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A fantasy draft is all about obtaining the most value with each selection. There is value available throughout a draft, and grabbing it is one of the most important keys to a successful fantasy team. This article specifically targets deep sleeper value (players that can be found very late in a fantasy draft). In an attempt to point out this value, we asked our staff to look deeper than the top 150 players and identify players that should significantly outperform their late draft position. These players should be your targets after the 12th round of your draft.
Player with 10 Votes
Travis Kelce, KC
Sigmund Bloom: If you haven’t seen Kelce’s 69-yard catch and run touchdown, do yourself a favor. The Chiefs have only really Jamaal Charles and Dwayne Bowe to count on in the passing game, and one of Bowe’s fingers is “shot”, according to head coach Andy Reid. Kelce is poised to be as high in the pecking order as any Chief not named Charles or Bowe, and everyone saw in Week 1 of preseason, he has rare tools for a tight end to do something with that opportunity.
James Brimacombe: WIth very little TE competition ahead of Kelce and the lack of WR options in Kansas City it almost makes Kelce an instant contributor on offense. Andy Reid also has a history of making the TE in his offense become fantasy relevant as he did with Brent Celek in Philadelphia. Kelce has all the talent and tools to be a big impact for the Chiefs this year and could be a very nice outlet for Alex Smith.
Heath Cummings: Kelce’s still under the radar a little bit because of missing his rookie year with a microfracture. By the time the season starts that may not be the case as Kelce’s already scored one long touchdown in the team’s first preseason game. On a team devoid of good receiving depth, Kelce has a good chance to earn a bunch of targets.
David Dodds: The real question is who on the Chiefs offense is going to catch passes? Dwayne Bowe is suspended the 1st week and is battling finger problems. Donnie Avery scares no defenses. The answer to this question could very well be Travis Kelce. Travis lost all of 2013 with knee injuries, but has looked great this preseason. An athletic 6' 5", Travis is exactly the kind of "breakout potential" player that can win leagues.
Jeff Haseley: If you're wondering who might be this year's Jordan Cameron or Julius Thomas, take a long look at Travis Kelce. We know that Andy Reid likes to involve the tight end in his offense and right now, Kelce is the primary tight end in Kansas City. He is already starting to make waves in the preseason, which should elevate his ADP into the Top 15. Expect the hype to continue as we get closer to September.
Ari Ingel: The hype train is just starting to get going, but Kelce is still outside the top 150. He was placed on IR during his rookie season and was held out for most of OTA’s. He’s healthy now and turning heads at practice. He’s also a beastly 6’6,” 260 pound tight end that has been clocked running a 4.6 forty. The Chiefs lack a legitimate second receiver, and with Dwayne Bowe dealing with a hand injury, Kelce could be their go to guy. Alex Smith also loves throwing inside the numbers. While he is no lock, he is a great late rounder sleeper to pair with a more stable TE.
Jeff Pasquino: The Chiefs lack for much in the way of viable receiving options, which makes the tight end a big part of the offense almost by default. Head coach Andy Reid has been talking up Travis Kelce all offseason, and the second year tight end is poised to come off of an injury-plagued rookie season that stole all of his ability to contribute last year. Starting quarterback Alex Smith loves to throw to short or intermediate targets, and Kelce fits the bill as a big (6’5”, 255) option across the middle. Kelce may surprise some as a TE2 with TE1 upside.
Kyle Wachtel: It's not a stretch to say that Kelce may be the team's second best playmaker. With Dwayne Bowe suspended for Week 1 and also dealing with an injured finger, it's becoming increasingly important that Andy Reid gets Kelce involved. His athleticism was on display in the preseason opener on a catch-and-run reception that went 69 yards for a touchdown. Upside to finish as a mid-TE1 as soon as this season is clear.
Matt Waldman: Microfracture surgery clouded Kelce's future as a rookie, but his sophomore effort in training camp has been excellent. Big, strong, fast, and sure-handed, Kelce is an exciting option who should see a lot of time in two-tight end sets in an offense that will gladly use the second-year player as a move-option due to a lack of proven weapons at receiver. If it all clicks, Kelce could offer mid-range TE1 upside this year.
Jason Wood: Back-to-back weeks with long touchdowns in the preseason makes this recommendation less prophetic, but Kelce is someone that should be on your short list if you wait until the later rounds to draft your tight ends. The Chiefs have limited options in the passing game, particularly if Dwayne Bowe’s finger injury persists. Kelce’s talent was never in question, just his health. At his current ADP you can bet on the athleticism without being hurt by the health risks.
Players with 4 Votes
Dwayne Allen, Ind
Sigmund Bloom: The Colts have positively gushed about Allen’s return and what it means to the offense. He has the receiving and blocking skillset to stay on the field in every situation, and he was extremely promising as a run after catch receiver as a rookie even though he didn’t have gaudy measureables as a draft prospect. He has the ability to emerge as the team’s top red zone target, and otherwise inspire a lot of trust from the team’s potentially elite quarterback, Andrew Luck.
James Brimacombe: The Colts offense is one that can score a lot of points and they move the ball very well with Andrew Luck running the show. Before Allen went down with injury last year it looked like him and Luck had a great chemistry with each other and that they were on the verge of something special.
Ryan Hester: Allen is one of many size/speed freaks taking over the tight end position. His injury last season has him ranked too far below many of the others (and some players who aren’t nearly as gifted as he is). Allen made a fantastic touchdown catch in Week 1 last year before being hurt, and fellow tight end Coby Fleener did little in 2013 to seize the day and steal top duties for Indianapolis. Allen is this team’s best red zone option, and his blocking is good enough to keep him on the field in all situations.
Stephen Holloway: Dwayne Allen was drafted by the Colts in 2012 in the 3rd round, a full round after Coby Fleener, yet Allen clearly outplayed Fleener, making 45 catches for 521 yards (11.6 ypc) and 3 TDs. Allen missed the entire season last year as he was injured in the Colts’ first game after he caught a 20-yard TD pass. He returns healthy in 2014. The Colts receivers are much improved which should allow more openings for the dual tight end to operate. Allen is an effective in-line player, who is still able to create space and get open. His targets may not be much greater than his rookie season, but he will likely be able to do more with them.
Tyler Eifert, Cin
Heath Cummings: Eifert has taken full advantage of Gresham’s balky back and is building a relationship with Andy Dalton. Eifert’s upside is far greater than Gresham’s and it looks like at the least he’s earned a bigger piece of the action at tight end. If he fully reaches his potential this year he could threaten the top five tight ends.
Andy Hicks: Rookie tight ends aren’t expected to deliver much to their fantasy teams and Tyler Eifert was no exception. He was however just as productive as fellow Bengal Jermaine Gresham. This year with even just a modicum of improvement Eifert will make a push for fantasy consideration. The Bengals lack true red zone threats outside A.J Green and Eifert is expected to have a significant edge over the frequently disappointing Gresham in this area. The 2nd year is often crucial to the best fantasy Tight Ends and look for Eifert to present himself in this area.
Stephen Holloway: Tyler Eifert was drafted by the Bengals with the 21st overall pick in 2012 and split time at tight end with Jermaine Gresham. He managed to catch 39 passes on only 60 targets for 445 yards and 2 TDs. Eifert suffered a shoulder injury late in the season, but should be ready for training camp. If he is healthy in time for camp, he should supplant Gresham as the primary tight end receiver and improve on his rookie season production.
Jason Wood: Anyone that’s ignoring Tyler Eifert because of his rookie numbers (39 for 445 and 2 TDs) isn’t a student of NFL history. Rookie tight ends rarely produce. Jason Witten caught 35 for 347 and 1 TD as a rookie. Tony Gonzalez caught 33 for 368 and 2 TDs. Antonio Gates had just 24 receptions for 389 yards and 2 TDs. Point being, Eifert remains an elite prospect and should take a major step forward in 2014. Given Marvin Jones’ injury, Eifert stands to be the 2nd most targeted option in the passing game. A lot to love for a very inexpensive price.
Player with 2 Votes
Jared Cook, StL
Kyle Wachtel: In his first season with St. Louis, Cook notched a career-high 51 receptions, which was enough for a 12th place finish among tight ends in PPR leagues. He also fared much better with Sam Bradford under center, averaging 10.1 PPR fantasy points, compared to just 8.4 without him.
Matt Waldman: The former Titan had a career-year as a Ram despite Sam Bradford missing half of 2013. I don't see how Cook doesn't build on that production in 2014. Fantasy owners were expecting much more last year and their once-burned-twice-shy behavior is reflected in Cook's ADP. All it means is Cook is a bargain and easily dropped if he doesn't pan out. Who is competing with him for targets that is any more proven an option?
Players with 1 Vote
Brian Bostick, GB
Adam Harstad: Green Bay is a passing juggernaut, and Aaron Rodgers loves spreading the ball around. Bostick is probably the best receiving TE in town this year, and is practically available for free in most fantasy leagues. There are few situations more worth gambling on late in the draft.
Coby Fleener, Ind
Andy Hicks: Coby Fleener had a nice 2nd season finishing with 52 receptions. The big question mark surrounding Fleener this year is the return from injury of fellow 3rd year Tight End, Dwayne Allen. Allen was better than Fleener in their rookie seasons and is also a better blocker. Fleener however excels in space and after the catch. I expect Fleener to be the more productive fantasy option, but Allen will have moments as well. There is enough room in the Colts offense for both.
Garrett Graham, Hou
Mark Wimer: Garrett Graham had 89 targets for 49/545/5 receiving last year while competing for touches with Owen Daniels for part of the season - now Daniels is in Baltimore, and Graham is on top of the depth chart. The Bill O'Brien offense figures to use the tight end extensively, so if Graham can entrench himself as the top pass-catching threat at tight end during training camp, he could significantly outplay the late-round pick you'll need to draft him.
Marcedes Lewis, Jac
Jeff Pasquino: Marcedes Lewis had four touchdowns in the final five weeks of the 2013 season, catching 16 passes for 242 yards over those five contests. That translates to roughly a 51 catch, 774 yards receiving season (projecting 13 touchdowns is clearly unrealistic). Jacksonville does not have much in the way of experience at wide receiver (Cecil Shorts barely counts) and we already know that Chad Henne loves Lewis as a target. Even if Jacksonville puts Blake Bortles in at quarterback sometime this year, a big tight end over the middle is a favored target for a rookie quarterback. Lewis has big upside as a sleeper tight end this season.
Levine Toilolo, Atl
Mark Wimer: The Falcons didn't draft a new face at tight end, and they didn't go after a high-profile free agent here either. They must think that Levine Toilolo can be productive as Tony Gonzalez's replacement, and I agree with them. I'm rostering him as my tight end #2 (with considerable upside potential) this year.
Brandon Williams, Car
Jeff Haseley: Here is a deep, deep sleeper to consider. Carolina would love to get back to a two-tight end set offense, which would enable them to use both Greg Olsen and Brandon Williams as receiving options. Williams is a physical specimen of a player who is just starting to get his feet wet as a tight end in the league. He dressed for one game last year and did not register a catch or target. If he starts to receive time with the first team offense in the preseason, take notice. His path to the lineup is not that different than Julius Thomas' in Denver. When he does get on the field, he'll be used. Get him on your dynasty team and definitely monitor his development as the preseason continues.
Timothy Wright, TB
Ryan Hester: Tampa Bay did draft another option at tight end in Austin Seferian-Jenkins, but Wright is the incumbent starter. Seferian-Jenkins – like most rookie tight ends – still has a lot to learn. Wright brings basketball skills and a resume as a collegiate wide receiver to the table and offers a down-the-middle option to complement fellow towering pass-catchers Vincent Jackson and Mike Evans on the outside. Due to the presence of the other dangerous options, Wright won’t be an every-week fantasy asset, but he could be a nice bye week fill-in or a good steaming option.