Bruno Boys Fantasy Football

Tight end is not the most glamorous position in the NFL or fantasy football. With the exception of the elite players, they are not popular draft picks in real or fantasy football, but something changed during this year’s NFL Draft. With the 21st pick in the first round, the Cincinnati Bengals drafted Jermaine Gresham of the Oklahoma Sooners. After that pick, the tight end flood gates opened as NFL teams combined to draft a record total of 21 tight ends.

Could 2010 go down as the best class of rookie tight ends in NFL history? It’s quite possible and NFL teams must think so; especially when you consider that the Baltimore Ravens, Houston Texans, New England Patriots and St. Louis Rams drafted two tight ends apiece. For years, tight ends weren’t much more than additional offensive linemen, then more and more tight ends became involved in the passing game. Now, teams are using them in a variety of ways, including sending them in motion and lining them up in the backfield.

With the tight end position evolving, how will this rookie class impact fantasy football during their first NFL season? In this fourth installment of the Bruno Boys 2010 Rookie Rankings, we will take a look at fantasy potential from some of the top tight end prospects from this record breaking class.

1. Rob Gronkowski, TE, New England Patriots: Rob Gronkowski may not have been the first tight end taken in this year’s draft (he was second), but he might have the biggest opportunity to make an impact in his rookie season. The Patriots are in desperate need of a playmaking tight end, especially after losing both Benjamin Watson and Chris Baker in off-season moves. Gronkowski gives quarterback Tom Brady an excellent outlet from the tight end position that has been lacking since Watson’s best season in 2006.

Gronkowski is a big, athletic tight end who runs precise routes. He has good speed for a 6’6” 260 plus pound tight end, and he has very good hands. A back injury caused him to sit out the 2009 season at the University of Arizona, but he was still one of the most complete tight end prospects in the draft. He will likely compete with the Patriots’ other rookie tight end Aaron Hernandez for the starting spot along with veteran Alge Crumpler whom New England signed as a free agent. Whether or not Gronkowski lands the starting job, he should contribute for the Patriots from day one. He is worth using a late round draft pick as a backup fantasy tight end that could offer value as an injury or bye week replacement.

2. Jermaine Gresham, TE, Cincinnati Bengals: As mentioned above, Jermaine Gresham was the first tight end picked in April’s NFL Draft. The Cincinnati Bengals have had a huge void up the middle in their passing offense, and the rookie out of Oklahoma could fill that void as early as this season. He should be a nice compliment for quarterback Carson Palmer in a passing attack that already includes wide receivers Chad Ochocinco and Antonio Bryant.

Gresham suffered a knee injury in practice before the Sooners even played their first game in 2009. He is not the fastest player, but what he lacks in speed he makes up for in size, skill and pass catching ability. He has been compared by many to San Diego Chargers’ All-Pro tight end Antonio Gates. In 2008, he had 66 receptions for 950 yards with 14 touchdowns for Oklahoma, and he should provide Palmer with an excellent red zone target. Gresham is worth taking a flier on with a late round pick as a TE2. Had he been drafted to a team that traditionally uses a tight end more often he would have likely topped this list.

3. Ed, Dickson, TE, Baltimore Ravens: The Baltimore Ravens used a third round pick on Ed Dickson in their continued effort to give quarterback Joe Flacco more weapons in the passing game. Dickson is a very good receiving tight end who has very good speed. He ran a 4.67 40-yard dash at the pre-draft combines. He has the speed to pull away from defenders and stretch the middle of the field. With veteran tight end Todd Heap still on the team, Dickson will not likely earn a starting nod in his rookie season, but he adds much needed depth at the position.

Dickson has excellent hands and runs good routes. He had 42 catches for 551 yards and six touchdowns for the Oregon Ducks last season. The downside to Dickson is he is not a good blocking tight end, but the Ravens can use him as a situational tight end in his rookie season to spell Heap and keep him from becoming overworked. Not only will he have to compete for time with Heap, he will also be battling fellow rookie Dennis Pitta who was taken in the fourth round of this year’s draft. Dickson is not worth drafting in seasonal redraft leagues, but he is someone you should keep on eye on this season. If he gets enough opportunities, he could become a popular waiver wire pickup during bye weeks.

4. Aaron Hernandez, TE, New England Patriots: After spending a second round pick on tight end Rob Gronkowski, the Patriots continued to use draft picks to replenish the position as they selected University of Florida tight end Aaron Hernandez in the fourth round. Hernandez is a little undersized at 6’2”, but his athleticism and pass catching ability make up for his lack of size. He finished last season with 68 receptions for 850 yards and five touchdowns for the Gators.

Gronkowski is more of the prototypical tight end than Hernandez, but Hernandez does appear to be a good fit for the H-Back spot in New England’s multiple tight end sets. He is an excellent route runner, and he can use his speed and athletic ability to help stretch the field. Due to the fact the he is a rookie and has a lot of competition at the position Hernandez will likely go undrafted in most fantasy leagues this summer, but if he gets involved in the Patriot’s offense the way we think he might, he could become a popular waiver wire pickup.

5. Dennis Pitta, TE, Baltimore Ravens: Like the Patriots the Ravens used this year’s draft to stockpile young tight ends. After spending five years at BYU and two years on a Mormon mission, Dennis Pitta will be a 25 year-old rookie. He is a pass catching tight end and could be a nice addition to Baltimore’s new aerial attack. He may not be worth drafting as a rookie, but with 62 catches for 829 yards and eight touchdowns for the Cougars last year, he is worth keeping an eye on.

6. Tony Moeaki, TE, Kansas Chiefs: Kansas City used their third round draft pick on Tony Moeaki who was one of the best blocking tight ends available in this year’s draft. He does have underrated receiving skills and with new offensive coordinator Charlie Weiss at the helm, there is a possibility of getting him involved in the passing game early. Just don’t expect too much fantasy value from him this season.

7. Garret Graham, TE, Houston Texans: The Texans used a fourth round selection on Wisconsin’s Garret Graham as insurance for starter Owen Daniels, who is coming off of major knee surgery. Graham has excellent hands and runs good routes and could become an excellent red zone threat for quarterback Matt Schaub. If Daniels is healthy enough to start the season, though, Graham’s opportunities will be limited in 2010.

8. Clay Harbor, TE, Philadelphia Eagles: Clay Harbor was a fourth round selection by the Eagles and played his college ball at Missouri State. He is another athletic pass catching tight end. He will compete with Cornelius Ingram for the No. 2 tight end spot, but most targets are once again expected to go to starting tight end Brent Celek. His fantasy value will be limited during his first NFL season.

9. Jimmy Graham, TE, New Orleans Saints: Jimmy Graham is a former basketball player that switched to football. He is very raw, but very athletic, and he is in a good situation to learn under Jeremy Shockey. He has a lot of upside, as he could follow in the footsteps of Tony Gonzalez or Antonio Gates, who both made the switch from basketball. However, he has a lot of work to do on technique, but in a couple of seasons he could become another weapon in the Saints high-powered offense.

10. Anthony McCoy, TE, Seattle Seahawks: Off the field issues are likely the reason why Anthony McCoy lasted until the sixth round, even though he was graded as a third round talent on most draft boards. He may have landed in the best situation possible as he was drafted by his former USC head coach Pete Carroll who is now the head man in Seattle. If Carroll can keep him focused and keep his mind on football, he has the skill to become a good NFL tight end. It will be some time, though, before he can contribute on fantasy football teams.

2010 Rookie Rankings:  QB  |  RB  |  WR  |  TE

————————

Don’t forget to head over to our Fantasy Football Message Board and sign-up for a FREE FORUM account. By doing so you will be able to talk fantasy football all season long.