I don't see a lot of talk about TEs anywhere and was wondering what people's thoughts were on the position, especially in dynasty. Who are you targeting? Who are you avoiding? Where are you ranking the rookies? What rounds are you typically looking to take your first TE? In my experience I've found that it can be a make or break position where you can be significantly out-scored if you don't have a quality starter, yet, I'm also not the type of person to reach for a TE and leave more valuable RBs and WRs on the board. Thoughts?
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Dynasty TE discussion (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter J-Dawg
- Start date
Winning IS Everything
Footballguy
I personally think TE is becoming deeper by the year. It used to be if you did not get one of the top 5 at the position you were in trouble. That is just not the case anymore as I can see the number of legit TE going into the teens. That said, I could see waiting for a TE, since most of the top 5 are older now (Clark, Gates, Witten). Some of the ones I see people targeting are:
Finley (you will have to jump early on this one)
Jared Cook
Dustin Keller
John Carlson
Edit to add: My avoid list (though it is really no one if the price is right)....
Gates - Price too high for age
Dallas Clark - See Gates
Vernon Davis - Had a great year but price will be sky high for him
Who I am targeting:
John Carlson - Young and in a good system
Witten - Still not old any may be had on the cheap as others reach for Davis, Finley etc.....
Finley (you will have to jump early on this one)
Jared Cook
Dustin Keller
John Carlson
Edit to add: My avoid list (though it is really no one if the price is right)....
Gates - Price too high for age
Dallas Clark - See Gates
Vernon Davis - Had a great year but price will be sky high for him
Who I am targeting:
John Carlson - Young and in a good system
Witten - Still not old any may be had on the cheap as others reach for Davis, Finley etc.....
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Moonlight_Graham
Footballguy
You're right about TE being deeper than ever before. It's crazy to draft one early.
cr8f
Footballguy
No Way Jose
Footballguy
I actually really like Carlson this year.....he was left in to block a lot last year and it definatly hurt his production in 2009. Pete Carols systems have often used the TE at a pretty high rate and have relied on them to be productive. I think Carlson will be used a lot in the slot and could see a significant boost in production from the previous year. I would not be surprised if he was the 2nd leading reciever for Seatle next year. He can be had in later rounds as well even in dynasty.
gianmarco
Footballguy
Carl Eller's Dead Liver
Footballguy
I agree that TE is getting deeper by the year, but if you play in a PPR league there was still and still will be a HUGE difference in TE's even within the top 5 and especially within the top 10. I don't think you can sleep on TE's in PPR leagues or you will be in a world of hurt!Check out the 2009 scoring for TE's in a PPR Dynasty League I am in:1. Clark: 2712. Davis: 2523. Gates: 2424. Celeck: 2215. Witten: 2096. Gonzalez: 2057. Winslow: 1968. H Miller: 1919. Schiancoe: 17810. Olsen: 16911. Z. Miller: 16312. Finley: 15013. Carlson: 150 > 100 point difference between the #1 TE and #10 and above TE's. 100 point differences over the course of a year are a big deal! If we compare running backs it is the same difference that we see between Adrian Peterson (321 = top 3 RB) and Matt Forte (217 = an RB #2 in most leagues). It's the same 100 point difference we see between Brandon Marshall (276) and Santana Moss (177). I don't think any of us would feel confortable having Forte as our #1 RB and Santana as our #1 WR, but we all would like Marshall and Peterson correct? We should view TE the same way. If you get a top 3 TE, you are going to be outscoring your league mates that sleep on TE by 50, 75, 100+ points.Sure I agree there are more TE's that have the potential to break out; Finley seems obvious. Carlson has the skills. Zach Miller has a new QB that loves the TE.....but I think the landscape of scoring will stay much the same as 2009. Top TE scoring around 250 points with a few TE's close behind....then fill in after that much like we see above. Here is how I see it:~250+ points:Gates, Clark, FinleyGreater 200-225 points
avis, Celeck, Witten~175 points:Winslow, Gonzalez, Olsen, Z Miller, Carlson, Daniels~150 Schiancoe, H Miller = these guys decrease in value for me. Schiancoe scores TD's which are unpredictable year to year. Big Ben out 4 games decreases Heath's value.Some may wonder where Cooley is. I think Cooley and Fred Davis cancel each others fantasy worth out this year.I'd be comfortable with the top 6 above....Gates, Clark, Finley, Davies, Celeck, Witten......after that you are gambling and losing ground on other smart owners in your league that spent an earlier pick on TE.
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Jtmonie
Footballguy
In my main league, the only players that get a point for receptions are the TE position. We introduced that rule last year. It had a dramatic effect on the league. All of a sudden, the TE was as valuable if not more valuable than the majority of WR/RB players. The teams who had good TE depth at the beginning of 09 rocked, especially since in our league you can play 2 TEs in a given week. In our free agent auction the most money was spent on those players, Finley and Visanthe who were available do to contracts coming to an end. So in my league they have become a possible 1st round 2nd round player for their top 5 players.
Trey
Footballguy
I was trotting out a double TE set in one of my dynasty leagues last season with Clark and Davis. As someone previously mentioned, there is definitely a significant difference between the Top guys and the bottom of the Top 12. It is still a position where you can give yourself a nice advantage or make up for weakness in other places. I had a rag tag bunch of RBs that were carried through in large part due to that TE advantage.
No Jimmy Graham hype yet? Buy now.
brownhelmets
Footballguy
Zack Miller OAK seems to be forgotten. I like him with Campbell this year and he is generally taken outside the top 10 TEs.
Carl Eller's Dead Liver
Footballguy
I didn't forget Zach Miller in my rankings. He is there with Gonzo, Daniels, etc group. I like Jimmy Graham as well, but he is a few years off. I agree, buy now!
Great discussion. Finley is the guy that I would love to have on my team but he's being talked up so much this off-season that he might go too early and I won't end up with him. I'm anticipating that most of the top 5 or 6 guys will be off the board before I look to fill the position so people like John Carlson and both Zach Millers are the players I'm following the closest. I think Carlson can be a steal this year, I watch a lot of Seahawk games and was impressed him with during his rookie season and I have a feeling he'll be utilized more as a receiver this year. Our league also allows you the option to start 2 TEs, a strategy I've never employed but is something I am toying with if I don't like the value at the WR or RB position in the 3rd and 4th rounds.
Bob Magaw
Footballguy
agree carlson could be poised for a big season in his third year... he looks like one of their better young receiving weapons, with tate... housh is getting up there, and maybe okung can help stop the OL bleeding...
interested to see if, how, and to what degree olsen is incorporated into the CHI passing attack... i'm cautiously pessimistic given martz's history, but he has the talent to surprise if martz unexpectedly includes him...
also interested in how dickson & pitta shake out in deeper dynasty leagues...
interested to see if, how, and to what degree olsen is incorporated into the CHI passing attack... i'm cautiously pessimistic given martz's history, but he has the talent to surprise if martz unexpectedly includes him...
also interested in how dickson & pitta shake out in deeper dynasty leagues...
No Way Jose
Footballguy
I agree with Olsen. He is a guy that you can get really cheap right now because of all the talk about being in Martz's system. He is a very talented pass catcher and I just don't see how they can keep him from getting the ball. He could have a terrible year, or he could have a great year. I have been stashing him on a couple of rosters, mainly because he is so cheap. Also, I feel like he doesnt fit in that offense this year than he will be traded to another team and his value should rise. Not a whole lot of risk there.
The Carnage
Footballguy
I'll argue the other side of this. I think a big target across the middle will be a security blanket for the first 4 games. A PPR league might be ideal here.
I am another that thinks Heath Miller will probably benefit rather than decrease with Ben being out the first 4 games. With Ben being out and Holmes being shipped off to the Jets I think that Miller will see a lot of targets short over the middle dump offs where he seems to usually do okay after the catch.
Also with Holmes gone I look for Miller to play a bigger role down around the goal line.
Zach Miller of the Raiders will be better off with Cambell under center. I would be very careful though as Zach Miller has a history of concussions and this is an area that the NFL is very focused on right now. Concussion injuries particuliarly repeat injuries could very well sideline a player for an indefinate Nfl mandated time frame.
Also with Holmes gone I look for Miller to play a bigger role down around the goal line.
Zach Miller of the Raiders will be better off with Cambell under center. I would be very careful though as Zach Miller has a history of concussions and this is an area that the NFL is very focused on right now. Concussion injuries particuliarly repeat injuries could very well sideline a player for an indefinate Nfl mandated time frame.
steelcityman
Footballguy
I hope to pick up Owen Daniels after the top 6 or so TEs are gone.
He was having a great year last year PPR before the injury. I dont expect the HOU offense to take a step backwards.
Carlson is a nice young TE. Keller should get plenty of looks. Z Miller could be a sneaky pick.
He was having a great year last year PPR before the injury. I dont expect the HOU offense to take a step backwards.
Carlson is a nice young TE. Keller should get plenty of looks. Z Miller could be a sneaky pick.
massraider
Footballguy
The notion that the position is deep makes the top guys even better buys.
This 'depth' just adds to the 2nd and 3rd tier, players that are nice, but won't give a big advantage.
This 'depth' just adds to the 2nd and 3rd tier, players that are nice, but won't give a big advantage.
Where do you guys see these players coming off the board in a standard scoring dynasty start-up. I haven't done a start-up dynasty draft in a while and when I did, the TE position wasn't nearly as deep as it is now so it's making for some hard decisions on where to rank and target certain players.
pretender
Footballguy
Here is a link to one startup dynasty ppr league. http://football.myfantasyleague.com/2010/o...=66693&O=17
Here is another link to a startup dynasty ppr
http://football22.myfantasyleague.com/2010...=55659&O=17
both leagues allow for starting 2 TE (1 flex - rb/wr or TE)
massraider
Footballguy
More than any other position, it depends on your league. Is it PPR? PPR for TEs the same, or 1.5? Starting requirements? Can you flex a TE?
Hoot&HoLLer
Footballguy
Count me as willing to take a chance on Aaron Hernandez in NE as being a great prospect for TE in dynasty formats.
Carl Eller's Dead Liver
Footballguy
I think a great way to get TE prospects is to spend your 3rd and 4th round rookie picks on them rather than taking 3rd string RB's or 5th string WR's like everyone does. This year I was able to get Gronkowski and Hernandez in the 3rd and 4th rounds, Pitta in free agency.
In my other dynasty leauge I have Jared Cook, Shawn Nelson, Dixon and Pitta just sitting there on my taxi maturing like fine wine. I am sure one of these guys will be top 10 in the next 2-3 years. Again I got all these guys in rounds 3 and above the last couple of years, while others were grabbing players that will never make the field.
In my other dynasty leauge I have Jared Cook, Shawn Nelson, Dixon and Pitta just sitting there on my taxi maturing like fine wine. I am sure one of these guys will be top 10 in the next 2-3 years. Again I got all these guys in rounds 3 and above the last couple of years, while others were grabbing players that will never make the field.
Scooby1974
Footballguy
Unfortunately most of us aren't fortunate enough to have a "taxi squad" where we can stash a handful of rookie TE's for the future...Carl Eller said:
Carl Eller's Dead Liver
Footballguy
Really? I thought taxi squads were pretty standard for deep dynasty leagues? I guess I have only played in 2 dynasty leagues and both have taxi squads. Maybe you should consider adding it to yours? Makes scoring on young players that much better....thus the NFL draft more interesting.
The two dynasty leagues I'm in don't have taxi squads either, something I have lobbied for but my leaguemates insist that it would deplete the free agency pool too much if people had talent stashed on their rosters. I thought finding and stashing talent was the whole point of dynasty in the first place.
I treat TE's like QB's, i will usually be one of the last teams to draft one, unless i get great value in an earlier round. Like QB's, there are 4-5 elite ones, a few guys in the 2nd tier, then a large group in the 3rd tier. Like QB's, you only need to start one, so there are plenty to go around. If i can get one of the top 5 a round later than a the previous 4, i will take one. Same goes with the 2nd tier. After that, my theory becomes quantity over quality. I will just use my depth on extra TE's(or QB's) in hopes of hitting one.
KellysHeroes
Footballguy
I'm a little high B Watson... hes not even being drafted and I can see him being a good TE2; hes the best receiver on the team and the staff should be using him a lot.
Part of the problem is I don't think ESPN and Yahoo offer taxi squads since there's no real dynasty feature so to speak.
Do you need actual taxi squads, cant you just add two extra roster spots?
Black&Gold
Footballguy
I don't think that Pettigrew is getting enough love in dynasty circles. He's a young former first round pick on an up and coming team. He's just not healthy right now and can be got on the cheap.
You are clearly just trying to make yourself feel better about that trade.
Maybe if Scheffler hadnt gone to Detroit, but i dont see much upside for Pettigrew.
Carl Eller's Dead Liver
Footballguy
Well the leagues I am in actually have 12 taxi squad spots for players in their 1st through 3rd year in the NFL....these are inactive players who don't have contracts yet. Then there are active roster spots (players you actually start). Amoungst those players you have 60 cap years to assign. If you sign Adrian Peterson for 5 years as a rookie, you have him for 5 years total.....then he is a free agent. If a taxi squad player starts producing you can promote him given you have free cap years to assign. This year I ended up trading for our 1.1 spot in the rookie draft.....took Matthews and assigned him 6 years right away. We also have a salary cap (ie $200 to spend). I think the only type of website that allows this is myfantasyleague.com; Amazing website and I would never play on another ever again.
Black&Gold
Footballguy
socrates
Footballguy
With the emerging success last season of tight ends such as Vernon Davis and Jermichael Finley, we could see a trend toward athletic tight ends who can create mismatches in coverage. In the monkey-see, monkey-do world that is the NFL, might we see more teams utilizing these type of beefed-up receivers to spread defensive coverages? I am excited about the potential of a number of young, athletic Tight Ends, such as Jared Cook and Jimmy Graham. Here are a few other Dynasty prospects to keep an eye on:
Shawn Nelson: Nelson has very good athleticism, but the knock on him was he lacked the bulk to be an in-line blocker. As a fantasy TE, if Nelson can stay on the field, he could post some solid numbers. He catches the ball naturally and has the speed and athleticism to create some mismatches.
James Casey: I love the versatility of Casey. He is a throw-back utility player who can play at multiple positions, but he lacks the size to be an effective blocker. While he does not have the type of speed that will wow you, his combination of route running skills and tremendous hands could allow him to develop into a quality TE, if he gets enough snaps.
Zach Miller (Oak): Miller may be the Raiders' best receiver. Most people are expecting his numbers to increase with the addition of Jason Campbell. Miller has exceptional ability for a such a big man, and I expect him to be a top TE this season.
Ed Dickson/Dennis Pitta: Dickson is a superb athlete, but he must contend with fellow rookie, Dennis Pitta. Dickson is the superior athlete, but Pitta has some of the best hands I have seen; he catches everything near him. Todd Heap may keep both of them on the bench for the immediate future, but I expect we will see one of these rookies emerge sooner rather than later. Keep an eye on the TE battle in Baltimore. Dickson is the Raven TE I am targeting. I like his upside as a receiving TE.
Tony Scheffler: Scheffler will have to contend with Brandon Pettigrew for touches, but Scheffler is essentially another wideout. His stock is up with the move to Detroit, as he no longer fit in Denver's plans.
Shawn Nelson: Nelson has very good athleticism, but the knock on him was he lacked the bulk to be an in-line blocker. As a fantasy TE, if Nelson can stay on the field, he could post some solid numbers. He catches the ball naturally and has the speed and athleticism to create some mismatches.
James Casey: I love the versatility of Casey. He is a throw-back utility player who can play at multiple positions, but he lacks the size to be an effective blocker. While he does not have the type of speed that will wow you, his combination of route running skills and tremendous hands could allow him to develop into a quality TE, if he gets enough snaps.
Zach Miller (Oak): Miller may be the Raiders' best receiver. Most people are expecting his numbers to increase with the addition of Jason Campbell. Miller has exceptional ability for a such a big man, and I expect him to be a top TE this season.
Ed Dickson/Dennis Pitta: Dickson is a superb athlete, but he must contend with fellow rookie, Dennis Pitta. Dickson is the superior athlete, but Pitta has some of the best hands I have seen; he catches everything near him. Todd Heap may keep both of them on the bench for the immediate future, but I expect we will see one of these rookies emerge sooner rather than later. Keep an eye on the TE battle in Baltimore. Dickson is the Raven TE I am targeting. I like his upside as a receiving TE.
Tony Scheffler: Scheffler will have to contend with Brandon Pettigrew for touches, but Scheffler is essentially another wideout. His stock is up with the move to Detroit, as he no longer fit in Denver's plans.
