LestersLegends.com

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Now that the NFL Draft is behind us it is time for fantasy football nuts to start breaking down the rookies. Here’s the LestersLegends’ look at the 2012 NFL rookie tight end class.
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1.  Coby Fleener, Indianapolis Colts
He has to learn how to play tight end at the next level, but at least he’s familiar with his quarterback. He caught 17 touchdown passes from Andrew Luck the past two years and he provides a big target (6’6″, 250) in the red zone.
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2.  Dwayne Allen, Indianapolis Colts
The Colts were serious about giving Luck some big targets, taking a page out of Bill Belichick’s playbook by taking Fleener with the 34th pick and Allen with the 64th. He caught 50 passes for Clemson last year for 598 yards and eight scores.
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3.  Michael Egnew, Miami Dolphins
Egnew was the Dolphin’s fourth selection, but he was still the 78th overall pick. He was much more productive as a Junior (90 catches, 762 yards vs. 50 and 523), but he doesn’t have much competition.
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4.  Orson Charles, Cincinnati Bengals
The Bengals have Jermaine Gresham, but two solid tight ends is chic. Charles caught 45 passes at Georgia for 574 yards and five TDs. He should be a nice piece in an up-and-coming offense.
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5.  Ladarius Green, San Diego Chargers
Green has the luxury from learning from one of the best (Antonio Gates) with a premier QB (Philip Rivers). He caught 15 touchdown passes over the past two years at Louisiana-Lafayette. He needs to add some weight, which could slow his ascent.
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Also check out:

• 2012 Early Fantasy Football QB Rankings
• 2012 Early Fantasy Football RB Rankings
• 2012 Early Fantasy Football WR Rankings
• 2012 Early Fantasy Football TE Rankings
• 2012 Early Fantasy Football DEF Rankings
• 2012 Top Five Rookie Fantasy Football Quarterbacks
• 2012 Top Five Rookie Fantasy Football Running Backs
• 2012 Top Five Rookie Fantasy Football Wide Receivers
• 2012 NFL Draft First Round Skill Players: A Fantasy Perspective

I wrap up my NFL Rookie skill position breakdown with the top Tight Ends.

Brandon Pettigrew, Detroit Lions – I’m not sure how much he’ll contribute as a Rookie Tight End, but he is definitely the one to target in dynasty leagues.  Not only is he an exceptional blocker, he has good hands.  Every young QB needs a safety valve and when Matthew Stafford gets his feet wet, the bit 6’5″ TE out of Oklahoma State will be just that.  Pettigrew caught 42 passes for 472 yards last year despite missing four games.

Richard Quinn, Denver Broncos – Quinn will mainly be utilized for his blocking ability.  It’s puzzling why he went so early, and to a team with Tony Scheffler, Daniel Graham and Jeb Putzier.  New England values Tight Ends and H-Backs so perhaps Josh McDaniels is trying to borrow that philosophy.  There is some speculation that Scheffler will be dealt. 

Jared Cook, Tennessee Titans – Here’s another team with a glut of Tight Ends.  Bo Scaife recently signed his one-year franchise tender and they have veteran Alge Crumpler.  Cook was a big play TE at South Carolina catching 73 passes in his three years for 1107 yards (15.2 ypc) and 7 TDs.  He’s a big target (6’5″, 240) that should develop into a solid TE in a couple years.

Chase Coffman, Cincinnati Bengals - Chase capped off an extremely productive collegiate career with 90 receptions for 987 yards and 10 TDs.  He finished with 247 receptions for 2659 yards and 30 TDs.  He could easily slide into the starter role for the Bengals and is my pick for most productive Rookie TE.

Travis Beckum, New York Giants - Beckum was limited to six games last year, but he averaged 68 receptions for 942.5 yards and 5.5 TDs his previous two years.  He’ll be used in two Tight End sets with Kevin Boss, but doesn’t offer much fantasy value initially.  Quality pick by the G-Men though.

Shawn Nelson, Buffalo Bills – Buffalo had a need for a pass-catching TE and Nelson should fit the bill.  He caught 53 passes last year for 557 yards and 3 TDs.  He averaged 514 yards per season in his stellar four years at Southern Miss. 

Cornelius Ingram, Philadelphia Eagles - It may take a year or two for Ingram to make an impact, but the potential is there.  He had 34 receptions for 508 yards and 7 TDs in 2007.  Great athlete, but is recovering from an ACL injury that cost him all of last year for the Gators.