Fantasy Football 101: 2010 Tight End Rankings #21 - 40
The tight end is as deep as ever this season as the second twenty is littered with sleeper candidates and a solid veterans who can spot start.
Tier V: Deep League Veterans and High Upside Sleepers
21. Todd Heap, Baltimore - Heap bounced back last season with 53 catches, 593 yards and 6 touchdowns but the Ravens draft not one but two tight ends in the first four rounds this year. He may be solid but last year's results are as good as it will get.
22. Rob Gronkowski, New England - On the plus side, the tight end job in New England is up for grabs and Gronkowski is the early favorite for the job. On the negative side, Patriot tight ends routinely disappoint and Gronkowski needs to beat out fellow draftee Aaron Hernandez for the job.
23. Anthony Fasano, Miami - After two seasons in Miami Fasano has failed to display much upside although he did catch 7 touchdowns in 2008.
24. Marcedes Lewis, Jacksonville - Lewis has increased his yardage and yards per catch each of his first three seasons but has failed to become much of a red zone option with just 2 TDs each season. There is moderate upside but a repeat of last year is more likely.
25. Fred Davis, Washington - Davis provided a taste of what he is capable of catching 33 passes for 386 yards and 5 touchdowns in 9 starts in place of Chris Cooley. Davis has a lot of upside but needs to find a way onto the field with Cooley back.
26. Bo Scaife, Tennessee - Scaife is Vince Young's security blanket and catches enough passes (45 or more the past three years) to be a backup in PPR leagues but has scored just 4 touchdowns in the past three years.
27. Ben Watson, Cleveland - An annual disappointment in New Englad, Watson will get a chance to show what he can do now that he is the new starter in Cleveland. At 29, his upside is minimal but in a conservative offense with unproven receivers he could catch 40 passes as a veteran security blanket.
28. Tony Scheffler, Detroit - Scheffler was an interesting pickup for a Lions team that drafted Brandon Pettigrew in the first round just a year ago. He has upside if Pettigrew is not 100% but a backup role could make it difficult to achieve even last years disappointing numbers (31-416-2).
29. Jared Cook, Tennessee - Cook possesses a rare combination of size and athleticism for a tight end but he needs to improve his work ethic if he is to live up to his potential. He may have the highest ceiling of any player ranked in our second twenty tight ends but also has one of the lowest floors. In deep leagues he is worth a final round flyer or $1 bid in auction but draft him as a deep sleeper not someone you count on.
30. Daniel Graham, Denver - Known more as a blocker than a receiver, Graham is better NFL tight end than a fantasy one. He will play regularly but 30 catches and a couple of touchdowns is about as good as it gets.
Tier VI: Darkhorses To Watch
31. Shawn Nelson, Buffalo - The Bills will likely throw more under Chan Gailey and Nelson has the athleticism to become a solid receiver in his second season if he can win the starting job.
32. David Thomas, New Orleans - Thomas' value comes as a result of Jeremy Shockey's injuries. He played surprisingly well when give an opportunity the second half but could lose playing time if rookie Jimmy Graham emerges.
33. Tony Moeaki, Kansas City - Moeaki is not getting nearly the pre-season pub as Jermaine Gresham or Rob Gronkowski and has almost as good a chance of starting as either of them. Moeaki also lands in a passing friendly offense that needs players to seize key roles which could allow him to surprise.
34. Aaron Hernandez, New England - The starting tight end job in New England is wide open but Hernandez is likely behind Rob Gronkowski in the pecking order but if he steals the job (or Gronkowski's back is not 100%) he could find himself in a good opportunity. Just remember Patriots tight ends have a tendency to disappoint.
35. Ed Dickson, Baltimore - Dickson is an athletic receiving tight end who has value as a keeper but will likely take a backseat to Tood Heap this season (or until he gets injured).
36. Dante Rosario, Carolina - Whoever wins the Panthers tight end job between Rosario, Jeff King and Gary Barnidge could provide a bye week option but the upside is severely limited.
37. Ben Patrick, Arizona - Despite playing in a pass friendly offense, Patrick has provided minimal value the past two seasons and aside from having a starting job he does not provide much upside.
38. Dennis Pitta, Baltimore - Pitta has tremendous hands and will challenge Ed Dickson for the job as the heir apparent to Todd Heap.
39. Daniel Fells, St. Louis - Fells has a chance to earn a starting job for a team whose passing attack can only get better with the addition of Sam Bradford.
40. Zach Miller, Jacksonville - The other Zach Miller is flying below most fantasy radars but his six catch 69 yard and 2 touchdown performance in week 17 makes one wonder if he could challenge for more time this season. Marcedes Lewis is average at best which could provide an opportunity for the athletic former quarterback.
Note: NFLDraft101 rankings are based on: 1 point per 25 yards passing, 1 point for per 10 yards rushing/receiving, 6 points per TD (passing, rushing or receiving), 1 point per reception and -2 per interception or lost fumble.
Rankings were done by using the averaging of our staff's individual rankings and were based on a single season not a dynasty league.
Chris Maier is Senior Editor for NFLDraft101.com. He can be reached at cmaier@nfldraft101.com. Follow me on twitter: nfldraft101