Bruno Boys Fantasy Football

Over the past 10-15 years the role of a tight end in the NFL has changed. There used to be a time when the tight end was primarily used as an extra blocker; however, with the evolution of the passing game it has led to a huge spike in production at the position. Just how much has the tight end position developed over time? In 2000, Tony Gonzalez was the only tight end to record over 71 receptions and just two tight ends had over 800 receiving yards. Fast forward 10 years and you will notice how far how the passing game has developed around the league. In 2009 we saw eight tight ends catch over 71 passes and eight record over 800 receiving yards. On top of that, 15 tight ends score five or more touchdowns in 2009, while only four were able to achieve the same feat in 2000.

Whether it’s through free agency, the NFL Draft or making a trade, the rapid rise in growth at the position has led to many teams looking to find that franchise tight end. However, those NFL owners looking to free agency to fill a hole at tight end will be disappointed. Outside of Owen Daniels, who is a restricted free agent (RFA), the available options are nothing to get excited about. In fact, Benjamin Watson, who was the most attractive unrestricted free agent, (UFA) has already signed with the Cleveland Browns.

UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS

Alge Crumpler | Tennessee Titans | FA Type: UFA | 2010 Age: 29.9

Unrestricted free agent tight end Crumpler is a seasoned veteran who spent his first seven years in the NFL with the Atlanta Falcons (2001-2007) before signing with the Titans prior to the 2008 season. Once among the league’s most potent receiving tight ends, Crumpler had just 27 receptions for 222 yards and one touchdown in 2009. While Crumpler’s role as a pass catching threat diminished due to his bulked up frame as well as the emergence of Bo Scaife, his skills as blocker contributed significantly to Tennessee’s rushing attack over the past two seasons.  In terms of fantasy football value, Crumpler has not been a factor since he signed with Tennessee; however, he is a solid overall player and has missed only five games through nine complete seasons. If he does not re-sign with the Titans, we expect him to find a home with a team looking for a blocking tight end with experience. A move isn’t likely to increase Crumpler’s fantasy value, so leave him undrafted in all formats.

UPDATE: Bruno Boys is following news reported in the Boston Globe and the Boston Herald that Crumpler is close to signing a deal with the New England Patriots. While it’s possible that Crumpler could see more targets given the Pats passing attack, his primary role will likely be a blocker. New England is expected to draft a pass-oriented tight end in the second round.

RESTRICTED FREE AGENTS

Tony Scheffler | Denver Broncos | FA Type: RFA | 2010 Age: 27.7

After posting a career-high 40 receptions for 645 yards and three touchdowns in 2008, Denver tight end Tony Scheffler was expected to shine in 2009 under new head coach Josh McDaniels.  Rather than shine, Scheffler was woefully underutilized by McDaniels and the two clashed throughout the season.  So bad was the blood between the two that McDaniels benched Scheffler (along with Brandon Marshall) in the Broncos “must-win-to-make –the-playoffs” Week 17 game against the Kansas City Chiefs. McDaniels attributed the benching to Scheffler’s general attitude while sources close to Scheffler said he was unhappy about his reduced role in the offense. In 15 games in 2009 Scheffler caught 31 balls for 416 yards and two touchdowns. 

Entering his fifth season in the NFL, restricted free agent Scheffler received a low, original round tender from the Broncos, which comes with a salary of $1.176 million. Denver drafted Scheffler in the second round, so any team interested in him would have to give up a second round draft pick as compensation should the Broncos choose not to match the offer.  It’s interesting to note that had the Broncos tendered Scheffler at the second-round draft level, his salary would be $1.759 million, up more than $600,000 from what they offered.

When Denver kicked off its off-season conditioning program on March 15, Scheffler was understandably among the “no shows.” It seems all but certain that Scheffler will not be a Bronco for much longer. The organization will look to deal Scheffler or the athletic, pass catching tight end will sign with another club in need of help at the position. The Cincinnati Bengals, Carolina Panthers, and St. Louis Rams are among the teams that would benefit from a tight end with Scheffler’s skills at the start of the new season. A change of scenery could do wonders for Scheffler’s fantasy football value in 2010.

Owen Daniels | Houston Texans | FA Type: RFA | 2010 Age: 27.10

Take one look at the free agent tight ends and you will notice that outside of Daniels it’s not loaded with talent. Entering his fifth-season, Daniels is slowly becoming one of the premier tight ends in football and if it weren’t for a season ending knee injury he would have had a career year in 2009. Before blowing out his ACL in Week 8, the sure handed tight end had a chance to lead his position in receptions and receiving yards. Before his injury. Daniels led all tight ends with 39 receptions and his five touchdowns were tied with Visanthe Shiancoe for second at the position.

If a team is interested in acquiring Daniels through free agency they will have to pay top dollar to obtain his services. Daniels is a restricted free agent and the Houston Texans tendered first and third round compensation for any team looking to sign him. With the high tender in place it assures us that Houston is committed to Daniels being their tight end of the future. And though he is among the league’s top-10 tight ends, teams would think twice about losing a first and third round draft selection on a guy who suffered a devastating injury just five months ago. If Daniels can fully recover we don’t see why he can’t build on his injury shortened season. We consider Daniels a TE1 in all fantasy football scoring formats.

Anthony Fasano | Miami Dolphins | FA Type: RFA | 2010 Age: 26.5

The Dolphins are also taking a fiscally conservative route when it comes to tendering offers to its three restricted free agents including fourth-year tight end Anthony Fasano.  If Fasano remains in Miami, he will earn $1.176 million in 2010 as a result of the original round tender he received.  Fasano was a second-round pick in 2006, therefore if a team wants him, it will have to give up a second-round pick to get him. If Miami had tendered him as a second-round pick, the team would have needed to pay him nearly $600,000 more in 2010.

After a breakthrough year in 2008 where he scored seven touchdowns, Fasano struggled badly in 2009 catching just 31 passes for 339 yards and two touchdowns. He also missed two games in November after being sidelined with a hip injury.  Given his lackluster season, Fasano is considerably less marketable to other clubs in the hunt for a tight end.  We think it’s highly likely that Fasano will remain with the Dolphins in 2010. Moreover, he will potentially have to compete for the starting job if Miami adds tight end to its off-season priorities.  Unless Fasano turns it around significantly in 2010, we don’t see him as more than a bye-week replacement for your fantasy football team.

Bo Scaife | Tennessee Titans | FA Type: RFA | 2010 Age: 29.9

Scaife has been a consistent option in the Tennessee Titans passing game over the last three seasons; however, he isn’t the type of player who will catch your attention. In one of the more surprising off-season moves at the tight end position. In five career seasons Scaife has yet to eclipse 60 receptions, 600 receiving yards and has just eight touchdown catches in 76 career games.

Averaging just 2.83 receptions per game, Scaife isn’t exactly what one would call instant offense, and at the age of 29 we can’t see him developing into that type of player.  However, Titans management and head coach Jeff Fisher him highly enough to franchise tag him in 2008 and slap a first round tender on him this off-season. With a first round tender tag no team thought twice about entertaining Scaife’s services and on March 16 the Titans signed him to a one-year guaranteed tender amount of $4,908,200. Unless Vince Young starts targeting his tight end, look for Scaife to once again be nothing more than a fantasy football backup.

David Thomas | New Orleans Saints | FA Type: RFA | 2010 Age: 27.3

The Saints extended an original pick tender to restricted free agent tight end David Thomas, whom they acquired from New England just before the start of the 2009 regular season. Thomas didn’t see much playing time until he stepped in for an injured Jeremy Shockey from Weeks 10 through 16 where he quickly became a favorite target of Drew Brees. Thomas ended the season with 35 catches for 356 yards and a touchdown. The fifth-year tight end showed that he has good hands and is a decent blocker and could potentially generate interest from other clubs. Based on his tender, any team that signs Thomas would owe the Saints a third round draft pick as compensation because that’s where the Pats drafted him in 2006 (No. 86 overall). We think that Thomas’ fantasy football value remains limited as long he’s with the Saints and splits time with, or backs up, Shockey. However, if Thomas signs with another team and becomes a more integral part of the offense, we figure him to be a No. 2 TE worth a late round pick up in deeper leagues. 

ALREADY SIGNED FREE AGENTS

Benjamin Watson | Cleveland Browns | FA Type: UFA | 2010 Age: 29.9

After spending the first six years of his career being used sporadically with the New England Patriots, Watson decided it was time for a change and on March 12 the unrestricted free agent inked a three-year deal with the Cleveland Browns. Cleveland will pay Watson $12 million over the next three years, including $6.35 million guaranteed. In New England,  Watson was used primarily as a red zone option and he saw very few targets on a weekly basis; however, this should change in Cleveland. With the Browns lacking playmakers at wide receiver they will look to get their big tight end involved over the middle. Overall, this is an excellent signing for a Cleveland franchise that has had just two winning seasons since 1999.

Brandon Manumaleuna | Chicago Bears | FA Type: UFA | 2010 Age: 30.9

Surprisingly, Manumaleuna demanded enough interest in free agency for us to give him a mention when talking tight end. Manumaleuna is one of the fiercest blocking tight ends in the NFL and this led to more than a handful of teams seeking his services. In the end, it was the Chicago Bears who signed the unrestricted free agent to a five-year contract that will guarantee the 295-pound tight end $6 million. Some might feel that Chicago overpaid for primarily a blocker; however, Mike Martz likes his tight ends to be exceptional blockers. Martz prefers his quarterbacks to hang onto the football until the last second and a blocker like Manumaleuna will only buy more time for the offensive play to develop. Don’t expect Manumaleuna to be a fantasy option at tight end, but he should help make Jay Cutler and the Chicago receivers better in 2010.

2010 Free Agent Breakdown:  QB  |  RB  | WR |  TE  |  K 

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