[Dynasty] Sifting Through the Young, Sleeper TEs (1 Viewer)

[mikel2014]

Tight end has a severe lack of depth after the top 7 or 8. Unless you have Gronkowski, Eifert, Kelce, Olsen, Reed, or Delanie Walker you're probably looking to solidify the spot heading into 2016. It's also a position where young players tend to take 2-3 years to develop. Now is the time to look at some of these younger players who may have disappointed in years 1, 2, or 3.

I'd like to get some discussion going on higher upside TEs to target either for cheaper trades or on waivers.

Clive Walford - He broke all sorts of records at Miami for tight ends, setting the UM mark for catches, yards, and touchdowns for a TE. As a 3rd round pick this year he has had flashes of that talent. I can see Carr, Cooper, and Clive working well together for the future.

Vance McDonald - A 2nd round pick in 2013, he seems to have developed rapport with Gabbert. In three of the last five games he's posted 4+ catches, 60+ yards, and a TD. He appears to be the best bet at TE with Vernon gone, although Blake Bell is another to keep an eye on.

Will Tye - With Larry Donnell out, Tye has performed consistently. He's one of the hardest for me to get a read on as an undrafted FA. However he has been steady for around 10+ PPr points most weeks.

Eric Ebron - A top 10 pick in 2014, you likely won't be able to get him any cheaper than you can now. After two seasons many owners may be giving up on him. But when you see him make a catch, his ability to run after the catch is impressive. He runs like a WR rather than a TE.

Others worth mentioning: Austin Seferian-Jenkins, Maxx Williams, Jesse James, and Zach Ertz.

Who are your favorites heading into 2016?

 

[imjackdupp]

Not sold on Donnell or Tye, I think the Giants will likely add another to the mix.

Walford I think has the opportunity and should steadily climb up the rankings.

I'm avoiding anything in SF untill I see what happens with the coaching staff and QB.

Ebron I still like as you said he is great after the catch. If Calvin moves on he could be a steal.

And lastly Jenkins has shown flashes and when VJax is gone and they start bringing Bell along, Jenkins should be much more involved.

Williams, James and Ertz im not ready to make a call on yet. I keep hoping the fence on Ertz eventually I'm gonna catch it in the balls.

 

[maf005]

Jeff Heuerman was Denver's 3rd round pick and it's not like he has much competition in front of him. Although I'm not sure how much of a receiving weapon he is

 

[saintfool]

Gilmore has done a very credible job in Baltimore.

Pruitt could emerge in Minnesota next year if Rudolph moves on.

Amaro in New York should come back healthy. That's an interesting offense now somehow with Fitz. I know some people think he fell out of favor but he's got the offseason and real talent.

 

[lod01]

These are the 4 I am watching:

Jesse James is gonna be good but not until Miller is done.

Blake Bell is better at caching the ball that McDonald. They will draft a QB. 74% of snaps week 15 compared to 51% for McDonald.

Will Tye is catching the majority of passes in NY at the TE position. He's better than Donnell.

Clive Walford. He's out there only 50% of the offensive snaps for some reason. They still put in Smith and Rivera. 3 headed monster for now.

 

[Andrew74]

It's painful as a Graham owner to read about top TEs and he's not there. I have been looking to shore up the position on my team as I don't think Jimmy can recover to his studly self. I did acquire Ertz and think he can make the leap if healthy. He started off slowly, but still ended up TE10 in my 0.5PPR league. During the playoffs (weeks 14-16), he was TE2 in that league.

I drafted Walford but wasn't able to roster him trying to fill starting slots and he got snagged a couple of weeks ago. If he gets dropped, he's on the short list. I have a WW claim in for Bell this week, now that I can free up space by dropping my kicker, etc.

 

[mikel2014]

It's painful as a Graham owner to read about top TEs and he's not there. I have been looking to shore up the position on my team as I don't think Jimmy can recover to his studly self. I did acquire Ertz and think he can make the leap if healthy. He started off slowly, but still ended up TE10 in my 0.5PPR league. During the playoffs (weeks 14-16), he was TE2 in that league.

I drafted Walford but wasn't able to roster him trying to fill starting slots and he got snagged a couple of weeks ago. If he gets dropped, he's on the short list. I have a WW claim in for Bell this week, now that I can free up space by dropping my kicker, etc.

Fellow Graham owner here, which is what's promoted me to hunt more actively than I would otherwise. I agree that Clive is towards the top of the list. Up and coming offense and he has the college credentials of a top receiving TE.

 

[Arodin]

Shying away from the SF prospects...just too many. Bell looks best on paper, but McDonald seems to have a more developed game thus far, and I'm not ready to write off G. Celek yet either. Would be nice if one had emerged from the pack late season.

 

[mcd]

Now would be a good time to grab Dwayne Allen if you ever liked him. He's coming off a disaster of a year & will be a free agent this off-season. I would expect him to head out to a team that will use him a little more & hopefully he will fulfill all the potential he had over his 1st two seasons.

 

[Gottabesweet]

I like Amaro on the cheap if you can stash him.

 

[lod01]

It's painful as a Graham owner to read about top TEs and he's not there. I have been looking to shore up the position on my team as I don't think Jimmy can recover to his studly self. I did acquire Ertz and think he can make the leap if healthy. He started off slowly, but still ended up TE10 in my 0.5PPR league. During the playoffs (weeks 14-16), he was TE2 in that league.

I drafted Walford but wasn't able to roster him trying to fill starting slots and he got snagged a couple of weeks ago. If he gets dropped, he's on the short list. I have a WW claim in for Bell this week, now that I can free up space by dropping my kicker, etc.

Fellow Graham owner here, which is what's promoted me to hunt more actively than I would otherwise. I agree that Clive is towards the top of the list. Up and coming offense and he has the college credentials of a top receiving TE.

That's 3 of us. Got Tye & Walford and have to drop one at end of season to bring back Jimmy. Right now, Walford is out. not enough targets.

 

[Bri]

Tight end has a severe lack of depth after the top 7 or 8. Unless you have Gronkowski, Eifert, Kelce, Olsen, Reed, or Delanie Walker you're probably looking to solidify the spot heading into 2016. It's also a position where young players tend to take 2-3 years to develop. Now is the time to look at some of these younger players who may have disappointed in years 1, 2, or 3.

I'd like to get some discussion going on higher upside TEs to target either for cheaper trades or on waivers.

Clive Walford - He broke all sorts of records at Miami for tight ends, setting the UM mark for catches, yards, and touchdowns for a TE. As a 3rd round pick this year he has had flashes of that talent. I can see Carr, Cooper, and Clive working well together for the future.

Vance McDonald - A 2nd round pick in 2013, he seems to have developed rapport with Gabbert. In three of the last five games he's posted 4+ catches, 60+ yards, and a TD. He appears to be the best bet at TE with Vernon gone, although Blake Bell is another to keep an eye on.

Will Tye - With Larry Donnell out, Tye has performed consistently. He's one of the hardest for me to get a read on as an undrafted FA. However he has been steady for around 10+ PPr points most weeks.

Eric Ebron - A top 10 pick in 2014, you likely won't be able to get him any cheaper than you can now. After two seasons many owners may be giving up on him. But when you see him make a catch, his ability to run after the catch is impressive. He runs like a WR rather than a TE.

Others worth mentioning: Austin Seferian-Jenkins, Maxx Williams, Jesse James, and Zach Ertz.

Who are your favorites heading into 2016?

ASF is tops here

Most have another TE to share with.

Tye and Ertz could both be lead dog

Ebron drives me nuts

 

[dickey moe]

Shying away from the SF prospects...just too many. Bell looks best on paper, but McDonald seems to have a more developed game thus far, and I'm not ready to write off G. Celek yet either. Would be nice if one had emerged from the pack late season.

One did.

 

[zamboni]

IMO, situation is very critical in finding another true breakout TE.

If you look at the top TEs right now - Gronk, Olsen, Eifert, Reed, Barnidge, Walker - all but Eifert are the main options in the passing game. And Eifert is really TD dependent.

To me, promising guys like ASJ and Walford may have their upsides limited due to the presence of stud WRs alongside them that will be target hogs.

Just spit balling here, but guys like McDonald and Gilmore could be interesting, but they share with other good TEs. And of course we have to see how their teams' WR situations change.

A guy I'm looking more at is Ertz. Has come on of late and could finally truly emerge depending on the new regime. Neither Matthews nor Aghelor seem like true #1 WRs/consistent target hogs.

 

[Zyphros]

Gavin Escobar hasn't been mentioned yet, but thats probably because he's stuck behind the iron man himself Witten. If he gets an extended look with a Witten injury or traded away he's a guy I want on all my rosters. That and Ladarius Green are my 2 favorites to own that are still not very expensive. Both have the ability to be world beaters IMO all they need is more opportunity.

 

[Alex P Keaton]

IMO, situation is very critical in finding another true breakout TE.

If you look at the top TEs right now - Gronk, Olsen, Eifert, Reed, Barnidge, Walker - all but Eifert are the main options in the passing game. And Eifert is really TD dependent.

To me, promising guys like ASJ and Walford may have their upsides limited due to the presence of stud WRs alongside them that will be target hogs.

Just spit balling here, but guys like McDonald and Gilmore could be interesting, but they share with other good TEs. And of course we have to see how their teams' WR situations change.

A guy I'm looking more at is Ertz. Has come on of late and could finally truly emerge depending on the new regime. Neither Matthews nor Aghelor seem like true #1 WRs/consistent target hogs.

Ertz will also have a new coach and a new offensive scheme...

 

[ChuckLiddell]

Ladarius Green...for the 3rd year in a row. Eventually it may work out. Flashes mad talent at times...just bad timing on injuries, and buried behind Gates.

Also like Amaro a lot as a stash.

 

[saintfool]

IMO, situation is very critical in finding another true breakout TE.

If you look at the top TEs right now - Gronk, Olsen, Eifert, Reed, Barnidge, Walker - all but Eifert are the main options in the passing game. And Eifert is really TD dependent.

To me, promising guys like ASJ and Walford may have their upsides limited due to the presence of stud WRs alongside them that will be target hogs.

Just spit balling here, but guys like McDonald and Gilmore could be interesting, but they share with other good TEs. And of course we have to see how their teams' WR situations change.

A guy I'm looking more at is Ertz. Has come on of late and could finally truly emerge depending on the new regime. Neither Matthews nor Aghelor seem like true #1 WRs/consistent target hogs.

i don't think Gilmore has made himself vulnerable at all in Baltimore. Maxx could show up next season ready and he may be a better receiver but Gilmore isn't a total stiff. It's a camp battle worth watching especially considering how everyone predicted Maxx to start ahead of Gilmore but even Boyle showed more imo.

The problem with the SF TE situation is the SF QB situation. I can't believe that they'll go into next season with Gabbert, so who knows that that offense will look like. The uncertainty is going to scare people away but that also creates opportunity for bargain hunters.

I'd also look to NO. Watson had a really productive season but it's hard to believe he could repeat. Hill was a bust this year and they might find another solution there for the position.

 

[zamboni]

IMO, situation is very critical in finding another true breakout TE.

If you look at the top TEs right now - Gronk, Olsen, Eifert, Reed, Barnidge, Walker - all but Eifert are the main options in the passing game. And Eifert is really TD dependent.

To me, promising guys like ASJ and Walford may have their upsides limited due to the presence of stud WRs alongside them that will be target hogs.

Just spit balling here, but guys like McDonald and Gilmore could be interesting, but they share with other good TEs. And of course we have to see how their teams' WR situations change.

A guy I'm looking more at is Ertz. Has come on of late and could finally truly emerge depending on the new regime. Neither Matthews nor Aghelor seem like true #1 WRs/consistent target hogs.

Ertz will also have a new coach and a new offensive scheme...

Correct as mentioned above. Could be good or bad depending on who the team brings in and whether they stick with Bradford (with whom Ertz has developed some nice chemistry late in the season).

 

[zamboni]

Ladarius Green...for the 3rd year in a row. Eventually it may work out. Flashes mad talent at times...just bad timing on injuries, and buried behind Gates.

Green is a good under the radar call. Could have some value depending on where he ends up as an UFA.

 

[Stealthycat]

love Will Tye

 

[branch0095]

Most of mine have already been mentioned, guys like Tye/McDonald/Bell/Amaro/Heuerman. I play in a lot of TE premium leagues, so I tend to pay a little more attention to TE fliers than I would in standard leagues.

I think Dwayne Allen could be a decent stash and might actually be on the WW on some leagues. He's continuously voiced his displeasure with his usage in IND, and more than likely will be gone in FA. I'm just not sure he has huge upside.

Sticking with IND TEs, with Fleender/Allen both FAs this offseason, I'll take a flier on INDs practice squad TE Erik Swoope. 6'5 245lb former basketball player that IND has been grooming for a couple of years. I don't know a ton about him, but I'm a sucker for the former basketball playing TEs. Obviously there's tons of upside in his situation, so if he finds his way towards the top of the depth chart next year there could be some big value there. I think stashing his is pretty straight forward, as we'll probably know whether he's going to be worth a roster spot or not before the season even begins.

 

[drewd_21]

I like what I've seen of Brate this season. Seems to have a good rapport with Winston and although he's behind ASJ in the pecking order ASJ has had his injury problems.

 

[scothawk]

Most of mine have already been mentioned, guys like Tye/McDonald/Bell/Amaro/Heuerman. I play in a lot of TE premium leagues, so I tend to pay a little more attention to TE fliers than I would in standard leagues.

I think Dwayne Allen could be a decent stash and might actually be on the WW on some leagues. He's continuously voiced his displeasure with his usage in IND, and more than likely will be gone in FA. I'm just not sure he has huge upside.

Sticking with IND TEs, with Fleender/Allen both FAs this offseason, I'll take a flier on INDs practice squad TE Erik Swoope. 6'5 245lb former basketball player that IND has been grooming for a couple of years. I don't know a ton about him, but I'm a sucker for the former basketball playing TEs. Obviously there's tons of upside in his situation, so if he finds his way towards the top of the depth chart next year there could be some big value there. I think stashing his is pretty straight forward, as we'll probably know whether he's going to be worth a roster spot or not before the season even begins.

Was going to mention Allen myself. Change in scene and I think this guy is top 10.

Indy situation is interesting. Fleener is great when he has a good hands day. But TE there seem to be required to block a lot. will that change next year? Depends on OL overhaul I guess. Im staying away unless I get Swoope for free.

 

[mikel2014]

IMO, situation is very critical in finding another true breakout TE.

If you look at the top TEs right now - Gronk, Olsen, Eifert, Reed, Barnidge, Walker - all but Eifert are the main options in the passing game. And Eifert is really TD dependent.

To me, promising guys like ASJ and Walford may have their upsides limited due to the presence of stud WRs alongside them that will be target hogs.

Just spit balling here, but guys like McDonald and Gilmore could be interesting, but they share with other good TEs. And of course we have to see how their teams' WR situations change.

A guy I'm looking more at is Ertz. Has come on of late and could finally truly emerge depending on the new regime. Neither Matthews nor Aghelor seem like true #1 WRs/consistent target hogs.

Good post. Your point about being a top target was really interesting. Going through each team, you are absolutely right. I thought I would use that to see what opportunities could be out there.

Most teams already have either a consistent #1 receiver or one of the top TEs. There are five situations that I see as noticeably lacking that guy. You have San Francisco, St. Louis, Minnesota, San Diego, and Baltimore.

San Francisco - Has been discussed already. But the winner of McDonald/Bell/Celek probably has more value than most people think heading into 2016.

St. Louis - Perhaps a destination for a free agent TE like Dwayne Allen or Ladarius Green? A landing spot here may not be flashy but I'll be very interested to see what happens.

Minnesota - Will Kyle Rudolph finally emerge as a bonfide TE1? Seems like the opportunity is there.

San Diego - Gates' time is coming to an end. Will Ladarius stay there or sign elsewhere? Huge breakout potential for him.

Baltimore - Very similar to the San Francisco situation. Winner of Gilmore/Maxx Williams likely has value, but I expect both here to be involved.

Overall, this has me buying Ladarius Green and monitoring those other situations to see how it shakes out in the offseason.

 

[zamboni]

IMO, situation is very critical in finding another true breakout TE.

If you look at the top TEs right now - Gronk, Olsen, Eifert, Reed, Barnidge, Walker - all but Eifert are the main options in the passing game. And Eifert is really TD dependent.

To me, promising guys like ASJ and Walford may have their upsides limited due to the presence of stud WRs alongside them that will be target hogs.

Just spit balling here, but guys like McDonald and Gilmore could be interesting, but they share with other good TEs. And of course we have to see how their teams' WR situations change.

A guy I'm looking more at is Ertz. Has come on of late and could finally truly emerge depending on the new regime. Neither Matthews nor Aghelor seem like true #1 WRs/consistent target hogs.

Good post. Your point about being a top target was really interesting. Going through each team, you are absolutely right. I thought I would use that to see what opportunities could be out there.

Most teams already have either a consistent #1 receiver or one of the top TEs. There are five situations that I see as noticeably lacking that guy. You have San Francisco, St. Louis, Minnesota, San Diego, and Baltimore.

San Francisco - Has been discussed already. But the winner of McDonald/Bell/Celek probably has more value than most people think heading into 2016.

St. Louis - Perhaps a destination for a free agent TE like Dwayne Allen or Ladarius Green? A landing spot here may not be flashy but I'll be very interested to see what happens.

Minnesota - Will Kyle Rudolph finally emerge as a bonfide TE1? Seems like the opportunity is there.

San Diego - Gates' time is coming to an end. Will Ladarius stay there or sign elsewhere? Huge breakout potential for him.

Baltimore - Very similar to the San Francisco situation. Winner of Gilmore/Maxx Williams likely has value, but I expect both here to be involved.

Overall, this has me buying Ladarius Green and monitoring those other situations to see how it shakes out in the offseason.

I agree for the most part, but in San Diego Allen will be back and Diggs may be the guy in Minnesota.

 

[Dawg Pound 69]

If Minn can get out from Rudolph's contract, Pruitt could be intriguing.

 

[lod01]

IMO, situation is very critical in finding another true breakout TE.

If you look at the top TEs right now - Gronk, Olsen, Eifert, Reed, Barnidge, Walker - all but Eifert are the main options in the passing game. And Eifert is really TD dependent.

To me, promising guys like ASJ and Walford may have their upsides limited due to the presence of stud WRs alongside them that will be target hogs.

Just spit balling here, but guys like McDonald and Gilmore could be interesting, but they share with other good TEs. And of course we have to see how their teams' WR situations change.

A guy I'm looking more at is Ertz. Has come on of late and could finally truly emerge depending on the new regime. Neither Matthews nor Aghelor seem like true #1 WRs/consistent target hogs.

Good post. Your point about being a top target was really interesting. Going through each team, you are absolutely right. I thought I would use that to see what opportunities could be out there.

Most teams already have either a consistent #1 receiver or one of the top TEs. There are five situations that I see as noticeably lacking that guy. You have San Francisco, St. Louis, Minnesota, San Diego, and Baltimore.

San Francisco - Has been discussed already. But the winner of McDonald/Bell/Celek probably has more value than most people think heading into 2016.

St. Louis - Perhaps a destination for a free agent TE like Dwayne Allen or Ladarius Green? A landing spot here may not be flashy but I'll be very interested to see what happens.

Minnesota - Will Kyle Rudolph finally emerge as a bonfide TE1? Seems like the opportunity is there.

San Diego - Gates' time is coming to an end. Will Ladarius stay there or sign elsewhere? Huge breakout potential for him.

Baltimore - Very similar to the San Francisco situation. Winner of Gilmore/Maxx Williams likely has value, but I expect both here to be involved.

Overall, this has me buying Ladarius Green and monitoring those other situations to see how it shakes out in the offseason.

If you want Green to go anywhere, it's ATL. He goes there and stays healthy, he will put up #s. The problem is that ATL has criminally ignored the TE position since Tony G's announced his last season years ago.

 

[ChuckLiddell]

IMO, situation is very critical in finding another true breakout TE.

If you look at the top TEs right now - Gronk, Olsen, Eifert, Reed, Barnidge, Walker - all but Eifert are the main options in the passing game. And Eifert is really TD dependent.

To me, promising guys like ASJ and Walford may have their upsides limited due to the presence of stud WRs alongside them that will be target hogs.

Just spit balling here, but guys like McDonald and Gilmore could be interesting, but they share with other good TEs. And of course we have to see how their teams' WR situations change.

A guy I'm looking more at is Ertz. Has come on of late and could finally truly emerge depending on the new regime. Neither Matthews nor Aghelor seem like true #1 WRs/consistent target hogs.

Good post. Your point about being a top target was really interesting. Going through each team, you are absolutely right. I thought I would use that to see what opportunities could be out there.

Most teams already have either a consistent #1 receiver or one of the top TEs. There are five situations that I see as noticeably lacking that guy. You have San Francisco, St. Louis, Minnesota, San Diego, and Baltimore.

San Francisco - Has been discussed already. But the winner of McDonald/Bell/Celek probably has more value than most people think heading into 2016.

St. Louis - Perhaps a destination for a free agent TE like Dwayne Allen or Ladarius Green? A landing spot here may not be flashy but I'll be very interested to see what happens.

Minnesota - Will Kyle Rudolph finally emerge as a bonfide TE1? Seems like the opportunity is there.

San Diego - Gates' time is coming to an end. Will Ladarius stay there or sign elsewhere? Huge breakout potential for him.

Baltimore - Very similar to the San Francisco situation. Winner of Gilmore/Maxx Williams likely has value, but I expect both here to be involved.

Overall, this has me buying Ladarius Green and monitoring those other situations to see how it shakes out in the offseason.

If you want Green to go anywhere, it's ATL. He goes there and stays healthy, he will put up #s. The problem is that ATL has criminally ignored the TE position since Tony G's announced his last season years ago.

Love to see him get 2-3 years with Brees in New Orleans. Could be top 3 in that situation. Im sure Brees is going to modify his contract to give the team some breathing room under the cap both to improve the defense, and to bring him the weapons he needs to try for one more run.

 

[FUBAR]

IMO, situation is very critical in finding another true breakout TE.

If you look at the top TEs right now - Gronk, Olsen, Eifert, Reed, Barnidge, Walker - all but Eifert are the main options in the passing game. And Eifert is really TD dependent.

To me, promising guys like ASJ and Walford may have their upsides limited due to the presence of stud WRs alongside them that will be target hogs.

Just spit balling here, but guys like McDonald and Gilmore could be interesting, but they share with other good TEs. And of course we have to see how their teams' WR situations change.

A guy I'm looking more at is Ertz. Has come on of late and could finally truly emerge depending on the new regime. Neither Matthews nor Aghelor seem like true #1 WRs/consistent target hogs.

Good post. Your point about being a top target was really interesting. Going through each team, you are absolutely right. I thought I would use that to see what opportunities could be out there. Most teams already have either a consistent #1 receiver or one of the top TEs. There are five situations that I see as noticeably lacking that guy. You have San Francisco, St. Louis, Minnesota, San Diego, and Baltimore.

San Francisco - Has been discussed already. But the winner of McDonald/Bell/Celek probably has more value than most people think heading into 2016.

St. Louis - Perhaps a destination for a free agent TE like Dwayne Allen or Ladarius Green? A landing spot here may not be flashy but I'll be very interested to see what happens.

Minnesota - Will Kyle Rudolph finally emerge as a bonfide TE1? Seems like the opportunity is there.

San Diego - Gates' time is coming to an end. Will Ladarius stay there or sign elsewhere? Huge breakout potential for him.

Baltimore - Very similar to the San Francisco situation. Winner of Gilmore/Maxx Williams likely has value, but I expect both here to be involved.

Overall, this has me buying Ladarius Green and monitoring those other situations to see how it shakes out in the offseason.

With San Fran, do we think there will be a winner? I picked up bell a few weeks back and liked Mcdonald's potential but that could be tebc.

 

[Andrew74]

Our final waivers ran today and I decided to pick up Swope instead of Bell. With the logjam in SF, I figured the big upside would be the guy potentially playing with Luck. If Swope plays this week and sucks, oh well.

 

[alvarndc]

Didn't see him mentioned but I would have to say Julius Thomas has earned a spot back in the established top tier.

 

[thriftyrocker]

If we're talking sleepers, I like Zach Miller in CHI if he can stay healthy. Martellus could (should) be another guy changing teams this offseason.

Another sleeper I like is Niles Paul. He could (would) have been a TE1 this year if he didn't get hurt. He won't supplant Reed, but will step in at the same level if he gets a shot.

I also like Martellus. He's undervalued right now because of age and injury. He'll go to a good team that can use him. Would rather have his shot at a couple years of mid TE1 than a lot of these prospects.

If someone's going to break out and be a top 5 option and elite asset I think it's ASJ.

 

[ConnSKINS26]

With the way Reed broke out, Paul wouldn't have been a TE1. Reed was always more talented but his injuries and Paul's hard work led to the reward of being named starter. He wouldn't have kept Reed off the field and would have been more of a complementary piece.

Still a good cheap buy and maybe the only TE handcuff in fantasy now that L. Green might hit the market.

 

[menobrown]

IMO, situation is very critical in finding another true breakout TE.

If you look at the top TEs right now - Gronk, Olsen, Eifert, Reed, Barnidge, Walker - all but Eifert are the main options in the passing game. And Eifert is really TD dependent.

To me, promising guys like ASJ and Walford may have their upsides limited due to the presence of stud WRs alongside them that will be target hogs.

Just spit balling here, but guys like McDonald and Gilmore could be interesting, but they share with other good TEs. And of course we have to see how their teams' WR situations change.

A guy I'm looking more at is Ertz. Has come on of late and could finally truly emerge depending on the new regime. Neither Matthews nor Aghelor seem like true #1 WRs/consistent target hogs.

Ertz will also have a new coach and a new offensive scheme...

Correct as mentioned above. Could be good or bad depending on who the team brings in and whether they stick with Bradford (with whom Ertz has developed some nice chemistry late in the season).

I don't consider Ertz a sleeper, he already arrived, just got off to a slow start this year due to training camp surgery. How many players do you know have surgery in training camp and perform well early in the season? I can't think of any myself.

As for Bradford he don't need him either, he did catch 15 passes in a game with Sanchez. All he ever needed to do to arrive was get pass up Celek for snaps and get healthy. He's done both.