Bruno Boys Fantasy Football

- Written by Kyle Smith
- Edited by Allie Fontana

Top Free-Agent Tight Ends

Zach Miller (Oakland Raiders)

Miller is a notch or two below the elite fantasy tight ends, however he’s still a useful starter for fantasy teams. He had a solid season in 2010 including a career-high five touchdown receptions, however his inconsistent play left a sour taste in the mouths of many fantasy owners. Although Miller started off strong, an injury slowed him down so much that he didn’t put up even a single fantasy point in five consecutive games from Weeks 8 through 13. Miller’s 685 receiving yards on the year were also fewer than he had put up in either of his previous two seasons. He has a good rapport with quarterback Jason Campbell and new offensive coordinator Al Saunders has a reputation for making great use of the tight end position. This could mean big things for the fifth-year Boss if he remain with the Oakland Raiders. Expect 60 catches for 700-plus yards and five scores from Miller, although he has the potential to deliver bigger numbers if things fall into place this season.

Kevin Boss (New York Giants)

Boss has been useful for fantasy owners in a pinch, however he’s not exactly Postal Service-reliable. He scored five touchdowns in 2010, which is the same amount he had in 2009, and one fewer than he hauled in during the 2008 campaign with the New York Giants. Boss has TE1 potential, yet given all the talented weapons in the Giants’ passing game, he’s never caught more than 42 balls in a season, or had a year with 600-plus receiving yards. While Boss isn’t a burner, he’s a legit red-zone target at 6’6” . Boss should have a decent number of suitors in free agency if he does not re-sign with the Giants. It’s expected that the team will make a serious push to retain him. Otherwise, teams like the Arizona Cardinals, Miami Dolphins and Tampa Bay Buccaneers could make a play for him.

Bo Scaife (Tennessee Titans)

Despite a career-high four touchdowns with the Tennessee Titans last season, Scaife was not a high-impact fantasy option. His 36 receptions were the fewest he had in a season since 2006, and the paltry 318 yards he gathered were the second-fewest in his entire career. A change of scenery should do some good for Scaife, and that’s almost certainly going to happen, as the Titans are expect to roll with the tight end duo of third-year breakout candidate Jared Cook and formidable blocker Craig Stevens this season. The same teams (Arizona, Miami, and Tampa Bay) that would be interested in Boss would probably take a look at Scaife if Boss re-signs with the Giants. Still, no matter where Scaife ends up playing in 2011, consider him only as a backup in deep leagues. He just hasn’t produced to a level that would make him attractive in fantasy football drafts.

David Thomas (New Orleans Saints)

With Jeremy Shockey no longer in the Big Easy, Thomas could potentially see his numbers rise in 2011, assuming the New Orleans Saints re-sign him, which they are expected to do. Then again, Thomas only collected 219 yards on 30 catches (including two touchdowns) in 2010, so there really isn’t anywhere for him to go but up. Playing in the Saints pass-happy offense, he’ll be second fiddle to second-year tight end Jimmy Graham. Nevertheless it’s not unrealistic to think that Thomas can accumulate 40 or more catches for 500 yards and a few scores. While those aren’t gaudy numbers, they are digits that make him a decent backup option for fantasy owners.

Dante Rosario (Carolina Panthers)  **SIGNED WITH DENVER BRONCOS**

Although Rosario may be back with the Carolina Panthers for the 2011 NFL season, the offseason signing of Jeremy Shockey will most likely further erode his already limited fantasy value. Rosario put up 264 receiving yards in 2010 and didn’t score a touchdown. Those aren’t the type of numbers that win championships for fantasy owners. In fact, he’s never scored more than twice in any of his four NFL seasons, and he hasn’t had more than 313 receiving yards either. If Rosario lands with the right team, then it’s possible for his numbers to rise moderately. Make a play for Rosario if and only if he gets consistent opportunities and delivers results. Otherwise, leave him on the waiver wire where he belongs.

Other Free-Agent Tight Ends of Note:

Desmond Clark (Chicago Bears), Daniel Fells (St. Louis Rams), John Paul Foschi (Cincinnati Bengals), Daniel Graham (Denver Broncos), Don Gronkowski (Denver Broncos), Jeff King (Carolina Panthers), Donald Lee (Green Bay Packers), Randy McMichael (San Diego Chargers), Ben Patrick (Arizona Cardinals), Leonard Pope (Kansas City Chiefs), Robert Royal (Cleveland Browns), Derek Schouman (St. Louis Rams), Stephen Spach (Arizona Cardinals), Mark Spaeth (Pittsburgh Steelers), Jerramy Stevens (Tampa Bay Buccaneers).