RADIO
Tight ends are almost the equivalent of catchers in fantasy baseball, as it is a shallow position with a wide gap between the top producers and the pedestrian crowd. Unless you are getting a top talent, there's no real reason to invest significant draft capital in the tight end position.
Listed are some tight ends who saw their value change significantly in 2016. Keep in mind, there is an extensive track record of tight ends who break out after initially being considered disappointments, and some just don't break out at all.
Note: 2017 average draft positions from Fantasy Football Calculator are in parentheses.
Stock Rising
C.J. Fiedorowicz, Houston Texans:
2016 stats: 54 receptions, 559 yards, 4 TDs
C.J. Fiedorowicz provided sneaky value at the tight end position in 2016, and when talking dynasty, the word may get out over the course of the 2017 season. Playing in the tight end-friendly Houston offense, Fiedorowicz received 89 targets, 10th overall amongst tight ends, and with an upgrade at quarterback, expect an improvement on his 54 receptions.
Although we still don’t know who will be under center for the Texans in 2017, any quarterback will be an upgrade over Brock Osweiler. At 6’6” and 265 lbs., Fiedorowicz makes for an excellent red-zone target, and if the Texans end up with a young quarterback under center, the 25-year-old tight end could be a nice safety valve for an inexperienced signal caller to lean on.
Austin Hooper, Atlanta Falcons:
2016 stats: 19 receptions, 271 yards, 3 TDs
Austin Hooper, yet another Stanford tight end product, had a quiet rookie season, which is typical for a tight end. However, with Jacob Tamme out of the way, Hooper has a clear path to targets in an offense that ended up as one of the most prolific all time in 2016.
While the Falcons did not feature the tight end in the passing game in 2016, it is clear Matt Ryan will utilize his most talented playmakers, regardless of position. A plethora of receivers complemented Julio Jones in 2016, as Taylor Gabriel, Mohammed Sanu, and Aldrick Robinson each had their stretches of contribution. The only thing missing was production from the tight end, and while Jacob Tamme was adequate at times, Austin Hooper possesses far more upside, and will have a chance to display that upside in 2017.
Vance McDonald, San Francisco 49ers:
2016 stats: 24 receptions, 391 yards, 4 TDs
The 49ers’ offense went through a serious and necessary makeover in the offseason, but a holdover from the previous regime could be ready for that late breakout. Vance McDonald, like most tight ends, struggled to make an impact in his first two seasons in the league, but in 2016, the light bulb appeared to have gone on.
Playing in the gimmicky, unconventional Chip Kelly offense that refuses to utilize it’s tight ends, Vance McDonald made the most of his targets, averaging 16.3 yards per reception before going down with a shoulder injury in Week 13. There was no way McDonald was going to be fantasy relevant playing with the likes of Colin Kaepernick and Blaine Gabbert, but he was able to record two touchdown receptions of 65-plus yards, where he basically outran the entire defense. You don’t see that from a tight end every Sunday.
New head coach Kyle Shanahan has been proven to get the most out of his playmakers, and when he reviews the film from 2016, he’ll certainly notice Vance McDonald. With the 49ers expected to be in plenty of passing situations, McDonald could see a ton of looks.
Stock Falling
Coby Fleener, New Orleans Saints:
2016 stats: 50 receptions, 631 yards, 3 TDs
Coby Fleener was a disappointment in his first year with the Saints, as Drew Brees prioritized Brandin Cooks, Michael Thomas, Willie Snead, and his running backs in the passing game in 2016. With Brandin Cooks gone, don’t expect Fleener to pick up the slack.
While the Saints love to spread the ball around, Coby Fleener doesn’t command a great enough target share to be productive, and his week-to-week scoring output will vary greatly. There’s a reason he couldn’t claim the tight end role for himself when he was in Indianapolis, and he even started to lose snaps to Josh Hill over the course of the season. Factor in whispers that he struggled to learn the offense, and there isn’t much to like about Fleener going forward.
Clive Walford, Oakland Raiders:
2016 stats: 33 receptions, 359 yards, 3 TDs
Clive Walford was a trendy sleeper pick in both redraft and dynasty formats, but faces long odds to continue the legacy of successful tight ends out of the University of Miami. Walford is expected to play second fiddle to Jared Cook, who signed with the Raiders this offseason. When you're replaced by Jared Cook, well, you probably aren't very good.
The Raiders do not prioritize their tight ends in the passing game, as a large percentage of Derek Carr’s targets are allocated to Amari Cooper, Michael Crabtree, Seth Roberts, and their staple of running backs. Lacking the athleticism to carve out a role in the passing game, Clive Walford should be left on the dynasty waiver wire.
Maxx Williams, Baltimore Ravens:
No stats in 2016
Maxx Williams, a highly productive player in college, appeared to be an excellent fit for the Baltimore Ravens when he was drafted out of Minnesota. Williams suffered a tough break in 2016, tearing cartilage in his knee, missing essentially the entire season.
In the meantime, Baltimore stocked up on tight ends, resigning Dennis Pitta and acquiring Ben Watson, while keeping Crockett Gillmore and Darren Waller on the roster. With a crowded depth chart and Joe Flacco’s undying loyalty to Dennis Pitta, it’s going to be tough for Maxx Williams to find targets going forward.
