in NFL Props
Tight Contest at the Tight End Position
by BetUS Staff
BetUS Sportsbook knows that a lot of people like to play fantasy football, and so it has compiled comprehensive odds on who will have the "best fantasy season" at every position, and even among position groups, like the offensive line or special teams for the various NFL clubs. Since different fantasy leagues have different criteria for scoring, please contact BetUS for further information on the criteria for winning this particular proposition.
Today, we're going to focus on the tight end position. Here are the players, with their current NFL odds:
BetUS Fantasy Football Odds
Tight End to Have Best Fantasy Season
Antonio Gates (5/1 in BetUS odds) -- Last year he had 75 receptions for 984 yards, and in the last three seasons he's had 28 touchdown catches. As long as Phillip Rivers does not have a slew of dangerous wide receivers, Gates is going to get an awful lot of play. HEAVY BUY
Jason Witten (6/1 in BetUS odds) -- The Cowboys do not have a very scary wide receiver opposite Terrell Owens, so they will probably expect T.O. to draw a lot of double coverage. That magnifies the value of Witten, who caught 96 passes last season for 1145 yards, up 32 catches and 391 yards from the year before. Plus, there's no doubt Tony Romo has the ability to get him the ball. HEAVY BUY
Kellen Winslow (7/1 in BetUS odds) -- In Winslow's two seasons in Cleveland, he's had 89 and 82 receptions, but I'm a little more guarded in projecting him, because Derek Anderson has another viable outlet to throw to in Donte Stallworth. Plus, Winslow had to undergo surgery on his knee six months ago, which may have led to the Browns spending a draft pick on Missouri's Martin Rucker. NO BUY
Tony Gonzalez (10/1 in BetUS odds) -- Gonzalez had one of the best years of his career in '07, with 99 catches. Since my information is that the Chiefs may be going after short-thrower Chad Pennington, that might push things a little more in Gonzalez's direction. LIGHT BUY
Dallas Clark (9/1 in BetUS odds) -- Ben Utecht is gone from the Colts' offense, which pumps up Clark's value. One of the things that is attractive about him is that he is often used in a wide receiver position. Certainly Peyton Manning throws it enough, but there are a lot of people to spread it around to. How much can he improve on his 58 catches form a year ago? NO BUY
Chris Cooley (12/1 in BetUS odds) -- Cooley set a career high in receiving yards last season, with 786. How much he may be affected by the installation of Washington's new West Coast offense or the possible musical chairs at quarterback is anybody's guess. NO BUY
Jeremy Shockey (15/1 in BetUS odds) -- Shockey caught 65 and 66 passes in 2005 and 2006, respectively, before dropping to 57 last year in a season that ended in injury. Now the the Saints, he may offer great value if: (1) He recovers from the fibula injury and stays healthy; (2) a few people do not emerge as legitimate go-to receivers for the Saints, and (3) Drew Brees, who doesn't have a big long-rage arm, throws it as much as last year. LIGHT BUY
Vernon Davis (15/1 in BetUS odds) -- Forget him. Mike Martz is the new offensive coordinator in San Francisco, and his scheme has never emphasized the tight end. NO BUY
Todd Heap (20/1 in BetUS odds) -- Heap caught 23 passes in six games last year, and his health is a possible problem. Plus, he will not be working with a top-flight quarterback, whether it be veteran Kyle Boller, youngster Troy Smith or raw rookie Joe Flacco. I would not expect big things from him. NO BUY
Heath Miller (15/1 in BetUS odds) -- Miller had 47 catches for 566 yards last season, and those were the highest figures of his career. He's solid, but not really a contender here. NO BUY
Field (6/1 in BetUS odds) -- This price piques my interest, because of the presence of a few darkhorses. One of them that might be very viable is ALGE CRUMPLER, who went from Atlanta to Tennessee in the off-season. Yes, he will have to stay healthy. But Crumpler has instantly become the go-to guy for Vince Young in Tennessee's drills and scrimmages, and with Young still trying to get his feet wet as an NFL passer, and the lack of big threats in the Titans' WR corps, Crumpler can play a prominent role. Also, for that rookie surprise, you may get that from former Notre Dame tight end JOHN CARLSON, who is going to what should be a friendly offense in Seattle and will be counted on heavily. And let's not forget OWEN DANIELS of the Texans, who caught 63 passes last year and should improve on that number, as well as his three touchdowns, if Matt Schaub stays upright for the whole season. LIGHT BUY
The 2008 Super Bowl XLII and beyond!
(Charles Jay of www.ebookies.com is a member of the NFL too - that is, "not for long" if you don't get results. He is now a regular contributor to the BetUS.com Locker Room)
