Bruno Boys Fantasy Football

- Written by Kyle Smith
- Edited by Marc Caviglia
- Predictions are based on Staff Consensus

::RANKINGS UPDATED AS OF FEBRUARY 1, 2012::

The Super Bowl match-up will feature a pair of outstanding tight ends for the Patriots with Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez. Anybody who played fantasy football this season is entirely familiar with the duo, but that doesn’t mean that New York’s tight end, Jake Ballard, should be discounted either. While he hasn’t done a whole lot this postseason, that doesn’t mean he won’t be a factor in the Super Bowl. We’ll explain as we get into the tight end rankings for the biggest sporting event of the year.

Standard Scoring

Pass TD: 4 points |  All Other TDs: 6 points
25 Passing Yards: 1 point |  All Turnovers: -2 points
10 Rushing Yards: 1 point |  10 Receiving Yards: 1 point

1. Rob Gronkowski (New England Patriots) vs. New York Giants

Gronkowski led the Patriots in receiving yards in each of their two postseason games, hauling in 10 catches for 145 yards and three touchdowns against Denver, and five receptions for 87 yards against Baltimore, though he did suffer an ankle injury that limited him. The ankle supposedly won’t be an issue against the Giants, and that’s good, because they can be exploited by tight ends. This postseason, they have allowed players at the position to catch 13 passes for 229 yards and two touchdowns (though it should be noted that 49 percent of those yards – 112 – and both scores came via Vernon Davis in the NFC Championship game). New York allowed the fifth-most fantasy points in the league to opposing tight ends, and Gronkowski is the top player at the position. It doesn’t take much deep thinking to place him atop these rankings.
Point Projection: 15 points

2. Aaron Hernandez (New England Patriots) vs. New York Giants

Hernandez has amassed 11 catches for 121 yards and one touchdown in his pair of postseason contests, and added 70 rushing yards to boot. The 17 targets he’s received are just three fewer than Gronkowski and two more than wideout Wes Welker. Running back BenJarvus Green-Ellis is the only Patriots player who has touched the ball more often than Hernandez this postseason. Fantasy owners can take into account the fact that Hernandez should get at least a few carries in the Super Bowl, and if they don’t trust Gronkowski’s ankle to be 100 percent, should feel confident in plugging Hernandez into their lineups.
Point Projection: 11 points

3. Jake Ballard (New York Giants) vs. New England

Ballard has just three catches for 33 yards in New York’s three postseason games, but there are other variables that fantasy owners shouldn’t ignore. He has received 12 targets in those games, and should have scored at least once, but let a pass get through his hands in the end zone. During the regular season, he also showed that when the ball gets thrown his way, big plays happen. His average of 15.9 yards per catch was the highest among all tight ends, and was a better number than some notable wide receivers, such as Greg Jennings, Anquan Boldin, Hakeem Nicks, Dwayne Bowe, and Andre Johnson.
Point Projection: 5 points

4. Travis Beckum (New York Giants) vs. New England

Beckum has more catches this postseason than Ballard, with seven, but has gained only 45 yards with those receptions for an average of 6.4 YPC. Just one of his catches went for more than 10 yards, and he isn’t a dynamic option for fantasy owners. He’ll probably have a couple catches and pick up a few yards, but isn’t someone to get excited about.
Point Projection: 1 point