Drafting Tight Ends....what's your strategy? (1 Viewer)

[eoMMan]

Let me first say that I REALLY like Jason Witten this year. He's my #1 TE and I think he's almost a lock for 90 catches and 1,000 yds. That being said, I don't know how soon is too soon to take a guy like him. The other "elite" tight ends, imo, are Gates, Davis, Clark and Finley. After these 5 guys, I think it's a pretty big drop-off to the Daniels, Winslows, Grahams, etc. of the TE world.

So is what someone to do?

I know we can look at ADP but each league is different. Maybe you love Witten/Gates/etc. this year but in your particular league, tight ends tend to take awhile to go off the board.

What are you planning on doing this year?

What are all the great whites and tiger sharks out there doing?

 

[glong989]

The TEs have an ADP of round 4 so I'd be looking at all your opponents and what they have already drafted. Also take into account your slot in the draft. This totally depends on where you pick from to me. If you are in the top 1-4 picks that means in a serpentine draft you will have the last picks in the 4th round and the first picks in the fifth round. This means if the run starts at their ADP of around 4.01 you will be at the end of it and risk not getting Witten. On the flip side, if you are at the 7-10 slot then you will probably have to take them at their ADP of 4.01 or wait until the end of the fifth and risk them not being there. If you are in the 5-6 slot you can just gauge it and be pretty certain you can get at least a top 5 guy if you really have to have that. If you really do know your league and you think one of the elite will be there in the 5th/6th then by all means wait.

 

[Ministry of Pain]

Depends on scoring but TE is deep deep deep with a few really elites at the very top.

Witten-expect a little decrease with the emergence of a WR2 in Dallas

Finley-Can he play an entire season? half a season?

Clark-He also gets hurt a lot.

Gates- As long as he doesn't have any injuries. Foot is still a concern for me.

Vernon Davis-Not liken that SF offense much

Jimmy Graham-overrated and gets taken too high

KWII-I like him a lot but there are others who will post numbers just as good.

Gronk/Hernan-No way they duplicate the 18 TD combined form a year ago.

Daniels-When healthy he is a real weapon to roll out there. PPR leagues worth much more.

Cooley-Is hurt right now, weak QB

Pettigrew-Some love him, I am kind of just lukewarm

Gonzo-top5 last year, gets drafted outside of the top10 in many leagues I have been in...just went TE14 in the one I am in right now over in the mock forum

Z.Miller-QB situation actually worsened by him running to Seattle.

Then don't overlook these guys...

J.Cook(TN)-lot of folks are high on him

D.Keller-I'm not a big fan but again a lot of folks like him

J.Gresham-QB situation a major problem at the moment.

B.Watson-I think he will be solid again this year.

Brent Celek-One year removed form 70/950/8TD

Shiancoe-No one is talking about this guy but McNabb likes the TE

Greg Olsen-Biggest sleeper of the year right now. Was being held way back in Chicago. OC is Chud(also a former Miami Hurricanes TE) and I think Cam will be looking for him on the hot routes, short routes, this will be his best friend.

The point is its a deep class of TEs. Wait until 8-9 are off the board and then grab a couple you like. You'll be fine.

 

[by_the_sea_wannabe]

My strategy is to grab my highest rated of the top 5 in round 5. If they are not available, I then look to Winslow in rounds 6/7. If I miss out on him, then I am waiting till damn near the end, like when 17 of them are off the board and grabbing two. Guys like Heap, Shiancoe, Miller, and Olsen all have the same amount of upside as guys drafted in the middle/early late rounds. Now I am in the middle of one draft where Gates was available at 4.7 so I went ahead and drafted him. All plans drift away when something unexpected happens.

 

[We Tigers]

If I get one of the elites at a decent price, great. Otherwise, I'll probably just wait until I don't love any of the RB or WR options available to me. I see Daniels, Graham, Winslow, Lewis, and maybe Keller as the Big Upside guys left.

I'm more confident in this year's mid-round QBs than mid-round TEs, and I rarely take both early. More inclined to jump on Davis or Finley than the price for one of the top 7 QBs, I think.

 

[Exit 1]

Depends on scoring but TE is deep deep deep with a few really elites at the very top. Witten-expect a little decrease with the emergence of a WR2 in DallasFinley-Can he play an entire season? half a season?Clark-He also gets hurt a lot. Gates- As long as he doesn't have any injuries. Foot is still a concern for me. Vernon Davis-Not liken that SF offense muchJimmy Graham-overrated and gets taken too highKWII-I like him a lot but there are others who will post numbers just as good. Gronk/Hernan-No way they duplicate the 18 TD combined form a year ago. Daniels-When healthy he is a real weapon to roll out there. PPR leagues worth much more. Cooley-Is hurt right now, weak QBPettigrew-Some love him, I am kind of just lukewarmGonzo-top5 last year, gets drafted outside of the top10 in many leagues I have been in...just went TE14 in the one I am in right now over in the mock forumZ.Miller-QB situation actually worsened by him running to Seattle. Then don't overlook these guys...J.Cook(TN)-lot of folks are high on himD.Keller-I'm not a big fan but again a lot of folks like himJ.Gresham-QB situation a major problem at the moment.B.Watson-I think he will be solid again this year. Brent Celek-One year removed form 70/950/8TDShiancoe-No one is talking about this guy but McNabb likes the TEGreg Olsen-Biggest sleeper of the year right now. Was being held way back in Chicago. OC is Chud(also a former Miami Hurricanes TE) and I think Cam will be looking for him on the hot routes, short routes, this will be his best friend.The point is its a deep class of TEs. Wait until 8-9 are off the board and then grab a couple you like. You'll be fine.

See, I couldn't disagree more. I think after the top 5 or 6, you are picking and hoping for the best. It's not deep at all this year.

 

[Andy Dufresne]

Take Antonio Gates way earlier than you have to. Otherwise wait until you're one of the last teams to take one.

 

[Ministry of Pain]

Depends on scoring but TE is deep deep deep with a few really elites at the very top. Witten-expect a little decrease with the emergence of a WR2 in DallasFinley-Can he play an entire season? half a season?Clark-He also gets hurt a lot. Gates- As long as he doesn't have any injuries. Foot is still a concern for me. Vernon Davis-Not liken that SF offense muchJimmy Graham-overrated and gets taken too highKWII-I like him a lot but there are others who will post numbers just as good. Gronk/Hernan-No way they duplicate the 18 TD combined form a year ago. Daniels-When healthy he is a real weapon to roll out there. PPR leagues worth much more. Cooley-Is hurt right now, weak QBPettigrew-Some love him, I am kind of just lukewarmGonzo-top5 last year, gets drafted outside of the top10 in many leagues I have been in...just went TE14 in the one I am in right now over in the mock forumZ.Miller-QB situation actually worsened by him running to Seattle. Then don't overlook these guys...J.Cook(TN)-lot of folks are high on himD.Keller-I'm not a big fan but again a lot of folks like himJ.Gresham-QB situation a major problem at the moment.B.Watson-I think he will be solid again this year. Brent Celek-One year removed form 70/950/8TDShiancoe-No one is talking about this guy but McNabb likes the TEGreg Olsen-Biggest sleeper of the year right now. Was being held way back in Chicago. OC is Chud(also a former Miami Hurricanes TE) and I think Cam will be looking for him on the hot routes, short routes, this will be his best friend.The point is its a deep class of TEs. Wait until 8-9 are off the board and then grab a couple you like. You'll be fine.

See, I couldn't disagree more. I think after the top 5 or 6, you are picking and hoping for the best. It's not deep at all this year.

14 TEs finished with 4-5TDs last season, you are correct in saying they are all the same but that's what makes it deep IMO. I don't want to burn a top3-4 pick on TE so just wait till the 9th/10th, grab 2 you like and then you play match up throughout the season unless one of them emerges as a clear cut TE1. And 5-6 deep on the 1st tier is pretty deep. Half the league will have an elite TE, the other half likely a solid option.

 

[glong989]

Depends on scoring but TE is deep deep deep with a few really elites at the very top. Witten-expect a little decrease with the emergence of a WR2 in DallasFinley-Can he play an entire season? half a season?Clark-He also gets hurt a lot. Gates- As long as he doesn't have any injuries. Foot is still a concern for me. Vernon Davis-Not liken that SF offense muchJimmy Graham-overrated and gets taken too highKWII-I like him a lot but there are others who will post numbers just as good. Gronk/Hernan-No way they duplicate the 18 TD combined form a year ago. Daniels-When healthy he is a real weapon to roll out there. PPR leagues worth much more. Cooley-Is hurt right now, weak QBPettigrew-Some love him, I am kind of just lukewarmGonzo-top5 last year, gets drafted outside of the top10 in many leagues I have been in...just went TE14 in the one I am in right now over in the mock forumZ.Miller-QB situation actually worsened by him running to Seattle. Then don't overlook these guys...J.Cook(TN)-lot of folks are high on himD.Keller-I'm not a big fan but again a lot of folks like himJ.Gresham-QB situation a major problem at the moment.B.Watson-I think he will be solid again this year. Brent Celek-One year removed form 70/950/8TDShiancoe-No one is talking about this guy but McNabb likes the TEGreg Olsen-Biggest sleeper of the year right now. Was being held way back in Chicago. OC is Chud(also a former Miami Hurricanes TE) and I think Cam will be looking for him on the hot routes, short routes, this will be his best friend.The point is its a deep class of TEs. Wait until 8-9 are off the board and then grab a couple you like. You'll be fine.

See, I couldn't disagree more. I think after the top 5 or 6, you are picking and hoping for the best. It's not deep at all this year.

14 TEs finished with 4-5TDs last season, you are correct in saying they are all the same but that's what makes it deep IMO. I don't want to burn a top3-4 pick on TE so just wait till the 9th/10th, grab 2 you like and then you play match up throughout the season unless one of them emerges as a clear cut TE1. And 5-6 deep on the 1st tier is pretty deep. Half the league will have an elite TE, the other half likely a solid option.

It's preference - just like taking a top 7 QB or waiting if you have the choice. For me I'm not one to take the top guy at those singular positions but I do want one of the elite. I'd rather not spend my season chasing those points I need from the TE position by playing matchups or looking to the WW. I'd rather have a Witten or Clarke that I can plug in weekly and feel confident.

 

[GoRaiders]

You got a few different opinions here so far and as you can tell it is all about strategy preference. If you want to get a TE and never worry/think about that position again you best get a stud early. If you think you can smell out a sleeper and find that gem late, you wait, wait, wait. Of course if you drafted a dud, then you are making moves come week 2. However, since you got the TE for cheap, you can easily attack the wire and pickup the TE that really is a sleeper before others jump.

Last year in my league the WW wonders to be had were:

Lewis

Pettigrew

Watson

Gronk

Tamme

Keller

I am of the latter mindset, usually attacking the wire come week 2 and/or working a trade for a stud TE. Hitting homeruns with a late TE pick is against the odds, however improving via WW and trade is definetly workable when you swing and miss.

 

[shortbow]

I wont reach for a TE before the 5th, If I cant get a top 5 I wait till the 9th at least.

Been targetting Gronkowski and Kendricks this year. Expecting both to finish top 10, I think Gronkowski has top 5 ceiling.

 

[tenaka]

I wont reach for a TE before the 5th, If I cant get a top 5 I wait till the 9th at least.

Word. I also look for the bottom end of either the 1st or 2nd tier, depending on when the runs happen in relation to my draft slot.

 

[De Novo]

Depends on scoring but TE is deep deep deep with a few really elites at the very top. Witten-expect a little decrease with the emergence of a WR2 in DallasFinley-Can he play an entire season? half a season?Clark-He also gets hurt a lot. Gates- As long as he doesn't have any injuries. Foot is still a concern for me. Vernon Davis-Not liken that SF offense muchJimmy Graham-overrated and gets taken too highKWII-I like him a lot but there are others who will post numbers just as good. Gronk/Hernan-No way they duplicate the 18 TD combined form a year ago. Daniels-When healthy he is a real weapon to roll out there. PPR leagues worth much more. Cooley-Is hurt right now, weak QBPettigrew-Some love him, I am kind of just lukewarmGonzo-top5 last year, gets drafted outside of the top10 in many leagues I have been in...just went TE14 in the one I am in right now over in the mock forumZ.Miller-QB situation actually worsened by him running to Seattle. Then don't overlook these guys...J.Cook(TN)-lot of folks are high on himD.Keller-I'm not a big fan but again a lot of folks like himJ.Gresham-QB situation a major problem at the moment.B.Watson-I think he will be solid again this year. Brent Celek-One year removed form 70/950/8TDShiancoe-No one is talking about this guy but McNabb likes the TEGreg Olsen-Biggest sleeper of the year right now. Was being held way back in Chicago. OC is Chud(also a former Miami Hurricanes TE) and I think Cam will be looking for him on the hot routes, short routes, this will be his best friend.The point is its a deep class of TEs. Wait until 8-9 are off the board and then grab a couple you like. You'll be fine.

See, I couldn't disagree more. I think after the top 5 or 6, you are picking and hoping for the best. It's not deep at all this year.

I'm shocked to hear anyone not think TE is deep this year. I cannot remember a time where a TE drafted in the 10th round can reasonable be expected to produce 7 points per week. People used to burn a 6th round pick on that kind of production. Now guys like Winslow, Gronkowski, Greg Olsen are expected to put up those numbers, and many don't even consider them TE1s.

 

[gbill2004]

Draft Greg Olsen. He's being drafted as a TE3, and will end the season as a TE1.

 

[rocketsauce]

In my 12 Team PPR I plan to take on of the top 4 at the turn in Round 4/5 (picking #1) -- if none of them are left, I'm waiting till WAY late, probably after Round 13 and grab 2 or 3 of that last group of guys. Liking the idea of Pitta, Kendricks, and Cook right now. One of those guys is blowing up into a legit start.

 

[shortbow]

Depends on scoring but TE is deep deep deep with a few really elites at the very top. Witten-expect a little decrease with the emergence of a WR2 in DallasFinley-Can he play an entire season? half a season?Clark-He also gets hurt a lot. Gates- As long as he doesn't have any injuries. Foot is still a concern for me. Vernon Davis-Not liken that SF offense muchJimmy Graham-overrated and gets taken too highKWII-I like him a lot but there are others who will post numbers just as good. Gronk/Hernan-No way they duplicate the 18 TD combined form a year ago. Daniels-When healthy he is a real weapon to roll out there. PPR leagues worth much more. Cooley-Is hurt right now, weak QBPettigrew-Some love him, I am kind of just lukewarmGonzo-top5 last year, gets drafted outside of the top10 in many leagues I have been in...just went TE14 in the one I am in right now over in the mock forumZ.Miller-QB situation actually worsened by him running to Seattle. Then don't overlook these guys...J.Cook(TN)-lot of folks are high on himD.Keller-I'm not a big fan but again a lot of folks like himJ.Gresham-QB situation a major problem at the moment.B.Watson-I think he will be solid again this year. Brent Celek-One year removed form 70/950/8TDShiancoe-No one is talking about this guy but McNabb likes the TEGreg Olsen-Biggest sleeper of the year right now. Was being held way back in Chicago. OC is Chud(also a former Miami Hurricanes TE) and I think Cam will be looking for him on the hot routes, short routes, this will be his best friend.The point is its a deep class of TEs. Wait until 8-9 are off the board and then grab a couple you like. You'll be fine.

See, I couldn't disagree more. I think after the top 5 or 6, you are picking and hoping for the best. It's not deep at all this year.

I'm shocked to hear anyone not think TE is deep this year. I cannot remember a time where a TE drafted in the 10th round can reasonable be expected to produce 7 points per week. People used to burn a 6th round pick on that kind of production. Now guys like Winslow, Gronkowski, Greg Olsen are expected to put up those numbers, and many don't even consider them TE1s.

I honestly think the drop off is large enough to matter, but its one of those things in fantasy that cant be helped (like the seperation between the elite QBs and the field).

 

[rocketsauce]

Depends on scoring but TE is deep deep deep with a few really elites at the very top. Witten-expect a little decrease with the emergence of a WR2 in DallasFinley-Can he play an entire season? half a season?Clark-He also gets hurt a lot. Gates- As long as he doesn't have any injuries. Foot is still a concern for me. Vernon Davis-Not liken that SF offense muchJimmy Graham-overrated and gets taken too highKWII-I like him a lot but there are others who will post numbers just as good. Gronk/Hernan-No way they duplicate the 18 TD combined form a year ago. Daniels-When healthy he is a real weapon to roll out there. PPR leagues worth much more. Cooley-Is hurt right now, weak QBPettigrew-Some love him, I am kind of just lukewarmGonzo-top5 last year, gets drafted outside of the top10 in many leagues I have been in...just went TE14 in the one I am in right now over in the mock forumZ.Miller-QB situation actually worsened by him running to Seattle. Then don't overlook these guys...J.Cook(TN)-lot of folks are high on himD.Keller-I'm not a big fan but again a lot of folks like himJ.Gresham-QB situation a major problem at the moment.B.Watson-I think he will be solid again this year. Brent Celek-One year removed form 70/950/8TDShiancoe-No one is talking about this guy but McNabb likes the TEGreg Olsen-Biggest sleeper of the year right now. Was being held way back in Chicago. OC is Chud(also a former Miami Hurricanes TE) and I think Cam will be looking for him on the hot routes, short routes, this will be his best friend.The point is its a deep class of TEs. Wait until 8-9 are off the board and then grab a couple you like. You'll be fine.

I'd even another class of names after that last one, or maybe mix them in. Dennis Pitta (BAL) - There are catches to be had, and Flacco loved Heap in the red zone last year.Lance Kendricks (STL) - A nice first preseason appearance helps, but the dude looks like a difference maker, and the big over the middle target Bradford could use to complement that offense well, especially in the red zone.Moeaki (KC) - Sure last year many people got burned waiting on him to emerge, but KC will be behind more this year, throwing more, and hopefully Moeaki finally really does emerge.Fred Davis (WSH) - If the Cooley issue lingers, Fred Davis could be money.You can just list these guys forever and ever. Actually makes me consider saying screw the top 4 and just wait it out and stockpile RBs and WRs.

 

[death of the cool]

If....and that is still and if....I feel Gates is his normal self....I am willing to select him in the 3rd.

If I do not get him there, I am waiting until the 5th and grabbing any of Witten, Finley, Clark, or Davis.

If I miss there I will try Daniels a round later (6th)

If I miss there I will look to see if Graham slips to the 8th.

After that I will probably wait till the 10th and try to grab Gronk/Winslow combination.

If I do not get them I will stab my fellow GM's for taking too many TE's.