Tight ends are often a huge source of fantasy points, but unless one is drafting the upper echelon tight ends int he league, the remaining balance often gets overlooked just a bit.
Today, I want to look at 5 undervalued fantasy football tight ends that are sure to overlooked in most drafts, affording fantasy football owners more bang for their buck than perhaps they will expect.
Jared Cook – Tennessee Titans – Week 6 Bye
I recently did a write-up on Jared Cook’s sleeper value, but I have to reassert the potential Cook brings to the table in the 2011 fantasy football season.
The 6’5, 248 pounder is expected to lead the team in receptions says The Nashville Tennessean, and Matt Hasselbeck continues to be impressed by Cook’s athleticism.
Keep in mind that reports out of camp are saying that Cook is also being split out at WR which will help his fantasy value, potentially raise him to near TE 1 status, and could also change his listing to a dual qualifier by opening day.
Fred Davis – Washington Redskins – Week 5 Bye
I want you all to keep something in mind on draft day regarding the tight end situation in Washington: Chris Cooley’s knee is not 100 percent, and despite the possibility of starting on opening day, the guarantee of Cooley lasting a full 16 are not so great.
Inevitably, that knee is going to cause problems and begin swelling sooner than many think—that’s what happens when you opt out of surgery—and that only means opportunities for Davis to fill-in yet again.
He was a trendy waiver wire grab in 2010, and I think he could be undervalued headed into this season.
Ta boot, Davis has been turning heads in camp, and some speculate he could see some time as a starter regardless of whether or not Cooley is there or not.
You could make a case to draft him very late if you have an open seat.
Kellen Winslow – Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Week 8 Bye
Winslow has been having the best camp of his career, and looks better than ever says multiple sources for several weeks now.
The Tampa Bay Bucs, however, look surprisingly good including QB Josh Freeman – ranked 13th in my QB Rankings which bodes well for a guy who will undoubtedly be the primary red zone target in this offense.
The thing is many people are gun shy over Winslow considering a few down years, and the concern of age and injury which could push him so far down, you would be getting gold for pennies on the dollar.
Anthony Fasano – Miami Dolphins – Week 5 Bye
Fasano is not the fastest guy on any given field, but in terms of value, and being undervalued, Fasano is a prime candidate.
Fasano was one of the most consistent tight ends last season, just without sparkling numbers—something that should change slightly this year.
Nearly every single week Fasano was catching at least 3 to 4 balls for 30 plus yards and he finished the season with 39 catches for 528 yards and 4 touchdowns.
The Dolphins want to expand his role particularly in the red zone if possible, and considering how forgettable Fasano is to many, he becomes a terribly undervalued TE that you can easily get for next to nothing.
Fasano could be good for 45 catches, 670 yards and five to six TDs, which would be stellar numbers for a late-round flyer at TE.
Ben Watson – Cleveland Browns – Week 5 Bye
Last year Ben Watson put up career numbers in Cleveland catching 68 balls for 763 yards but only registered 3 TDs, and has been dealing with a slight concussion which could scare fantasy owners away from him altogether.
That’s good news for those of you looking for a quality TE 2 that you can potentially find late in your draft, allowing you to focus on other portions of your roster.
Colt McCoy looks to be the real deal, and the Browns’ running game isn’t going to be very effective this season, leaving Watson the prime candidate to field red zone throws for scores which will increase his value, despite being ranked so low in most eyes.
A solid TE 2 that will be lingering around in the latter portions of your draft.
