Undervalued TEs

Sigmund Bloom - Miller still had a respectable low-end fantasy starter type season last year, and that was with him often marooned at the line of scrimmage to give help to a feeble pass blocking offensive line. This year, JaMarcus Russell and the Raiders passing offense is sure to continue the trend of improvement started in December of last season, and Miller should be the main beneficiary. It's a no brainer to wait on TE if you can get Miller in the 11th round.

Aaron Rudnicki - The TE position is the deepest in the league by far this year and there should be plenty of value throughout your draft. If you're looking for a guy with top-5 potential that can be drafted outside of the top-10 rounds, Miller is one of the guys you should target. The Raiders do not have any proven receivers and lost their projected #1 in Chaz Schilens to a preseason injury that could limit him early on. Miller is a 2nd year player who came on very strong last year who JaMarcus Russell will look to early and often. He's a safer option than a few of the TEs being drafted ahead of him and he also has a chance to put up huge numbers.

Jeff Tefertiller - Miller has quietly become the top receiver in Oakland. Like many young tight ends, he will continue to develop as he matures. JaMarcus Russell relies on the youngster for the clutch reception. With any improvement in Russell and the Raider offense, Miller will see his numbers rise. All of his statistical categories saw a big increase from year one to year two, except touchdowns. Further development is expected in year three. Even with one scoring grab last season, Miller finished higher than his current ADP of TE12. There is plenty of room for improvement.

Maurile Tremblay - Miller was a consistent presence in the Raiders' offense last season -- in fact, he is the only player who can say that. He was the sixth-leading receiver among TEs last season with 778 yards. He can get downfield and is also a tough runner after the catch -- his 13.9 yards per reception was third last year (behind Scheffler and Shiancoe) among starting NFL tight ends. What held Miller back from a stellar fantasy season was an anomalously low TD total -- he had one. With a more normal TD output, Miller could be a top six or seven fantasy TE.

David Yudkin - Miller was the most reliable receiving threat in Oakland and should be again this year. Miller ranked 11th last season and should continue to improve. Miller had twice as many receiving yards and almost double the number of receptions last year than any other Oakland player. JaMarcus Russell seems to have some chemistry with Miller, and that should remain intact throughout the season as both continue to mature.

Sigmund Bloom - The Jets blew most of their draft capital to get Mark Sanchez and Shonn Greene, and they blew most of their free agent bucks to bring in Bart Scott, so the WR2 job was not addressed after Laveranues Coles asked for his release. You have to believe that this means that Keller, who is more oversized slot receiver than tight end, will be second in the pecking order for targets regardless of who emerges from the group fighting to start opposite Jerricho Cotchery. He's a steal as the 10th TE off the board.

Jeff Pasquino - Whenever I want a value TE, I start with looking for a team that has next to nothing at the second wideout position. New York Jets, I'm talking about you. Keller had 48 catches last year but just two scores, and someone will have to pick up the slack for Laveranues Coles' 71 receptions after he left for Cincinnati. Mark Sanchez has no NFL experience and will need a big target as a reliable receiver -- a perfect recipe for Keller to excel in 2009.

Jeff Haseley - Did you know, Shiancoe had 7 TDs last year? He quietly finished as the 5th ranked fantasy TE in 2008 with 42 receptions, 596 yards and 7 TDs. Enter Brett Favre and his tendency to use TEs in his offense and Shiancoe automatically gets an upgrade, in my opinion. He has the tools and ability to finish as a Top 6 TE in 2009, yet he is totally being ignored in drafts this year with an ADP of 131 overall, TE13.

Mark Wimer - Visanthe Shiancoe hauled in 42/596/7 last season, ending up as the #5 fantasy TE in the land - while catching balls from the likes of Gus Frerotte and Tarvaris Jackson. This year, Brett Favre will be throwing the rock in Minnesota. As far as passing goes, Favre is a big upgrade over Frerotte and Jackson. Shiancoe stands to benefit from better QB play, and may have another top 5 fantasy season on tap - he's a steal at his current ADP of TE #13.

Jeff Pasquino - The Saints love to throw the ball, and Drew Brees likes to use a tight end if he has trust in him. Last year that was lacking, so Lance Moore and Billy Miller took over for short routes for New Orleans. Shockey was viewed as a disappointment, but he was not healthy for most of the year and he joined New Orleans last July. Shockey now has a full off-season to work with Brees and also more work due to Moore's torn labrum. Shockey is highly motivated to perform as he is also seeking a new contract.

Aaron Rudnicki - Jeremy Shockey remains one of the most talented TEs in the league with the potential to produce like a top-5 player when healthy. He's struggled with nagging injuries at times over the past two years and failed to record a single TD in 2008, but that has simply pushed his value down to an all-time low. The Saints have one of the best passing offenses in the league and generally make good use of their TEs. Shockey and backup Billy Miller combined for 95 receptions and 1062 yards last year. If he can stay healthy and start to find the end zone, Shockey may push for a top-5 finish.

Jason Wood - Even the best NFL tight ends were irrelevant as rookies; it's one of the more difficult positions to master. But Carlson finished as the 7th ranked fantasy TE as a rookie, in spite of playing a team without its star QB for a portion of the year. The sky is the limit for Carlson yet he's being drafted several rounds after comparable fantasy starters.

Jeff Tefertiller - Olsen finished as the tenth best tight end last season. In 2009, he gets the benefit of Jay Cutler tossing the ball. Olsen is a very athletic tight end that can take advantage of mismatches all over the field. Cutler made Tony Scheffler into a top tight end and will do the same with the young tight end from Miami. Greg Olsen has the potential to produce at elite levels in the "new" Bear offense. With the lack of receiving weapons in Chicago, Olsen has a real shot at a Top 5 finish in 2009.

Sigmund Bloom - KWII looked like a huge weight was lifted from his shoulders in his first press conference as a Buccaneer, and with their poor WR corps, expect a new weight on him in the form of helping carry the passing offense. Winslow was a premium fantasy TE before the Cleveland offense imploded last year, his numbers should return to form this year, making his 7th round ADP a gift to owners who aren't eager to take one of the first TEs off the board.