Football Fantasyland 2012 Sleepers: Peas Under the Mattress (TE)

Decided my original sleeper post was too long, so I’m breaking it down by position. Intro paragraph is always the same.

You know the story of the Princess and the Pea, right? Well, the gist is that there’s this princess who can’t sleep if you put a single pea under her mattress because it hurts her back…or something. Look, the point is, in your fantasy draft this year you are the princess (deal with it, it’s a good thing.) If you can find those players (or “peas”) buried deep in the draft (or “mattress”) you will be able to sleep easy knowing your fantasy roster is ready for anything…like say losing 3 of your top four picks in the first two weeks of the season (trust me, it happens.) So, without further confusion, I present, your peapods for the Tight End position:

Jared Cook, TEN: The biggest trendiest name at the biggest trendiest position. I have only one concern with Cook and it’s who wins the QB battle? Matt Hasselbeck has gone a long time without a serviceable tight end and if he’s under center Cook may slip into the background, BUT if Jake Locker can win the job I expect the two to pick up right where they left off in those last three games of the 2011 season in which Cook totaled 335yds and 1 TD. (that’s nearly half his yearly total in 3 games!) Cooke should be around in the 11th, but if Locker’s been announced you could go as high as the 8th for him.

Jermaine Gresham, CIN: From 2010 to 2011 Gresham saw his yardage increase by over 100 yards on just 4 more receptions (and one less game.) Gresham was drafted to be a receiving TE and that’s exactly how OC Jay Gruden intends to use him. AJ Green won’t surprise anyone this year, and should draw plenty of attention from opposing safeties which should leave Gresham wide open across the middle. I’m a little concerned about Andy Dalton slumping, but I see plenty of passing in Cincinnati’s future and Gresham should be this year’s main benefactor.

Owen Daniels, HOU: What always seems to kill Daniels value is his TDs. He’s never had more than 5 in a season and he’s only managed that twice. Some of that can be attributed to injury, which is another concern with Daniels. But since his rookie year he has not averaged less than 12 yards per catch and he finds himself in good position to see a lot of looks this year. Andre Johnson is coming back from injury, the run game is stronger than ever and Joel Dreessen has left for Denver leaving his targets for Daniels (with perhaps a few left over for James Casey who’s known to line up all over.) He won’t be the most consistent guy, but you also won’t need to spend any more than a 12th pick on him (assuming he even gets drafted) I think he’s a guy who’s slipped off the radar and could come back in a big way if the Texans are who we think they are.

Coby Fleener, IND: 6’6, 4.4 speed, limited WR group oh and he’s playing with his old college QB. The only thing that bothers me is that he’s actually being expected to produce solid number and I’m not ruling out Dwayne Allen as a key contributor.

Lance Kendricks, STL: I was big on Kendricks as a breakout star last year as the report was then OC Josh McDaniels was looking to get him on the field in all sorts of sets and take advantage of his rare size/speed combo to exploit defenses…it never really happened like that due to an anemic passing game and Kendricks wasn’t doing himself any favors dropping passes. This preseason the hype is gone, and the talent seems to have started showing. He’s had multiple catches of 20+ yards and a couple of touchdowns through the first 3 preseason games. I still want to see him in a game that counts, but the early signs have Kendricks high on my watch list.

Jacob Tamme, DEN: Not so much a sleeper, but he’s been slipping from headlines as the focus at Broncos camp is all about Peyton and his young WR. Peyton loves targeting tight ends and he’s had success with Tamme before, that could be a huge advantage and Tamme could end up on of the top TE by the end of the season.

Greg Olsen, CAR: I think I was year early on the Olsen bandwagon. I snagged him late in the draft last year sure that the rookie Newton would rely on his 6’5 TE over his 5’9 WR who was seemed to be declining. Missed big time on that one. Jeremy Shockey split the new QB’s favor with Olsen, and with his departure I look for Olsen to push 1000yds and double digit TDs…overly optimistic, but that was what Olsen and Shockey came up with combined last season, so there’s some precedent. Olsen will likely still go undrafted in many leagues, and should probably only be taken as #2 TE with big upside. (definitely worth the bench spot if your league allows TE’s as flex)

Tony Moeaki, KC: He’s still working his way back from an injury that cost him the 2011 season, but he showed flashes in 2010 as a rookie (he totaled a little over 500 yards and 3TDs in 16 games) Not wow numbers, but with Bowe and Baldwin on the outside Moeaki (and Kevin Boss) should find some running room over the middle. He’s another definite #2 with upside, but I think Cassel’s going to make good use of his TE.