TE as the 1.1 in rookie draft?

[Titus Young's Lawyer]

Threads currently on this site regarding this upcoming draft and in year’s past TE’s have never been considered a top option in rookie drafts. Thought of as highly hit or miss and often taking years to develop the top TE have usually been taken mid to late 1st round. Things have changed, a top TE is hard to find. Having an elite TE is a huge positional advantage and helps you win a league. If Noah Fant for example is one of the top offensive skill position players taken in the NFL draft and goes to a good situation why shouldn’t he be in the conversation for 1.1? This TE would probably be instantly a top 10 option at the position opposed to taking a WR that would be ranked in the 20-30 spot at a deeper position? Does the dynasty community in general undervalue high-end rookie TE’s?

[FantasyFreak]

No, a TE is not in consideration, IMO. Development takes too long, and they don't score as many points, typically.

[Vcize]

If only it were that simple.

The last TE drafted in the 1st round of the NFL draft to put up even a mediocre 800 yards receiving was drafted 12 years ago and that guy didn't even do it until his 5th year on his 2nd team.

Howard/Njoku/Engram all look like they could be headed for it but they still have a BIG step to take before we call any of them elite TEs. Kelce, Ertz, Gronk, Graham, Witten, Gates, Gonzo, Sharpe. None of those guys were 1st round NFL picks.

Here are the TEs that have been drafted in the 1st round in the NFL in the last 15 years. It's hardly a murderer's row of elite fantasy options.

Hayden Hurst
OJ Howard
Evan Engram
David Njoku
Eric Ebron
Tyler Eifert
Jermaine Gresham
Brandon Pettigrew
Dustin Keller
Greg Olsen
Vernon Davis
Marcedes Lewis
Heath Miller

[Cameron Giles]

If you had Kittle, Kelce or Ertz last year, it's definitely a strong positional advantage. However, it's a luxury more than a necessity. There were probably plenty of leagues where someone got by with a merely decent TE. A TE just isn't worth the 1.01 in any draft unless you're playing TE Premium. Development is too slow and the position doesn't produce a lot of fantasy points.

Plus, most of the recent breakout TE's: Kittle, Kelce, Ertz, Ebron, Eifert, etc could've been had for next to nothing at some point. There's always a buy low window for high upside TE's.

I agree with the above that draft pedigree doesn't necessarily determine really good TE's. There's a ton that goes into that position and it's by far the hardest to scout in fantasy.

[Ice]

No, a TE is not in consideration, IMO. Development takes too long, and they don't score as many points, typically.

Agree,

No chance I would take a TE at 1.1 in a fantasy draft. TE is a very hard position to learn in the NFL. They have to learn the O line calls and learn how to work with them. Additionally, they have to learn the routes in their system and work with the QB which takes time given they have double duty assignments . It is rare any TE is completely NFL ready. They typically need to add weight and muscle just to compete.

That said I have no issues drafting a TE in the mid to late to 1st if one looks like a legit 3 down player that can play inside and in space.

While Fant may have the best fantasy season of the rookies, Hockenson looks like the best prospect to me. Both will add some strength obviously but Hockenson is a tactician in line and will fool the defense better long term. He is more Gronk like IMO.

Both of these have 1st round fantasy grades to me and Smith has a high 2nd but all have way too much fantasy risk at 1.1.

[MEuRaH]

Well said, Vcize. Well said.

[Bot101]

No way do I take a TE at 1.01. However I will definitely consider Hockensen or Fant at my 1.05 pick since I feel strong at my other positions.

[DLF_TylerK]

I think Fant and Hockenson are great prospects, but they'd need to be a lot more of a sure thing and go to a perfect landing spot to even enter my top 5 consideration in a rookie draft. I can't imagine turning down a high upside WR or RB for either of them.

[prinefan]

I think Fant and Hockenson are great prospects, but they'd need to be a lot more of a sure thing and go to a perfect landing spot to even enter my top 5 consideration in a rookie draft. I can't imagine turning down a high upside WR or RB for either of them.

Agree. Just takes too long for production to find out if you hit. I pray they go top 5 in my leagues.

[Jason3123]

I would start to consider them around pick 5 I think. I agree with all the points made about tight ends but I’d also like to not get stuck with my pants down by owning some rookie WR who never sees the field and is immediately untradeable. The floor is high on those tight ends and for rookie picks, just give me a good quality player that will be insulated in value too.

[wickerkat1212]

If Fant/Hock land in great spots (say NEP or GB etc.) I'd use a first rounder, but not 1.01. If you have a high pick, trade back. You can get one of them last first, early second, most likely.

[Phaded]

As others have suggested; that high is probably a stretch..

However, if you think a TE is the next Gronk, Kelce, etc.. The positional advantage is huge.

I disagree with getting them cheap later on unless the owner is a newcomer to fantasy; if an owner is investing a pick in a TE they should know patience will be required. You may never get them cheap.

I could see an early first, depending on the TE and how you feel about the class.

The problem with TEs early are similar to QBs early in 1QB leagues. When you only need to start one, there is no need to grab one early.

[PTW32]

I have 1.1 and 1.2 in a TE league. I still dont have a clue what I'm going to do with those picks but if Hockerson gets drafted by the Pats (especially if they trade up for him) he will certianly be in the running.

[Jfever]

I hope people in my leagues draft TE early.

[moishetreats]

First of all, I'm presuming that you're talking about a 1TE league. If it's a 2TE league, then the conversation changes.

Second, I get what you're saying. Every position has hits or misses. If you're right about a rare TE prospect joining the elites, then it's certainly reasonable to consider him the overall fantasy prospect.

That being said, even if you do believe that a particular TE is the #1 prospect, taking him at 1.01 would leave serious value on the table. You'd be able to trade down to 1.02, 1.03, 1.04, or 1.05 and something -- anything -- with minimal risk of not getting your TE. I could understanding not trading to, say, 1.08 if that's the only offer that you have and you are dead-set on a particular player. But, not trading down a little is simply leaving value on the table.

Good thought experiment!