FANTASY FOOTBALL DRAFT KIT

The Dolphins prefer to use tight ends for blocking more than receiving and that was evident with Fasano leading all team tight ends last year with only 31 catches for 339 yards and two touchdowns. He had half of his games total less than ten yards in 2009. Let Fasano remain on the waiver wire.

The ex-college quarterback had little playing time last year until the final week when he ripped off eight catches for 69 yards and two scores in Cleveland. There is hope that Miller will push Marcedes Lewis and possibly take some of his workload. In a dynasty league, Miller is the better tight end from the Jacksonville to own.

Rosario and Jeff King both serve as equals in the passing game and Rosario’s 26 receptions for 313 yards and two scores was a career best in 2010. Rosario typically has only one or two catches in most games and at best is just a bye week filler. His claim to fantasy fame is starting 2008 with 96 yards and a score on seven catches. He’s just been a regular old Cinderella since.

The Browns signed Watson to a three-year, $12 million contract with $6.4 million guaranteed but he’s expected to do more blocking than receiving. He could become a bye week fill-in but wait until you need to him to see what the new Browns offense is doing with their tight ends. Chances are – not a lot.

King signed a one-year, $1.759 million contract in the offseason and can be counted on to share with Dante Rosario again this year. King had 25 catches for 200 yards and three scores last year and there is no reason to expect more. He’s primarily a blocker.

Despite speculation that the Rams would procure one of the top tight ends in the NFL draft, they waited until the fifth round to take Michael Hoomanawanui who will take time just to become a blocking tight end. That leaves Fell atop the depth chart and he was tendered a new contract for just one year and $745,000. The Rams are obviously not intending on having a receiving tight end this year and Fells only managed 21 catches for 273 yards and three scores last year. With a rookie quarterback likely to start, consider the Rams as unlikely to have any fantasy relevant tight end.

Lee wasn’t even the second most productive fantasy tight end on his own team last year; that honor goes to Spencer Havner, who turned four of his seven catches into touchdowns. With Jermichael Finley developing into a dynamic option in the passing game, Lee might find himself cast as the “blocking tight end”, a role whose only fantasy value comes with the occasional one-yard TD pass on the fake dive at the goal line. He’ll also have to protect his roster spot from fifth-round pick Andrew Quarless. If you’re getting the sense that there’s very little fantasy upside to Lee this season, you’re exactly right.

Lewis comes off his fourth season and every year has been better than the previous. In 2009, he ended with 518 yards on 32 catches with two touchdowns. His primary job will always be as a blocker for Maurice Jones-Drew and teammate Zach Miller could start to horn in on the action as well. Lewis remains a decent choice for a bye week fill-in but his ceiling in this offense is lower than you’ll want from a fantasy starter.

Nelson is likely the primary receiver for tight ends but on this team that has meant almost nothing after ranking only 31st or 32nd in the league for tight end catches, yards and scores (just one) for 2009. There is a new set of coaches installing a new offense, but that doesn’t make any of these blocking tight ends worthy of fantasy attention. Barring an unseen development in camp, the Bills will not produce a tight end worthy of covering any bye week. Nelson led the Bills tight ends last year with only 17 catches for 156 yards and the lone touchdown.

The ex-Cardinal had one of his best seasons ever in 2009 but that still only meant 20 catches for 174 yards. Pope has no fantasy value and no upside.

The Cardinals signed Patrick to a one-year, $1.7 million contract this season but as a team ranked dead last in targets, catches and yards by tight ends last year. Patrick was tops with only 12 catches for 146 yards and two scores. No reason to expect an improvement from a team wanting to run the ball more this year.

Even at his career apex—2006’s 45-626-6—Clark was never more than a guy you would plug into your starting lineup on a bye week or if your regular tight end got hurt, hoping that maybe he’d get lucky. Now he’s behind Greg Olsen on the depth chart and toiling for an offensive coordinator whose tight ends need to wear “Hello! My Name Is...” stickers lest he forget who they are. Even immediate relatives aren’t giving Clark a second thought on fantasy drauction day.

The Chiefs third round pick was a standout at Iowa when he was healthy but battled injuries for his final three seasons. Adept at both blocking and receiving, Moeaki could step in and contribute early on and was already very impressive in minicamp. He’ll have to battle past Leonard Pope and Brad Cottam this year and that’s not likely but he could make a case for a promotion in 2011. An interesting pick in a dynasty league but not worth a redraft pick.

Kleinsausage’s greatest role with the Vikings is as a helper for Minnesota’s tackles against speed rushers with Brett Favre in their sights. And while that is most certainly a critical duty, it has all the fantasy value of a Betty White swimsuit calendar. Not even immediate family members will have Kleinsasser on their fantasy team.