TE's - underrated in non TE mandatory leagues? (1 Viewer)

[Judge Smails]

Year after year, I see the top TE's do exceptionally well in our league, yet they fall in our draft. IMO, many can be perfect WR2/WR3 to go along with a stud WR1.

Examples:

Antonio Gates, Dallas Clark and Vernon Davis were top 13 in fantasy scoring in our league last year for combined WR/TE's (can play them as WR's). WR2 is an absolute crapshoot. Seems like 40 guys at 800-900 yards and 4-7 TD's every year. Stud TE's are more predictable, right around 1000 yards and much better shot at double digit TD's. Dallas Clark had 1106 yards and 10 TD's. Antonio Gates had 1157 yards and 8 TD's. Vernon Davis had 965 yards and 13 TD's. Brent Celek had 971 yards and 8 TD's. Those #'s compare very favorably with almost every WR2 in the league, especially regarding TD's. And in non TE mandatory leagues they can come cheaper than the Chad Ocho Cinco's of the world that are the typical WR2's..

I drafted Miles Austin, then added Gates, Davis and Celek in my 3 WR start 12 team league. Never gone this route before, but methinks it's gonna work out well.

 

[SSOG]

Year after year, I see the top TE's do exceptionally well in our league, yet they fall in our draft. IMO, many can be perfect WR2/WR3 to go along with a stud WR1. Examples:Antonio Gates, Dallas Clark and Vernon Davis were top 13 in fantasy scoring in our league last year for combined WR/TE's (can play them as WR's). WR2 is an absolute crapshoot. Seems like 40 guys at 800-900 yards and 4-7 TD's every year. Stud TE's are more predictable, right around 1000 yards and much better shot at double digit TD's. Dallas Clark had 1106 yards and 10 TD's. Antonio Gates had 1157 yards and 8 TD's. Vernon Davis had 965 yards and 13 TD's. Brent Celek had 971 yards and 8 TD's. Those #'s compare very favorably with almost every WR2 in the league, especially regarding TD's. And in non TE mandatory leagues they can come cheaper than the Chad Ocho Cinco's of the world that are the typical WR2's..I drafted Miles Austin, then added Gates, Davis and Celek in my 3 WR start 12 team league. Never gone this route before, but methinks it's gonna work out well.

I'd drop the last 5 words of the topic title. I think TEs are underrated, period. Regardless of league size, roster requirements, or scoring rules, I see TEs routinely outperforming expectations. It's one of the few remaining persistent inefficiencies in the market, imo.

 

[Happy Ragnarok]

Your examples of "year after year" proof go one year back.

Probably because the year before, Gates put up a whopping 700/8. Clark was around 850/6. Davis was 350/2. Nobody had ever heard of Celek. Any one of those guys would have been suicide if you relied on him in a flex slot.

Fact is, the top TE's DON'T produce good #'s year in/year out. Maybe the top couple guys by most year ends...but good luck guessing who they'll be, now that Gonzo's heyday is past.

 

[Sigmund Bloom]

at WR2 you're looking at 85, MSW, Nicks (maybe even SSmith CAR, Jennings, Colston if you're lucky) on the big play side or Welker, Ward, SSmith NYG on the consistency side vs the TEs. elite TE = WR2 sounds about right to me. That being said, Gates and Finley could be primary receivers for elite QBs, so they could easily finish with WR1 type numbers.

 

[P Park Pimps]

I play in a league where the TE spot is not mandatory. I had the 4th pick this year, and started off with ARod (might catch heat for that pick but wasn't thrilled about the MJD knee concerns plus it's a QB "friendly" league) then took Ryan Mathews in the second, in the third I couldn't believe it but Miles Austin was still there (taking ARod 4th started a QB run). In the fourth round I may have reached and took Finley but I couldn't pass up that tandem. Took Arian Foster in the fifth and in the sixth Vernon Davis was still there. IMO I think the team looks decent. I'm not really sold on the WR's after that 1st tier for where they're being drafted. I think both of these TE's are a vital part of their respected offenses and should have comparable WR2 numbers.

 

[Happy Ragnarok]

at WR2 you're looking at 85, MSW, Nicks (maybe even SSmith CAR, Jennings, Colston if you're lucky) on the big play side or Welker, Ward, SSmith NYG on the consistency side vs the TEs. elite TE = WR2 sounds about right to me. That being said, Gates and Finley could be primary receivers for elite QBs, so they could easily finish with WR1 type numbers.

When you're drafting WR2's, you're taking guys that, if they disappoint you, will give you numbers like 900/6. You have legitimate reason to hope they'll surprise you and give you 1300/10 or something.When you're drafting even elite TE's, your taking guys that, if they disappoint you, could end up saddling you with 500/4 or something. And the high side is not nearly as potentially explosive.*Maybe* Antonio Gates is an exception, year-in, year-out. (Gonzo was, but I think you'd be hard pressed to find anyone left who believes you can absolutely RELY on him for WR numbers as he pushes senior citizenhood.) But for the most part, I feel this whole line of thinking is an overreaction to a historically good 2009 for TE's.

 

[FUBAR]

at WR2 you're looking at 85, MSW, Nicks (maybe even SSmith CAR, Jennings, Colston if you're lucky) on the big play side or Welker, Ward, SSmith NYG on the consistency side vs the TEs. elite TE = WR2 sounds about right to me. That being said, Gates and Finley could be primary receivers for elite QBs, so they could easily finish with WR1 type numbers.

When you're drafting WR2's, you're taking guys that, if they disappoint you, will give you numbers like 900/6. You have legitimate reason to hope they'll surprise you and give you 1300/10 or something.When you're drafting even elite TE's, your taking guys that, if they disappoint you, could end up saddling you with 500/4 or something. And the high side is not nearly as potentially explosive.*Maybe* Antonio Gates is an exception, year-in, year-out. (Gonzo was, but I think you'd be hard pressed to find anyone left who believes you can absolutely RELY on him for WR numbers as he pushes senior citizenhood.) But for the most part, I feel this whole line of thinking is an overreaction to a historically good 2009 for TE's.

Aside from his rookie year, Jason Witten's worst year in PPR had him as the #9 TE, in the 30s for WR. (we get extra for TE receptions). Aside from his rookie year and last year due to injuries, Cooley has never been outside top 6 TE, top 30 for WRs. Their upside may not be the same as the top 3 WRs, but given their ADP, you won't find better values. Maybe this is the year they slide, but there aren't many WRs you can have as late that have been top 6 four years in a row.

 

[Judge Smails]

at WR2 you're looking at 85, MSW, Nicks (maybe even SSmith CAR, Jennings, Colston if you're lucky) on the big play side or Welker, Ward, SSmith NYG on the consistency side vs the TEs. elite TE = WR2 sounds about right to me. That being said, Gates and Finley could be primary receivers for elite QBs, so they could easily finish with WR1 type numbers.

When you're drafting WR2's, you're taking guys that, if they disappoint you, will give you numbers like 900/6. You have legitimate reason to hope they'll surprise you and give you 1300/10 or something.When you're drafting even elite TE's, your taking guys that, if they disappoint you, could end up saddling you with 500/4 or something. And the high side is not nearly as potentially explosive.*Maybe* Antonio Gates is an exception, year-in, year-out. (Gonzo was, but I think you'd be hard pressed to find anyone left who believes you can absolutely RELY on him for WR numbers as he pushes senior citizenhood.) But for the most part, I feel this whole line of thinking is an overreaction to a historically good 2009 for TE's.

I think your example of Gonzo and Gates as being premier and more consistent fit. The key is, I think more teams have recognized the value of a pure pass catching TE that creates mismatches with linebackers. This has become more of a passing league, and TE's that catch are more valuable. So, my answer would be that there are more Gates/Gonzo types than ever. Gates has between 900-1100 yards every year with 8-9 TD's. Every year. Dallas Clark IMO is more risky just because a) he gets nicked, and b) the Colts have so many weapons. But I think Finley is a lock, Vernon Davis should be, and guys like Celek and Owen Daniels with healthy have a far greater floor than 500/4. That being said - "stud" WR1's like a Greg Jennings sometimes pull 4-5 TD's, so it's not like they are immune.