X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Draft Rankings
Draft Simulator
Enter League Settings
Value Picks
Compare Any Players
News and Alerts

Early FFPC ADP Observations - Tight Ends

Scott Engel analyzes 2019 fantasy football tight end ADP trends for the Fantasy Football Players Championship (FFPC) in terms of NFL player values. Which TEs are being overvalued or undervalued?

As we announced in early June, RotoBaller is partnering with the FFPC to help bring their industry-leading games to all of our loyal RotoBaller readers. We'll be discussing the FFPC's awesome selection of games, and strategy and advice for those games, here at RotoBaller, on Twitter, and on SiriusXM throughout the Summer.

Throughout Fantasy Football draft season, we will check in on how High Stakes Players are viewing certain player selections. When we’re looking at Average Draft Positions from the Fantasy Football Players Championship (FFPC), we can determine the latest trends and outlooks through the lens of the world's high-stakes players. In this installment, we look at recent ADPs for Tight Ends. There is one very interesting trend at the top of the position, while some longtime veterans are trying to hold on in the TE2 mix. 

Editor's Note: For a limited time, we are offering all new FFPC players a $25-off coupon for any contest! You can play a $35 contest or a $70 contest, we'll give you $25 off either one! Whether you want to play a Best Ball challenge, join a Dynasty Startup, or try FFPC's unique Terminator challenge (best ball spin-off), there's a $25 discount waiting for you! All you have to do is be a new FFPC customer, sign-up for any game on FFPC through one of the above links, and the $25 discount will be automatically applied to your account!

Editor's Note: Access RotoBaller’s trusted fantasy football rankings for PPR, Standard, Dynasty, Super Flex, and Best Ball formats. Get tiered cheat sheets, expert analysis, and player outlooks to dominate your draft from every angle.

 

Early ADP Trends at TE

Jumping on George: On every other notable site so far this season, Zach Ertz is the second tight end off the board and George Kittle is third. But exclusively in FFPC Drafts, Kittle is being selected second on average, and Ertz is third. Last year, Ertz had nearly 30 more catches than Kittle and three more TDs. But Kittle had over 200 more receiving yards. The difference to FFPC players here is that Ertz is coming off a career season, while Kittle just started to hit his stride last year. If one of these two regresses, it may be Ertz, who is entering his seventh season and had never come close to 100 receptions or 1,100 yards before.

Holding Firm on Howard: As is the case on every other major site this preseason, O.J. Howard has an ADP of fourth at tight end in the FFPC. There is a wide consensus among Fantasy analysts that agrees he is primed for his best year yet after compiling double figure PPR totals in seven of 10 games played last season. Howard is an injury risk as noted here in the RotoBaller Fantasy Injury Exam room, but TE is such a thin position that it’s understandable to have him in or near the Top 5. When he will be available, he should perform at a level higher than most other players at the position, maybe just outside of the circle of the elite three at TE.

Respect for the Colt: It seems to be generally agreed upon by fantasy experts that Eric Ebron is due for significant regression after a 13 TD campaign in 2018. Personally, I would be expecting about half or so that amount, maybe seven scoring receptions this season. There is too much competition for receptions and scoring chances this year in Indianapolis, especially since newcomer Devin Funchess could steal some TD catches near the goal line and Jack Doyle is back. Still, FFPC types and other drafters are taking Ebron as TE7, obviously believing he will be respectable enough to maintain such a standing because of the lack of quality depth at the position behind him.

Sticking with the Steeler: I personally believe Vance McDonald is overrated and unreliable. It seems like one big game with a memorable stiff arm on Monday Night Football inflated his value. He did not reach four catches or 50 yards in a game during the entire second half of last season and only scored four times. But his FFPC ADP at TE is ninth, so the high stakes players are believing he will be good enough to keep starting status among his peers this season. The loss of Antonio Brown could force McDonald to step up more often, could be the line of thinking here. I’m not buying into that reasoning, but the FFPC drafters are taking McDonald earlier than where he is going on two other well-known sites, where he is being taken between 10th and 14th.

Bigger on Burton: The FFPC players are definitely highest on Trey Burton, as he is being taken as TE11 by the high stakers. He is being selected between 14th and 19th at the position on every other significant Fantasy Football platform. There is a belief among some savvy Fantasy players that the Chicago offense will be more impressive in its second season under Matt Nagy. The TE is an important part of his scheming and Burton may be ready to break out in his second year as a true starter after being stuck behind Ertz in Philadelphia. I say this is a gutsy approach that may pay off nicely this year. Burton has the considerable talents to shine if the Chicago offense does improve as hoped this year.

Not Fully Giving Up on Olsen: Once a top TE, injuries and age have diminished Olsen’s Fantasy appeal, and he is getting lukewarm attention from Fantasy players as he tries to gut out another productive campaign in 2019. FFPC types are holding out more slight hope on Olsen, as his ADP of 14th at the position is higher than on any other site. He is being taken between 16th and 18th on other platforms. Olsen’s possible final attempt to extend his career is admirable, and maybe makes him still worth a TE2 selection as we see here, but I expect Ian Thomas to take the baton from him at some point this year and run ahead with the job.

Down on Austin?: Owners on just about every other site consider Austin Hooper a starting Fantasy TE. Well, the FFPC participants do not agree. Hooper is being drafted as TE11 on three other notable platforms. His lowest ADP at TE on any other site is 13th. But the high stakers aren’t taking him until 15th at the position. Hooper did catch 71 passes for 660 yards last year and posted respectable overall Fantasy totals for a TE. But he scored just four times and there is a great sense that Calvin Ridley will bust out and he and Julio Jones could dominate the passing game this year in Atlanta. There is no real upside on Hooper and there could be some slippage from his 2018 output.

One More Time, Jimmy?: FFPC players seem to be taking a later TE2 shot that Jimmy Graham has something left after a very disappointing 2018 campaign. There’s a lot of whispers that he is a has-been, and maybe Graham is hearing them and could be out to prove he still has what it takes to be a productive TE. There is certainly an opportunity to seize in Green Bay, where Davante Adams is the only true sure thing for Aaron Rodgers.  Graham is the 16th TE being taken in the FFPC, while he is going as low as 20th on some other sites.

More Fantasy Football Analysis


Check out all of RotoBaller's fantasy football rankings. Staff rankings are updated regularly for all positions and include standard formats, PPR scoring, tiered rankings and dynasty leagues.




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Draft Rankings
Draft Simulator
Enter League Settings
Value Picks
Compare Any Players
News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

KaVontae Turpin

Arrested on Two Charges
Cole Ragans

to Begin Throwing on Monday
Theo Johnson

Prioritizing his Health this Offseason
Andrés Giménez

Andres Gimenez Hits 10-Day Injured List
Jermaine Burton

Continues to Show Growth
NHL

Hendrix Lapierre Signs One-Year Deal with Capitals
Carson Hocevar

Should DFS Players Consider Carson Hocevar for Chicago Lineups?
Tye Kartye

Kraken Re-Sign Tye Kartye for Two Years
Ross Chastain

May be A Decent DFS Option for Chicago Lineups
Dmitri Voronkov

Signs Two-Year, $8.35 Million Extension with Blue Jackets
Ryan Preece

Should DFS Players Roster Ryan Preece at Chicago?
Austin Dillon

Is Too Great of A Risk to Add to Chicago Lineups
Zane Smith

Is A Value Play Worth Rostering At Chicago
Austin Hill

is A Favorable Value Option for Chicago DFS Lineups
Ty Dillon

Is Ty Dillon A Decent Driver to Add For NASCAR DFS At Chicago?
William Byron

Qualifying Crash Makes William Byron a Likely DFS Must-Have
Alex Bowman

Should Finish Well, but Probably Costs Too Much for Serious DFS Consideration
Joey Logano

Has Been Relatively Mediocre on Road Courses Lately
Ryan Blaney

Doesn't Really Fit Neatly into Optimal DFS Lineups
Austin Cindric

Remains an Overrated Road Racer
Brad Keselowski

Likely to Brush Past Chicago Street Course to Focus on Daytona
NASCAR

John H. Nemechek One of the Best Underdog Options After Strong Runs at Mexico City and Last Year
Cole Custer

Strong Mexico City Run and Xfinity Series Chicago Win Make Him a Solid DFS Option
Erik Jones

Likely Not Good Enough on Road Courses for DFS Consideration Despite Poor Qualifying Result
Noah Gragson

May Be Better Than Other Cheap DFS Options
Riley Herbst

Despite Decent Mexico City Run, Don't Expect Riley Herbst to Contend at Chicago
Cody Ware

Is a Road Course Veteran, but It's Rarely Helped Him in NASCAR
Shane Van Gisbergen

Shane van Gisbergen Is The Heavy Favorite to Win at Chicago Street Course
Christopher Bell

Should Be Strong Despite Practice Struggles at Chicago Street Course
Cam Ward

"Not Expecting" to be handed Starting Job
Chase Claypool

Eager to Get Back on the Field
Wyatt Langford

Activated, Playing on Saturday
Jay Huff

on the Move to Indiana
Cam Whitmore

Wizards Acquire Cam Whitmore from the Rockets
LaJohntay Wester

Stands out on Special Teams
Clarke Schmidt

Likely to Undergo Tommy John Surgery
Nolan Arenado

Scratched from Saturday's Lineup
Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

Starting on Saturday
Corbin Carroll

Activated from 10-Day Injured List
Cincinnati Bengals

Shemar Stewart, Bengals Continue Contract Talks, No Progress Made
Giannis Antetokounmpo

Potential Giannis Antetokounmpo Trade may not Happen Until "August, September"
Ha-Seong Kim

Removed Early During Season Debut
ARI

Christian Fischer Retires From NHL at 28
NHL

Spencer Martin Moves to Russia
WAS

Anthony Beauvillier Re-Signs With Capitals for Two Years
Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

Sitting Out With Foot Issue
Isaiah Neyor

Impresses at Minicamp
Houston Rockets

Jock Landale Waived by Rockets
Bo Bichette

Back in Blue Jays Lineup
Jonas Valančiūnas

Jonas Valanciunas Considering Returning to Europe
Miles Sanders

Works With Starters During Mandatory Minicamp
Jabari Walker

Signs Two-Way Deal With Sixers
Chimere Dike

Titans Could Move Chimere Dike Inside
Keandre Lambert-Smith

KeAndre Lambert-Smith not Guaranteed Roster Spot
Anthony Bradford

Working Hard to Win Back Starting Job
Byron Young

Still Improving?
Cody Simon

Jonathan Gannon has Been Impressed With Cody Simon
SirVocea Dennis

has Impressive Offseason
Trevor Penning

Could Still Have a Role in New Orleans
Jonathan Kuminga

Warriors Decline Recent Offer for Jonathan Kuminga
Orlando Magic

Moritz Wagner, Magic Agree to One-Year Deal
Clarke Schmidt

Placed on Injured List
José Soriano

Jose Soriano Throws Gem Against Braves
Robbie Ray

Earns Ninth Win in Complete Game
T.J. Watt

Likely to Reset the Edge-Rush Market
George Springer

Blasts Two Homers, Drives in Four
James Wood

Goes Yard in Five-Hit Night
Bradley Beal

Suns Discussing Potential Buyout
Los Angeles Lakers

Jaxson Hayes Staying with the Lakers
NBA

Damian Lillard "Open" to Signing With a Team This Offseason
Max Muncy

Out at Least Six Weeks
Clarke Schmidt

Leaves Start with Forearm Tightness
Colson Montgomery

Promoted to the Major Leagues
Pittsburgh Steelers

Omar Khan, Steelers Agree to Three-Year Contract
Max Muncy

Goes on Injured List With Knee Bruise
Max Muncy

Out of Thursday's Lineup
James Wood

Joining Home Run Derby
SJ

Sharks Claim Nick Leddy Off Waivers
SJ

Sharks Sign Dmitry Orlov to Two-Year, $13 Million Contract
CAR

Nikolaj Ehlers Joins Hurricanes on Six-Year Contract
Chau Smith-Wade

Having Stellar Offseason
Ace Bailey

Inks Rookie Contract With Jazz
Divine Deablo

Could be the Quarterback of the Defense
Isaiah Rodgers

a Likely Starter for the Vikings
Boston Celtics

Josh Minott Inks Deal With Celtics
Sandro Mamukelashvili

Heading to Toronto
Jared McCain

Not on 76ers Summer League Roster
Dylan Harper

Unavailable for California Classic
COL

Brent Burns Inks One-Year Deal with Avalanche
STL

Blues Land Pius Suter on Two-Year Deal
Morgan Frost

Agrees to Two-Year Extension with Flames
WPG

Gustav Nyquist Moves to Winnipeg
Cody Glass

Devils Re-Sign Cody Glass to Two-Year Deal
PIT

Anthony Mantha Joins Penguins
Cleveland Cavaliers

Larry Nance Jr. Headed Back to Cavaliers
Eric Gordon

Remaining with 76ers
Los Angeles Lakers

Deandre Ayton Joining Lakers
Emil Heineman

Signs Two-Year Deal with Islanders
Simon Holmstrom

Re-Signs with Islanders for Two Years
UTA

Nate Schmidt Signs Three-Year Deal with Mammoth
UTA

Brandon Tanev Moves to Utah on Three-Year Contract
NJ

Evgenii Dadonov Joins Devils on One-Year Deal
BUF

Sabres Snap Up Alex Lyon on Two-Year Contract
Dallas Mavericks

Dante Exum Returning to Dallas
Jaren Jackson Jr.

Has Surgery to Repair a Turf Toe Injury
Bud Cauley

in Great Form Ahead of John Deere Classic
Christiaan Bezuidenhout

a Player to Avoid at John Deere Classic
Jake Knapp

Riding Momentum Ahead of John Deere Classic
PGA

Sungjae Im Looking for Consistency at John Deere Classic
Ryan Gerard

a Solid Option at John Deere Classic
Rickie Fowler

Looking to Rebound at John Deere Classic
Cameron Champ

a Volatile Option at John Deere Classic
Jackson Suber

Staying Below 70 is Key to Success for Jackson Suber
Kevin Roy

Playing Better Heading into John Deere Classic
Justin Lower

Hoping for Something Positive in Illinois
Ben Kohles

a Long Shot at John Deere Classic
Stephan Jaeger

Attempts to Stop Roller-Coaster Ride
Beau Hossler

Needs a Challenge in Illinois
Harry Higgs

Has Potential at John Deere Classic
Nick Dunlap

Keeps Plugging Through Tough 2025 Season
Kevin Yu

a Near Must-Play at TPC Deere Run
PGA

J.T. Poston Returns to John Deere Classic Looking for Another High Finish
Thriston Lawrence

a Decent Fit For John Deere Classic
Tom Kim

Not Finding Much to be Happy About Ahead of John Deere Classic
Si Woo Kim

is a Prohibitive Fade at John Deere Classic
Ben Griffin

is the Appropriate Favorite at TPC Deere Run
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF