Fantasy Pros grabs the rankings and current ADP of every player using all of the major fantasy platforms: ESPN, Yahoo, CBS and FFC. They put that information here. I’m grabbing my knife and dissecting that bitch like a frog in 8th grade bio. In these columns, I’ll be choosing three ballers at each position whose ADPs are way too low. You can call them sleepers, risk-reward reepers, Bill Cosby creepers, I don’t care. For whatever reason, you get these guys at a fraction of what they’re worth. They have third round value, but they’re ADP has them going in the late fourth. You don’t have to feel bad for reaching far above their ADP because, ultimately, they’re worth it.
Delanie Walker – Current ADP: 137 (TE13)
Walker flew under the radar last year emerging as one of the better options to choose from the weak fantasy TE class. He was fantasy’s eighth best TE ahead of proven commodities such as Jason Witten and flashy names like Travis Kelce and Larry Donnell. He ranked fourth amongst the position in receiving yards (890) and third overall in yards per reception (13.7) for any tight end with at least 25 catches. Among those with at least 80 targets on the year, Walker ranked fourth in yards per route run only behind big time playmakers Rob Gronkowski, Greg Olsen and Kelce.
The fact that the Titans tight end is 31-years old shouldn’t frighten fantasy owners entering 2015. 2014 was just his second NFL season handling a full workload, after playing backup in San Fran from 2006-2012. Now, fully unleashed in Tennessee, Walker’s been able to put his receiving ability on full display. His narrowly undersized 6-foot-1 frame is more than made up for in his athletic ability, boasting a 4.4-4.5 40-yard dash along with a 36.5″ vertical jump. His speed makes him a legit seem-stretcher and matchup nightmare for linebackers and safeties.
Walker would have fared much better in the tight end rankings last season had he scored more than four touchdowns, but that comes with the territory of playing for the Titans. Following the selection of first round rookie quarterback Marcus Mariota the offense should operate much more smoothly in Tennessee. Mariota’s game revolves around short to intermediate passes, precisely where the majority of Walker’s routes are ran. It’s well documented that rookie quarterbacks often rely on veteran tight ends in their first season and the nine-year vet should be Mariota’s safety valve as well as a legit redzone target at 240 lbs. New OC Jason Michaels will make sure of it. Michaels is coming off a three-year tenure as the San Diego Chargers tight end coach. Given his success with Antonio Gates, it’s safe to say he knows how to keep veteran pass catching tight ends involved.
It doens’t hurt that Walker graded out as the a top-three run blocking TE according to PFF. Look for Walker to be an every snap player with a decent shot to lead the Titans in targets in 2015, at worst he’ll finish second behind Kendall Wright.
Tyler Eifert – Current ADP: 170 (TE20)
After missing basically the entire 2014 season with an elbow injury, Eifert has breakout written all over him. In 2013, his rookie season, Eifert played well, hauling in 39 passes for 445 yards and a couple scores, but was primarily held back by Jermaine Gresham being on the Bengals roster. Now that Gresham is in the desert, Eifert will finally get to put the skills he flaunted at Notre Dame into full effect.
Eifert was one quarter, three catches and 37 yards into the 2014 season before going down with an elbow injury that eventually required shoulder surgery. It’s a tiny sample size, (probably an understatement) but the third-year tight end seriously looked to be a favorite passing target of Andy Dalton. Eifert is a huge target at 6-foot-6, 250 lbs, and is impossible to cover by anything but an actual cornerback. But don’t just take it from me. Bengals.com was recently quoted saying “nobody has been able to cover Tyler Eifert since training camp began last week.” And that Daltons looks toward Eifert “whenever he’s in a jam or needs a big play,” That’s a tell-tale sign for tight end success. Coaches in the Bengals organization have hinted at Eifert having a huge role in the offense this season and going forward.
Cincinnati’s offense seems to be coming full circle for the 2015 season. They have a legit run game between the duo of Jeremy Hill and Gio Bernard. The full return of A.J. Green and Marvin Jones from injury riddled 2014 seasons will keep the middle of the field open for Eifert indefinitely. Dalton will have all day slingin’ behind the NFL’s 6th best offensive line, according to PFF. Remember, Eifert was a first round draft pick by the Bengals and they still believe in his first round ability. 2015 will be the 24-year old’s first fully healthy season operating as the number one tight end in Cincinnati. He should see a shitload of targets from Dalton and will be an absolute steal in PPR formats. For the rest of the AFC North, winter is coming.
Jordan Reed – Current ADP: 185 (TE25)
Jordan Reed is easily the biggest question mark on this list but probably offers the steepest upside in fantasy. Given Niles Paul‘s recent season ending ankle injury, Reed will be the primary pass catching tight end in Washington.
J-Reed’s pass catching skills and athletic ability have never been in question but his health constantly is. The 6-foot-3, 243lb tight end has missed 12 games over the course of his first two seasons in the NFL. Similar to an Arian Foster, Reed is constantly dealing with leg and soft tissue injuries. But, per Rotoworld, “Reed has cleaned up his diet, banishing bread, fried food and sweets, instead concentrating on eating “just real clean.” He’s also focusing more on stretching after dealing with a number of soft-tissue injuries his first two seasons.” Admittedly, the Skins kept Reed out of their first preseason game because of a sore hamstring but it’s supposedly day-to-day and a return to practice in the coming days is likely.
Since entering the league in 2013, Reed has averaged over six targets a game while competing with Niles Paul for looks. Paul’s always been the superior blocker hampering J-Reed’s play time, but with him sidelined, Reed should be on the field basically every snap. RGIII loves throwing to his tight ends in this offense and the trend should continue with him under center in 2015. As mentioned before, Reed’s a top-notch pass catcher, reeling in 50 of 52 catchable passes in 2014. He hasn’t always gotten the opportunity to showcase his skills but he’s stupidly efficient when he does. He’s the number two TE in terms of yards per pass route run since 2013, trailing only Yo Soy Fiesta.
Bottomline: The talent is there for Reed, and now the opportunity is too. His success is parallel to his health at this point. He’s going undrafted at the moment but he shouldn’t be, especially with the news of Nile Paul’s injury. A 16-game slate would almost guarantee Reed to be among the top six most targeted tight ends in the NFL. He offers TE1 upside, just make sure you pair him with one of the other guys on this list for good measure.
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