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Gresham has the talent to make an impact in Year 1.
by guest writer, Bill Phillips
When you enter your fantasy draft this year, the biggest unknowns are the rookies, especially those in the less glamorous positions. The bottom of a draft is a bit like sitting at a Texas Hold’em poker table for the first time. You have no idea how the rest of the table plays and no idea if the guy to your left is Phil Ivey or the sucker at the table. You do know two things — you don’t want to draft the sucker pick and you want to avoid being the sucker at your fantasy draft by picking the guy that won’t even take a snap this year. Your league may not draft deep enough to select too many rookie TEs, but here’s a look at the top of the class this year and why you should keep an eye on these three guys.
ROYAL FLUSH DRAW – Even a few years removed from their last Super Bowl victory, the royalty in the NFL is still its last dynasty — and that’s the New England Patriots. Their draft choice, Rob Gronkowski, comes into a team that has an opening for him and an offense and a QB that like to get the ball to a TE. Gronkowski is 6’6 with very good hands and will make an alluring target for Tom Brady. Ben Watson and Chris Baker’s departures mean that Gronkowski, Aaron Hernandez, and Alge Crumpler will be fighting it out for the starting spot. And Gronkowski, the second TE drafted this year, has the ability to win the starting spot. Just ask Mike Vrabel if Tom Brady likes big targets in the red zone.
FULL HOUSE – In general, one thing you don’t want to do is take a TE, or any player for that matter, with an All Pro veteran ahead of him on the depth chart. However, with Todd Heap we’ll make an exception. We think Ed Dickson, the 3rd-round pick of the Baltimore Ravens, is somebody you should monitor on the waiver wire. Heap battled minor injuries last year, had a resurgence the year before, but that followed up a few years of disappointments and injuries. Heap’s Pro Bowl and All Pro years are from the early 2000s (2002, 2003). And though his QB and offensive system is becoming pass-happy, there is some wear and tear on Heap’s tires.
So, there may be a great opportunity for Dickson. If Heap goes down, pluck the former Oregon Duck off the waivers. His sub 4.7 40-speed and good hands means he can get open and make catches. It also means once he gets in there Heap may not be able to get him off the field. QB Joe Flacco will appreciate his good route running and will likely find Dickson.
INSIDE STRAIGHT – The player that should be at the top of this list, because he was first on draft day, is Bengals TE Jermaine Gresham. The Bengals have a big hole in the offense and that’s down the middle of their field. Like the second TE drafted (Gronkowski), Gresham sat out all of the 2009 season. Unlike Gronkowski, Gresham’s injury was to his knee. He already had speed questions, so it’s a dicey body part to rehab. What Gresham has in spades is size, skill, and hands. That’ll make him a good target… if he can get open.
Some like to compare Gresham to Antonio Gates, but let’s see how the knee does before penciling in the big pass-catcher as a future All Pro. There is room for Gresham on the depth chart to get snaps, but the Bengals typically like to throw to their receivers, Chad Ochocinco et al, so Gresham’s red zone utility may be less. Granted, if Gresham starts from day one — and Gronkowski doesn’t win the starting spot from Crumpler and Heap doesn’t get hurt — Gresham by default is the number one rookie TE. Still, upside-wise, you have to think the other two have the potential to get you bigger numbers even though Gresham may be the safer pick. You shouldn’t be looking for safer picks at the bottom of your draft or off the waiver wire.
