Friday was the day for tight ends in the NFL Draft as four players -- Maxx Williams (Ravens), Clive Walford (Raiders), Tyler Kroft (Bengals) and Jeff Heuerman (Broncos) -- were selected in the second and third rounds. All these tight ends have potential to help their NFL teams, but Fantasy owners should be wary of them this season.
We've seen this show before.
Last year, seven tight ends were drafted in the first three rounds with Eric Ebron (Lions), Austin Seferian-Jenkins (Buccaneers), Jace Amaro (Jets), Troy Niklas (Cardinals), C.J. Fiedorowicz (Texans), Richard Rodgers (Packers) and Crockett Gilmore (Ravens). None of them were helpful for Fantasy owners.
Sure, Ebron, Seferian-Jenkins, Amaro and Rodgers had some positive moments last year, but they were few and far between. They weren't reliable starting options, and this class will be the same.
Williams fills a big hole for the Ravens and should play right away with Dennis Pitta (hip) hurt, and Walford has huge upside but has Mychal Rivera in his way. Kroft will compete with Tyler Eifert for playing time, and Heuerman will help Owen Daniels and Virgil Green replace the departed Julius Thomas. For seasonal leagues, only Williams has the chance to help Fantasy owners this year, but his production will likely be minimal, so avoid him on Draft Day.
In dynasty leagues, I would draft them in this order: Williams, Walford, Heuerman and Kroft, with the latter two easily reversible depending on what happens with Peyton Manning in the future.
