News: NFL Network reported Seahawks tight end
Anthony McCoy had surgery to repair a partially torn Achilles suffered during the Seahawks' recent OTA practices. Per the report, McCoy tore the Achilles while running.
Analysis: This should seal Zach Miller as the Seahawks' most threatening tight end and rookie Luke Wilson as his backup. McCoy was never a consideration for Fantasy in the first place and might be done for the year if the Seahawks don't want to wait for him to come back from his rehab.
Moeaki out until training camp
Tony Moeaki, TE, KC
5/24/2013
News: Chiefs coach Andy Reid said Thursday that tight end
Tony Moeaki, who underwent an arthroscopic procedure on his knee this offseason, could be out until training camp. "Probably see him at training camp, Reid said. He was asked if Moeaki would be ready when training camp starts. Well see," Reid said. "But right now, Im thinking he will be, but well see how it goes. Hes working like crazy.
Analysis: Moeaki will compete with Anthony Fasano and rookie Travis Kelce for playing time, but he has minimal Fantasy value even if he starts. Keep an eye on Moeaki's health heading into training camp, but he should not be drafted in the majority of leagues even if he's 100 percent and starting. There are just too many better Fantasy options coming into the season.
News: Chiefs coach Andy Reid likes what he sees from rookie tight end
Travis Kelce so far through OTA workouts. The Chiefs drafted Kelce in the third round from Cincinnati. "Hes doing a nice job, athletically," Reid said Thursday. "Again, thats one of the positions that has a whole lot of different looks that theyve got to learn, and hes working through that. Hes a smart kid, hes working through it. Its just a matter of time and reps there. Hes working hard.
Analysis: Kelce should provide a target for quarterback Alex Smith after snagging 45 passes for 722 yards and eight touchdowns for the Bearcats last season. The Chiefs have two other known tight ends on their roster in Anthony Fasano and Tony Moeaki, but it won't be hard for Kelce to get playing time ahead of them if he plays as expected. He's not worth drafting in most seasonal leagues, but Kelce can be someone to monitor and potentially add off the waiver wire. He is worth drafting with a mid-round pick in rookie-only formats.
News: USA Today reports that Eagles tight end
James Casey will undergo arthroscopic surgery to clean out loose cartilage his right knee and will be out of action for the rest of the spring. A team spokesman said Casey should be ready to go by the start of training camp. Casey signed a three-year deal with $14.5 million as one of the first additions for the Eagles in a busy opening few days in free agency. The former Texans fullback/tight end is expected to play a key role in coach Chip Kelly's offense.
Analysis: Casey had career-highs with 34 receptions, 330 yards and three touchdowns last year, numbers that could spike with the Eagles because of the expected design of the offense and the up-tempo style that will result in more snaps. Like any player getting used to Kelly's offense, Casey would surely benefit from more reps through the rest of organized team activities and minicamp, so being sidelined for the next month isn't ideal. Still, if all goes as well as planned, Casey should get plenty of time on the field in July and August as long as he's healthy. He's not worth drafting in most leagues, but Casey is someone to monitor as a potential waiver wire addition if he's fine as expected following this procedure.
News: Rams tight end
Lance Kendricks was out of OTA practices after having an arthroscopic procedure on his knee following some swelling. The surgery was done in April according to
The Sports Xchange.
Analysis: Kendricks never lived up to expectations in his first two seasons and the Rams further pushed him down the depth chart with the signing of Jared Cook. He's not going to set the world on fire, so keep Kendricks out of Draft Day plans.
News: The Bills official website reports tight end
Scott Chandler has made great strides in his rehab from a torn ACL suffered last December. At Bills practice Thursday he was spotted running routes, dropping his weight and cutting off the knee while making catches on a side field from quarterback
Jeff Tuel. "It feels normal," said Chandler. "Running routes you could probably tell its not 100 percent, but its better than most so I feel good."
Analysis: Chandler's been running routes for three weeks but started catching passes this week. He's aiming to be ready for the start of training camp. Fantasy owners probably wouldn't be excited about drafting Chandler this summer if he's back in time for camp and preseason work but he has potential to snag red zone touchdowns for the Bills, plus the team's new offense could agree with him. Assuming he's back, consider him among your options late on Draft Day.
Davis at '90 percent'
Fred Davis, TE, WAS
5/23/2013
News: Redskins coach
Mike Shanahan disclosed that tight end
Fred Davis is getting close to full health but is taking it slow with his rehab so as to not get rushed back to the field. Davis tore his Achilles last season. "Fred [Davis] to me looks very good," Shanahan said. "Trainers are saying he's 90 percent."
Analysis: If he's a willing participant at training camp, Davis retains his Fantasy value as a No. 2 tight end with some decent upside. Hopefully he can develop a better rapport with quarterback Robert Griffin III. Prior to going down last year he had just 24 catches for 325 yards and no touchdowns. He is worth just a late-round pick, if at all, in deeper leagues.
News: Heath Miller told the
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review he wasn't sure when he'd be able to play again. Miller tore his ACL last December. It's too far away to speculate, Miller said. "One thing I've learned with this thing, it's a long process, (it's) still going to be a long process. You don't know how your body is going to react moving forward with this stuff. It's too early to tell."
Analysis: Miller has been running and lifting weights but is still working on regaining strength and confidence in his knee, particularly when he's on grass. He's not ruling out a return for Week 1 but seems far from being ready to help Fantasy owners out on a regular basis. If Miller is ready to roll without limitations by late August then he's worth a mid- to late-round pick. But if he's not then he's a late-round pickup as a guy to rest on your bench for the first few weeks of the season.
News: Browns tight end
Jordan Cameron sat out OTA practice Thursday with a pulled groin. Coach Rob Chudzinski said the team was being cautionary, adding "we'll have to wait and see" on when the tight end could practice again.
Analysis: Cameron figures to be a relevant part of the Browns offense because of his position and the track record of his head coach and offensive coordinator's success with tight ends. Cameron isn't going to get picked in every single draft unless he has a fantastic training camp and preseason. And even if he gets rolling he won't be so popular that he gets taken with a decent pick. Consider Cameron among the low-end options you can find toward the end of your draft this summer.
Bucs' Crabtree to have big role?
Tom Crabtree, TE, TB
5/23/2013
News: The Buccaneers official website focused on the arrival of new tight end
Tom Crabtree and believes he's going to have the chance to have a big role in the offense. He'll compete with
Luke Stocker in training camp for playing time. "He just didn't get the opportunity but you saw it when you studied him on tape. You had to dig a little bit but when he got the opportunity, he made plays," coach Greg Schiano said of Crabtree. "To me, theres physical traits and theres production. ... Sometimes, you dont get a full page of production because there are other people there, but the physical traits lend you to believe that that production could be consistent if given the opportunity."
Analysis: We're a long way from Crabtree being a worthwhile Fantasy prospect but the opportunity for him to develop into a contributor for the Bucs could lead to him being a one-week option off waivers. Right now no one should draft him.