NFL Fantasy: Five Sleeper Tight Ends
By Erik Lambert
Sep 22, 2013; Arlington, TX, USA; St. Louis Rams tight end Jared Cook (89) runs after a catch against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
The tight end isn’t the first selection in NFL fantasy leagues but it is becoming a very valuable position in key moments. Who are some potential sleepers?
Austin Seferian-Jenkins – Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Rookies are always a tossup when it comes to NFL fantasy risks and it won’t be any different for Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins. However, when somebody is 6’6″ with the athleticism of an NBA small forward it becomes very hard to ignore. ASJ showed at Washington that he has a near limitless ceiling as a pass catcher. He has a quarterback in Josh McCown well-versed in using big targets. Health is his first concern. After that defense should beware.
Garrett Graham – Houston Texans
Before leaving for Penn State, Bill O’Brien was the offensive coordinator in New England. It was under him that tight ends Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez became stars. O’Brien loves to use the position in the passing game, which is great news for Garrett Graham. The Houston Texans utility man has a nice blend of size and speed that O’Brien can put to good use in all sorts of formations, just like he did with Gronk.
Jared Cook – St. Louis Rams
For a brief instant in 2013, NFL fantasy owners were taking a long look at St. Louis Rams free agent addition Jared Cook who seemed to have built a strong connection with quarterback Sam Bradford. Unfortunately Bradford went down with a torn ACL, but Cook still finished with a respectable 671 yards and five touchdowns. With his quarterback returning and an improved offensive line to offer better protection, Cook should have a chance to explore just how far that connection can go.
Zach Ertz – Philadelphia Eagles
There is a lot of buzz circulating the camp of the Philadelphia Eagles, and the man responsible for a good chunk of it is tight end Zach Ertz. After spending his rookie year as a compliment to veteran Brent Celek, the Stanford product is ready to unveil the deeper workings of his talent, something head coach Chip Kelly knows exactly how to exploit. Expect Ertz to become a real terror inside the red zone.
Tyler Eifert – Cincinnati Bengals
Another second-year man in line for a breakout year is Tyler Eifert of the Cincinnati Bengals, the man drafted ahead of Ertz. In similar fashion, he spent most of his rookie year learning the offense and complimenting veteran Jermaine Gresham. Now, as the offense expands around Andy Dalton, Eifert has a chance to carve his own niche into it and his impressive array of athletic talent shouldn’t let him, the Bengals or NFL fantasy leagues down.