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Week 2 fantasy football player analysis: tight ends

September 11, 2008 @ 12:11:20

By Nicholas Minnix
Edited by Cory J. Bonini

We introduce our positional player analysis for the 2008 season. In past years, KFFL always evaluated each game matchup to explore the value of players to make your life easier. This year, we are launching a new format that we feel will be easier for fantasy owners. Instead of having to view many different team report articles, you can come to a one-stop shop for your positional questions.

Editor's note: All statistics in this article are from Week 1 of the 2008 season.

Fantasy value: No. 1 tight ends

Antonio Gates, San Diego Chargers at Denver Broncos

G	Pls	RZ Pls	IN5	Rec	Rec Yds	Rec TD
1	6.00	0.00	0.00	4	61.0	1.00
Vs. tight end position
G	Pls	RZ Pls	IN5	Rec	Rec Yds	Rec TD
1	--	--	--	4.00	34.0	0.00

Gates caught eight passes for 137 yards and a touchdown in two games against the Broncos last year; in 2006, he netted 12 catches for 152 and two scores.
The Broncos limited Oakland Raiders tight ends in Week 1, but it's hard to believe it's enough to make Gates a true weak play.

Jason Witten, Dallas Cowboys vs. Philadelphia Eagles

G	Pls	RZ Pls	IN5	Rec	Rec Yds	Rec TD
1	9.00	1.00	0.00	6.00	96.0	0.00
Vs. tight end position
G	Pls	RZ Pls	IN5	Rec	Rec Yds	Rec TD
1	--	--	--	5.00	77.0	0.00

Witten has burned the Eagles; in his last six games against them, he has average a shade over five receptions for 66.3 yards per game - last year, he burned them for 11 catches, 190 yards and a score.
He is obviously someone you don't plant on your bench, especially versus Philly.

Kellen Winslow, Cleveland Browns vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

G	Pls	RZ Pls	IN5	Rec	Rec Yds	Rec TD
1	6.00	1.00	1.00	5.00	47.0	1.00
Vs. tight end position
G	Pls	RZ Pls	IN5	Rec	Rec Yds	Rec TD
1	--	--	--	3.00	33.0	0.00

Last year, in two games against Pittsburgh, the soldier caught nine passes for 129 yards and a touchdown; two years ago, he caught eight passes for 55 yards in two contests.
Pittsburgh defended the tight end well in Week 1, but it's certainly not enough to bench Winslow.

Vernon Davis, San Francisco 49ers at Seattle Seahawks

G	Pls	RZ Pls	IN5	Rec	Rec Yds	Rec TD
1	3.00	0.00	0.00	3.00	51.0	0.00
Vs. tight end position
G	Pls	RZ Pls	IN5	Rec	Rec Yds	Rec TD
1	--	--	--	6.00	52.0	1.00

In three career games against the Seahawks, Davis has a total of four catches for 19 yards and one touchdown; in one of those contests, he was limited - it was his first game back from a broken leg.
Offensive coordinator Mike Martz wants to use Davis split out wide.
The third-year tight end is a strong play this week.

L.J. Smith, Philadelphia Eagles at Dallas Cowboys

G	Pls	RZ Pls	IN5	Rec	Rec Yds	Rec TD
1	10.00	6.00	2.00	5.00	39.0	1.00
Vs. tight end position
G	Pls	RZ Pls	IN5	Rec	Rec Yds	Rec TD
1	--	--	--	6.00	56.0	1.00

Smith is a more popular target - especially in the red zone - for quarterback Donovan McNabb with wideout Kevin Curtis (sports hernia) out and receiver Reggie Brown (hamstring) ailing.
Smith averaged three catches for a little more than 50 yards per game, with no scores, in 2005 and 2006 against Dallas.
He's a strong play; given his role, he makes a logical starter.

Tony Gonzalez, Kansas City Chiefs vs. Oakland Raiders

G	Pls	RZ Pls	IN5	Rec	Rec Yds	Rec TD
1	7.00	1.00	1.00	6.00	55.0	0.00
Vs. tight end position
G	Pls	RZ Pls	IN5	Rec	Rec Yds	Rec TD
1	--	--	--	3.00	76.0	0.00

In four games against Oakland over the past two seasons, Gonzo has tallied a total of 12 receptions, 181 yards and zero touchdowns.
The Raiders have solid coverage 'backers and make Gonzo a weak play, but not weak enough to bench in Week 2.

Jeremy Shockey, New Orleans Saints at Washington Redskins

G	Pls	RZ Pls	IN5	Rec	Rec Yds	Rec TD
1	6.00	0.00	0.00	6.00	54.0	0.00
Vs. tight end position
G	Pls	RZ Pls	IN5	Rec	Rec Yds	Rec TD
1	--	--	--	0.00	0.0.0	0.00

No. 1 wide receiver Marques Colston (thumb) will miss four to six weeks, meaning quarterback Drew Brees will need to depend on other targets a bit more.
Despite little preseason time together, Shockey has already proven to be a reliable target for Brees.
Washington gave up little to the position, but last week's opponent doesn't have a tight end of Shockey's caliber.

Anthony Fasano, Miami Dolphins at Arizona Cardinals

G	Pls	RZ Pls	IN5	Rec	Rec Yds	Rec TD
1	9.00	2.00	1.00	8.00	84.0	1.00
Vs. tight end position
G	Pls	RZ Pls	IN5	Rec	Rec Yds	Rec TD
1	--	--	--	3.00	51.0	0.00

Now that Fasano is on a team for which he's No. 1 on the depth chart, he has a chance to be an every-week contributor.
The third-year man isn't a proven commodity yet, but his Week 1 performance means he deserves consideration.
Fasano, available in 16 percent of leagues polled, should be a waiver wire pickup.

Dante Rosario, Carolina Panthers vs. Chicago Bears

G	Pls	RZ Pls	IN5	Rec	Rec Yds	Rec TD
1	8.00	1.00	0.00	7.00	96.0	1.00
Vs. tight end position
G	Pls	RZ Pls	IN5	Rec	Rec Yds	Rec TD
1	--	--	--	2.00	14.0	0.00

Rosario's Week 1 performance may be no fluke - he's extremely athletic, and he'll be more involved with wideout Steve Smith (suspension) out another week.
The Bears were tough on the position last week, which may have been due to Indianapolis Colts tight end Dallas Clark (knee) missing much of the game, and use of the tight end down the field is an excellent way to beat Chicago's Cover 2.
If fantasy owners want to gamble on a week with Rosario, this one might be the best chance. He should be acquired if available on your waiver wire, regardless of his matchup, though.

Randy McMichael, St. Louis Rams vs. New York Giants

G	Pls	RZ Pls	IN5	Rec	Rec Yds	Rec TD
1	7.00	0.00	0.00	5.00	77.0	0.00
Vs. tight end position
G	Pls	RZ Pls	IN5	Rec	Rec Yds	Rec TD
1	--	--	--	1.00	7.0	0.00

Offensive coordinator Al Saunders seems to be making good on his plan to involve McMike more.
The Rams will be without wide receiver Drew Bennett (foot) for at least a few weeks, so they may rely on McMichael a little more.
The Giants make for a weak-play matchup.

John Carlson, Seattle Seahawks vs. San Francisco 49ers

G	Pls	RZ Pls	IN5	Rec	Rec Yds	Rec TD
1	0.00	0.00	0.00	4.00	52.0	0.00
Vs. tight end position
G	Pls	RZ Pls	IN5	Rec	Rec Yds	Rec TD
1	--	--	--	1.00	5.0	0.00

This team is decimated at the wide receiver position; its top three, Bobby Engram (shoulder), Deion Branch (knee) and Nate Burleson (knee), are out for at least this week.
The 49ers appear to have played tight ends tough in Week 1, but they faced the Arizona Cardinals, who don't involve the position much.
It's a week to be optimistic for the rookie given the possible increased chances plus the defense's questionable effectiveness against the position.

Fantasy value: No. 1 or flex tight ends

Heath Miller, Pittsburgh Steelers at Cleveland Browns

G	Pls	RZ Pls	IN5	Rec	Rec Yds	Rec TD
1	3.00	0.00	0.00	3.00	26.0	0.00
Vs. tight end position
G	Pls	RZ Pls	IN5	Rec	Rec Yds	Rec TD
1	--	--	--	7.00	104.0	0.00

In 2006 Miller wasn't sharp (two catches, 32 yards) in two games against Cleveland, but last year (nine receptions, 106 yards, two scores) he lit them up.
He's a strong play this week.

Owen Daniels, Houston Texans vs. Baltimore Ravens

G	Pls	RZ Pls	IN5	Rec	Rec Yds	Rec TD
1	4.00	0.00	0.00	3.00	33.0	0.00
Vs. tight end position
G	Pls	RZ Pls	IN5	Rec	Rec Yds	Rec TD
1	--	--	--	3.00	25.0	0.00

The Texans didn't get much going on offense in Week 1; quarterback Matt Schaub was picked off twice and sacked five times.
Daniels doesn't appear to have a very good matchup this week, making him a weak play.

Zach Miller, Oakland Raiders at Kansas City Chiefs

G	Pls	RZ Pls	IN5	Rec	Rec Yds	Rec TD
1	6.00	3.00	0.00	4.00	34.0	0.00
Vs. tight end position
G	Pls	RZ Pls	IN5	Rec	Rec Yds	Rec TD
1	--	--	--	2.00	24.0	0.00

As a rookie, Miller averaged four receptions for 43 yards per game in two contests against KC.
Such results didn't come with quarterback JaMarcus Russell at the helm; Russell has demonstrated a desire to go Miller often in their short time together.
The sophomore tight end is a weak play.

Chris Cooley, Washington Redskins vs. New Orleans Saints

G	Pls	RZ Pls	IN5	Rec	Rec Yds	Rec TD
1	1.00	0.00	0.00	1.00	7.0	0.00
Vs. tight end position
G	Pls	RZ Pls	IN5	Rec	Rec Yds	Rec TD
1	--	--	--	2.00	19.0	0.00

Cooley would logically be a key cog in this offense, but it hasn't been in sync in the preseason or Game 1.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers (the Saints' Week 1 opponent) don't target the tight end as often as other teams do, which might make New Orleans' numbers against the position look more impressive than they are.
Cooley has started the past couple of seasons a little slowly, but given his ceiling, he deserves a look.

Fantasy value: Flex or bench fantasy tight ends

David Thomas, New England Patriots at New York Jets

G	Pls	RZ Pls	IN5	Rec	Rec Yds	Rec TD
1	3.00	1.00	0.00	2.00	24.0	0.00
Vs. tight end position
G	Pls	RZ Pls	IN5	Rec	Rec Yds	Rec TD
1	--	--	--	12.00	137.0	2.00

With Benjamin Watson (knee) still ailing, it looks like Thomas will again be the team's top option at the position; some think he might be, regardless.
Tight ends shredded the Jets in Week 1, making Thomas a strong play.

Tony Scheffler, Denver Broncos vs. San Diego Chargers

G	Pls	RZ Pls	IN5	Rec	Rec Yds	Rec TD
1	2.00	1.00	0.00	1.00	72.0	0.00
Vs. tight end position
G	Pls	RZ Pls	IN5	Rec	Rec Yds	Rec TD
1	--	--	--	8.00	100.0	1.00

Scheffler and fellow tight end Nate Jackson appear to be in competition for looks as the pass receiving options at the position.
In four career games against San Diego, Scheffler has a total of seven receptions for 140 yards and no scores.
The Chargers appear to make for a strong-play matchup.

Nate Jackson, Denver Broncos vs. San Diego Chargers

G	Pls	RZ Pls	IN5	Rec	Rec Yds	Rec TD
1	3.00	1.00	1.00	2.00	4.0	0.00
Vs. tight end position
G	Pls	RZ Pls	IN5	Rec	Rec Yds	Rec TD
1	--	--	--	8.00	100.0	1.00

Nate Jackson and fellow tight end Tony Scheffler appear to be in competition for looks as the pass receiving options at the position.
As a career third-stringer or worse, Jackson has little experience (one catch, nine yards in two games) against the Chargers in his four previous years.
Nevertheless, he's a legit option now, and he's a strong play this week.

Desmond Clark, Chicago Bears at Carolina Panthers

G	Pls	RZ Pls	IN5	Rec	Rec Yds	Rec TD
1	6.00	0.00	0.00	2.00	46.0	0.00
Vs. tight end position
G	Pls	RZ Pls	IN5	Rec	Rec Yds	Rec TD
1	--	--	--	4.00	82.0	0.00

The Bears hope to use two tight ends relatively frequently, which means Clark should be on the field a lot, but he'll split targets with Greg Olsen.
Clark has a strong-play matchup.

Greg Olsen, Chicago Bears at Carolina Panthers

G	Pls	RZ Pls	IN5	Rec	Rec Yds	Rec TD
1	2.00	0.00	0.00	2.00	36.0	0.00
Vs. tight end position
G	Pls	RZ Pls	IN5	Rec	Rec Yds	Rec TD
1	--	--	--	4.00	82.0	0.00

The Bears hope to use two tight ends fairly often; Olsen should be on the field a lot, but he'll split targets with Desmond Clark.
Olsen has a strong-play matchup.

Robert Royal, Buffalo Bills at Jacksonville Jaguars

G	Pls	RZ Pls	IN5	Rec	Rec Yds	Rec TD
1	6.00	0.00	0.00	6.00	52.0	1.00
Vs. tight end position
G	Pls	RZ Pls	IN5	Rec	Rec Yds	Rec TD
1	--	--	--	7.00	109.0	0.00

Last year against J-ville, Royal caught one pass for five yards; the year before against them, he recorded three catches for 14 yards.
Royal is a strong play this week.

Kevin Boss, New York Giants at St. Louis Rams

G	Pls	RZ Pls	IN5	Rec	Rec Yds	Rec TD
1	2.00	1.00	0.00	0.00	0.0	0.00
Vs. tight end position
G	Pls	RZ Pls	IN5	Rec	Rec Yds	Rec TD
1	--	--	--	7.00	54.0	1.00

Boss is the lead tight end after the trade of Jeremy Shockey in the offseason.
He could remain on the fantasy bench, but he is a strong play and deserves consideration if you're desperate.

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