owners with 40 receptions for 519 yards and five touchdowns.

Before the 2009 season fantasy owners already knew that Daniels was a decent pass catcher for receptions and yardage, as he posted at least 63 receptions and over 750 yards each of the two prior seasons.

Audio: TE Owen Daniels Knee Looks Fine | 2010 Fantasy Football Projections

While these numbers easily put Daniels in the bottom top 10 for fantasy tight ends, it was his touchdown spike and explosion in the middle of the field that had people buzzed about his future. Unfortunately Daniels suffered a torn ACL, in the middle of the season and was done for the year.

2010 Offseason Rehab

Daniels has stayed on track this offseason to play Week One against the Colts, but a final check up from multiple doctors will have the final say on his availability. In Daniels' first checkup he got a 100 percent clearing and is now headed to Dr. James Andrews for another review. With such a positive first test, I can’t help but think Dr. Andrews will give him a clean bill of health as well.

Assuming all is good in Daniels' second appointment, he should be a full go for Week One and fantasy owners can feel free to use him right away.

Fantasy Projection

Don’t look for Daniels to have the explosion he showed a season ago, but he should be a reliable fantasy starter at tight end this season. The Texans have one of the more aggressive passing offenses in the NFL, and Daniels is a big part of their success. Matt Schaub shouldn’t have problems giving Daniels at least 70 receptions this season.

The big question for Daniels is whether he can stay close to his 10 touchdown pace from 2009. Daniels wasn’t the greatest of touchdown makers before last season's pace. If Daniels can rack up seven touchdowns or more, he will make for a fine fantasy option outside of PPR leagues.

If not, Daniels will probably only be one of the top 12 fantasy tight ends, and that would be disappointing given that talent he has and the team he’s on. Don’t look for Daniels to be a fantasy stud this season but more of a reliable contributor at tight end every week.

NFL fantasy football player rankings writer Sean E. Douglas: fantasy-info.com

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