We all use the term “sleeper” when it comes to fantasy sports. The definition might slightly vary between each of us, but still, we know what’s meant when the word is used. At the end of every season, however, a majority of claims staked are forgotten, all the while taking credit for the 1 percent that managed to stick to the nearest wall. Unfortunately, this cycle only repeats itself the following year, leaving no one accountable.
Fantasy football tight end sleepers for 2014
The guys who come out of nowhere are the ones who can help you win your league. So who are they among the tight ends in 2014? We look into the fantasy names.
Jamie Squire
Allow me to elaborate.
In 2005, a young tight end named Zach Hilton emerged with the Saints in the latter half of the year. Measuring in at a towering 6’8, 268 pounds (Rob Gronkowski, for comparison’s sake, stands at 6’6), Hilton averaged four receptions and 55 yards over the course of the final three games. If that fails to grab your attention, he also managed to average 11 yards per reception that season (or almost the exact amount that Pierre Garcon averaged just last year). Either way, the signs were there, and because of that, this was my target throughout the waning months of summer.
Unfortunately, he was released by New Orleans after a few practices. Still: a light formed at the end of the tunnel. Mere hours later, he was not only picked up by the Jets, but immediately rocketed atop their depth chart. "Watch out for him," I continuously warned my buddy Corey, "because Kellen Clemens is sure to make him an even bigger star." I continued to go out of my way to draft him, no matter the cost.
Two weeks later, the Jets cut him. And now, nine years later, I’m constantly reminded how all my sleepers will be “as good as Zach Hilton.”
With that being said, it’s time to take some accountability and let you know which tight ends I’m drafting higher, or in some cases, lower than everyone else.
Admittedly, I love Rudolph more than you. But quite honestly, when the perfect storm hits, I’ll be damned if I’m missing out.
During his tenure as Chargers head coach, Norv Turner specifically featured the tight end in his Air Coryell offense. I mean, he had the benefit of working with Antonio Gates, so it really wasn’t all that hard; nevertheless, Gates finished with fewer than 700 yards only once during that six-year span and scored at least seven touchdowns each season. Of course, you’ve also heard of Jordan Cameron, whom Turner helped surpass 900 yards just last year. Because of this, Rudolph seems like the clear benefactor of a fruitful uptick in production. In fact, when it’s all said and done, that nine-touchdown 2012 might even be considered child’s play.
Ertz had a typical rookie season, accumulating as many 40+ yard games as one-catch outings (five). But the first-year tight end managed to shine over the final four weeks, totaling 13 receptions for 149 yards and two touchdowns (including the playoffs). And now, with DeSean Jackson gone, Chip Kelly and Co. believe their next deep threat already resides in Philly. Sprinkle in the third-easiest schedule among tight ends and you have a recipe for success.
Have you seen Brandon Pettigrew play?
C.J. Fiedorowicz, Houston Texans
Last season, the Texans lined up with only one tight end 63 percent of the time. Their remaining snaps featured dual sets, whether the backfield was empty or not. That being said, Bill O’Brien is an obvious advocate of the two-tight end formation, so much so that reaching 70 percent isn’t out of the realm of possibility. That leaves opportunities for Ryan Griffin, but more importantly, rookie C.J. Fiedorowicz.
Whether you can correctly spell his name or not (and trust me, I’ve been copying and pasting ever since the first mention), the 6’5, 265-pound Fiedorowicz has been reportedly turning heads in practice, with some having gone so far as to tout his hands as the best in camp. The rookie must simply capitalize on the snaps he receives in order to reach his lowly but opportunistic value.
When opportunity presents itself …
Tyler Eifert, Cincinnati Bengals
Simply put, the hate has gone too far. Per Football Outsiders, the Bengals led the league in two-tight end sets, leaving more than enough touches for both Eifert and Jermaine Gresham to share (Cincinnati featured the TE as a FB numerous times, but still worked that formation into its passing game). Not only that, but it seems like everyone has forgotten that Gresham declined significantly over the past two seasons, becoming more of a run-blocking TE than anything. Whatever the case, Eifert can certainly help your squad, especially since he’ll cost you next to nothing.
Who knows, he might even be as good as Zach Hilton.
