Fantasy football undervalued players: Tight ends

September 9, 2010 @ 14:48:00

By Cory J. Bonini and Tim Heaney
Edited by Bryce McRae

KFFL.com's analysis of fantasy football undervalued players for the 2010 season will be updated weekly throughout the offseason. We have separated our sleepers and undervalued players this year, so be sure not to confuse the two.

Sleepers are also undervalued players in some cases, but the latter usually comes in the way of a proven player that isn't being shown the appropriate amount of love in drafts. No one likes doing the dirty work, so let KFFL.com do it for you! Be sure to check for weekly updates.

Note: All average draft position (ADP) figures are based on 12-team, non-PPR leagues unless specified otherwise.

Tight ends

Kellen Winslow | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | ADP: 9th round

Worth the risk

Last year, Winslow's first with the Bucs, was a very good year - the second best statistical season of his career, in fact. He logged 77 receptions for 864 yards and scored five times. He's coming off his sixth knee surgery - what is believed to be a scar tissue clean-up procedure. This is likely what is causing his ADP to be so low. There is always a risk of injury with Winslow, but he has learned how to play through pain.

The Buccaneers' offense isn't rich with experienced playmakers, and the veteran tight end should be the top target for quarterback Josh Freeman (thumb), who enters his first full season as a starter. Two rookie receivers may start for Tampa Bay, so you know Winslow will be called on early and often. At 27 years old when the season begins, he's still in his prime. While injuries may have shaved a little bit off his overall ability, he's still arguably a top-five talent.

Fantasy value: While we understand the risk that comes with drafting Winslow, the reward should outweigh it. He is going, on average, as the 11th tight end off the board. There is as much risk in several of the tight ends going before him, just in differing ways. We're not worried about the knee surgery, and you should capitalize on other owners' fears. Draft him no earlier than the beginning of the ninth round, but we've seen Winslow slide in some drafts.

Heath Miller | Pittsburgh Steelers | ADP: 16th round

For starters, Miller won't catch 76 passes for 789 yards and six touchdowns again - well, maybe the scores are doable. That doesn't mean he is void of fantasy value, as his ADP suggests.

Miller will have to deal with Dennis Dixon as the starting quarterback while Ben Roethlisberger serves his four-game suspension. Dixon's inexperience means Miller could be utilized a lot early on. Don't expect his yards-per-reception average (10.4 last year) to increase much. The loss of Santonio Holmes (Jets) could open up more looks for Miller, too.

The biggest concern with Miller is the potential for blocking more with the season-ending injury to Willie Colon (Achilles').

Fantasy value: Miller can be had in the final round of most drafts and still serve as a low-end No. 1 if you chose to focus what could have been an early tight end pick on value elsewhere.

Dustin Keller | New York Jets | ADP: 19th round

Entering his third year, Keller has the tools to step up his game. Athletically gifted, the former Purdue Boilermaker has been very consistent through his first two campaigns. We expect him to make the leap to the next level in 2010.

The Jets added wide receiver Santonio Holmes, who will miss four games due to suspension and isn't a big threat to take away from Keller's touches immediately upon his return. Running back LaDainian Tomlinson could scarf a few looks out of the backfield. However, the Jets completed a total of 28 passes to their running backs last year. Leon Washington was on pace for 34 catches, so it's not a lock that LT will steal all too many looks. 

Quarterback Mark Sanchez is growing into the position, but he still will rely on a safety blanket, which should be Keller more often than not.

Fantasy value: Look for Keller to be more involved in the red zone this season. His receptions may not spike greatly, but the Jets have two receivers in Braylon Edwards and Holmes who can stretch the field to open up underneath routes for Keller. Keller is a low-end No. 1 with upside to produce better than the backup tight end fantasy owners are selecting him as.

Jeremy Shockey | New Orleans Saints | ADP: 21st round

Maybe drafters are scared off by his health or his declining reception totals since '06. Yes, the Super Bowl champs spread the ball around a bunch, leaving Shockey wanting more in the reception and touchdown columns. Shockey, however, tied for 15th among tight ends with 48 receptions last season and ranked 19th in tight end looks.

He tallied at least four catches in nine of his 14 games in '09 - not bad for consistency in the middle to bottom tier of tight ends. Sure, the Saints use David Thomas occasionally, but they mostly do that when he's at H-back; there's no real risk of taking Shockey out of his position frequently.

Fantasy value: Drafting 50 receptions from the tight end spot, especially if you're waiting awhile on the position or need a stable No. 2, won't hurt you. At least you know Shockey is a stable option in a potent, throw-happy offense that doesn't ignore the position. Can you say all that about some of the other No. 2 tight ends?

KFFLians are saying....

Comment

---

1

Jack Douglas, at 07:34 on 06/24/10, says: My belief is that Winslow will disappoint. He is once again recovering from leg injuries and the Bucs are unstable at quarterback right now. No matter who they go with, patience will be needed. I just don't see the Bucs' passing game generating much in 2010. In 2011, it may be a different story if others develop and if Winslow stays healthy. When has he ever been healthy for long as a pro?

Report!

---

2

Jack Douglas, at 11:15 on 06/29/10, says: Who do I really like? I like the same guy I liked this time last year ... TE Brent Celek of the Eagles. I believed in him and he delivered in 2009. He will probably deliver big again. I also like the second stringer Davis with Washington. Davis could be a good gamble for the second fantasy TE. Kevin Boss is okay for a second TE, too. Boss is mediocre, but how often do you really need a lot from your second TE and Boss usually gets something.

Report!

---

3

Mike, at 09:52 on 09/03/10, says: I'm not sure where you are getting your information from but you can't get Dustin Keller in the 18th round or Heath Miller in the 15th Round in any real draft. I define a real draft as 12 teams and it can't be a free league. If your relying on MDC for their ADP's that is a huge blunder because TE's and QB's are underrated on that site because your only required to draft 1 in the mock setting. In the real world you gotta dig deeper to know those guys go fast once the starting caliber guys are gone. I own Keller in several leagues and he is always gone no later than Round 13 even when I didn't get him. He is not a super sleeper...everyone has him on their want list. Same goes for Miller who is an 11th rounder in real drafts. I do agree that both of these guys are undervalued even at Round 11th and 13th ADP's but your ADP info is very misleading because it does not mirror what is happening in real life and that is really all that matters when you head into your draft.

Report!

Comments 1 - 3 of 3 1

 

---

What do you think? We want to hear from you!

Name: E-mail: Please, enter the number that you see

Comment Guidelines

Cory J. Bonini

Cory J. Bonini is a senior editor at KFFL. In late 2002, Bonini joined the KFFL staff as a research analyst. He vaulted himself into one of the industry's leading fantasy analysts.

Bonini has been involved in fantasy sports since 1996. A member of the Fantasy Sports Trade Association as well as Fantasy Sports Writers Association, he has been featured in print, on the radio and is also a published writer on scores of sites. Bonini co-hosted Big Lead Sports on SiriusXM Fantasy Sports Radio from 2011 to 2012.

Bonini was recognized with the 2010 Best Article in Print Award from the FSWA and was a finalist for the same award in 2011. In '11, he finished first overall in the FSWA NFL experts challenge that featured 60 of the industry's best competitors.

Follow him on Twitter @CoryKFFL

Tim Heaney

Since the Boston University alum joined KFFL in 2006, his work has been featured by USA Today/Sports Weekly and Yahoo! Sports, among numerous publications.

Tim competes in Tout Wars and LABR and appears every Wednesday on 1570 AM WNST in Baltimore, as well as frequently on Sirius XM Fantasy Sports Radio.

Follow him on Twitter.

Talk Sports 24/7!
KFFL Sports Forums: Over 24,000 strong and growing!

Fantasy football undervalued players: Place kickers (09/10)
Fantasy football undervalued players: Defensive team/special teams (09/10)
Fantasy football undervalued players: Quarterbacks (09/09)
Fantasy football undervalued players: Tight ends (09/09)
Fantasy football undervalued players: Wide receivers (09/08)
Fantasy football undervalued players: Running backs (09/07)
IDP: Undervalued Players (08/31)
IDP: Overvalued Players (08/31)
IDP: Top Performers at a Glance (07/26)
IDP: Players Coming off Injury (07/25)