Sleeper or Creeper: Players At Tight End Who Will Make A Difference

The position of tight end has evolved from primarily a blocking position to an additional wide receiver. Most recently, there has been such a focus on using the tight end as a passing option that NFL teams have drafted college basketball players. Not only did they draft college basketball players, but one such player, Antonio Gates, has been among the leagues best tight ends since 2004. The emergence of reliable tight ends in the league also created the need for a reliable tight end on your fantasy team. After the big five are gone (Witten, Gates, Winslow, Cooley, and Gonzalez), waiting till the late rounds to draft a tight end may still leave you some viable options.

Sleepers

1. Greg Olsen, CHI: The departure of Bernard Berrian to Minnesota and Muhsin Muhammad to Carolina combined with a decline in production from Desmond Clark in 2007 makes Greg Olsen a great sleeper candidate in 2008. Olsen started showing signs of promise as a rookie in 2007, grabbing 39 passes for 391 yards and two touchdowns. Although the Bears have tailored their offense to include a two tight end set, look for Olsen to benefit the most from this offensive scheme. With quarterback play as poor as it is in Chicago, Olsen should benefit from quick passes with the athleticism to turn them into big plays. Draft Olsen with a middle to late round pick in all leagues.

2. Alge Crumpler, TEN: The presence of a speedy quarterback in Atlanta allowed Crumpler to shine in 2005 and 2006. Combining for 1,650 yards and 13 touchdowns in those two seasons, the presence of a mobile Vince Young in Tennessee should have the same impact on his fantasy numbers this season. Look for the two to mesh together in 2008 and plan on spending a late pick on Crumpler in all drafts this summer.

3. Vernon Davis, SF: I know what you are thinking... "Hasn't he been predicted to be a sleeper in the last two seasons, only to be a bust?" The answer is yes, but 2008 will be a little different due to Mike Martz. Nothing is pretty in San Francisco. The quarterback race is now between three players, one of which sounds better as the title of an Irish bar as opposed to a starting quarterback, their wide receivers are more washed up than Madonna, and they scored over 21 points only one time in 2007! However, Mike Martz has been an offensive genius in both Detroit and St. Louis and continues to be impressed by Vernon Davis. Look for Davis to get more opportunities in 2008 and snag him with a middle round pick in all leagues.

4. Tony Scheffler, DEN: A foot injury in the offseason will deter a lot of fantasy owners from taking Scheffler as their starting tight end in the middle rounds. Do not be the owner to make this same mistake. In his last seven games of the 2007 season, Scheffler had 29 receptions for 360 yards and 3 touchdowns. Compare his numbers with the league leading tight end in the last seven games and the result is a difference of 11 fantasy points. I am not trying to compare Scheffler to Witten, but his numbers should not be ignored going into 2008. Factor in a suspension for the leading receiver in Denver and Scheffler's stock goes up in 2008.

5. John Carlson, SEA: The recent injury to Bobby Engram has increased the fantasy value of John Carlson, the rookie tight end out of Notre Dame. In his first preseason action, he was able to bring in two passes for 21 yards. With Branch out for most of the season and Engram expected to miss eight weeks, Carlson could be a nice option when teams start to double Burleson, leaving the big man with a few more opportunities to make big plays.

Creepers

1. Desmond Clark, CHI: Although Ron Turner has stated he intends to use a two tight end set, the emergence of Greg Olsen lowers the value of Desmond Clark in Chicago. Despite an impressive outing in 2006, Clark is now 31 years old and saw a decrease in his production in 2007. Although you may still want to draft him in the event of an injury to Olsen, Clark is no better than a #2 TE, not worthy of a pick in most leagues.

2. Donald Lee, GB: Donald Lee had an impressive year with the cheeseheads in 2007. The downside is that in the last seven games, Lee only averaged two receptions a game, totaling 158 yards. Also, Lee will have to adjust to a new quarterback in Aaron Rodgers. Combine this with a solid receiving core in Greg Jennings, Donald Driver, and James Jones and Lee may not be much of a factor in 2008. Draft Lee with a late round pick as a reserve and monitor how he adjusts to Aaron Rodgers.

3. Visanthe Shiancoe, MIN: The inconsistency of Jackson and a number of dropped touchdown passes in 2007 makes Shiancoe a risky pick in 2008. Although it appears the dropped passes are behind him, Jackson is not. Do not draft Shiancoe and if his play improves, he will be on the waiver wire to pick up during the season.

4. David Martin, MIA: The acquisition of Anthony Fasano from Dallas has had a considerable impact on the fantasy value of any TE in Miami. Martin has been taking reps with the second team, indicating that Fasano will likely be the starting TE on a team that has no proven wide receivers. While this may help the value of Fasano, Martin should no longer be drafted in any league.