We’re ranking the best ACC players at each position according to their fantasy football value.
The next position up is tight end. I used standard fantasy scoring while making these rankings. That is:
- 10 receiving yards=1 point
- 1 receiving touchdown=6 points
Alongside each name, you’ll notice the abbreviation FPPG. That stands for Fantasy Points Per Game, and it was calculated using their season stats divided by the number of appearances for each player. Obviously, this isn’t fair to players who were backups last season, but that number is far from the be-all, end-all of this ranking.
The rankings were made considering a) The amount of fantasy points that player scored last season, b) The offense that player is in, c) The room for improvement for that player, and d) My gut.
1. Nick O’Leary, Florida State
FPPG: 6.93
Spin: O’Leary is an All-American for a reason — he puts up better receiving numbers than any other tight end in the country. He’s the fantasy standard-bearer at this position, and he should be able to duplicate his 557-yard, seven-touchdown performance from last season.
2. Gerald Christian, Louisville
FPPG: 5.08
Spin: One of three returning tight ends who caught more than three touchdowns last year, Christian is solidly the second-best fantasy tight end in the conference. He was the benefactor of Teddy Bridgewater’s quarterbacking last year, but he should put good numbers this season, too, in Bobby Petrino’s offense.
3. Clive Walford, Miami
FPPG: 4.35
Spin: Walford was Miami’s second-leading receiver last season, and he should remain in that range this season. With inexperienced quarterbacks manning the Hurricanes’ offense, Walford could see an uptick in targets as a safety valve.
4. Stanton Seckinger, Clemson
FPPG: 3.69
Spin: Seckinger quietly caught four touchdown passes last season. He returns this season in an offense that isn’t as talented as last year’s, but the same up-tempo, explosive system is still in place.
5. Jack Tabb, North Carolina
FPPG: 1.55
Spin: Last season was a disaster for Tabb, who was in and out of trouble and never found a good niche in the Tar Heels’ offense. North Carolina needs him this year, and he should be on the receiving end of plenty of passes without Eric Ebron (62 catches in 2013) dominating the ball.
6. David Reeves, Duke
FPPG: 0.64
Spin: With Braxton Deaver sidelined for the year, Reeves needs to step into his spot and fill that void in production. Deaver was a top-tier fantasy tight end in 2013, averaging 6.0 points per game. Reeves isn’t as proven, but he is talented and should get a ton of targets from quarterback Anthony Boone.
7. Kalvin Cline, Virginia Tech
FPPG: 3.67
Spin: It will be tough to replicate his surprising freshman season now that Ryan Malleck is healthy, but Cline was quietly a solid fantasy option in 2013. He should get plenty of snaps, and he could easily be a top-five tight end in yards and touchdowns.
8. Ben Koyack, Notre Dame
FPPG: 2.69
Spin: Koyack caught three touchdown passes last year, which helped offset his pedestrian yardage numbers (171). He won’t be a fantasy all-star, but he’s a starting caliber option.
9. Sam Cooper, Clemson
FPPG: 0.92
Spin: Cooper is listed as Clemson’s starting tight end, though both Jordan Leggett and Stanton Seckinger had better statistical seasons in 2013. With more snaps, he should put up bigger numbers in Dabo Swinney’s offense.
10. J.P. Holtz, Pitt
FPPG: 1.54
Spin: Holtz is one of six returning tight ends who eclipsed 200 yards receiving last year. His problem was that he didn’t find the end zone all season. That should change at least a little bit in 2014.
11. David Grinnage, NC State
FPPG: 1.75
Spin: He doesn’t give you anything particularly special, but Grinnage is a solid fantasy tight end. With a better NC State offense, he should be able to improve on the 150-yard, one-touchdown season he had in 2013.
12. Zachary Swanson, Virginia
FPPG: 1.7
Spin: Swanson, like Holtz, tallied a decent amount of yardage but couldn’t find the end zone. The Cavaliers will likely struggle again on offense this season, so it will be difficult for him to get too many more red zone chances.
Best Available On The Waiver Wire: Kendall Moore (Syracuse), Michael Giacone (Boston College), Scott Orndoff (Pitt), Jordan Leggett (Clemson), Brandon Fritts (North Carolina)