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Chris Mangano lists five tight ends who could be draft values and sleepers at their current ADP in 2018 fantasy football leagues.
As the NFL season approaches, and leagues begin to host their fantasy drafts, we have a pretty good idea of where most players will be drafted.
While the early rounds are chock full of studs and obvious picks, it's the middle and late rounds that will truly make or break your draft.
We already looked at wide receiver value picks, so now it's time to focus on the tight end position. Here are some TEs that are being drafted way too low considering what they are likely to give their fantasy owners this year.
Editor's Note: Identify fantasy football draft busts, overvalued ADPs, and key players to avoid so you can draft with confidence this season.
Tight End Draft Values
Kyle Rudolph (TE, MIN) ADP: TE8
Despite a “down” 2017 season, only Jimmy Graham had more touchdowns than Kyle Rudolph at the tight end position. And while he had a significant drop in catches and yards, he looks due for a bounce-back with new quarterback Kirk Cousins at the helm. In Cousins’ three years as the starter in Washington, tight ends Jordan Reed and Vernon Davis combined to average 102 receptions, 1,026 yards and eight touchdowns per year. Just two years ago Rudolph finished as the overall TE2 with Sam Bradford throwing passes. He has a real shot to finish in the top-4, and could even leapfrog one or two of the “big three” this season.
Jack Doyle (TE, IND) ADP: TE11
It’s not very often a tight end coming off an 80 catch season, and a TE7 overall finish, is barely being drafted as a top-12 tight end, but that’s the case with Doyle. There’s reason to think Doyle will do even better this year too. In 2016, with a healthy Andrew Luck, Doyle had 59 receptions and five touchdowns despite not starting two games. With Luck returning, and the Colts without a solid number two receiver behind T.Y. Hilton, Doyle should see plenty of targets and plenty of scoring chances. He should easily match his TE7 finish from a year ago, and may even exceed it.
George Kittle (TE, SF) ADP: TE13
With Evan Engram having such a good rookie season, another rookie tight end, George Kittle, kind of got forgotten. But Kittle himself had quite a first year, with 43 catches for 515 yards and two touchdowns. He did this while playing less than 60% of the team’s snaps too. Now entering his sophomore year, and with a big upgrade at quarterback, Kittle should be on the field plenty and has a chance to vastly improve on last year’s numbers. He did hurt his shoulder in the first preseason game, but all reports are he will be good to go for week one. On an offense that should see a big bump in 2017, Kittle is one of the best values at the position.
Jared Cook (TE, OAK) ADP: TE18
Jared Cook had a bit of a breakout season in 2017, with 54 catches and 688 yards on his way to a TE12 finish. Playing his first year for the Oakland Raiders, he was targeted 86 times, second-most of his career. Michael Crabtree was cut in the offseason, and he takes with him 101 targets and 15 red zone targets in just 14 games played. Cook could certainly see his share of those, and with the Raiders offense sure to be better, his fantasy value is looking up. Even if he just repeats what he did a year ago he is an absolute steal at this price.
Charles Clay (TE, BUF) ADP: TE20
Charles Clay was off to a good start in 2017 before suffering an injury in Week 5. In his first four healthy games, he had 18 receptions, 227 yards, and two touchdowns. That would be a 72/908/8 pace over a full 16 game season. The Bills are devoid of offensive weapons and could be without LeSean McCoy for most or all of the season. While Clay may not possess major upside in this offense, he should offer a safe floor for fantasy owners. At a position that is so top-heavy, a safe floor is not a bad thing. If you miss out on the “stud” tight ends, Clay is not a bad last pick for your team.
