[author image=”https://www.the3pointconversion.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/20150718_133951-1-e1438220323399.jpg” ]Vincent “The Fantasy Juru”, Atlanta, GA vincentdjackson1906@gmail.com[/author]
Fantasy strategies involving tight ends vary from owner to owner. There are a number of good tight ends to choose from this season. Therefore, it’s not worth burning an early round pick to get an elite tight end. I remember in the past when a tight would get selected in the third or fourth round, which would be Antonio Gates. Now owners will jump to select Rob Gronkowski in the first or early second round. There were some good offseason moves regarding tight ends that may impact your decision to take a chance on them so here are my top five fantasy tight ends and sleepers
1.) Rob Gronkowski, New England Patriots (Bye week 9) – Don’t even worry about Jimmy Garoppolo throwing him the football for the first four games. “Gronk” has played in 30 of 32 games in the past two seasons catching 23 touchdowns in the process. He is a lock in the first round.
2.) Greg Olsen, Carolina Panthers (Bye week 7) – Olsen is coming off his best year last season with 77 receptions, 1,104 receiving yards and seven touchdowns. I would love to see him in the end zone more but with Kelvin Benjamin returning, Cam Newton has more targets to throw to which could limit Olsen’s looks. He still should be the second or third tight end selected in drafts.
3.) Jordan Reed, Washington Redskins (Bye week 9) – Last year, Reed was considered a sleeper and now he is unquestionably the best tight end not named Rob Gronkowski. Just make sure you say a quick prayer that he stays healthy this year (Missed a total of 14 games over three seasons).
4.) Delanie Walker, Tennessee Titans (Bye week 13) – Did you know that Walker led all tight ends in receptions (94) and targets (133) last season with banged up quarterbacks in and out the lineup????
5.) Travis Kelce, Kansas City Chiefs (Bye week 5) – Kelce had a productive season last year with 72 receptions, 875 receiving yards, and five touchdowns. We all know how Kansas City loves their tight end and vowed that Kelce will be a big part of their offense this season.
Here are my sleepers in no particular order
1.) Martellus Bennett, New England Patriots (Bye Week 9) – He’s no Aaron Hernandez but with all the attention Gronkowski will be receiving, Bennett should flourish as the third option behind Gronk and Edelman. The Pats will play a lot of two tight end sets so don’t consider Martellus a typical TE2.
2.) Ladarius Green, Pittsburgh Steelers (Bye week 8) – What a great situation for Green, playing with an elite quarterback in a high scoring offense. It doesn’t hurt that Martavis Bryant is suspended for the year too as Green will be targeted more, especially in the end zone.
3.) Dwayne Allen, Indianapolis Colts (Bye week 10) – Allen should step in as the main target at tight end with the departure of Coby Fleener. With Andrew Luck returning as the quarterback, Allen should post solid numbers.
4.) Jared Cook, Green Bay Packers (Bye week 4) – The physically gifted Cook FINALLY has a good quarterback to catch from in Aaron Rodgers for the first time in his career.
5.) Zach Miller, Chicago Bears (Bye week 9) – Miller put up some nice numbers in a part time role last season with 34 catches, 439 receiving yards and five touchdowns. Now, with Martellus Bennett gone, he’ll be the starting tight end and a potent weapon for Jay Cutler and the Bears.
