Even though there might not be fans at the games, the NFL season looks to be on it’s way for 2020-2021. Which means the Fantasy Football season is underway as well. Each month I will be updating you on trends through mock drafts, fantasy football relevant news, and which players to stay away from when drafting.
In fantasy football, the right end position can make or break your season. With the TE5-TE12 all producing extremely similar outcomes, drafting a top TE can put you ahead in most leagues. The tricky part is not over drafting for a Kelce or Kittle. Below are a few names we believe will over-perform and under-perform based on their ADP.
(Having a player in the “Trending Down” section isn’t me calling them bad. Continue on!)
Trending Up
T.J. Hockenson
Once again we are looking at a player who has a high possibility to produce past his draft position. In his NFL debut he recorded 6 catches for 131 yards and a TD, but was pretty dull from there on. Hockenson battled plenty of injuries in his rookie season and never seemed to get a chance to mesh. This year he could very well be a Top 3 TE in fantasy football if healthy. Matthew Stafford can sling the ball, so the opportunity is there, and can be drafted in the 10th round in most leagues.
Eric Ebron
Somehow Eric Ebron has fallen down into the very late rounds of fantasy football mock drafts despite being the 4th best tight end in fantasy football with the Colts two seasons ago. Last year was slowed down by an ankle injury, but Ebron enters into an offense that is as pass happy as it gets. If him and Ben Roethlisberger can develop a connection in the red zone, Ebron will have plenty of upside as one of the top TEs in fantasy this year.
Tyler Eifert
I wouldn’t call him a “must have” but if you want to take a last round flyer on a tight end this could be the one. As long as Tyler Eifert is in the NFL I think he will always be labeled as a low risk/high reward fantasy option. His time in Cincinnati had run it’s course, and now has a fresh start in Jacksonville. Reuniting with Jay Gruden isn’t the only reason I think Eifert might be able to produce a solid fantasy year. Gardner Minshew will be playing for his job this season, and tight ends are a young quarterbacks best friend.
Trending Down
George Kittle
As always running backs are going early and often this year, so grabbing as many as you can should be high on your priority list. While I do understand the urge to want to draft a difference making tight end like Kittle, you could be passing on much needed depth for your roster. George Kittle is going right around that 2nd-3rd round curve, with names like Fournette, Carson and Lamar Jackson. Kittle will only get you a handful of points more than someone like Waller or Andrews could get you in rounds with no running backs really available.
Rob Gronkowski
For Gronk I am going to keep it short and sweet. As a fantasy owner, I was hesitant to ever draft Gronkowski pre WWE championship, and I definitely am going to be hesitant post WWE championship. Too many people expect this to be the Brady/Gronk duo of the past, but I promise it won’t be. There were never this many mouths to feed in New England, and injuries will always be a major concern for Rob. I would much rather miss on a Top 5 TE than draft one in the first five rounds and have him sit on IR after Week 6.
Hunter Henry
Phillip Rivers is gone and this Chargers offense is going to be looking very different this season. Whether it is Tyrod Taylor or Justin Herbert, the ball isn’t going to be thrown (or completed) nearly as many times as it would with Rivers under center. That means less shares for all, and probably a lot more blocking for Henry. Once you also factor in his injury history as well, things aren’t looking too hot for Henry in 2020.