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Deep sleeper TEs

"Marc Levin" - There are a ton of deep sleeper options at TE. One of the more intriguing is Desmond Clark, who played a major role in the Bears' passing offense in 2006. He finished 6th among all TEs with 626 yards and 6 TDs on only 45 catches. If he receives only 75% of the 80 targets he received in 2006, he will be a great value pick from the TE16 spot. Even acknowledging that TDs are sporadic and that Clark may not replicate top-10 TE status, 500+ yards receiving and 3+ TDs are more than reasonable.

"Aaron Rudnicki" - Clark is coming off the best season of his career and his 5th with the Bears. Although rookie Greg Olsen is a very talented player who will take over the starting job at some point in the future, he's still very raw as a blocker. Until Olsen becomes a more reliable blocker that the team can rely on not to get the QB killed, Clark should remain the starter. Based on last year's numbers, he is clearly a good fit for the Bears offense and is already one of Grossman's favorite targets.

"Mark Wimer" - Clark had a career-best season last year, hauling in 45/626/6 while being targeted with 80 passes. It was his best showing since 2001, during his final season with the Broncos. The Bears drafted Greg Olsen out of Miami, but he is a rookie stepping up to the big leagues and isn't noted as a run blocker (a requirement in the Bears' offense). Rookie TEs rarely produce elite fantasy points their first season. Take a look at Vernon Davis' season from last year (42 targets for 20/265/3 over 10 games) or Dallas Clark's rookie season (42 targets for 29/340/1 over 10 games) -- both were 1st round picks that entered the league behind veteran TEs (Davis backed up Eric Johnson; Clark, Marcus Pollard). I think Clark is drastically undervalued currently and is an outstanding value pick for TE required leagues.

"Jason Wood" - Fantasy owners summarily overestimate the impact rookie Greg Olsen is going to have in Chicago. Eventually Olson may become a force, but this year Desmond Clark very much remains a Pro Bowl caliber pass catcher and the team's favorite target. Don't expect a team that made it to the Super Bowl and plans on sticking with Rex Grossman to abandon their best receiving option from a year ago.

David Dodds - He finished as the 14th best fantasy TE as a rookie and with David Carr at QB. I see no reason he won't improve some this season.

"Jeff Pasquino" - Whenever you see trouble at WR2 for a franchise, take a look at the TE option. Daniels put up some pretty good numbers last year (34-352-5) and most would say that his QB situation (from David Carr to Matt Schaub) is better this season. Daniels has a very good shot at finishing as a TE1 in 12 team leagues.

"Jason Wood" - Owen Daniels has to smile when he looks at the Texans WR depth chart. Beyond Andre Johnson, there is no one close to Daniels. He has above average speed, the size of a tight end, but the hands of a receiver and played really well in limited duty a season ago. With a new QB in town, and only 37-year-old Keenan McCardell in line to challenge for targets, expect Daniels to be the 2nd most targeted player in Houston (behind AJ).

"Jeff Tefertiller" - Many times, it takes rookie tight ends most of their first year to "get it". Daniels came on strong as the season progressed. I expect similar improvement in Daniels' second season. He could easily be a Top 10 tight end for years to come. The Texans do not have a decent WR2 so Daniels will still get very good targets in the redzone.

"Jeff Pasquino" - The signing of Trent Green for the Dolphins and the departure of former starting TE Randy McMichael to Detroit sets up Martin very nicely for this season. Look for Green, who favored throwing over the middle and down the seam in KC, to target Martin several times a game. If Martin converts those targets like he should, he has a reasonable shot at finishing in the Top 12 this year.

"David Yudkin" - The team, the coach, and the quarterback all have ties to big scoring tight end production (McMichael, Gates, and Gonzalez). Enter Martin to the picture and it's not unreasonable to think that he could see a big boost in his previously pedestrian fantasy numbers.

"Jeff Haseley" - This is the perfect storm of coincidences here for Martin to have a chance to shine in Miami.

1. Randy McMichael's departure opens up a starting spot as the receiving threat for the Dolphins in the tight end role.
2. New QB Trent Green had much success with TE Tony Gonzalez in Kansas City.
3. New head coach Cam Cameron created a passing offense that focused on getting the ball to standout TE Antonio Gates in San Diego. Why is Gates so good? He is a wide receiver in a tight end's body - and he has great hands. Enter David Martin.

David Dodds - Vince Young lacks real weapons at WR. He could be utilized often as a safety valve in this offense. He finished 16th in fantasy scoring despite catching just 29 passes (on 56 targets). I expect both numbers to go considerably.

Colin Dowling - Despite all the hoopla surrounding his enormous physical talents, Ben Troupe has yet to reach the lofty fantasy status that a Tight End on Jeff Fisher's team should. Bo Scaife, on the other hand, has clearly earned the confidence of Vince Young over the years. Last season, Young threw to Scaife on numerous occasions when a catch absolutely, positively had to be made. Do not be surprised to see Scaife perform at a level similar to or better then Troupe.

"Aaron Rudnicki" - Scaife and Vince Young played together in Texas and clearly have good chemistry. Erron Kinney missed last season due to an injury and Ben Troupe has consistently been a disappointment since entering the league. The Titans clearly have an opening for someone in this offense to step up and be a playmaker and there's a good chance for Scaife to be that guy. If none of the WRs emerge, Scaife should have an outside shot at a top-10 season this year.

David Baker - Since he was drafted in 2006, much has been expected from Marcedes Lewis. Injuries and an unsure quarterback situation slowed down Lewis in his rookie year. But Lewis has big-time ability and he has a combination of size, speed and hands that few other tight ends possess. Lewis is a sleeper who could be a valuable contributor to Jacksonville in 2007.

Sigmund Bloom - Lewis suffered a high ankle sprain in training camp last year and never seemed to get on track. The Jaguars drafted him to be a major receiving threat from the TE position, and this year they hired an offensive coordinator, Dirk Koetter, who made stars out of tight ends Todd Heap and Zach Miller at Arizona State. He might have the best hands of any pass-catcher in Jacksonville, and he's definitely worth a flier as your TE2 in deep leagues.

"Clayton Gray" - By most accounts, Miller should be the team's starting TE when the season opens. He is already signed and in camp and has enough talent to make a small fantasy impact.

"Chris Smith" - Miller is one of the rare tight ends that appear capable of stepping into the starting lineup and putting up good receiving numbers. He is a polished receiver who doesn't have much competition for the starting tight end job with the Raiders. Expect him to step in and put up pretty nice numbers in his first season. He'll have a chance to slot into the top-12 this season.

Sigmund Bloom - All reports out of Denver are that Scheffler's broken foot is almost as healthy as his relationship with Jay Cutler. Scheffler and Cutler seemed to have a mindmeld in Cutler's first five games, and the pair hooked up for over 200 yards and four touchdowns in that stretch. Scheffler was considered raw coming out of Western Michigan and should only improve this season. He's a great TE to target as a TE2 if you miss out on the elite 8 (or 9 if you include Kellen Winslow) TEs.

"Anthony Borbely" - Scheffler was raw coming out of college and received very little playing time in the first half of the season. Once Jay Cutler was given the starting job, Scheffler's playing time and production increased dramatically. He will share time with David Graham, but could get more action in the passing game. Over the last four games, Scheffler had 11 catches for 204 yards and four TDs. He is currently being drafted as TE17, behind rookie Greg Olsen. Scheffler could be a solid value pick in drafts.

"Mark Wimer" - Graham is a skilled pass-catching tight end with a nose for the end-zone. During his best campaign with the Patriots (2003 and 2004), he snagged 38/409/4 and 30/364/7 (12th- and 9th-best fantasy TE those years, respectively). Tony Scheffler looked like he'd get the top job in Denver, but a badly broken foot has kept him out of all the spring practices/OTAs. Scheffler opened camp on the PUP list, opening the door for Graham to stake his claim to #1 on the depth chart. If Graham has a resurgent season, he'll be a great value pick in TE required leagues.

"David Yudkin" - Johnson comes to a pass happy team with a QB accustomed to hitting his tight end on a regular basis. The Brees and Gates connection worked wonders in San Diego, and early in Johnson's career he had a year with 80+ receptions. He could be a valuable fantasy asset after all the stud tight ends are already gone.

"Jeff Haseley" - Bubba Franks is the current TE1 on the Packers this season, but many believe he will revert to more of a blocking TE, which will open the door for Donald Lee with David Martin now with Miami. Lee made an impact in 2005, when Bubba Franks was injured. He had 3 recs or more in 8 of the 15 games he played. Not too shabby. 2007 is his chance to showcase his abilities once again, with what will likely be a more involved role in the offense than before.

"Jeff Tefertiller" - Pollard goes undrafted in many leagues even though he is the starting tight end in a great situation. Jerramy Stevens had decent numbers in that offense. Pollard could easily produce similar numbers to what Stevens had in his tenure in Seattle.

"Clayton Gray" - Despite being almost completely ignored in most fantasy drafts, Shiancoe has many things going for him this season. First, he signed a massive free agent contract, and the team wants to show they know what they are doing. Second, he is more athletic (4.58 in the 40) than the other TEs on the roster. Third, he is a good blocker, which will keep him on the field. Finally, the Vikings' WR corps is less than stellar. There will be plenty of opportunities for Shiancoe to excel this season.

"Chris Smith" - I currently have Troupe as my WR13 and he represents outstanding value where he is going in fantasy drafts. He is a gifted tight end who is entering his 4th season and already has a top-12 fantasy finish under his belt in 2005. His numbers slipped last year while battling injury but he should slide back to his 2005 levels this season.