Here at Footballguys.com, we have Spotlights and Faceoffs. Those features are fairly comprehensive, but they are limited to viewpoints from either one or two writers. Well some players need a little more commentary. We have decided open up the dialog and asked our staff to leave their thoughts on these players and what is expected from them in 2010. Here, discussion centers around TE Chris Cooley.
Sigmund Bloom: Cooley is a fine pick if you want to wait on TE, but don't use his past numbers as a guide because they came before the emergence of Fred Davis as an almost equally viable target (arguably better in the red zone than Cooley), and the likely breakout of one or both of Malcolm Kelly and Devin Thomas as strong options to complement Santana Moss. The arrival of Mike Shanahan and Donovan McNabb should boost the Redskins' passing offense, but there are more mouths to feed now, so Cooley's ADP is spot-on for his true value this year.
Jeff Pasquino: Sigmund might be getting ahead of himself. Malcolm Kelly and Devin Thomas haven't really broken out yet. If they don't, Cooley could be Donovan McNabb's second-favorite target. I can understand the concerns about Fred Davis being in the mix, but Washington will be passing the ball plenty. Without a strong complimentary running game it should be all hands on deck at receiver for the Redskins, and that includes both tight ends. Cooley makes for a nice later TE1 candidate.
Andy Hicks: Can two tight ends from the same team be fantasy options? That is the key question surrounding Chris Cooley and Fred Davis this season. Davis was excellent once Cooley was lost for the season, but Cooley had four solid seasons before that and looked good last season before his injury. Donovan McNabb and Mike Shanahan are both known for using their tight ends, and there is a good chance that Davis and Cooley can co-exist as fantasy options.
I do think that despite the possibility of a dual tight end threat, that Cooley will get the majority of the looks, and will return to the top ten at his fantasy position. He recorded over 80 catches and 800 yards in 2008 and was heavily targeted in his 2009 appearances. With doubts surrounding the wide receivers, the Redskins would be foolish not to use Cooley consistently. Cooley is currently being drafted as a borderline TE1-TE2 and he should be snapped up at that price.
Maurile Tremblay: I'm staying away from Cooley this season. He'll be in a time-share with Fred Davis, which will prevent him from being a legitimate fantasy TE1. It's easy to name 15 tight ends who will be featured as their teams' primary receiver from the tight end position this season, and Cooley isn't on the list.