A little dynasty TE discussion... (4 Viewers)

[FavreAndAwayAnIdiot]

Please stop saying Quarless is "one to watch".

Remember Donald Lee? Neither does anyone else, but at least Lee had some physical talent.

Bostick is going to be given a chance in GB, right? Thinking about making a move for Bostick.

Considering how critical the TE position is in Green Bay, I expect them to draft one in the top 3 rounds or sign a mid-range FA. Either way, I don't believe their starting TE is currently on the roster. The article about Bostick was typical "I don't have anything else to report on" off-season media fluff.

Is it that critical? Finley's been there for years and never lived up to the hype--in fact he's been pretty damn disappointing outside a couple of stretches. I've never thought of the TE position in GB as being a lynchpin of the offense.

Lynchpin is not what I said. It's critical though, as Cobb is really the only one who can exploit the middle of the field otherwise, and we've seen what happens when we lose him combined with not having a decent TE. Finley has been disappointing, but he was good enough-- and broke out enough-- for teams to have to gameplan for him.

Finley may not have lived up to expectations, but the threat of Finley was what mattered. They don't need to put a superstar there, but they need more than a token presence. Bostick, Quarless, etc, are token presences.

 

[KellysHeroes]

Anyone wanna post some rankings

#1 Graham

#2 Juluis

#3 Gronk (injury concerns, I think I might even pass at 3)

#4 Cameron

#5 Davis (would take Cameron over Davis due to age only)

#6 Olsen (will he score top 6 TE, nope. But will he produce 60 Recs / 700 tards / 5 TDs - yeap)

#7 Rudolph (could this be the yr?)

#8 Witten

#9 Bennett (great yr 1 in Chi, should improve)

#10 Fleener

After that arrange the next 10 in any order you want IMO

#11 Green

#12 Eifert (going to be blocked by Gresham for 1 more yr but worth the hold)

#13 Ertz

#14 Walker (late bloom last yr)

#15 Reed

#16 Pitta ( a guy we just keep waiting for)

#17 Miller (usually finishes top 15

#18 Wright (was last yr a fluke?)

#19 Kelco

#20 Gonzo (worth a stab as a back up)

#21 D Allen

#22 Gates

#23 Daniels

#24 Clay (was lasy yr a fluke, i think so)

#25 G Graham (depending on if Daniels leaves and they don't take an early TE)

and thats just off the top of my head, TE is so freaking deep

 

[ConnSKINS26]

I'd take the upside (and risk) of Reed/Green/Eifert/Ertz over half the guys you have listed in the top ten, unless I was a win now team, where I might take Witten.

 

[KellysHeroes]

I'd take the upside (and risk) of Reed/Green/Eifert/Ertz over half the guys you have listed in the top ten, unless I was a win now team, where I might take Witten.

Totally understandable, but its hard to pass on guys that are so reliable even if its only for another yr or 2. Perfect world is to have a Witten or Olsen in your starting line up with one of those guys in back up spots.

 

[FUBAR]

Anyone wanna post some rankings

#1 Graham

#2 Juluis

#3 Gronk (injury concerns, I think I might even pass at 3)

#4 Cameron

#5 Davis (would take Cameron over Davis due to age only)

#6 Olsen (will he score top 6 TE, nope. But will he produce 60 Recs / 700 tards / 5 TDs - yeap)

#7 Rudolph (could this be the yr?)

#8 Witten

#9 Bennett (great yr 1 in Chi, should improve)

#10 Fleener

After that arrange the next 10 in any order you want IMO

#11 Green

#12 Eifert (going to be blocked by Gresham for 1 more yr but worth the hold)

#13 Ertz

#14 Walker (late bloom last yr)

#15 Reed

#16 Pitta ( a guy we just keep waiting for)

#17 Miller (usually finishes top 15

#18 Wright (was last yr a fluke?)

#19 Kelco

#20 Gonzo (worth a stab as a back up)

#21 D Allen

#22 Gates

#23 Daniels

#24 Clay (was lasy yr a fluke, i think so)

#25 G Graham (depending on if Daniels leaves and they don't take an early TE)

and thats just off the top of my head, TE is so freaking deep

You're missing Cook. I'd put him around #17

 

[loose circuits]

Griffin is also the guy in Houston because Graham is also a FA

 

[az_prof]

I prefer Green to half of the guys above him. Also, I see D Allen as better than Fleener. Fleener had a chance this season and couldn't capitalize on his opportunity.

 

[BWill]

No love for Dennis Pitta?

He is getting up there is age and everyone pretty much knows what he does, he is solid. I think this is for up and comers even though the title does not say it thats the sense I get, but I could be wrong.

Wouldnt this be the year though to grab him. Ravens talking about using their franchise tag on him. You KNOW he is going to be a HUGE part of their offense this year. The Ravens are a team moving into the New "2014 TE-Era" of football. Torrey Smith is good and all, but more a deep route/YAC WR. Pitta is a GREAT Red Zone option.... LOVE Ray Rice and Pierce too.

 

[Coeur de Lion]

No love for Dennis Pitta?

He is getting up there is age and everyone pretty much knows what he does, he is solid. I think this is for up and comers even though the title does not say it thats the sense I get, but I could be wrong.

Wouldnt this be the year though to grab him. Ravens talking about using their franchise tag on him. You KNOW he is going to be a HUGE part of their offense this year. The Ravens are a team moving into the New "2014 TE-Era" of football. Torrey Smith is good and all, but more a deep route/YAC WR. Pitta is a GREAT Red Zone option.... LOVE Ray Rice and Pierce too.

If you're looking for a bridge starter, then I agree that the unsexy older veterans like Pitta and Greg Olsen represent strong value. For bench spots at TE I prefer to go with less expensive upside flyers. That said, you missed the buy low window on Pitta by about 6 months.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

Anyone wanna post some rankings

[SIZE=small]1[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Jimmy Graham[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]2[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Rob Gronkowski[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]3[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Vernon Davis[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]4[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Tyler Eifert[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]5[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Jordan Cameron[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]6[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Jordan Reed[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]7[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Julius Thomas[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]8[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Jason Witten[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]9[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Kyle Rudolph[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]10[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Greg Olsen[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]11[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Dennis Pitta[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]12[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Ladarius Green[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]13[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Zach Ertz[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]14[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Dwayne Allen[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]15[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Joseph Fauria[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]16[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Coby Fleener[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]17[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Heath Miller[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]18[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Charles Clay[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]19[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Brandon Bostwick[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]20[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Martellus Bennett[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]21[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Rob Housler[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]22[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Antonio Gates[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]23[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Garrett Graham[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]24[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Travis Kelce[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]25[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Jared Cook[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]26[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Jermichael Finley[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]27[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Vance McDonald[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]28[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Jeff Cumberland[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]29[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Owen Daniels[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]30[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Jermaine Greshem[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]31[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Gavin Escobar[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]32[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Zach Sudfeld[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]33[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Luke Wilson[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]34[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Fred Davis[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]35[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Brandon Pettigrew[/SIZE]

 

[KellysHeroes]

Griffin is also the guy in Houston because Graham is also a FA

I know, but I think they'll resign GG cheaply

 

[FavreAndAwayAnIdiot]

Anyone wanna post some rankings

[SIZE=small]1[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Jimmy Graham[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]2[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Rob Gronkowski[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]3[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Vernon Davis[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]4[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Tyler Eifert[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]5[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Jordan Cameron[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]6[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Jordan Reed[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]7[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Julius Thomas[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]8[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Jason Witten[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]9[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Kyle Rudolph[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]10[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Greg Olsen[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]11[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Dennis Pitta[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]12[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Ladarius Green[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]13[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Zach Ertz[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]14[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Dwayne Allen[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]15[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Joseph Fauria[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]16[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Coby Fleener[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]17[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Heath Miller[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]18[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Charles Clay[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]19[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Brandon Bostwick[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]20[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Martellus Bennett[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]21[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Rob Housler[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]22[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Antonio Gates[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]23[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Garrett Graham[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]24[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Travis Kelce[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]25[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Jared Cook[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]26[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Jermichael Finley[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]27[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Vance McDonald[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]28[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Jeff Cumberland[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]29[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Owen Daniels[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]30[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Jermaine Greshem[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]31[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Gavin Escobar[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]32[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Zach Sudfeld[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]33[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Luke Wilson[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]34[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Fred Davis[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]35[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Brandon Pettigrew[/SIZE]

Eifert #4? Long-term dynasty rankings, I assume-- not just next year?

 

[False Start]

Anyone wanna post some rankings

[SIZE=small]1[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Jimmy Graham[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]2[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Rob Gronkowski[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]3[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Vernon Davis[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]4[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Tyler Eifert[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]5[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Jordan Cameron[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]6[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Jordan Reed[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]7[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Julius Thomas[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]8[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Jason Witten[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]9[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Kyle Rudolph[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]10[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Greg Olsen[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]11[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Dennis Pitta[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]12[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Ladarius Green[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]13[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Zach Ertz[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]14[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Dwayne Allen[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]15[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Joseph Fauria[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]16[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Coby Fleener[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]17[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Heath Miller[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]18[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Charles Clay[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]19[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Brandon Bostwick[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]20[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Martellus Bennett[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]21[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Rob Housler[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]22[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Antonio Gates[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]23[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Garrett Graham[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]24[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Travis Kelce[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]25[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Jared Cook[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]26[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Jermichael Finley[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]27[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Vance McDonald[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]28[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Jeff Cumberland[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]29[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Owen Daniels[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]30[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Jermaine Greshem[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]31[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Gavin Escobar[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]32[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Zach Sudfeld[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]33[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Luke Wilson[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]34[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Fred Davis[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]35[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Brandon Pettigrew[/SIZE]

Eifert #4? Long-term dynasty rankings, I assume-- not just next year?

No Delanie Walker? Fauria 15th? Eifert ahead of Julius Thomas? It is your list an opinion and I thank you for the discussion, but I disagree with a lot of it.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

Anyone wanna post some rankings

[SIZE=small]1[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Jimmy Graham[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]2[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Rob Gronkowski[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]3[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Vernon Davis[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]4[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Tyler Eifert[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]5[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Jordan Cameron[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]6[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Jordan Reed[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]7[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Julius Thomas[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]8[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Jason Witten[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]9[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Kyle Rudolph[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]10[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Greg Olsen[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]11[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Dennis Pitta[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]12[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Ladarius Green[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]13[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Zach Ertz[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]14[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Dwayne Allen[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]15[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Joseph Fauria[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]16[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Coby Fleener[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]17[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Heath Miller[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]18[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Charles Clay[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]19[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Brandon Bostwick[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]20[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Martellus Bennett[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]21[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Rob Housler[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]22[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Antonio Gates[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]23[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Garrett Graham[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]24[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Travis Kelce[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]25[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Jared Cook[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]26[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Jermichael Finley[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]27[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Vance McDonald[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]28[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Jeff Cumberland[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]29[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Owen Daniels[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]30[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Jermaine Greshem[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]31[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Gavin Escobar[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]32[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Zach Sudfeld[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]33[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Luke Wilson[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]34[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Fred Davis[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]35[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Brandon Pettigrew[/SIZE]

Eifert #4? Long-term dynasty rankings, I assume-- not just next year?

Yes. This is a dynasty thread, so these were dynasty rankings. I do think Eifert steps up next year more, but wouldn't draft him as a starter in a redraft. I beleive in his talent though.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

Anyone wanna post some rankings

[SIZE=small]1[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Jimmy Graham[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]2[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Rob Gronkowski[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]3[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Vernon Davis[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]4[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Tyler Eifert[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]5[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Jordan Cameron[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]6[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Jordan Reed[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]7[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Julius Thomas[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]8[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Jason Witten[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]9[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Kyle Rudolph[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]10[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Greg Olsen[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]11[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Dennis Pitta[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]12[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Ladarius Green[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]13[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Zach Ertz[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]14[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Dwayne Allen[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]15[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Joseph Fauria[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]16[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Coby Fleener[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]17[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Heath Miller[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]18[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Charles Clay[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]19[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Brandon Bostwick[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]20[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Martellus Bennett[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]21[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Rob Housler[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]22[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Antonio Gates[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]23[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Garrett Graham[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]24[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Travis Kelce[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]25[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Jared Cook[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]26[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Jermichael Finley[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]27[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Vance McDonald[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]28[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Jeff Cumberland[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]29[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Owen Daniels[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]30[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Jermaine Greshem[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]31[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Gavin Escobar[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]32[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Zach Sudfeld[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]33[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Luke Wilson[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]34[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Fred Davis[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]35[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Brandon Pettigrew[/SIZE]

Eifert #4? Long-term dynasty rankings, I assume-- not just next year?

No Delanie Walker? Fauria 15th? Eifert ahead of Julius Thomas? It is your list an opinion and I thank you for the discussion, but I disagree with a lot of it.

I don't think Thomas is an exceptional talent (obviously with the ranking I don't think he's a slug either). When Manning comes back to Earth next season and when he ultimately retires, I see Thomas settling into the 6-12 range each year.

Walker was an oversight - but I'm not a big beleiver in him anyway, I'd stick him in the 19-22 range.

 

[cstu]

[SIZE=small]17[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Heath Miller[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]18[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Charles Clay[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]19[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Brandon Bostwick[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]20[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Martellus Bennett[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]21[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Rob Housler[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]22[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Antonio Gates[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]23[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Garrett Graham[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]24[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Travis Kelce[/SIZE]

I like Kelce better than all these guys. He has the talent and is in a great system for TE's.

 

[Concept Coop]

#2 Juluis

#3 Gronk (injury concerns, I think I might even pass at 3)

This doesn't add up to me. You know Thomas has injury concerns too; right? He's never played a 16 game season.

 

[KellysHeroes]

Anyone wanna post some rankings

[SIZE=small]1[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Jimmy Graham[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]2[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Rob Gronkowski[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]3[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Vernon Davis[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]4[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Tyler Eifert[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]5[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Jordan Cameron[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]6[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Jordan Reed[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]7[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Julius Thomas[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]8[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Jason Witten[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]9[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Kyle Rudolph[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]10[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Greg Olsen[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]11[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Dennis Pitta[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]12[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Ladarius Green[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]13[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Zach Ertz[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]14[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Dwayne Allen[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]15[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Joseph Fauria[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]16[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Coby Fleener[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]17[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Heath Miller[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]18[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Charles Clay[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]19[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Brandon Bostwick[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]20[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Martellus Bennett[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]21[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Rob Housler[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]22[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Antonio Gates[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]23[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Garrett Graham[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]24[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Travis Kelce[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]25[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Jared Cook[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]26[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Jermichael Finley[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]27[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Vance McDonald[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]28[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Jeff Cumberland[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]29[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Owen Daniels[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]30[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Jermaine Greshem[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]31[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Gavin Escobar[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]32[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Zach Sudfeld[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]33[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Luke Wilson[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]34[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Fred Davis[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]35[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Brandon Pettigrew[/SIZE]

Eifert #4? Long-term dynasty rankings, I assume-- not just next year?

No Delanie Walker? Fauria 15th? Eifert ahead of Julius Thomas? It is your list an opinion and I thank you for the discussion, but I disagree with a lot of it.

I don't think Thomas is an exceptional talent (obviously with the ranking I don't think he's a slug either). When Manning comes back to Earth next season and when he ultimately retires, I see Thomas settling into the 6-12 range each year.

Walker was an oversight - but I'm not a big beleiver in him anyway, I'd stick him in the 19-22 range.

I agree with Julius, hes good but his production is more so the work of Manning exposing the coverage but until I see Manning slow down I would take JT #2.

Eifert at #4 is balls, Reed at 6 scares me. I'm afraid that hes not going to last more than a couple of yr.

 

[KellysHeroes]

#2 Juluis

#3 Gronk (injury concerns, I think I might even pass at 3)

This doesn't add up to me. You know Thomas has injury concerns too; right? He's never played a 16 game season.

don't get me started with Gronk and the injurys, theres a whole thread on it starting from last off-season. Besides, hes now coming off ACL surgury.

 

[KellysHeroes]

[SIZE=small]17[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Heath Miller[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]18[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Charles Clay[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]19[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Brandon Bostwick[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]20[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Martellus Bennett[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]21[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Rob Housler[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]22[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Antonio Gates[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]23[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Garrett Graham[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]24[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Travis Kelce[/SIZE]

I like Kelce better than all these guys. He has the talent and is in a great system for TE's.

Kelce didn't play last yr so who knows how he'll respond to the NFL field

 

[False Start]

Another thing I noticed guys, if we are talking dynasty you have to include the Rookies.

[SIZE=10.5pt]1 Jimmy Graham[/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.5pt]2 Julius Thomas[/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.5pt]3 Rob Gronkowski[/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.5pt]4 Vernon Davis[/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.5pt]5 Jordan Reed[/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.5pt]6 Jason Witten[/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.5pt]7 Jordan Cameron[/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.5pt]8 Kyle Rudolph[/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.5pt]9 Greg Olsen[/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.5pt]10 Dennis Pitta[/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.5pt]11 Tyler Eifert[/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.5pt]12 Charles Clay[/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.5pt]13 Zach Ertz[/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.5pt]14 Delaine Walker[/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.5pt]15 Ladarius Green[/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.5pt]16 [/SIZE][SIZE=10.5pt]Coby Fleener[/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.5pt]17 Martellus Bennett[/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.5pt]18 Dwayne Allen[/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.5pt]19 Travis Kelce[/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.5pt]20 Brandon Bostick[/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.5pt]21 Tim Wright[/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.5pt]22 Eric Ebron[/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.5pt]23 Jared Cook[/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.5pt]24 Joseph Fauria[/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.5pt]25 Jace Amaro[/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.5pt]26 Antonio Gates[/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.5pt]27 Jermichael Finley[/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.5pt]28 Austin Seferian-Jenkins[/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.5pt]29 Gavin Escobar[/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.5pt]30 Heath Miller[/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.5pt]31 Levine Toilolo[/SIZE]

 

[FavreAndAwayAnIdiot]

I really want to believe Eifert has top-5 potential, but I just didn't see it this year. I get that he was a rookie and has a lot to learn, but I expected to see more "wow" type stuff, and it just wasn't there. Certainly solid starter long-term, but nothing sold me on top-5.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

[SIZE=small]17[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Heath Miller[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]18[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Charles Clay[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]19[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Brandon Bostwick[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]20[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Martellus Bennett[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]21[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Rob Housler[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]22[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Antonio Gates[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]23[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Garrett Graham[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]24[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Travis Kelce[/SIZE]

I like Kelce better than all these guys. He has the talent and is in a great system for TE's.

I agree, he's probably too low (perhaps to out of sight, out of mind).

 

[JFS171]

The Reed hate is going too far IMO. Is there risk? Sure, but give me the guy that's got top 3-5 upside over someone that's "safe" in the back end of the top 8-10.

TE production has become table stakes -- you can find 8-12 TE production nearly everywhere, and it's incredibly cheap. Meanwhile Reed has some risk, sure, but the upside is tremendous. Let's not forget his new OC was his position coach last year.

Shady McCoy missed half a season with a concussion -- how'd that work out for him?

 

[Dr. Octopus]

I really want to believe Eifert has top-5 potential, but I just didn't see it this year. I get that he was a rookie and has a lot to learn, but I expected to see more "wow" type stuff, and it just wasn't there. Certainly solid starter long-term, but nothing sold me on top-5.

TE is the toughest skill position for rookies to make an impact - and added to that Cinncy had a servicible guy there.

Admittedly I'm basing this ranking more on his college tape than NFL tape - but he did show some ability last year at least.

 

[Concept Coop]

[SIZE=small]1[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Jimmy Graham[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]2[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Rob Gronkowski[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]3[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Vernon Davis -- Feels high to me. Getting up there in age, relies on speed. Not consistent enough to consider elite. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]4[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Tyler Eifert[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]5[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Jordan Cameron[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]6[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Jordan Reed[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]7[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Julius Thomas -- Feels low. I think he has the talent to be a mid-TE1, even after Peyton. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]8[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Jason Witten[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]9[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Kyle Rudolph [/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]10[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Greg Olsen -- Feels high, unless we expec thim to leave CAR and end up in a better situation. Why so much higher than Bennett, for example?[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]11[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Dennis Pitta[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]12[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Ladarius Green -- Feels low, due to upside. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]13[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Zach Ertz -- Feels low, due to upside. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]14[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Dwayne Allen[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]15[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Joseph Fauria[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]16[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Coby Fleener[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]17[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Heath Miller[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]18[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Charles Clay -- Low. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]19[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Brandon Bostwick[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]20[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Martellus Bennett -- Low. [/SIZE]

I like these rankings. Thanks for sharing. My comments in bold.

 

[Concept Coop]

don't get me started with Gronk and the injurys, theres a whole thread on it starting from last off-season. Besides, hes now coming off ACL surgury.

I understand the Gronks concerns. It just seems odd to put him below a guy with similar injury concerns, a lesser track record, an older QB, less upside, and a much lower floor.

 

[FUBAR]

I really want to believe Eifert has top-5 potential, but I just didn't see it this year. I get that he was a rookie and has a lot to learn, but I expected to see more "wow" type stuff, and it just wasn't there. Certainly solid starter long-term, but nothing sold me on top-5.

Honestly, I don't expect to ever be "wowed" by Eifert. In the same way I was never "wowed" by Witten. I don't think he'll become a Graham type highlight reel, but he can become a top 5 TE without the wow factor.

 

[Concept Coop]

I really want to believe Eifert has top-5 potential, but I just didn't see it this year. I get that he was a rookie and has a lot to learn, but I expected to see more "wow" type stuff, and it just wasn't there. Certainly solid starter long-term, but nothing sold me on top-5.

There were a few "wow" moments for me. The biggest was a move he put on a DB when split out wide. He didn't catch the ball, due to the throw, but splitting out wide and getting the best of a 200 pound DB is a very good sign--and what he did at ND that got everyone excited.

 

[menobrown]

[SIZE=small]17[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Heath Miller[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]18[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Charles Clay[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]19[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Brandon Bostwick[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]20[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Martellus Bennett[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]21[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Rob Housler[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]22[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Antonio Gates[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]23[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Garrett Graham[/SIZE]

[SIZE=small]24[/SIZE] [SIZE=small]Travis Kelce[/SIZE]

I like Kelce better than all these guys. He has the talent and is in a great system for TE's.

Is it really a great system? I can't recall a lot of stud TE's under Reid. I'd probably move him up just a tad on this list as well but he's coming off a major injury and he's going to be a rookie and that position usually yields meager production the first season.

 

[bostonfred]

1 Jimmy Graham - Runaway #1 but gets hurt enough that I won't overpay for him

2 Rob Gronkowski - The words "If he could stay healthy" are never good.

3 Vernon Davis - Very good and can still improve.

4 Greg Olsen - The #1 receiver on his team.

5 Jordan Cameron - Upside and youth trump situation and inconsistency, barely.

6 Dennis Pitta - In the same bucket as Cameron or Olsen for me.

7 Julius Thomas - A year or 2 of stud production, will drop off hard when Peyton retires.

8 Jordan Reed - Concussions are worrisome, but has elite upside.

9 Jason Witten - I'll gladly start him until Dallas doesn't. Who knows how long that is.

10 Zach Ertz - A bit of a gamble, but if he emerges as a top target in Philly, this is way low.

11 Kyle Rudolph - I'd love to see him featured in a good offense some day.

12 Martellus Bennett - Seems to have emerged as a solid player.

13 Dwayne Allen - It's just such a crapshoot.

14 Charles Clay - Had a very nice stretch to start the season. I think it's situation, not talent.

15 Ladarius Green - Stretch run was nice, but needs Gates to retire before Rivers does.

16 Tyler Eifert - Too many guys competing for targets from an average QB.

17 Delaine Walker - OK talent, OK situation, you could do worse as a #2 or even low end starter

18 Jared Cook - This team is trending up with all those first round picks. Rising tides and all that.

19 Antonio Gates - Rivers isn't done, and Gates showed that he wasn't either. Can't have much left in the tank.

20 Heath Miller - Take what you can get from him at this point.

 

[KellysHeroes]

The Reed hate is going too far IMO. Is there risk? Sure, but give me the guy that's got top 3-5 upside over someone that's "safe" in the back end of the top 8-10.

TE production has become table stakes -- you can find 8-12 TE production nearly everywhere, and it's incredibly cheap. Meanwhile Reed has some risk, sure, but the upside is tremendous. Let's not forget his new OC was his position coach last year.

Shady McCoy missed half a season with a concussion -- how'd that work out for him?

its not hate, theres more to it than "some" risk. In a start up he would be just outside my top 10 or right at 10 for me.

 

[menobrown]

Griffin is also the guy in Houston because Graham is also a FA

I know, but I think they'll resign GG cheaply

I'm with loose circuits on this one. I think Griffin it the up and coming TE people are sleeping on.

GG won't be that cheap and I think Kubiak and Kyle getting OC gigs helps prop up his market even more. This is what I'd been thinking and read this earlier today:

Lance Zierlein ‏@LanceZierlein 3h

Texans FA TE Garrett Graham is going to be coveted around the league because his tape shows his has improved as blocker & is solid target

Texans don't have a lot of cap room so if they did resign him they almost certainly cut Daniels. I'm not sure how Griffin rates as a blocker but I thought as a rookie he showed a little more receiving ability than Graham so I think if they did sign GG, which I don't think they will, Griffin can beat him out.

I think the biggest obstacle to Griffin is what they do with Daniels. If they cut him I think it's his job in what should be a TE friendly scheme. Even if they retain OD another season it's only a matter of time until he goes down so I'm holding on him either way.

 

[Denver724]

Griffin is also the guy in Houston because Graham is also a FA

I know, but I think they'll resign GG cheaply

I'm with loose circuits on this one. I think Griffin it the up and coming TE people are sleeping on.

GG won't be that cheap and I think Kubiak and Kyle getting OC gigs helps prop up his market even more. This is what I'd been thinking and read this earlier today:

Lance Zierlein ‏@LanceZierlein 3h

Texans FA TE Garrett Graham is going to be coveted around the league because his tape shows his has improved as blocker & is solid target

Texans don't have a lot of cap room so if they did resign him they almost certainly cut Daniels. I'm not sure how Griffin rates as a blocker but I thought as a rookie he showed a little more receiving ability than Graham so I think if they did sign GG, which I don't think they will, Griffin can beat him out.

I think the biggest obstacle to Griffin is what they do with Daniels. If they cut him I think it's his job in what should be a TE friendly scheme. Even if they retain OD another season it's only a matter of time until he goes down so I'm holding on him either way.

I sure hope you're right. I have him in about 12 leagues.

 

[Two Deep]

Fauria reminds me of a guy with shoes filled with cement, running knee deep in a river, running against the current, with a 100 lb backpack full of nails in it.

Graham reminds me of the first time a gazelle learned how fast and graceful it is. With brand new Nike Air's while wearing bald eagle down socks.

yet somehow 7 of his 18 catches went for touchdowns. Now that he has an OC. that has proven to use the tight end position in his game plan some of you act like he will not be worth considering in dynasty,

 

[ConnSKINS26]

Fauria reminds me of a guy with shoes filled with cement, running knee deep in a river, running against the current, with a 100 lb backpack full of nails in it.

Graham reminds me of the first time a gazelle learned how fast and graceful it is. With brand new Nike Air's while wearing bald eagle down socks.

yet somehow 7 of his 18 catches went for touchdowns. Now that he has an OC. that has proven to use the tight end position in his game plan some of you act like he will not be worth considering in dynasty,

That's obviously unsustainable, and he doesn't seem to have the athleticism to be a weapon between the 20's, which you need for consistency in fantasy.

 

[Terpman22]

Fauria reminds me of a guy with shoes filled with cement, running knee deep in a river, running against the current, with a 100 lb backpack full of nails in it.

Graham reminds me of the first time a gazelle learned how fast and graceful it is. With brand new Nike Air's while wearing bald eagle down socks.

yet somehow 7 of his 18 catches went for touchdowns. Now that he has an OC. that has proven to use the tight end position in his game plan some of you act like he will not be worth considering in dynasty,

Two Deep: I want to introduce you to my friend Sarcasm. I was poking fun at the comparisons of the two. I have him stashed in a few leagues. Cool bro? Bruh?

 

[Tau837]

Ladarius Green seems to be underrated in these dynasty rankings.

 

[GoodLloydHaveMercy]

Fauria reminds me of a guy with shoes filled with cement, running knee deep in a river, running against the current, with a 100 lb backpack full of nails in it.

Graham reminds me of the first time a gazelle learned how fast and graceful it is. With brand new Nike Air's while wearing bald eagle down socks.

yet somehow 7 of his 18 catches went for touchdowns. Now that he has an OC. that has proven to use the tight end position in his game plan some of you act like he will not be worth considering in dynasty,

That's obviously unsustainable, and he doesn't seem to have the athleticism to be a weapon between the 20's, which you need for consistency in fantasy.

Which part is unsustainable exactly? 7 TDs? 18 catches? Or the TD to catches ratio? I disagree abt the not being athletic enough to succeed between the 20s... Seems athletic enough in the Redzone no? I believe the biggest concern is the other target hogs like Calvin & Reggie... Pettigrew was used as the between the tackles guy in 2013 so I don't know that we've seen enough snaps from Fauria in THAT role to say whether he would be successful or not

 

[bostonfred]

Ladarius Green seems to be underrated in these dynasty rankings.

I have him 15th in the list I just posted. Who on that list do you think he should be ahead of? He's one step below Charles Clay, I can see flipping the two I guess. Zach Ertz has similar youth/upside and a clearer path to a #1 role. I have him ahead of Eifert. He's behind Witten, but I think Witten has a few years left in the tank. Maybe Martelllus Bennett? Bennett's on a rejuvenated passing offense and is already putting up solid numbers. Green is still mostly potential. Dwayne Allen? He's been hurt, but he's got a clearer path to the job and doesn't have to worry about how many more years Rivers has left. Do you have him higher than that? Would you feel comfortable heading into 2014 as your TE1 or is he just a high value TE2?

 

[EBF]

Which part is unsustainable exactly? 7 TDs? 18 catches? Or the TD to catches ratio? I disagree abt the not being athletic enough to succeed between the 20s... Seems athletic enough in the Redzone no?

He's 6'7", so of course he has an advantage in short yardage jump ball situations. That doesn't make him athletic overall.

He doesn't accelerate very well and he's not very quick. Very much a long strider. His 7.49s time in the three cone drill is a testament to that.

He can have a role as a short yardage possession TE and red zone target, but if you're expecting him to become a well-rounded starter then you're setting yourself up for disappointment. There's a reason why he went undrafted after a productive career at UCLA and it's because he's a limited athlete.

I think he was a nice find for Detroit based on what they spent to get him, but he doesn't in any way fit the mold of the hyper-athletic WR/TE hybrid that's come to dominate the position in recent years. Again, very little short area quickness or suddenness. For the sake of comparison, his 10 yard split in the 40 and 3 cone time were both slower than the times from Dallas's 307 pound first round OT Tyron Smith, so this is not a guy who moves very well.

 

[jonboltz]

Ladarius Green seems to be underrated in these dynasty rankings.

I have him 15th in the list I just posted. Who on that list do you think he should be ahead of? He's one step below Charles Clay, I can see flipping the two I guess. Zach Ertz has similar youth/upside and a clearer path to a #1 role. I have him ahead of Eifert. He's behind Witten, but I think Witten has a few years left in the tank. Maybe Martelllus Bennett? Bennett's on a rejuvenated passing offense and is already putting up solid numbers. Green is still mostly potential. Dwayne Allen? He's been hurt, but he's got a clearer path to the job and doesn't have to worry about how many more years Rivers has left. Do you have him higher than that? Would you feel comfortable heading into 2014 as your TE1 or is he just a high value TE2?

Above the underlined, as well as Olsen and Pitta. After the obvious top 5 guys, I think the Reed-Ertz-Eifert-Green tier is merely person preference. If I'm worried about 2014 production, I can just get Bennett or any other TE10 for pretty much dirt cheap. I'd never give up a guy like Reed-Ertz-Eifert-Green for anything less than a good young prospect like them in return.

 

[bostonfred]

Ladarius Green seems to be underrated in these dynasty rankings.

I have him 15th in the list I just posted. Who on that list do you think he should be ahead of? He's one step below Charles Clay, I can see flipping the two I guess. Zach Ertz has similar youth/upside and a clearer path to a #1 role. I have him ahead of Eifert. He's behind Witten, but I think Witten has a few years left in the tank. Maybe Martelllus Bennett? Bennett's on a rejuvenated passing offense and is already putting up solid numbers. Green is still mostly potential. Dwayne Allen? He's been hurt, but he's got a clearer path to the job and doesn't have to worry about how many more years Rivers has left. Do you have him higher than that? Would you feel comfortable heading into 2014 as your TE1 or is he just a high value TE2?

Above the underlined, as well as Olsen and Pitta. After the obvious top 5 guys, I think the Reed-Ertz-Eifert-Green tier is merely person preference. If I'm worried about 2014 production, I can just get Bennett or any other TE10 for pretty much dirt cheap. I'd never give up a guy like Reed-Ertz-Eifert-Green for anything less than a good young prospect like them in return.

Wow. I guess I do have him way underrated compared to some of you guys. Ahead of pitta just seems like craziness to me. I hope my prospect turns into pitta. Assuming he's going to be better than pitta just seems crazy to me. And olsen? He's been a bona fide stud. bennett is more borderline, and I'm probably biased since I play 14 team dynasty. in an 8 or 10 teamer, I would definitely take green. In 12, its close. In 14 or more, give me the proven production of bennett all day. I guess the part that confuses me is that I see pitta as a legit contender as the second or third best te in fantasy football this year. If his contract situation lingers, that might change, but for now, I think he's way undervalued and a huge potential stud. Olsen is already in that range. I see green as a guy who might join that tier some day. Maybe this year, maybe next. Whenever gates is gone, he will certainly get a chance, and possibly sooner. But by then, rivers will be getting old, the coaching staff may turn over again, and his upside might not have been realized, which would put him in a class with guys like greg olsen, ben watson and cook - highly touted guys, but who knows how they do on a new team/new situation. If I owned green, and I almost never would own green, I would happily trade him for a guy I have ranked higher anyways, and add a draft pick to trade to someone else looking for the next next big thing.

 

[ConnSKINS26]

I think the idea is that outside of Graham/Gronk, and maybe another couple top-5 guys to a lesser degree, those vets aren't big difference makers. Being a safe TE1 isn't worth much, so why not pay nothing for a low-end TE1 and swing for the fences with one of the young potential studs? The only thing that makes a TE valuable in some leagues is the potential to be top-3. Top-8 doesn't do anyone any good, there's a huge cluster of cheap vets you can buy for nothing and get that production.

 

[EBF]

I'm a Pitta fan, but I think you've got to remember the DYNASTY aspect of this thread.

Pitta turns 29 in a few months and I think there's a perception (right or wrong) that he doesn't have much left in the tank.

I think many would also argue that Green has a higher ceiling.

On my list I have Green as TE8 and Pitta as TE13. I could probably be talked into bumping Pitta up a couple spots. He's not higher for me because even though I think he's a really solid player, I don't think he has real difference-maker potential. Much like with QBs, I don't put a big premium on fringe TE1 types in non TE-premium formats because their production is so replaceable (i.e. Roethlisberger, Eli, Cutler). Only the real top end guys like Graham, Cameron, Gonzo, and Witten make any real difference. With that being the case, I'd generally rather have a player with higher bust risk, but a higher ceiling. Which is how I see Pitta vs. Green.

 

[Phenix]

I'm a Pitta fan, but I think you've got to remember the DYNASTY aspect of this thread.

Pitta turns 29 in a few months and I think there's a perception (right or wrong) that he doesn't have much left in the tank.

I think many would also argue that Green has a higher ceiling.

On my list I have Green as TE8 and Pitta as TE13. I could probably be talked into bumping Pitta up a couple spots. He's not higher for me because even though I think he's a really solid player, I don't think he has real difference-maker potential. Much like with QBs, I don't put a big premium on fringe TE1 types in non TE-premium formats because their production is so replaceable (i.e. Roethlisberger, Eli, Cutler). Only the real top end guys like Graham, Cameron, Gonzo, and Witten make any real difference. With that being the case, I'd generally rather have a player with higher bust risk, but a higher ceiling. Which is how I see Pitta vs. Green.

Many would argue, but Pitta has been a performer, Green has upside and all people care about are youth and having that young talent.

I would take Pitta every time. But I dont just worry about titles down the road, this year matters too and has money attached with it. I rather win a SB now then just having youth and trying to win a SB 2 or 3 years from now.

While Green has upside, he is over hyped and it is not debatable. 3rd year in the league and he has a 17/376/3 stat line last year and 4/56/0 the year before. I understand it is dynasty and you keep them and youth is important to an extent, but it is totally overrated and over blown, I have seen people turn down late 1sts for him. WHAT?! Take that and run.

What's Pitta got left 3-4 years of good performance? I wonder how many people let Gonzo go at age 29 because he was done. I will take 3 years of safe performance over a gamble on a TE who may not even get going. People are writing off Gates as if he is dead. You sit on Green for 2 years and I'll have Pitta perform for three. By the time Green starts performing like a TE1/2 I will have made a trade to move Pitta or acquire another TE that some other person will be trading because they are old at 29. lol I make a killing taking all the Vets others do not want.

How is value over blown? I got 2 firsts for Wallace because he is 27 almost 28, but I can not move ADP for a guy like Stacy and a 1st and he is 28. lol What? People worry more about having youth then having a title. Then they keep having all that youth because they keep getting early picks for a reason.

 

[bostonfred]

Much like with QBs, I don't put a big premium on fringe TE1 types in non TE-premium formats because their production is so replaceable (i.e. Roethlisberger, Eli, Cutler). Only the real top end guys like Graham, Cameron, Gonzo, and Witten make any real difference. With that being the case, I'd generally rather have a player with higher bust risk, but a higher ceiling. Which is how I see Pitta vs. Green.

How many teams are in the dynsty leagues where you play? I'm only in one true dynasty league, and its a 14 teamer. I think that skews my valuation. In a 14 team league, pitta gives you a big advantage over the guy starting ladarius green this year. There are teams without a startable tight end who have to run to the waiver wire when a scrub like marcedes lewis catches a td. And teams who head into the season - or a midseason playoff run - without a clear starter at te. That drives the value of a pitta or olsen up substantially. But I understand what you're saying in ten team leagues, for example. In a ten teamer, a delanie walker can get you some points while you wait for a ladarius green to emerge. In that case, sure, swing for the fences.

The thing is, there are so many better places to swing for the fences than at tight end. How many tight ends put up this magical difference making production you're talking about? And for how long? Gronk is super elite, except he keeps getting hurt. Graham is even eliter, but he's screwed owners down the stretch in each of the last two seasons, and he's been dinged up a good bit because he catches a lot of balls, often over the middle, and the other team has to use bigger guys to cover/tackle him. That's part of the deal with tight end production - even the great ones have a limited window and get hurt.

It seems like guys are paying a huge premium to get the next big thing at tight end, when its much easier to find difference making running backs and receivers, and they last a lot longer when they hit. I think ladarius green owners (and the people who pay big prices to trade for him) are suckers. And while ladarius green may end up making that sentence look foolish, I would say the same thing about the umpteen te prospects out there who are all overvalued imo.

 

[Holy Schneikes]

I'm a Pitta fan, but I think you've got to remember the DYNASTY aspect of this thread.

Pitta turns 29 in a few months and I think there's a perception (right or wrong) that he doesn't have much left in the tank.

I think many would also argue that Green has a higher ceiling.

On my list I have Green as TE8 and Pitta as TE13. I could probably be talked into bumping Pitta up a couple spots. He's not higher for me because even though I think he's a really solid player, I don't think he has real difference-maker potential. Much like with QBs, I don't put a big premium on fringe TE1 types in non TE-premium formats because their production is so replaceable (i.e. Roethlisberger, Eli, Cutler). Only the real top end guys like Graham, Cameron, Gonzo, and Witten make any real difference. With that being the case, I'd generally rather have a player with higher bust risk, but a higher ceiling. Which is how I see Pitta vs. Green.

Many would argue, but Pitta has been a performer, Green has upside and all people care about are youth and having that young talent.

I would take Pitta every time. But I dont just worry about titles down the road, this year matters too and has money attached with it. I rather win a SB now then just having youth and trying to win a SB 2 or 3 years from now.

While Green has upside, he is over hyped and it is not debatable. 3rd year in the league and he has a 17/376/3 stat line last year and 4/56/0 the year before. I understand it is dynasty and you keep them and youth is important to an extent, but it is totally overrated and over blown, I have seen people turn down late 1sts for him. WHAT?! Take that and run.

What's Pitta got left 3-4 years of good performance? I wonder how many people let Gonzo go at age 29 because he was done. I will take 3 years of safe performance over a gamble on a TE who may not even get going. People are writing off Gates as if he is dead. You sit on Green for 2 years and I'll have Pitta perform for three. By the time Green starts performing like a TE1/2 I will have made a trade to move Pitta or acquire another TE that some other person will be trading because they are old at 29. lol I make a killing taking all the Vets others do not want.

How is value over blown? I got 2 firsts for Wallace because he is 27 almost 28, but I can not move ADP for a guy like Stacy and a 1st and he is 28. lol What? People worry more about having youth then having a title. Then they keep having all that youth because they keep getting early picks for a reason.

Pitta has one good year out of four. I wouldn't put him in the "Gonzo in his prime" category in terms of reliability. He's a system guy. Take away the system, and what happens? Also, in terms of trading him later, if he happens to have another bad year, for whatever reason, people will actually start to look at the overall numbers and he will be an almost totally worthless 29/30 year old guy. LOTS of risk there. May as well take the risk with the bigger upside.

If you want solid, go with Olsen, who seems to carry roughly the same price, but has put up better numbers every single year they have been in the league together. They also happen to be the same age (despite the career lengths, and contrary to what a lot of folks might assume).

 

[Coeur de Lion]

Much like with QBs, I don't put a big premium on fringe TE1 types in non TE-premium formats because their production is so replaceable (i.e. Roethlisberger, Eli, Cutler). Only the real top end guys like Graham, Cameron, Gonzo, and Witten make any real difference. With that being the case, I'd generally rather have a player with higher bust risk, but a higher ceiling. Which is how I see Pitta vs. Green.

How many teams are in the dynsty leagues where you play? I'm only in one true dynasty league, and its a 14 teamer. I think that skews my valuation. In a 14 team league, pitta gives you a big advantage over the guy starting ladarius green this year. There are teams without a startable tight end who have to run to the waiver wire when a scrub like marcedes lewis catches a td. And teams who head into the season - or a midseason playoff run - without a clear starter at te. That drives the value of a pitta or olsen up substantially. But I understand what you're saying in ten team leagues, for example. In a ten teamer, a delanie walker can get you some points while you wait for a ladarius green to emerge. In that case, sure, swing for the fences.

The thing is, there are so many better places to swing for the fences than at tight end. How many tight ends put up this magical difference making production you're talking about? And for how long? Gronk is super elite, except he keeps getting hurt. Graham is even eliter, but he's screwed owners down the stretch in each of the last two seasons, and he's been dinged up a good bit because he catches a lot of balls, often over the middle, and the other team has to use bigger guys to cover/tackle him. That's part of the deal with tight end production - even the great ones have a limited window and get hurt.

It seems like guys are paying a huge premium to get the next big thing at tight end, when its much easier to find difference making running backs and receivers, and they last a lot longer when they hit. I think ladarius green owners (and the people who pay big prices to trade for him) are suckers. And while ladarius green may end up making that sentence look foolish, I would say the same thing about the umpteen te prospects out there who are all overvalued imo.

I agree that anyone paying huge prices at TE outside of Graham / Gronk is making a mistake, but where exactly is that happening? In every league I'm in, and the major dyno forums online, TEs aren't carrying much value at all ATM. People have their favorite upside guy ranked highly, sure, but no one is out there actually giving up a ton of value for ANYONE at TE as deep as it is right now (Graham / Gronk / TE-premium leagues excepted).

 

[bostonfred]

I think this comes down to a team building philosophy thing for me. We all have the same theoretical goal in mind - a team with the best players and a good mix of youth at every position - like Manning with Luck and RG3 behind him. That's not realistic in most competitive leagues, but dynasty leagues are all about loaded rosters, because there will always be someone who has been the luckiest guy in the league the last couple years, and that guy is a huge favorite over the field. So you have to swing for the fences, and hopefully get that guy who has ten years of uber stud production in him, which is why people obsess over youth and the Next Big Thing.

When you're rebuilding from scratch, you're just looking to dump whatever vets you have, add players through free agency and the draft, and hang on to them until you've got a competitive team. There's a question of when you flip the switch from rebuilding to competing - for example, if you start a qb, 2 rbs, 3 receivers and a flex plus a tight end, you might not be interested in a veteran TE like Pitta over a guy like Green unless you'd already filled up at least five of your six RB/WR spots. You might even want all six of those spots filled plus a backup, since somebody on your team ALWAYS busts, gets hurt, or otherwise fails to contribute. Or you might be willing to trade Green for Pitta with less than a full roster, counting on some of your other young guys or waiver pickups to fill in the spots around the studs you've got. The build vs. win now decision makes a significant difference in how you rank these players, but obviously if you have Ladarius Green on a contending team, you shouldn't dump him for nothing, so there's an approximate value that we can all agree on and that's what sets the market.

But it's not just rebuilding teams. There are draft and hold guys, and there are flippers. I'm a flipper. But to a draft and holder, the idea of trading away your young prospect is antithetical to your strategy of getting the Next Big Thing. If you drafted a top TE prospect, you probably paid a pretty high price for him in the draft, right after the running backs who had a clear path to their job and the elite wide receiver prospects, and maybe even before the best QB in the class. So it doesn't matter whether that stud TE has performed yet or not - for your strategy to work, you're going to have a number of these prospects and you have to be patient with them while you use a handful of remaining roster spots on established starters or trade bait.

I'm a flipper. I think that's a huge value leak. I churn my roster nonstop with waivers and trades. Sometimes I'll take the bad end of a trade just to open a roster spot, or acquire a player I plan to trade to someone else later. People are always willing to deal with me, because I'm always looking for guys who have needs and acquiring the thing they need to fill it. For me, waivers are a constant source of trade bait - guys who aren't willing to drop that young tight end prospect for a random waiver pickup give me quality a week or two later when the guy pans out, and I can ladder up to get a guy I like.

As an example, I traded Nate Washington and Phillip Rivers for Andy Dalton and Dwayne Bowe. Moved Bowe and a 2nd for Colston. Moved Colston,, Charles Clay, Joique Bell and a first for Victor Cruz and Garret Graham. So basically, Charles Clay, a first, a second, and two waiver wire pickups for a top ten dynasty WR and a young TE. And I flipped Graham and Andy Dalton in deals which ultimately netted me Carson Palmer, the San Fran D and T.Y. Hilton. That's quite a haul for Phillip Rivers, Charles Clay, my first and second round picks and a bunch of waiver claims. But the flip side is that I don't get (or want) to use my draft picks, and I don't have room to hang on to many pure prospects.

Long standing, 14 team league with 24 player rosters, I picked up the following RBs and WRs off waivers last year:

Running back:

- Jalen Parmalee (I dropped him)

- Lance Dunbar (owner dropped him when he was injured, I picked him up when I traded for DeMarco Murray)

- Phillip Tanner (I picked him up before starting trade talks for DeMarco Murray)

- Rashad Jennings (dropped by his owner last year when he sucked as MJD's backup)

- Chris Oogabooga (I traded him in a trivial deal)

- Marcel Reese (I dropped him)

Wide receiver:

- Harry Douglas (I traded him to the Roddy White owner in a deal to upgrade at another position)

- Nate Washington (I traded him when he was hot early in the season)

- Jarret Boykin (I traded him to the same WR starved owner as above when he was hot midway through the season)

- Riley Cooper (I traded him and a second for an injured McFadden)

- Drew ("who?") Davis (Atlanta receiver, since dropped)

- Deonte Thompson (the wrong Ravens breakout WR candidate)

Tight End:

- Delanie Walker (I dropped him before he heated up)

- Anthony Fasano (needed an emergency TE at the waiver deadline and he was best available)

I know it looks like I had great waiver priority all season, but it was middle of the road at best. I was lucky in some cases - like taking Harry Douglas before Julio got hurt - but I think a big part of the reason is that I am looking for something other owners aren't. Everyone's mining for talent. I pick up low talent guys who have an opportunity to have an opportunity - anyone in a muddied backup situation, especially for injury prone guys like DeMarco Murray and Darren McFadden, where other owners don't want to burn two roster spots on low talent backups. Nobody was really waiting for Jennings or Marcel Reese to emerge, but I think the McFadden backup has solid value, and it turns out Rashad Jennings was a beast down the stretch last year and could be the starter again this year. I grabbed Harry Douglas before Julio went down because he had shown some vauge spot startability while Roddy was gimpy the first couple weeks. I picked up Boykin, an unheralded backup wide receiver in Green Bay, as soon as the other guys got hurt. I was lucky to get him - he was on several contending teams' radar, but it was late enough in the season that none of the teams with bad records wanted him. Ogbayanaa was a crappy Cleveland running back who had a chance to get carries once Trent was traded. I flipped him to a RB starved owner quickly.

I am usually able to piece together some spot starts off the waivers, while other owners are hesitant to drop a Galvin Escobar. I don't screw around with late round draft picks at all. Last year, that worked perfectly - I traded a fourth for Bilal Powell, then flipped him for a second when he was going off, and I picked up Knowshon for a third rounder when Hillman and Ball were getting all the offseason press. But if it doesn't work, I just cut bait and look for the next prospect.

Tight ends come around fairly often, too, but nobody will trade much for a waiver wire tight end. I picked up Delanie Walker when he went to Tennessee, but I missed out on his uptick because I dumped him before he got hot. But even if I'd traded him - what would I have gotten for him? It's almost impossible to trade a tight end after one good week - lots of guys catch five passes for a touchdown or two, then disappear. So you have to sit on a tight end for a couple weeks, see if he stays hot enough to garner some interest, and you've barely been able to start him because you didn't fully trust him either. I'm not immune to picking one up here or there, but only as my 23rd or 24th guy.

But like I said, this is all part of a larger strategy. What I just said makes no sense to some owners, who watch a lot of college football, identify a couple guys they think are really talented and just waiting for an opportunity, and sit on those guys for years waiting for them to pay off. Those are the guys who make their third and fourth round picks count, but they don't get much of value off waivers because they're afraid to drop anyone. Me? I don't even use my draft picks - as soon as my 2015 picks were available to trade, I started shopping them. I trade players for picks and then bundle picks with players for upgrades. I like to have 15 good players, a couple of my own backups, a couple longer term prospects like Tampa Mike Williams or Emmanuel Sanders whose value could shoot up this offseason, and leave myself a couple open spots so I can start churning again next year. If I get too many good guys, I look to bundle them in a 2 for 1 and free up some spots. If someone else is overloaded with propsects, I look to offer them 1 for 2s where I can pick up their prospects or underperforming vets. It's all about keeping the roster churning.

Another important thing in my philosophy - and this is specific to larger leagues - is that I don't believe in most rankings, even (especially) my own. There are definitely guys I prefer over other guys. But when it comes to separating Jordy Nelson from Michael Crabtree, I mean, I definitely prefer Nelson... right now. But I also recognize that a year from now, I might be saying the exact opposite. So I don't go out of my way to upgrade Crabtree to Nelson. I go out of my way to acquire as many Crabtrees and Nelsons as I can get my hands on, and usually take the guys who are lowest in a given bucket because I have faith that that's a good bucket to have a lot of guys in. I'll pay a fair price to move up from one bucket to the next, or to get a "safer" guy in some cases. But I won't pay to move up from the #12 WR on my list to the #9, or even from #22 to #15 in most cases. I'd rather add #23 alongside #22 and know that even if one of my guys busts, I still have a plan B next year. Reading through the best and worst trades thread, and seeing how many people regretted paying big for David Wilson, Trent Richardson and even Doug Martin, vs. how many people traded a good receiver for Josh Gordon and something else, just confirms to me that the goal ought to be to keep accumulating as many good guys as possible. My goal isn't to have a roster with one preseason stud at each position. That team can win, but more often than not, one of those guys gets hurt, or busts, and then that team is making desperate trades or waiting until next year. My goal is to have a deep roster, with ammunition to trade for studs in-season, and pick up cheap veteran help so I have the flexibility to make any trade I want without wiping out my lineup.