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Stop fighting your fantasy rivals for the opportunity to draft Antonio Gates.
As great as the future Hall of Famer is he will continue to be plagued by his foot injury. He’s no longer worth the fourth-round selection you’ll need to use to obtain his heroics. The tight end pool is deeper than ever and there are more than five beastly TEs who’ll rival Gates for no. 1 honors all season.
5. Kellen Winslow, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Mike Williams will be double-teamed all season. Josh Freeman is too intelligent to force passes his way, which leaves Kellen Winslow as the next best option. He will become Freeman’s top no. 2 option and dominate the middle of the field. Expect Freeman to target him early and often to keep drives moving and control the pace of the game.
4. Owen Daniels, Houston Texans
Daniels is in the same position as Winslow as he works opposite Andre Johnson. The Texans don’t have a legitimate no. 2 option for Matt Schaub, which means Daniels will be among TE league leaders in targets. He is two years removed from his knee injury so expect him to fully healthy and more confident running routes and taking hits. Aside from Johnson, he is the best red zone option in Houston.
3. Greg Olsen, Carolina Panthers
The TE is a young QBs best friend. Expect Olsen to be Cam Newton’s favorite target. Steve Smith will be double- and even triple-teamed this year so expect Olsen to lead the team in targets, receptions, yards and touchdowns. He is matchup nightmare for linebackers and safeties with his combination of speed, size and strength.
2. Jimmy Graham, New Orleans Saints
Drew Brees has been in New Orleans so long people tend to forget he helped make Antonio Gates the beast he is. Brees knows the importance of an elite receiving tight end and Jimmy Graham will make the leap to elite status this year.
He put on muscle this offseason to body smaller defenders and has the leaping ability to dominate safeties and cornerbacks. Marques Colston and Lance Moore aren’t safe bets to play all 16 games, so expect Graham to receive a ton of looks from Brees. He’ll rival Colston as Brees’ top red zone target.
1. Jermichael Finley, Green Bay Packers
Finley comes with a ton of concerns, but is rightfully being selected near Gates in fantasy drafts. He may be the biggest name on the list and is by no means a sleeper of any sort, but everyone needs a reminder sometimes. He is an athletic freak of nature. He is a WR in a TE body. He has incredible leaping ability, speed, size and strength.
His size leaves him vulnerable to injury, but he’ll finally enjoy the breakout season we’ve been calling for the past two years. He is fighting for a contract and I always love players fighting for a contract. Finley will be 1B to Gates’ 1A all season.
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Fantasy Football Rankings 2011: 5 Beastly TEs Who’ll Rival Antonio Gates
