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THE sleeper tight end of 2005 will be... (1 Viewer)

I have a feeling that you might see Watson split out in the slot. I've been reading he one of the fastest guys on the team behind branch and bethel.

 
I play in an unorthodox keeper league where I can keep a certain number of players and I forego picks in the round they were taken last year (1 year only on kept players).If my draft were tomorrow, I'd keep Witten with 13-02 (194th overall). I'm thinking/hoping that Cooley will be around to be my #2 after that, barring any bye week conflicts.

 
What about a NO TE?

They signed Shad Meier this off season. Didn't NO tell Boo he could seek a trade?

I have no idea what type of player Shad Meier is so maybe some Tennessee fan can help answer this. Is he a blocker type of TE or a combo blocker/receiver?
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Not sure what type of player Meier is, but they also have a deeeeeppp sleeper at TE there named Zach Hilton whom I've read they really like.
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I never heard his name before. I just looked him up and he has been on the team for two years. In those two years he apeared in 3 games. Don't know anything more than that. What is keeping him back from being a full time starter?
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As I understand it, he's a real big guy who's a real good athlete with soft hands, but couldn't block worth a lick. Since the Saints were still riding the Boo Williams train as their pass catching TE the last couple of years, they couldn't get Hilton on the field as a blocking TE. But it sounds like (no link, sorry) he's getting the blocking side down. I think that the Saints are done with Williams, and picked up Meier as insurance to Hilton not being what they hope.
 
I have a feeling that you might see Watson split out in the slot. I've been reading he one of the fastest guys on the team behind branch and bethel.
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Surprisingly, Patrick Pass is actually the fastest player on the team after Bethel.
 
Dallas Clark. More of a Bubba Franks type than a field stretcher, but he could get some nice TD numbers.

COlin
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Who had the longest TD reception for the Colts last year? Clark, 80 yard TD. He may not be a field stretcher? :no:
 
Good info here so far guys. That's why I became a member here.From a KC view, Kris Wilson was a guy they were excited about last year to utilize him in different formations. Listed below are a couple of quotes regarding him."All-around offensive threat joined the Chiefs as a second-round selection (61st overall) in the 2004 NFL Draft ... Is listed as a tight end, but is expected to serve as a multi-purpose performer for Kansas City and could also see duty as a fullback""Another player to look at will be rookie TE Kris Wilson, a multi-purpose threat. He has been one of the stars of training camp and will likely see a lot of action as the season goes along. "

 
Another real deep sleeper for larger roster leagues is Matt Kranchick of the Steelers. One of those talented guys from PSU that Paterno forgot he had until it was too late. Played well as a Senior. Decent blocker, good hands, tall, real good athlete. Just needs to learn the position. I think that the Steelers want to draft a TE this year, but pickings are pretty slim, so he may end up being a factor for them.

 
I always look forward to the sleeper TE discussions. How about Itula Mili? Is this the year that Holmgren gives up on Stevens? Seattle offense was more productive two years ago when Mili was the featured TE. Personally, I've just lost faith in Stevens.

 
Dallas Clark.  More of a Bubba Franks type than a field stretcher, but he could get some nice TD numbers.

COlin
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Who had the longest TD reception for the Colts last year? Clark, 80 yard TD. He may not be a field stretcher? :no:
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Yes, but is that just anecdotal? Or what we should expect from Clark? I seem to recall Trent Green having a very long TD run once.
 
There are so many outstanding TEs this year, it almost feels like you don't need a sleeper - there's going to be top-tier talent available almost until teams start taking their second TE. Anyone want to take a stab at ratings? Personally, I think Heap is going to have a monster season this year, but that any of those top 7 (assuming KW is healthy - remember the Dilfer-Sharpe connection in Baltimore?) are going to be outstanding.Top TierGonzoGatesCrumplerHeapShockeyWinslowWittenSecond TierKleinsasserLJ SmithHeath MillerSleeperTroupePutzierCooley

 
There are so many outstanding TEs this year, it almost feels like you don't need a sleeper - there's going to be top-tier talent available almost until teams start taking their second TE. Anyone want to take a stab at ratings? Personally, I think Heap is going to have a monster season this year, but that any of those top 7 (assuming KW is healthy - remember the Dilfer-Sharpe connection in Baltimore?) are going to be outstanding.

Top Tier

Gonzo

Gates

Crumpler

Heap

Shockey

Winslow

Witten

Second Tier

Kleinsasser

LJ Smith

Heath Miller

KW2

Sleeper

Troupe

Putzier

Cooley

Heath Miller
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Sorry, but until Winslow is healthy, he is not an elite TE.Editted, I agree with nightshift for now.

 
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There are so many outstanding TEs this year, it almost feels like you don't need a sleeper - there's going to be top-tier talent available almost until teams start taking their second TE. Anyone want to take a stab at ratings? Personally, I think Heap is going to have a monster season this year, but that any of those top 7 (assuming KW is healthy - remember the Dilfer-Sharpe connection in Baltimore?) are going to be outstanding.

Top Tier

Gonzo

Gates

Crumpler

Heap

Shockey

Winslow

Witten

Second Tier

Kleinsasser

LJ Smith

Heath Miller

KW2

Sleeper

Troupe

Putzier

Cooley
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Sorry, but until Winslow is healthy, he is not an elite TE.
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HEATH MILLER? Gimme a break! He hasn't even been drafted yet. How do you know he won't be a bench warmer for a year or two?
 
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Looking at these lists,I still say Pollard is a guy who could be had cheap and put up decent #'s in Detroit....

 
I drafted Troupe & LJ Smith 12th & 13th round of a recent dynasty draft (12 team, TE required league).LJ, Troupe, Cooley are 3 TE's I'm targeting late in drafts this year. I will be staying away from Wiggins (Kleinsasser is back), Kleinsasser (see Wiggins), & Shockey. Shockey is still too much of an injury risk for me to justify taking him in the round he will be selected.

 
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I have Kris Wilson on both of my dynasty rosters. I think he is in the right kind of offense to enhance his abilities as he matures.Benny Joppru looked good in the conditioning program and was healthy last year but the Texans didn't want to risk anything, so I think that he will steal a ton of Dom Davis touches if he can get on the field. He should know the offense well, it hasn't changed since he was drafted 41st overall in 2003. He is someone to keep an eye on late in your drafts.

 
Guys like Watson, Teyo Johnson/C. Anderson, and Troupe may have talent, but there will be too much TE by committe to count on these guys breaking out. Graham and Kinney will see too much playing time.My sleeper TE pick is Freddie Jones in Carolina.

 
Freddie Jones might not even play much if he can't block.I like Ben Watson and Teyo Johnson as nice sleeper picks this year. It also looks like this could be the year that Jerramy Stevens breaks out.

 
couple of super sleepers:shad meier, NO - he could become the starter if boo doesnt get his act together. he's got decent receiving skills.george wrighster, JAX - like meier, came into the league as more of a receiving TE, showed some decent skills before getting hurt last year.desmond clark, CHI - he and grossman hooked for a couple of 25+ yarders before rex went down. clark has been a decent producer at TE before.I also think if one of aaron shea and steve heiden emerge as the clear starter in cleveland, they will be a serviceable fantasy TE - they caught 9 TDs between them last year.but to answer the original question, THE sleeper TE of 2005 will be ALEX SMITH. He will defy the "rookie TEs dont do much" rule. I believe that Gruden drafted him with visions of smith slicing defenses right up the seams with his ability to stretch the field and use his size/athleticism to create mismatches whether a DB or LB is covering him. Smith also has the best frame to be the go-to guy in the red zone for the bucs. It would not surprise me at all to see smith emerge as the #2 option in the tampa passing game this year - he has WR like skills at TE.

 
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OK, I'm a NE homer, but the setting is ripe for Watson to emerge. Had he seen any semblance of action last season, we all could have gotten a taste of how talented he really is. Alas, you'll just have to take my word for it. :P

 
My sleeper TE pick is Freddie Jones in Carolina.
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Freddie Jones is going to be a bust...LINK

...quarterback Jake Delhomme said. "In this offense, our tight end is known more to block than he is to catch, and to move and line up in the backfield. Freddie's a catcher, but we do things a little different here.
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OK, I'm a NE homer, but the setting is ripe for Watson to emerge.  Had he seen any semblance of action last season, we all could have gotten a taste of how talented he really is.  Alas, you'll just have to take my word for it.  :P
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I think you are right about Watson's talent, but it takes more than that for someone to be a fantasy success. I think NE is too balanced in all areas, coupled with Brady liking to spread the wealth, for Watson to be successful fantasy wise. Now Graham did have 7 TD's last year and 300+ yds, so Brady did go to the TE in the red zone, but I don't think anyone will confuse Watson for Gates or Gonzo anytime soon in the NE offense. As a matter of fact, the only NE players (non-IDP) I would want to start for my fantasy teams are Dillon and Brady.
 
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I'm on the tone of the original post - Jolley in NY could be huge this year. I thoght he wa son the verge of stardom and a guy like Pennington could exploit the heck out of him.

 
If Troupe hadn't have gotten hurt then I definitely would've said him. As it stands now, I'd recommend taking a wait and see approach with him. If he's healthy when the season starts then he should be a top 12 TE.I also like Doug Jolley. I just have a gut feeling about him this year.

 
In general do TE's do better when they have good wr's on the team or when there aren't really any other options? Gates and Gonzo (Heap to an extent) come to mind. If being a top TE means having poor wr's then I think that would leave Troupe as our big winner. Who else?

 
couple of super sleepers:

shad meier, NO - he could become the starter if boo doesnt get his act together. he's got decent receiving skills.

george wrighster, JAX - like meier, came into the league as more of a receiving TE, showed some decent skills before getting hurt last year.

desmond clark, CHI - he and grossman hooked for a couple of 25+ yarders before rex went down. clark has been a decent producer at TE before.

I also think if one of aaron shea and steve heiden emerge as the clear starter in cleveland, they will be a serviceable fantasy TE - they caught 9 TDs between them last year.

but to answer the original question, THE sleeper TE of 2005 will be ALEX SMITH. He will defy the "rookie TEs dont do much" rule. I believe that Gruden drafted him with visions of smith slicing defenses right up the seams with his ability to stretch the field and use his size/athleticism to create mismatches whether a DB or LB is covering him. Smith also has the best frame to be the go-to guy in the red zone for the bucs. It would not surprise me at all to see smith emerge as the #2 option in the tampa passing game this year - he has WR like skills at TE.
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Good call on WRighster. He's their best pass catching TE and can put up some decent numbers if he doesn't get injured again.
 
Freddie Jones might not even play much if he can't block.

I like Ben Watson and Teyo Johnson as nice sleeper picks this year. It also looks like this could be the year that Jerramy Stevens breaks out.
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I couldn't disagree with you more. Each of your sleeper picks will not only be part of a considerable TE committee, but each of your picks stand a good chance at being #2 on the depth chart.I agree that Jones has bust potential written all over him, and that the Carolina offensive scheme doesn't generally pass to the TE much, but if Jones becomes a better blocker and if he shows he can be viable receiving option, coach Fox, who has shown himself to adapt to changing situations as well as any coach in the NFL, may start writing him into the gameplan more as a receiver.

 
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In general do TE's do better when they have good wr's on the team or when there aren't really any other options?

Gates and Gonzo (Heap to an extent) come to mind. If being a top TE means having poor wr's then I think that would leave Troupe as our big winner.

Who else?
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TroupeCooley

Desmond Clark

Shea / Heiden

All of these have 1 possibly good WR, but each of those WRs have significant question marks. Frankly, Tennessee might have the best WR duo out of this group.

 
In general do TE's do better when they have good wr's on the team or when there aren't really any other options? 

Gates and Gonzo (Heap to an extent) come to mind.  If being a top TE means having poor wr's then I think that would leave Troupe as our big winner. 

Who else?
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TroupeCooley

Desmond Clark

Shea / Heiden

All of these have 1 possibly good WR, but each of those WRs have significant question marks. Frankly, Tennessee might have the best WR duo out of this group.
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another reason to like alex smith. after clayton, the top WRs on the bucs are ike hilliard and joey galloway...Cleveland has the strongest WR out of the teams that you mentioned - bryant, northcutt, andre davis, and edwards are all solid WR and they actually compliment each other well as a unit - all with different strengths.

The TEs who will benefit the most from weak WR corps:

1) Gonzo - same story every year, KC WR suck

2) Witten - keyshawn, glenn, and quincy morgan...

3) Eric Johnson - I was down on him at first, but SF's WR situation is terrible. - maybe the worst in the league

 
I'm sorry Troupe fans, but I really don't see firm evidence that he will be the #1 TE in Tennessee. Kinney has proven that when healthy, he's quite capable.

 
I'm sorry Troupe fans, but I really don't see firm evidence that he will be the #1 TE in Tennessee.  Kinney has proven that when healthy, he's quite capable.
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There are some interesting TEs out there who might not be the starter, but should still be the #1 receiving TE...Ben Watson (graham)

Ben Troupe (kinney)

Alex Smith (becht)

im sure there are others i am missing.

the question is: Can a TE that does not play everydown put up starting quality fantasy #s?

 
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I'm on the tone of the original post - Jolley in NY could be huge this year. I thoght he wa son the verge of stardom and a guy like Pennington could exploit the heck out of him.
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Couldn't agree more. Jolley has tons of potential and I love him going to the Jets with a new offense that will likely use the TE quite a bit (if the last few years in Tennessee are any indication). He will be a guy that you can get at the end of the draft too - love it! :D
 
Freddie Jones might not even play much if he can't block.

I like Ben Watson and Teyo Johnson as nice sleeper picks this year. It also looks like this could be the year that Jerramy Stevens breaks out.
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I couldn't disagree with you more. Each of your sleeper picks will not only be part of a considerable TE committee, but each of your picks stand a good chance at being #2 on the depth chart.I agree that Jones has bust potential written all over him, and that the Carolina offensive scheme doesn't generally pass to the TE much, but if Jones becomes a better blocker and if he shows he can be viable receiving option, coach Fox, who has shown himself to adapt to changing situations as well as any coach in the NFL, may start writing him into the gameplan more as a receiver.
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:thumbup: I agree with this.Another reason that CAR will involve Jones more is because of the lack of MM there as a possession WR. Sure, KColbert will be there, but can he duplicate MM by himself? Smith will stretch the field for Colbert and FJones to get involved more.

 
I have Kris Wilson on both of my dynasty rosters. I think he is in the right kind of offense to enhance his abilities as he matures.

Benny Joppru looked good in the conditioning program and was healthy last year but the Texans didn't want to risk anything, so I think that he will steal a ton of Dom Davis touches if he can get on the field. He should know the offense well, it hasn't changed since he was drafted 41st overall in 2003. He is someone to keep an eye on late in your drafts.
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I have Wilson on 3 dynasty squads.Gonzo is in his prime(29 yrs old)but Vermeil is still singing this kid's praises and his owners should get a glimpse of what's in store for the future this Fall.I think if he shows some game the Chiefs could end up designing more plays for him.The thing I like about him even with Gonzo there is the lack of quality WRs the Chiefs have.
 
Joel Dreessen, NY Jets rookie.The guy played for a pretty poor Colorado State team, but when he was on the field, he was a man amongst boys. The guy has great talent & can stay in the game in both run & pass situations.I think he'll take Jolley's job some time this season - maybe before the halfway point. Jolley was handed the starting TE job at OAK on a silver platter & couldn't get the job done. I don't understand why people think a change in venue will change his lack of skills.

 
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Simple. Dallas Clark.With Pollard gone and with an offense that loves to throw in the red zone and loves to feature its tight ends, Clark will benefit if he can stay on the field and off the trainer's table.Second choice: Jeremy Shockey. If he can stay healthy and out of Coughlin and Manning's doghouse he'll put up numbers and have a great comeback year.

 
Simple. Dallas Clark.

With Pollard gone and with an offense that loves to throw in the red zone and loves to feature its tight ends, Clark will benefit if he can stay on the field and off the trainer's table.

Second choice: Jeremy Shockey. If he can stay healthy and out of Coughlin and Manning's doghouse he'll put up numbers and have a great comeback year.
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:eek: Shockey is a sleeper?Underrated maybe, but definetly not a sleeper.

I'll post my sleeper after I draft him. ;)

 
...whomever wins the training camp battle between Teyo Johnson and Doug Jolley.

Will defenses have anyone left to cover the TE? :shrug:
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:no: Well, we can change this to Teyo/Anderson now...

I have looked in depth at this and "stud" TEs (scoring 100 points or more in a season) are not on teams who are in the top half of the league passing. Moss, Porter, et al will assure that they will be.

One of them may be good, but you can find much better elsewhere in the draft late.

 
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