Kelce? Top TE next year?

[Law 220]

I won't get him unless he falls because I don't trust TEs for their relative value. Sure, Gronk and even Reed can be great, but they're always hurt. Spend a top 4 round pick on a player you can't rely on? Not wise. Olsen is steady, but he doesn't quite reach WR2 type numbers that you'd need to make it matter. Kelce does. Do you take him as the top TE?

[Frozenbeernuts 1,652]

It seems the Chiefs have recommitted to him. I avoided making offers for him because over the past few seasons he would completely disappoint. It is worth noting he hadn't caught a td since week 8. Alex Smith can look like a precise qb making good decisions. And then the other Alex Smith shows up for 3 weeks who cannot complete a pass 5 yards down field.

[murf74 461]

I won't get him unless he falls because I don't trust TEs for their relative value. Sure, Gronk and even Reed can be great, but they're always hurt. Spend a top 4 round pick on a player you can't rely on? Not wise. Olsen is steady, but he doesn't quite reach WR2 type numbers that you'd need to make it matter. Kelce does. Do you take him as the top TE?

He probably is but is not sexy name so you don't have to overspend. Everyone will be on Gronk and Graham wagons

[cmh6476 748]

Chiefs offense probably doesn't look a whole lot different next year. Alex Smith, kelce, Maclin, Hill, wilson and Conley are all probably the guys at their positions once again. Eric Berry and dontari poe are the only key free agents. That said, kelce should be a focal point again next year.

[weepaws 2,451]

Just depends on the return of the Gronk.

 

Olsen is still a sold pick and I still like Walker.

 

But a number one te ranking for Kelce , is an interesting question.

 

Don't see myself having number one but no question top three.

 

Reed is unreliable with his injury problem.

 

If Gronk is back I can see him one again then Olsen and Kelce .

[polecatt 399]

If Gronk is healthy he's still the top TE.

Kelce is as good as any after him though.

Not sure how high I would draft him next season quite yet but not in the first 4 rounds.

[cousinal111 57]

I am debating keeping Eifert over Tyrell Williams in ppr...I got 7 months to figure it out.

[weepaws 2,451]

I don't ever get a top te.

 

I'm only in one league that has a te only postion , and I draft TE's late.

[TennisMenace 156]

Kelce is certainly a beast, for sure. Right up there with the other big boys.

[Law 220]

In 4 leagues, I took Reed in two and waited in the others. In the two with Reed, I took him in like the 4th round. He started slow, got hurt a little, came back huge, got hurt a lot. Mixed results. In the other two, I was chasing TEs all year, never hitting it right. But they score so little and with such randomness, I'd prefer to wait. Perhaps next year Kelce could be my Reed of this year - who'll I'll take in the 4th or 5th if it works out. Way too early to know yet.

[Ray_T 587]

I don't ever get a top te.

 

I'm only in one league that has a te only postion , and I draft TE's late.

I do this a lot too. but if I see a solid TE fall to a point where he is a good deal I will grab one.

 

Generally a 900 yard TE is worth more than a 1000 yard WR (assuming equal TD's) because that TE will give you a point advantage for the position. But 1000 yard WR's are nice to have, but there are a lot of them out there so they usually dont give you a huge advantage for the position.

 

I have my own conversion that I do every year (based on stats) that tells me at what point the TE's become more valuable than WR's. Honestly, this conversion is more helpful in my auction leagues, but can be used in redraft. I've done well by this in the past. anyone willing to do the work can probably figure out something similar without too much difficulty.

[weepaws 2,451]

I could diffently agree with the above post.

 

A good te late is a good bargain.

[Loaded Box 5]

Really like this debate because it matches up great talents on teams that feature the tight end differently. I think we can all agree Gronk is the best tight end, but if he's hurt he's not doing any good on your fantasy football bench. Whereas Kelce doesn't have the injury history, but the Chiefs use of him in the past has been a bit of a head scratcher.

 

Hopefully Kelce's surge the second half of this year was an eye opener for the Chiefs and he'll justify a high fantasy selection next year. But like many of you, I prefer to let others have the top-tier tight ends and I try to find a middle of the pack guy who may breakout that particular season.

[weepaws 2,451]

In my only te postion league , and it's a ppr league.

 

These where the standings of finsh of the teams that took te early.

 

The list of those names are.

 

Gronk. This team finsh 3-10 and last in total points.

Kelce. This team was 5-8 and finshed 10th in points

Olsen. This team was 7-6 and finshed 5th in points

Rudolph. This team was 7-6 and finshed 4th in points.

Walker. This team was 10-3 and finshed 7th in points.

Graham. This team was 4-9 and finshed 11th in points

Reed. This team was 3-10 and finshed 9th in points.

 

These where the teams that drafted te earlier then the others.

 

Combine record was 39-52 and an avg of 8th in Total points.

I just don't think taking any te early pays off in the end.

[jaxjag 43]

This Kelce discussion has morphed into the strategy of when to take a TE.

 

Can Kelce repeat as the #1 TE? Sure, if the Chiefs continue to use him as they have the past 5-6 weeks he might be in the "perfect" offense for a TE. Only Jordy Nelson has more receiving yards since week 8. Olsen will be a year older and many TE's are dinged regularly (Gronk, Graham, Eifert, Reed). Gates is retiring. Can Witten be too far behind? Suddenly, the position looks awfully thin to me.

 

Relatively young, durable... what is not to like?

 

As for up and comers, I like Henry paired with Rivers in SD (or wherever the Chargers land) and Ertz (who is on a 100 reception pace over the past 8 games). Rudolph has also been hot over the second half of the season but he and the Vikings in general are too volatile for my liking.

[Ray_T 587]

Really like this debate because it matches up great talents on teams that feature the tight end differently. I think we can all agree Gronk is the best tight end, but if he's hurt he's not doing any good on your fantasy football bench. Whereas Kelce doesn't have the injury history, but the Chiefs use of him in the past has been a bit of a head scratcher.

 

Hopefully Kelce's surge the second half of this year was an eye opener for the Chiefs and he'll justify a high fantasy selection next year. But like many of you, I prefer to let others have the top-tier tight ends and I try to find a middle of the pack guy who may breakout that particular season.

one other thing to consider regarding Kelce.....

 

the Chiefs have a long history of making good use of the TE position.

 

While he is no Gronk, I think he is lower risk than other TE's in his Tier. I got him for good value in one of my leagues last year, and did not regret it. He was solid all year with the exception of one or two games. (which I consider acceptable)

 

I think if you factor in the injury history for Gronk, he and Kelce should be valued about the same. I know Gronk is the better player, but he misses far more games. I'm starting to think he will have a shorter career than your average TE. He really takes a beating out there.

[ralphster 274]

Gronk

Kelce

Olsen

Reed

Graham

Eifert

Ertz

Ebron

Walker

Rudolph

Henry

Hooper

 

Rough "too early" ranks

[weepaws 2,451]

Looks like Gates is set on returning , do you still like Henry that high if he indeed does return ?

 

Hooper is good pick , he will be a good late te target.

 

Happy New Year.

[Loaded Box 5]

one other thing to consider regarding Kelce.....

 

the Chiefs have a long history of making good use of the TE position.

 

While he is no Gronk, I think he is lower risk than other TE's in his Tier. I got him for good value in one of my leagues last year, and did not regret it. He was solid all year with the exception of one or two games. (which I consider acceptable)

 

I think if you factor in the injury history for Gronk, he and Kelce should be valued about the same. I know Gronk is the better player, but he misses far more games. I'm starting to think he will have a shorter career than your average TE. He really takes a beating out there.

Well said. And I agree, it'll be a shame, but I also could see Gronk's career being cut short due to his injuries. Back/knee injuries are no joke and with Gronk's style of play he may dominate for a few more years and then the game may catch up to him.

[DocNiner 44]

Few years back, yeah, you could grab Gronk early and pay dividends. I don't think I wanna try that next year. Injuries, inconsistencies. Kelce has the upside & potential to be the top guy but I won't go after him early. Think I'd try for another good positional rb or wr before my te.

[kwolf68 13]

Thing about Tight-End there are VERY few sleepers...the good ones are good and you have to hope for someone to come from nowhere. Sexy names as sleepers coming into this year like Vance McDonald, Jeff Hurerman, Tyler Higbee, even freaking Colby Fleener none really blossomed. Most of the guys who did anything are your typical names...Cameron Brate and Dennis Pitta were Top 10 guys who were sleepers, but neither were huge game breakers either.

 

I'm gonna try to get one of those good tight ends next year, although I am really high on Hunter Henry, maybe he;'ll fall

[DocNiner 44]

A little hesitant grabbing Gronk or Kelce too early and the possibility of them not producing at their ADP for a number of variables which we seen this year. Definitely a position to research hard & see if you can get a diamond in the rough without a high pick for them. I DO like Hunter Henry akready for next year &a a few others to peruse over. Plenty of time to do that but I think the TE position will take a little work and not just snatchin Gronk, Kelce or 1 or 2 soon as they pop up available. I will be a little caustious with my TE picks next year.

[weepaws 2,451]

I think a player like K Rudolph would be in the sleeper category

 

2015 he finshed 14 in points.

 

Season before that he only played in seven games.

 

And this season he was a great late te pick up.

 

Yeah I think every season there are good sleepers to be picked up late in a draft at the Te postion.

[jaxjag 43]

Thing about Tight-End there are VERY few sleepers...the good ones are good and you have to hope for someone to come from nowhere. Sexy names as sleepers coming into this year like Vance McDonald, Jeff Hurerman, Tyler Higbee, even freaking Colby Fleener none really blossomed. Most of the guys who did anything are your typical names...Cameron Brate and Dennis Pitta were Top 10 guys who were sleepers, but neither were huge game breakers either.

 

I'm gonna try to get one of those good tight ends next year, although I am really high on Hunter Henry, maybe he;'ll fall

 

If Gates is back, Henry will fall. Although I've read that the Chargers want to make Henry the top option.

 

As a Henry owner in dynasty, I'd prefer Gates decide that he really does want to quit this off-season but I'm still high on Henry; productive QB, team is often in high scoring games and plenty of TE targets.