With all the intrigue and hype for the upcoming fantasy football season on the horizon, it's important to read as much as you can. Yup, gather in all the information, let it digest for a second and then chase your dreams. And that's why we at Fantasy FanHouse love to lend a helping hand when needed. Look, you already know about Antonio Gates, Tony Gonzalez and Jason Witten, just to name a few. However, it's important to dig deep at every position and analyze just what you're getting from starting slots. If you can get the same production from a lesser-name guy, a good four or five rounds later than the big name, it's worth it. And so today, we are covering the unheralded tight end position. Some of these names may look familiar, but remember it's where they will fall on draft day that's of greater importance.
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Dustin Keller, New York Jets - Big. Shock. Just hear me out first. Keller thrives in Brian Schottenheimer's offensive system. He's able to act almost as a slot receiver and utilizes his speed in running routes. He's hardly your blocking tight end, and for fantasy purposes we love to hear that all he does is catch passes. His rookie season featured a hot streak, a mild streak and a cold streak. However, that much is to be expected from any rookie. This season he'll no doubt take on a greater role in the Jets offense and any time you have young or inexperienced quarterbacks, they always look for the tight end. You should note that theme, a TE is a young QB's best friend. Whether it's Mark Sanchez or Kellen Clemens, there will be a lot of check-downs heading Keller's way. Also, the departure of Laveranues Coles opens up many more opportunities for Keller. He's primed to break out in a big, big way. He may have the "sexy" sleeper tag from some, but he's still going to available late in most drafts.
Zach Miller, Oakland Raiders - The thought here is that Miller is in for a big season. Despite the suspect play at QB that surrounds him, Miller has given us glimpses of his potential. He piled on the yards and catches last season, while ripping off an eye-catching 13.9 yards-per-catch average. The knock on Miller is that he only reached pay dirt once all season. However, that can also be blamed on the anemic Raiders offense. The offense figures to be improved this season and as JaMarcus Russell continues to develop, he'll no doubt find Miller as his safety valve. Expect no drop in Miller's production even if Jeff Garcia were to take over. Miller will continue to pile on yards and find more red-zone chances this season.Bo Scaife, Tennessee Titans - Scaife has become a master of the short routes, going over the middle and simply moving the chains. He's not necessarily the TE that is going to rope in numerous touchdowns. However, he's going to pile up the targets, catches and hopefully the yards. His play alone has resigned Alge Crumpler into being the blocking back only. Bo knows catching passes, that's his role in this offense. Look for more of the same from Scaife this season, a steady diet of multi-catch games and always the chance for him to break a short scamper or pluck a red-zone target. He's on the "bye-week filler" cusp, but closer to a TE2. Play it safe.
Visanthe Shiancoe, Minnesota Vikings - Yes, there are a lot of mouths to feed in this offense. And do we really even know who will be throwing him the football? Well, let's not worry too much. Last season Shiancoe hauled in seven TDs, which was good to crack the Top 3 in that statistical category for his position. It'd probably be more advantageous for Shiancoe if the starter was to remain Tarvaris Jackson, as we all know the check-down theory. Regardless, even if it is Brett Favre, he too has found a niche building good rapport with his tight ends. Much like Bo Scaife, Shiancoe's primary role in this offense is simply to catch passes, as he's not highly noted for his blocking. I like Schiancoe if all the other big names have slipped you by, because he will consistently contribute and that's what you need from the tight end slot.
Billy Miller, New Orleans Saints - Why is everyone still infatuated with Jeremy Shockey? He hasn't been a productive fantasy option for years and can hardly stay healthy enough to even consider starting. Ah yes, Drew Brees found his usual TE chemistry last season, but it was with Billy Miller. Miller didn't post numbers that jumped off the page at you, but he did finish in the Top 15 in receiving yards at his position and gathered most of the tight end looks in the Saints passing game. Again this season Miller is pushed way down the draft board, which isn't to say I'm thinking of him along the same lines as Gates or Gonzalez. However, if you are prospecting the Saints offense, he'd be the guy you want and not Shockey.
Super Deep Sleeper Alert
Brandon Pettigrew, Detroit Lions - Yes, this is purely a homer pick. Pettigrew can easily be described as the complete package at tight end. He's Kellen Winslow minus the attitude and baggage. OK, so maybe he's not depicted as that much of a game-changing, pass-catching TE who can and will stretch the field. However, he's sure to play a part in the Lions' (hopefully sneaky decent) offensive system. Expect to see Pettigrew haul in a lot of check-downs from Daunte Culpepper, Drew Stanton or Matthew Stafford. He'll be called on to block a great deal, but when the line crumbles, expect him to be the first option as whoever is at QB scrambles for their life. He's not gonna steal red-zone looks away from Calvin Johnson, but he'll get his fair share. The Lions have lacked any presence at TE for the longest time; it's going to be a tough sell for them to ignore this formidable target. He's not going to reach the upper echelon, but he's a sneaky option with upside.
