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The Houston Texans have relied on a young core of players in recent years to make an effort towards qualifying for the playoffs.
Stars such as Andre Johnson, Matt Schaub, Owen Daniels, DeMeco Ryans, Brian Cushing, and Mario Williams have led the Texans to the precipice of playoff contention in 2009.
Over the past few seasons, players such as Steve Slaton (the 2008 version, mind you), Glover Quin, and Cushing, have helped inch the Texans towards their goal of playing amongst the league’s best.
In order to finally make the big dance, the Texans will need more help from this year’s crop of rookies. Major contributions will be necessary from players such as Kareem Jackson and Ben Tate. But it will take more than a few good plays from a couple of rookies to steer the Texans to the playoffs.
Let’s take a look at each of the rookies and what they can be expected to do in 2010 and beyond.
There were quiet rumors and praise regarding fourth-year receiver Jacoby Jones prior to Houston’s training camp, but now it’s time for fantasy football owners to finally take notice.
After seeing glimpses of the talent and explosiveness Jones can bring to the table (16.2 yards per catch in 2009), all of Gary Kubiak’s ridiculous praise is starting to pay off.
Jones is now officially in a heated battle for Houston’s No. 2 receiver job, as he continues to compete with incumbent starter, Kevin Walter.
Walter has been the starter opposite of Johnson for the past three seasons, but has always been looking over his shoulder, as Jones packs a nice combo of size, speed, and explosiveness.
Walter is no slouch, but it’s undeniable how much faster and explosive Jones is.
Regardless, Walter has the proven experience, and is a tough, physical, play-making receiver on the outside. A demotion would slide him into the slot, which is a role he could excel in, but would obviously diminish his fantasy value.
Houston’s offense isn’t exactly the destination for slot receivers to grow into something special.
Jones escaped 2009 with less than 30 receptions, while Walter, the No. 2 receiver, had under 55 catches in 14 starts.
In other words, if you’re not Andre Johnson or Owen Daniels, you’re not an elite fantasy option in Houston, despite the team passing offense leading the entire league in total yardage.
Fantasy Dish: A lot is being made about this position battle, but the truth is, the end result doesn’t have a major fantasy impact.
Jones lining up on the outside could certainly help stretch the defense and free-up inside looks for Walter, Daniels, and even Johnson, but we all know where the targets will wind up.
After all, Johnson didn’t just re-do his fat contract for the fun of it. He will continue to get the majority of Matt Schaub’s targets, rendering all other Houston receivers as virtually useless in the fantasy realm.
Our vote: Just draft AJ and forget about this mess.
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Finding a ranking system that suits their franchise’s current position as either a contender or a builder is one of the challenges any owner in a dynasty league has.
Fantasy football players who excel in dynasty leagues have a commitment to building excellence. That requires much more than a simple set of rankings in a “one size fits all” category.
With that in mind, here are our top 15 tight ends presented in two distinctly different categories.
Competing Team = Use these if you have a team competing to win a title in the next two to three years.
Rebuilding Team = Use these if you have a team rebuilding and not in contention in the near future.
COMPETING TEAM RANKINGS
1. Vernon Davis, SF
Any questions?
Davis annually teased fantasy owners with his freakish size, speed, and athleticism, combined with a lack of production. However, he finally put it all together in 2009 with 78 receptions, 965 yards, and a ridiculous 13 touchdown catches.
For years, his owners have been clamoring for Davis to give them a reason to argue his status as the No. 1 TE in dynasty leagues. Now it’s tough to make an argument against it.
2. Dallas Clark, IND
Clark led many fantasy leagues last season with 100 catches, 1,106 yards, and 10 touchdowns. This former Iowa Hawkeye is an absolute mismatch for defenses and he’s become one of Manning’s favorite targets.
From a dynasty perspective, there are a few other more desirable tight ends based on their age, like Vernon Davis and Jermichael Finley. However, it would be no surprise if Clark led all tight ends in scoring in each of the next two seasons.
3. Antonio Gates, SD
Gates has the ability to lead the tight end position in scoring every season. He returns as the top target in the potent San Diego passing attack after posting a ridiculous career high of 1,157 yards to go with eight touchdowns in 2009.
While still in his prime, there are some concerns with Gates, though. He’s 30 years old and seems to always be fighting some different ailments, most notably a significant toe injury.
If I’m not an owner of a competing team this season, I’d start kicking the tires to see if I could get a good return for him in trade. If I’m competitive, I’d bank on him giving me elite production as he’s had six straight seasons with at least eight touchdowns.
4. Jason Witten, DAL
Many owners in dynasty leagues are down on Witten, but there’s really no reason to be. His TD total last year of two is simply a fluke. I focus more on his ridiculous 94 catches and 1,030 yards as a TE.
He’s right on par with Vernon Davis, Antonio Gates, the rising Jermichael Finley, or any other TE you want to compare him against. I see Witten as a “buy low” candidate in dynasty circles right now.
5. Jermichael Finley, GB
Finley’s 55 catches, 676 yards, and five touchdowns in 2009 don’t get you too excited. His 34 catches, 496 yards, and four touchdowns in his last six games played do, though.
His combination of speed and size creates havoc for opposing defenses. His late emergence has some dynasty owners thinking he’s the No. 1 TE prospect in their respective leagues.
While we’re not quite ready to value him more than Vernon Davis and a few others, it’s hard to throw stones at those who do.
6. Brent Celek, PHI
Celek was one of our favorite sleepers last year and his performance justified that label. With 76 catches, 971 yards, and eight touchdowns, Celek established himself as one of the premier TEs in reality and fantasy.
There’s certainly no shame in having Celek as your No. 1 TE.
7. Vinsanthe Shiancoe, MIN
Most remember Shiancoe for his 11 touchdowns last year, tops for the TE position. Let’s not forget he also had 56 catches for 566 yards as well.
He’s a No. 1 TE right now and even if there’s a dropoff at quarterback soon, he’s entrenched as a solid fantasy option.
8. Tony Gonzalez, KC
Gonzo has been an absolute monster for a long, long, time. Last year was solid with 83/867/6, but he’s 34 and won’t play more than another season or two.
9. Owen Daniels, HOU
Daniels was well on his way to becoming a top five tight end in dynasty leagues until he blew out his knee last season. With three major surgeries under his belt now, durability is a serious question mark. He should be ready to go for week one, but he needs to make it through the year before his value can be resurrected in dynasty leagues.
10. Dustin Keller, NYJ
Many dynasty league owners expected more from Keller than the 522 yards and two touchdowns from a year ago. Don’t let those numbers fool you, though. Keller had 181 yards and three touchdowns in the playoffs, and emerged as a favorite target for the developing Mark Sanchez. Expect more of the same in the future.
11. Chris Cooley, WAS
Fred Davis seems to be in the plans more for the upcoming season, but the coaching staff should fall in love with Cooley’s natural ability. They already have him running the entire route tree and learning how to play in the slot. His value is stable as a lower end No. 1 TE.
12. Kellen Winslow, TB
It’s tough to put Winslow into a category.
One one hand, he led the Bucs with a line of 77/884/5 last year. On the other, he’s always a huge injury risk. In the end, Winslow is right in his window of opportunity for fantasy production.
Keep in mind his career is destined to be short, though. Those knees are just not going to hold up for five or six more seasons.
13. Greg Olsen, CHI
Mike Martz’s offense tends to do wonders for receivers and quarterbacks, but it absolutely kills the tight ends. Factor in the addition of Brandon Manumaleuna to the equation and there’s been a lot of speculation about Olsen being traded out of Chicago.
At this point, it doesn’t look like that’s going to happen. If you’re an Olsen owner, just hope his undeniable talent can rise above an offensive scheme notoriously unfriendly to his position.
From a dynasty perspective, you also can’t really expect Martz and Olsen to be joined at the hip for the long-term. In a league with non-guaranteed contracts, free agency and an active coaching carousel, something has to give eventually.
There’s been some recent chatter about Martz really warming up to Olsen and designing a lot of the offense around him. We’ll have to wait and see if the mad scientist can really buy into that long-term.
14. John Carlson, SEA
Carlson was a bright spot for Seattle last year when he posted 574 receiving yards and seven touchdowns on 51 catches.
The sky’s the limit for Carlson and he’s already getting heaps of praise from the coaching staff. Matt Hasselbeck has labeled him the most likely breakout player for this season as well.
15. Heath Miller, PIT
He produced his finest statistical year in 2009 by recording 76 catches, 789 yards, and six touchdowns. Miller is a consistent red zone threat and has shown durability by playing in 78 of a possible 80 regular season games.
Miller is a low-end No. 1 or high-end No. 2 tight end in dynasty leagues for the foreseeable future.
REBUILDING TEAM RANKINGS
1. Vernon Davis, SF
2. Jermichael Finley, GB
3. Dallas Clark, IND
4. Jason Witten, DAL
5. Brent Celek TE PHI
6. Antonio Gates, SD
7. Vinsanthe Shiancoe, MIN
8. Owen Daniels, HOU
9. Jermaine Gresham, CIN
Gresham’s knee injury he suffered at Oklahoma dropped him all the way to the Bengals who selected #21 in the 2010 NFL Draft. From all indications after their recent camps, they’re thrilled to have him.
His college resume is outstanding. He produced 66 receptions, 950 yards, and 14 touchdowns in 2008, giving him 111 catches, 1,629 yards, and 26 touchdowns in his three years in Norman. Those are big time prospect numbers from a position the Bengals have been needing production from for a long time.
Gresham’s knees are a legitimate concern in dynasty league circles. However, his combination of size, speed, and power remind many of Jermichael Finley.
He’ll likely be eased into the offense, but Gresham is a solid late second-round choice in rookie only drafts this summer as a tight end who could become an elite weapon.
10. Dustin Keller, NYJ
11. Tony Gonzalez, KC
12. Chris Cooley, WAS
13. Zach Miller, OAK
Miller was one of the few bright spots coming from Oakland in dynasty leagues last year, as he led the team with 66 receptions and 805 yards. Jason Campbell certainly knows how to use his tight ends as both Chris Cooley and Fred Davis had value on an awful Washington team. Expect Miller to immediately become Campbell’s best friend in the passing game. He’s a sneaky bet for six to eight touchdowns, and it’s not inconceivable to think he could push for 1,000 yards next year.
14. Greg Olsen, CHI
15. Rob Gronkowski, NE
While Aaron Hernandez may get more opportunities early, Gronkowski may end up being the better player in the long run.
His durability is a concern, but he has first round NFL Draft talent. Alge Crumpler and Aaron Hernandez stand in his way of playing time, but he’s another good player to target in the fourth round of a rookie draft.
For further explanation on the difference between the two sets of rankings, click here.
For the complete rankings beyond the top 15, click below:
Strategic Quarterback Rankings
Strategic Running Back Rankings
Strategic Wide Receiver Rankings
Strategic Tight End Rankings
Strategic IDP Rankings
Article written by Ken Kelly
DynastyLeagueFootball.com
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Football is in the air, and I don’t mean soccer.
NFL training camps will open later this month. Preseason football follows that, and before you know it, the start of the regular season will be upon us.
Are you ready for some football?
While fans may be ready—or have been ready—for the start of the regular season, several players are still recovering from injuries suffered during the 2009. One of those players, Steve Slaton, is not only fighting to be back for the start of the regular season but for the starting running back job in Houston.
Arian Foster, a rookie last season with the Texans, heads into training camp as the No. 1 running back on the depth chart. The team also drafted Ben Tate this spring and several football analysts are very high on his prospects. Slaton has to fend off these two young runners during camp to maintain his status as the most fantasy worthy running back in Houston’s offense.
Steve Slaton [RB, Texans]
From FFToolBox :
Although some doubted its possibility, Houston Texans running back Steve Slaton stated on his Twitter account Tuesday that he has indeed been medically cleared to practice when the team opens its training camp next month.
Slaton has a lot of work to do to win back the hearts of fantasy owners this season. He was a fringe first-round pick last summer, but will not even sniff the first round in any format this year.
Still, even if Foster or Tate take over the main ball-carrying duties, Slaton has carved a niche for himself as a threat out of the backfield in the passing game. His explosiveness will keep him on the field and he could see Reggie Bush-like work in Houston if Foster and/or Tate step up for some of the tougher running.
Owen Daniels [TE, Texans]
From FFToolBox :
Houston Texans tight end Owen Daniels predicted he’ll be ready by the first game of the regular season after tearing his anterior cruciate ligament last season. “The Doc says my ACL looks great, so I’m looking forward to being ready for Week 1,” Daniels said during a fan chat on NFL.com
Daniels was the No. 1 fantasy tight end in 2009 when he went down with an ACL injury, crushing what was becoming a break-out season for the young tight end. Fantasy owners will be a little wary of drafting Daniels this season but he could be a bargain late in drafts. Keep a close eye on his recovery.
Brandon Pettigrew [TE, Lions]
From FFToolBox :
According to the Detroit News, Lions tight end Brandon Pettigrew will be granted medical clearance to resume all on-field activities in time for the opening of the team’s training camp on July 31st. Pettigrew is recovering from season-ending ACL surgery (from an injury suffered on Thanksgiving Day) and is still a candidate to begin camp on the PUP list (though he would be eligible for a promotion to the active roster at any point during the preseason).
Pettigrew showed flashes of fantasy usefulness last season as a rookie in the Lions’ young offense. While he may be on the mend, he also has to deal with the addition of former Denver tight end Tony Scheffler to the offense during the offseason.
Not only is Scheffler on-board, but wide receiver Nate Burleson and rookie Jahvid Best have been added to the offense. Not enough footballs to go around, in my opinion, which means Pettigrew should remain undrafted at the conclusion of standard redrafts this summer.
Kellen Winslow [TE, Buccaneers]
From FFToolBox :
Winslow underwent what was believed to be a relatively minor arthroscopic procedure on his right knee in early June, but the 26-year old vows to be ready for the team’s season-opener on September 12th, at home against his former team the Cleveland Browns.
Possibly the best fantasy prospect on the Bucs, Winslow again is coming back from a knee surgery this year. Still so young, there is a lot of wear-and-tear on those knees at this point in his career. Too much, perhaps?
Fantasy owners should start to wonder how much longer Winslow can soldier through full NFL seasons. With each season that passes, he becomes more and more of a risk. It certainly does not help his cause that the Bucs have an anemic offense.
The MMR will continue to run every Monday morning as scheduled during the regular season. If you have an injury update or want an update on a certain player, please leave a note in the comments.
Read more NFL news on BleacherReport.com
Though the Texans barely missed out on a playoff berth in 2009, quarterback Matt Schaub had a breakout season with a league-high 4,770 yards, 29 touchdowns and 15 completions of 40 yards or more.
Schaub will readily admit much of the credit goes to his receivers, who have continually improved over the past several years. While Andre Johnson remains a model of consistency and the embodiment of a complete receiver in the National Football League, others such as Jacoby Jones, Kevin Walter and Owen Daniels have made the receiving core more complete.
Look for more improvements from them this season.
