| Stephen Alexander |
DET |
HT |
6' 4" |
WT |
250 |
AGE |
28 |
EXP |
7 |
| YEAR |
TM |
GMS |
CAT |
CYD |
YPC |
CTD |
CAR |
RYD |
RTD |
| 2001 |
WAS |
3 |
9 |
85 |
9.4 |
0 |
|
|
|
| 2002 |
SD |
12 |
45 |
510 |
11.3 |
1 |
|
|
|
| 2003 |
SD |
2 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
|
|
| |
Avg |
6 |
18 |
198 |
11 |
0 |
|
|
|
| Alexander has always been a receiving tight end with good potential and he has always fallen well short of realizing any skills due to injury. Last season he sustained a groin injury that eventually required surgery and cancelled his second year with the Chargers. Alexander is 6’4” and 250 pounds which is slightly smaller than most tight ends but gives him marginally better speed. Doesn’t really matter though since no one is fast in the trainer’s room or on injured reserve. The Lions have finally soured on Mikhael Ricks and while they like the rookie Casey Fitzsimmons, another veteran can only help the equation. Mariucci does not feature a tight end in his offense and now has far better players in the other skill positions. Consider this just another stop for Alexander and if he manages to secure any meaningful role, history says he will not hold it for long due to injury. |
|
| Anthony Becht |
NYJ |
HT |
6'5'' |
WT |
272 |
AGE |
27 |
EXP |
5 |
| YEAR |
TM |
GMS |
CAT |
CYD |
YPC |
CTD |
CAR |
RYD |
RTD |
| 2001 |
NYJ |
15 |
36 |
321 |
8.9 |
5 |
|
|
|
| 2002 |
NYJ |
16 |
28 |
243 |
8.7 |
5 |
|
|
|
| 2003 |
NYJ |
16 |
40 |
356 |
8.9 |
4 |
|
|
|
| |
Avg |
16 |
35 |
307 |
8.8 |
5 |
|
|
|
| After five seasons, Becht has been very consistent year to year, gaining around 300 yards and scoring 4 or 5 times. There is no reason to expect more and none to really think there will be less. Anthony only scored in three games last season and one once in the seven games that Pennington had returned in 2003. His main fantasy value is that he turns in about half his games with 3 or 4 catches and around 30 yards and his downside is that he rarely ever goes much higher. Last season his best was 63 yards and in 2002, it was 36 yards. Becht makes a good, cheap fantasy backup tight end because he almost always gets you something (30 yards) but never is more valuable since he doesn’t have big games in that offense. |
|
| Kyle Brady |
JAX |
HT |
6'6'' |
WT |
277 |
AGE |
32 |
EXP |
10 |
| YEAR |
TM |
GMS |
CAT |
CYD |
YPC |
CTD |
CAR |
RYD |
RTD |
| 2001 |
JAX |
14 |
36 |
386 |
10.7 |
2 |
|
|
|
| 2002 |
JAX |
15 |
43 |
461 |
10.7 |
4 |
|
|
|
| 2003 |
JAX |
16 |
29 |
281 |
9.7 |
1 |
|
|
|
| |
Avg |
15 |
36 |
376 |
10.4 |
2 |
|
|
|
| Brady is on the downside of his career and while he should continue to be the primary receiving tight end, second-year player George Wrighster was becoming more active at the end of last season for one or two catches a game. 2003 was Brady’s worst season since 1997 and most important, his mere 29 catches shows how the new offense has de-emphasized the role of the tight end. Brady only had one touchdown last year and yet the rookie Wrighster had two. This season Brady likely has no more upside than meeting last season’s numbers with a chance that Wrighster continues to develop and take time away. Brady makes only a marginal fantasy backup at best. |
|
| Mark Campbell |
BUF |
HT |
6'6'' |
WT |
260 |
AGE |
29 |
EXP |
5 |
| YEAR |
TM |
GMS |
CAT |
CYD |
YPC |
CTD |
CAR |
RYD |
RTD |
| 2002 |
CLE |
15 |
25 |
179 |
7.2 |
3 |
|
|
|
| 2003 |
BUF |
15 |
34 |
339 |
10 |
1 |
|
|
|
| |
Avg |
15 |
30 |
259 |
8.8 |
2 |
|
|
|
| Campbell is the primary tight end for the Bills but that has not meant much in the fantasy world. His main value has been that he caught at least one pass in all but three games last season but he only managed crest 30 yards in five games in 2003 and scored only once. This season it is unlikely much more will happen for Campbell. The receivers have been upgraded and are healthy and most notably, the Bills drafted Tim Euhus out of Oregon State. Euhus is considered a shabby blocker but a very good receiver who could be used in an H-back role or as the receiving tight end. Campbell remains as merely filler on fantasy rosters and once Euhus develops, he will not be worth that much. |
|
| Byron Chamberlain |
DEN |
HT |
6'1'' |
WT |
242 |
AGE |
33 |
EXP |
10 |
| YEAR |
TM |
GMS |
CAT |
CYD |
YPC |
CTD |
CAR |
RYD |
RTD |
| 2001 |
MIN |
15 |
57 |
666 |
11.7 |
3 |
|
|
|
| 2002 |
MIN |
13 |
34 |
389 |
11.4 |
0 |
|
|
|
| 2003 |
WAS |
2 |
4 |
29 |
7.3 |
0 |
|
|
|
| |
Avg |
10 |
32 |
361 |
11.4 |
1 |
|
|
|
  Chamberlain returns to the Broncos where he played from 1995 to 2000. His career best was in 2001 in his first season with the Vikings when he totaled 666 yards and three scores. After a big drop in 2002, he was cut by the Vikings early last season after testing positive for ephredra and being suspended. He landed with the Redskins where tight ends go to disappear. He did. Chamberlain is back but his best season in Denver was only 488 yards and two scores in 1999. His biggest shot at starting there was in 2000 when he did the time share with Dwayne Carswell and Desmond Clark and of the three, his 283 yards was the lowest. Chamberlain should see some playing time and being familiar and practiced in the scheme, he makes the most obvious competitor to Weaver but he had the chance as a younger player and was unable to take advantage of it. He is now 33 years old and not likely to have a rebirth of his career. |
|
| Dallas Clark |
IND |
HT |
6'3'' |
WT |
257 |
AGE |
25 |
EXP |
2 |
| YEAR |
TM |
GMS |
CAT |
CYD |
YPC |
CTD |
CAR |
RYD |
RTD |
| 2003 |
IND |
10 |
29 |
340 |
11.7 |
1 |
|
|
|
| |
Avg |
10 |
29 |
340 |
11.7 |
1 |
|
|
|
| Clark was the first tight end drafted in 2003 and was on his way to a great rookie season before being sidelined for two games with a hamstring strain and later missing the final four games due to a fractured fibula sustained in the NE game in week 13. The Colts have always been one of the most productive offenses for tight end use and the use of their first round pick on Clark over all other available tight ends signals the value the Colts believe he has. Important too was that Clark was learning the offense and once Pollard was out in week 11, Clark turned in a 100 yard effort in the Jets game. Rookie injuries – particularly hamstring – are nothing new and not particularly a cause for alarm. His broken leg was just one of those plays. Consider Clark due to big upgrade in numbers this season and for many to come. |
|
| Desmond Clark |
CHI |
HT |
6'3'' |
WT |
255 |
AGE |
27 |
EXP |
6 |
| YEAR |
TM |
GMS |
CAT |
CYD |
YPC |
CTD |
CAR |
RYD |
RTD |
| 2001 |
DEN |
14 |
51 |
566 |
11.1 |
6 |
|
|
|
| 2002 |
MIA |
9 |
2 |
42 |
21 |
0 |
|
|
|
| 2003 |
CHI |
15 |
43 |
433 |
10.1 |
2 |
|
|
|
| |
Avg |
13 |
32 |
347 |
10.8 |
3 |
|
|
|
| Clark left Denver after suffering a broken arm and in Miami, Randy McMichael caught fire and left Desmond as an afterthought. Once in Chicago, the coaches were excited with his potential before realizing that they were unable to actually throw the ball with Kordell Stewart as the quarterback. Clark still managed to place 12 th in yardage for tight ends last season. This year brings in a new offense under OC Terry Shea who will install a similar scheme to the one he left in Kansas City. Unlike many west coast variants, the Chiefs have opted to feature the tight end with great success thanks to Tony Gonzalez. While Clark is not the high-powered brand of Gonzalez, he should see more opportunities this season and he already had the 10 th best receptions for a tight end last season. Nice upside here but inside a new offense with a young quarterback, it will require some time to all come together. |
|
| Chris Cooley |
WAS |
HT |
6' 3" |
WT |
265 |
AGE |
23 |
EXP |
R |
| YEAR |
TM |
GMS |
CAT |
CYD |
YPC |
CTD |
CAR |
RYD |
RTD |
| ROOKIE |
WAS |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| The Redskins brought back Walter Rasby as the primary starter but his role will be almost entirely blocking like the previous nine years of his career. The Skins will be using not only the traditional blocking tight end, but also an H-back which will call on the skills of the other tight ends – Robert Royal, Kevin Ware, Leonard Stephens and, of course, Chris Cooley. Even fullback Mike Sellers may play some H-Back. Cooley was the third round pick by the Redskins and the most likely candidate for a Redskin tight end posting any decent fantasy numbers in 2003 – if it even happens. The Redskins did not spend their valuable second pick on the draft for another blocker because Cooley’s legacy at Utah State was his receiving. He had 62 catches in 2003 and 96 for his college career – both school records. His spot on the rotation will be determined during training camp, but if you have to have a Redskin tight end, Cooley is clearly the one with the most upside. He is an interesting pick deep in a dynasty draft if you have roster room as well. |
|
| Alge Crumpler |
ATL |
HT |
6'2'' |
WT |
264 |
AGE |
27 |
EXP |
4 |
| YEAR |
TM |
GMS |
CAT |
CYD |
YPC |
CTD |
CAR |
RYD |
RTD |
| 2001 |
ATL |
13 |
25 |
330 |
13.2 |
3 |
|
|
|
| 2002 |
ATL |
16 |
36 |
455 |
12.6 |
5 |
|
|
|
| 2003 |
ATL |
16 |
44 |
552 |
12.5 |
3 |
|
|
|
| |
Avg |
15 |
35 |
446 |
12.7 |
4 |
|
|
|
| Crumpler has increased his totals each of the last three years, with the exception of TDs which went down to three during the burning of Atlanta last season. He ranked 5 th for tight ends in yardage and there is an excellent chance he could improve that this season. New OC Greg Knapp has been redesigning the offense and intends on using Crumpler more as a receiver and less as a blocker this season. Hunter Goodwin will take over the blocking duties while Crumpler will often be moved away from the line to gain better match-ups and take advantage of his size and flypaper hands. While the Falcons will have better receivers this season all around, Crumpler will offer a tremendous target for Vick and should be one of the starting tight ends in any fantasy league. Crumpler is not quite as big as many tight ends, but with a reduced blocking role, his speed becomes more a factor. |
|
| Ken Dilger |
TB |
HT |
6'5'' |
WT |
255 |
AGE |
33 |
EXP |
10 |
| YEAR |
TM |
GMS |
CAT |
CYD |
YPC |
CTD |
CAR |
RYD |
RTD |
| 2001 |
IND |
14 |
32 |
343 |
10.7 |
1 |
|
|
|
| 2002 |
TB |
14 |
34 |
329 |
9.7 |
2 |
|
|
|
| 2003 |
TB |
13 |
22 |
244 |
11.1 |
1 |
|
|
|
| |
Avg |
14 |
29 |
305 |
10.4 |
1 |
|
|
|
| Dilger was the most productive tight end for the Buccaneers last season, but on a weekly basis you could just as easily substitute his name on the depth chart with Dave Moore, Ricky Dudley or Will Heller. The Tampa Bay offense makes minimal use of any individual tight end and in 2003 there were four different ends that scored a touchdown. Only Todd Yoder had two scores (in the same game) and he’s now with JAX. Dilger was cut in the spring but re-signed. During the season, there will be games that have Dilger look promising and others that Dudley may do well. Warren Sapp even makes the occasional foray to the position. In fantasy terms, Dilger is the most utilized tight end but that does not equate to draft value. Of his 244 yards last season, almost half of them came in only two games (114). Dave Moore likely has more upside this year but that still does not equate to fantasy relevance. The addition of Galloway and particularly Charlie Garner and Michael Clayton will depress the tight end numbers even more this season. |
|
| Christian Fauria |
NE |
HT |
6'4'' |
WT |
245 |
AGE |
33 |
EXP |
10 |
| YEAR |
TM |
GMS |
CAT |
CYD |
YPC |
CTD |
CAR |
RYD |
RTD |
| 2001 |
SEA |
12 |
21 |
188 |
9 |
1 |
|
|
|
| 2002 |
NE |
15 |
27 |
253 |
9.4 |
7 |
|
|
|
| 2003 |
NE |
15 |
28 |
285 |
10.2 |
2 |
|
|
|
| |
Avg |
14 |
25 |
242 |
9.6 |
3 |
|
|
|
| Fauria had one big hurrah as a Patriot in 2002 when he caught seven touchdowns but fell to only two last year even though he had the same number of receptions. At the age of 33, Fauria’s career is winding down and was already in jeopardy with Daniel Graham around. The Patriots burned their first round pick in 2003 in order to acquire Ben Watson. They took Graham with their first rounder in 2002. This is not a particularly favorable sign that Fauria has a future with New England. Graham had ten more catches that Fauria last year even though he played in two less games. Consider Fauria as the veteran on the team that will still provide some action in the diverse Patriot offense, but not enough to warrant a fantasy pick. His numbers are certain to decline again this year. |
|
| Casey Fitzsimmons |
DET |
HT |
6'3'' |
WT |
250 |
AGE |
24 |
EXP |
2 |
| YEAR |
TM |
GMS |
CAT |
CYD |
YPC |
CTD |
CAR |
RYD |
RTD |
| 2003 |
DET |
11 |
23 |
160 |
7 |
2 |
|
|
|
| |
Avg |
11 |
23 |
160 |
7 |
2 |
|
|
|
| Fitzsimmons enters his second season after minimal use as a rookie. He is worthwhile to keep an eye on as he was constantly impressive in practice last season and used as a starter on two occasions. It is notable that his two touchdowns in 2003 came during his final two games. Mikhael Ricks was a disappointment last season and accused of dropping catchable passes. If Ricks continues to be considered a liability, expect that Fitzsimmons will take the starting role. In this offense, it is not likely to add up to much anyway. Casey is a training camp watch and added risk to owning Ricks on your fantasy team. |
|
| Bubba Franks |
GB |
HT |
6'6'' |
WT |
260 |
AGE |
26 |
EXP |
5 |
| YEAR |
TM |
GMS |
CAT |
CYD |
YPC |
CTD |
CAR |
RYD |
RTD |
| 2001 |
GB |
15 |
36 |
322 |
8.9 |
9 |
|
|
|
| 2002 |
GB |
16 |
54 |
442 |
8.2 |
7 |
|
|
|
| 2003 |
GB |
14 |
30 |
241 |
8 |
4 |
|
|
|
| |
Avg |
15 |
40 |
335 |
8.4 |
7 |
|
|
|
| Franks has always been known as a poor-yardage, top touchdown player but after his big nine touchdown 2001 season, he has dropped the last two seasons to only four scores in 2003. After spending the previous two seasons as a top 10 tight end, he fell to around 18 th in most fantasy scoring leagues which considering the position equates to a final round pick. Franks does not have the speed to do much after the catch and only his 6’6” height makes him a prime target in the endzone. The Packers used David Martin for two touchdowns last season and even Wesley Walls had one during his limited play. In touchdown-only leagues, Franks still maintains some value given the position scores so poorly, but his reducing catches and yards along with fewer scores realistically makes him borderline backup tight end material. With Favre throwing the ball and in an offense that has used the tight more in the past, he has upside compared to last season’s results but likely has a bigger name than numbers again in 2004. |
|
| Antonio Gates |
SD |
HT |
6'4'' |
WT |
260 |
AGE |
24 |
EXP |
2 |
| YEAR |
TM |
GMS |
CAT |
CYD |
YPC |
CTD |
CAR |
RYD |
RTD |
| 2003 |
SD |
6 |
24 |
389 |
8.9 |
2 |
|
|
|
| |
Avg |
6 |
10 |
154 |
15.4 |
2 |
|
|
|
| Like so many other Charger offensive players, Gates was an undrafted rookie signed by the Chargers last season. Thanks to continual injuries to the tight ends, he started the final eight games of 2003 and led all tight ends with 389 yards and two touchdowns. He logged a 117 yard game against the Packers, the first time in 15 years a Charger rookie had managed the feat. Had Gates played all 16 games, he had a pace set for over 700 yards and four touchdowns which would have placed him as the 3 rd highest yardage for the position in the NFL. His 14 catches over the final four games is outstanding for a tight end. Gates took over from Josh Norman when he was suffered a calf injury last year but the roles are not cemented as to starters yet. Norman, of course, is an undrafted rookie from 2002. Gates was easily the most productive tight end and the Chargers threw a total of 81 passes and 46 completions to the position in 2003. With a talent-poor wideout squad and a rookie quarterback looking for the biggest, closest target, Gates has definite upside this season. |
|
| Tony Gonzalez |
KC |
HT |
6'4'' |
WT |
248 |
AGE |
28 |
EXP |
8 |
| YEAR |
TM |
GMS |
CAT |
CYD |
YPC |
CTD |
CAR |
RYD |
RTD |
| 2001 |
KC |
16 |
73 |
917 |
12.6 |
6 |
|
|
|
| 2002 |
KC |
16 |
63 |
773 |
12.3 |
7 |
|
|
|
| 2003 |
KC |
16 |
71 |
915 |
12.9 |
10 |
|
|
|
| |
Avg |
16 |
69 |
868 |
12.6 |
8 |
|
|
|
| In a position that rarely yields impact players, Gonzalez yet again was the most valuable fantasy tight end in 2003, gaining 915 yards and ten touchdowns. It was his third highest yardage, third highest receptions and his second best touchdown year. There is simply no other tight end that carries the impact and guarantee that Gonzalez does. The offense is designed to find him open and he typically is the leading receiver for the Chiefs unless Priest Holmes nudges ahead of him. There’s no reason to justify it after seven seasons. His contemporaries – Todd Heap and Jeremy Shockey – have never approached the amount of scoring that Gonzalez has for a standard and neither enter the season with a quarterback nearly as good as Trent Green. |
|
| Daniel Graham |
NE |
HT |
6'3'' |
WT |
253 |
AGE |
26 |
EXP |
3 |
| YEAR |
TM |
GMS |
CAT |
CYD |
YPC |
CTD |
CAR |
RYD |
RTD |
| 2002 |
NE |
11 |
15 |
150 |
10 |
1 |
|
|
|
| 2003 |
NE |
13 |
38 |
409 |
10.8 |
4 |
|
|
|
| |
Avg |
12 |
27 |
280 |
10.5 |
3 |
|
|
|
| Perhaps New England is waiting to unveil a secret two-tight end scheme. That is perhaps a better answer to the perplexing question why they used yet another first round pick on Ben Watson this season when they already took Daniel Graham in the first round of 2002. Graham had four scores last year – solid for a tight end – and actually logged a 110 yard game against the Browns in week eight. He will develop this season knowing that Watson is working beside him in practice which should light a fire. Graham is almost certainly safe this season since Watson has not been impressive in mini-camp with dropped passes, wrong routes and a slowness to pick up the complex offense. Watson’s development should be tracked during training camp to ensure he doesn’t suddenly “get it”, but even Graham only managed 15 catches for 150 yards in his rookie season. Daniel still has the opportunity; he just is no longer alone in the quest to become the next Ben Coates. |
|
| Todd Heap |
BAL |
HT |
6'5'' |
WT |
252 |
AGE |
24 |
EXP |
4 |
| YEAR |
TM |
GMS |
CAT |
CYD |
YPC |
CTD |
CAR |
RYD |
RTD |
| 2001 |
BAL |
8 |
16 |
206 |
12.9 |
1 |
|
|
|
| 2002 |
BAL |
16 |
68 |
836 |
12.3 |
6 |
|
|
|
| 2003 |
BAL |
16 |
57 |
693 |
12.2 |
3 |
3 |
21 |
0 |
| 2003 |
Avg |
13 |
47 |
578 |
12.3 |
3 |
3 |
21 |
0 |
| Since Shannon Sharpe left the Ravens, Heap has been a top three fantasy tight end the past two seasons with little reason to expect that to change. Last year he led all ends with 109 passes thrown to him, but only managed to snare 57 (3 rd best) thanks in no small part to Boller throwing it at him instead of to him. To his benefit, Jamal Lewis is a constant concern for linebackers and allows him better match-ups against smaller defensive backs. His lack of touchdowns is the only aspect that limits his fantasy value. With Boller now more seasoned, he has an excellent shot at getting back to his 2002 range of 800/6 and bringing in a better receiver in Kevin Johnson should only help open up the field more. In leagues rewarding reception points, he will challenge Gonzalez and Shockey for the top spot. Heap will use this season to build on the chemistry between he and Boller since he was on pace for a 70 catch/800 yard season when Boller went down to injury. |
|
| Eric Johnson |
SF |
HT |
6'3'' |
WT |
256 |
AGE |
25 |
EXP |
3 |
| YEAR |
TM |
GMS |
CAT |
CYD |
YPC |
CTD |
CAR |
RYD |
RTD |
| 2001 |
SF |
14 |
40 |
362 |
9.1 |
3 |
|
|
|
| 2002 |
SF |
12 |
36 |
321 |
8.9 |
0 |
|
|
|
| |
Avg |
13 |
38 |
341 |
3 |
1.5 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| Johnson was consistent his first two seasons with the 49ers but last summer broke his collarbone. While it never required surgery, the needed calcification of the bone took so long that Johnson was placed on injured reserve and Jed Weaver was signed instead. Weaver had 35 catches for 437 yards in 2003, a better showing that Weaver had managed in previous seasons. Since the 49ers were intent on keeping no talent in the receiving game, Weaver left for the Broncos and Johnson again takes the start. The new offense under HC Dennis Erickson threw 43 passes to the tight end position last year but with so many new players, the ratio is hard to gauge for 2004. There is a chance that Weaver could get more work with the inexperienced wideouts other than Conway and the 49ers will likely need to throw no less than last year given the chance they will be behind has increased. But Weaver has not shown to be worthy of a fantasy role yet and if the 49ers do trail in many games, they likelihood is that they resort to multiple receiver sets without a tight end. |
|
| Teyo Johnson |
OAK |
HT |
6'6'' |
WT |
255 |
AGE |
23 |
EXP |
2 |
| YEAR |
TM |
GMS |
CAT |
CYD |
YPC |
CTD |
CAR |
RYD |
RTD |
| 2003 |
OAK |
9 |
14 |
128 |
9.1 |
1 |
|
|
|
| |
Avg |
9 |
14 |
128 |
9.1 |
1 |
|
|
|
Johnson was a fairly highly touted rookie last season with plans for use in the endzone to take advantage of his 6’6” height. That use never materialized and Johnson scored only one time while having catches in only nine games. His best yardage of the season was only 30 yards. Johnson is still young and has more development to undergo but has not yet distinguished himself from Doug Jolley in any way. New HC Norv Turner considers them both as equals after mini-camps and the optimism that Teyo generated when he converted from receiver to tight end is now tempered with the reality that the fruit of that change has yet to be seen nor even suggested. Teyo has already missed some time in the spring with a sprained ankle and so far has not made up any ground. With a new coaching staff in place, it does not really matter that he was a second round pick last year or that Jolley was a second rounder from 2002. The situation bear tracking during training camp as Turner has always liked using a receiving tight end.
08/06/04 - The converted wideout has looked sharp in his second training camp and Norv Turner's offense loves a receiving tight end. And this is the one. |
|
| Doug Jolley |
OAK |
HT |
6'4'' |
WT |
246 |
AGE |
25 |
EXP |
3 |
| YEAR |
TM |
GMS |
CAT |
CYD |
YPC |
CTD |
CAR |
RYD |
RTD |
| 2002 |
OAK |
13 |
32 |
409 |
12.8 |
2 |
|
|
|
| 2003 |
OAK |
12 |
31 |
258 |
8.3 |
1 |
|
|
|
| |
Avg |
13 |
32 |
334 |
10.6 |
2 |
|
|
|
| Jolley came off a promising rookie season in 2002 and was rewarded by the Raiders using yet another second round pick to draft Teyo Johnson who they converted from being a huge wide receiver to becoming a merely a tall tight end with not enough weight to block well. Though Teyo never did overtake Jolley last season, he was given some starts and produced nothing special. By the end of the season, it was announced formally that Oakland would have no actual starting tight end and would instead platoon Johnson, Jolly and even O.J. Santiago. While HC Turner likes to use tight ends, neither Johnson nor Jolley have proven to be up to the task. Unless big strides are made by Johnson in training camp, expect Jolley to turn in the better numbers since he is the superior blocker and will be on the field more. |
|
| Freddie Jones |
ARI |
HT |
6'5'' |
WT |
270 |
AGE |
30 |
EXP |
8 |
| YEAR |
TM |
GMS |
CAT |
CYD |
YPC |
CTD |
CAR |
RYD |
RTD |
| 2001 |
SD |
12 |
35 |
388 |
11.1 |
4 |
|
|
|
| 2002 |
ARI |
16 |
44 |
358 |
8.1 |
1 |
|
|
|
| 2003 |
ARI |
16 |
55 |
517 |
9.4 |
3 |
|
|
|
| |
Avg |
15 |
45 |
421 |
9.4 |
3 |
|
|
|
| Freddie Jones posted respectable numbers last season, enough to just eke into the top ten for tight ends in most fantasy scoring. What was disappointing was that the Cardinals had a huge need for receivers to step up last season and Jones improved his 2002 totals. He had the 4 th most passes thrown to him of any tight end (89) and while he ranked fourth in receptions (55), he came in 8 th in yardage and only scored three times the entire season. This season he is more likely to fall in production than rise, given the increased weapons at wideout this year and the newer offensive scheme by Denny Green is more likely to focus on Boldin and Fitzgerald than the tight end. Jones should be an average fantasy starter this season, meaning he will make no difference for your team and will be an equivalent to about a dozen other tight ends.
08/20/04 - With the continuing injury woes for the Cardinals wideouts, Jones should figure in well this year and HC Denny Green says Jones is going to the Pro Bowl. He may not get there, but he gets a bump up with a coach talking big about a tight end. |
|
| Erron Kinney |
TEN |
HT |
6'5'' |
WT |
280 |
AGE |
27 |
EXP |
5 |
| YEAR |
TM |
GMS |
CAT |
CYD |
YPC |
CTD |
CAR |
RYD |
RTD |
| 2001 |
TEN |
11 |
25 |
263 |
10.5 |
1 |
|
|
|
| 2002 |
TEN |
13 |
13 |
173 |
13.3 |
0 |
|
|
|
| 2003 |
TEN |
16 |
41 |
393 |
9.6 |
3 |
|
|
|
| |
Avg |
13 |
26 |
276 |
10.5 |
1 |
|
|
|
| Kinney has already taken over the lead tight end position as of last year when he had 393 yards compared to Wycheck’s 165 yards during an injury shortened season. Kinney had catches in every game but true to the position he only topped 40 yards in three games and never reached even 50 yards for the week. The Titans drafted Ben Troupe as the tight end of the future but the position will likely be too demanding in his first year to challenge Kinney. Both Shad Meier and Troupe will figure in during the season but unless Troupe shows dramatic steps forward, his receiving skills are more likely to be showcased in 2005 and beyond. Kinney comes with some risk thanks to the Troupe draft pick, but as the veteran tight end on the team he will get work regardless in an offense that has always made good use of the tight end. |
|
| Jim Kleinsasser |
MIN |
HT |
6'3'' |
WT |
274 |
AGE |
27 |
EXP |
6 |
| YEAR |
TM |
GMS |
CAT |
CYD |
YPC |
CTD |
CAR |
RYD |
RTD |
| 2001 |
MIN |
11 |
24 |
184 |
7.7 |
0 |
23 |
72 |
1 |
| 2002 |
MIN |
14 |
37 |
393 |
10.6 |
1 |
|
|
|
| 2003 |
MIN |
16 |
46 |
401 |
8.7 |
4 |
2 |
15 |
0 |
| 2003 |
Avg |
15 |
42 |
397 |
9.6 |
3 |
2 |
15 |
0 |
| Kleinsasser re-signed with the Vikings to a $15 million, five-year contract and was the hottest free agent tight end until reeled back. The Vikings made him their #1 priority in free agency. He ended with 46 receptions in 2003 and ranked 3rd among NFL tight ends with four receiving scores. He suffered an abdominal injury early in the season and yet still produced 401 yards. The Vikings have perhaps their best crew of receivers since back in the Moss/Carter days and that could affect Kleinsasser’s numbers but likely not. He turned in three efforts over 60 yards in the final half of the season and always had at least one catch since their week six bye. Given the amount of weapons that Culpepper has, Kleinsasser will never become a top receiving tight end but will make for an excellent fantasy back-up and even a decent starter in almost half his games. Jermaine Wiggins was also acquired in the off-season. |
|
| Chad Lewis |
PHI |
HT |
6'6'' |
WT |
252 |
AGE |
33 |
EXP |
7 |
| YEAR |
TM |
GMS |
CAT |
CYD |
YPC |
CTD |
CAR |
RYD |
RTD |
| 2001 |
PHI |
14 |
41 |
422 |
10.3 |
6 |
|
|
|
| 2002 |
PHI |
16 |
42 |
398 |
9.5 |
3 |
|
|
|
| 2003 |
PHI |
14 |
23 |
293 |
12.7 |
1 |
|
|
|
| |
Avg |
15 |
35 |
371 |
10.5 |
3 |
|
|
|
| At the age of 33, Lewis is on his way out and the Eagles brought L.J. Smith in last season to start that process. His numbers have declined every year since 2000 and last season he managed only 48 total yards in the two games that Smith was out. Expect even lower numbers this season as Lewis slowly fades from all fantasy cheatsheets and rides off into the sunset. While Smith was gaining in favor from McNabb in 2003, Lewis just continued with his standard one or two catches a game. Even if Smith is injured, there is no reason to jump back on the Lewis bandwagon. Time to cut bait even in dynasty leagues. |
|
| Brandon Manumaleuna |
STL |
HT |
6'2'' |
WT |
288 |
AGE |
24 |
EXP |
4 |
| YEAR |
TM |
GMS |
CAT |
CYD |
YPC |
CTD |
CAR |
RYD |
RTD |
| 2001 |
STL |
2 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
|
|
| 2002 |
STL |
13 |
8 |
106 |
13.3 |
1 |
|
|
|
| 2003 |
STL |
15 |
29 |
238 |
8.2 |
2 |
4 |
15 |
0 |
| 2003 |
Avg |
10 |
13 |
115 |
|
