FANTASY FURNACE

Okay, so the ‘sexy six’ Tight Ends are all off the board; Graham, Gronkowski, Davis, Hernandez, Pettigrew, and Witten. Now what do you do?

First don’t panic and settle for the two ‘old’ standbys, Tony Gonzalez and Antonio Gates. Gonzo will probably revert back to his 2010 numbers, especially if the Falcoms can’t get any sort of running game going as was the case last season, and as for Gates, he’s had foot injuries the last two seasons so he becomes a risk.

Instead, here are six Tight Ends to consider after the big guns have been snatched up:

1. Jermichael Finley- Packers- He’s healthy and has played in all 16 regular season games last year and had 55 receptions for 767 yards and 8 TDs. When Aaron Rodgers is your QB there is no reason to believe that the passing will diminish anytime soon.

#88 Jermichael Finley will have no problem continuing to prosper in Green Bay’s prolific offense. Photo: jerseyal.com

2. Jermaine Gresham- Bengals- Although not ranked as high as Finley, the two TE’s are very similar. Gresham had 1 less reception than Finley but had the same amount of targets (92). Bengal’s coordinator Jay Gruden will be utilizing Gresham in deeper routes which will help his production (and fantasy numbers).

3. Fred Davis- Redskins- Just like Roy Helu, Davis will become RGIII’s best friend as the neophyte QB will rely on Davis often until he gets his feet wet and his confidence elevated. If it wasn’t for that 4-game suspension (marijuana use), Davis was well on his way to a 1,000 yard season last year. I have him ranked higher than Gonzalez or Dressen…

4. Jared Cook-Titans- Cook is one of our sleepers this season so of course he has made his way to our TE list. Just check out his numbers over the last three games of the season last year when he averaged just under 112 yards a game! He has only missed 2 games over his 3 seasons in the league so he’s very durable. Another indicator of just how good he can be is to look at his 15.5 YPC last season; higher than any other TE in the league, including Gronk (14.7).

#89 TE Jared Cook, one of our sleeper picks, should build off of his 15.5 YPC from last season and become an elite TE by season’s end. Photo: juanelway.com

5a. Brent Celek- Eagles- He played through a sports hernia and torn labrum last year and never missed a game. In fact he hasn’t missed a game in his 3 years in the league. If he is fully recovered there’s no reason why Celek could not return to the numbers he put up in his rookie season 76-971-8. (With multiple injuries last year he still put up 62-811-5). He was one of our sleepers last year and we still have him as a top 10 TE by the end of this season.

5b. Joel Dreesen- Broncos- I selected two TEs for our 5 hole in case Celek suffers any setbacks in pre-season. After playing on the Texans last year Dreesen will be receiving passes from Peyton Manning this Fall. Though his number will rise over last season’s 28-353-6, Manning will also have his old TE from his Colts days Jacob Tamme to chuck the rock to so draft with confidence but temper your expectations. 

TE Joel Dreessen, formerly of the Jets and Texans will now take over the Dallas Clark role with Peyton under center in Denver, but will have competition. Photo: AP