June Update 1.0: Dynasty Rookie TE Rankings

All 32 NFL teams will report for training camps in less than two months, and the excitement for the 2010 season is building.

We continually tweak our rookie rankings for you right up until the season begins, and it is time to release our latest update.

Here are some of the tight ends making headlines since our last ranking update:

Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez:

The latest buzz coming from Foxboro is that Hernandez could have a larger role as a rookie than Gronkowski.  Gronkowski is working as the second string tight end behind Alge Crumpler, while Hernandez has been often lined up with the first team in a variety of roles as a hybrid player.  Hernandez has drawn the praise of the Patriots beat writers with his awareness, route running and catching ability.  We don’t want to chalk this up to a puff piece from the local media; however, we still rank Gronkowski ahead of Hernandez in our dynasty rankings.  Hernandez may have the better 2010 campaign, but Gronkowski is a good bet to become a three-down player in the mold of a Jason Witten.

Dennis Pitta and Ed Dickson:

Pitta and Dickson have an offseason battle of their own for the backup tight end job behind Todd Heap.  This will be an important battle to watch this summer because of Heap’s injury history.  Both players are saying the right things, and the healthy competition could bring out the best in each other’s game.  Both are dynasty stashes at best, but in larger leagues the backup tight end could have value in Heap misses significant time due to injury.

Anthony Moeaki:

Moeaki has been a spectator at OTA’s since the rookie minicamp concluded, but he returned to practice today and showed no lingering effects from injury.  The Chiefs may bring Moeaki along slowly to begin the season regardless.  Moeaki merits consideration in the later rounds of your rookie draft because of his opportunity on the Chiefs.  He only has to beat out veterans Brad Cottam and Leonard Pope for playing time.

The ranking score for each player is based on several factors:

• Pre-draft scouting reports
• College production
• Strength of team scouting department
• Draft selection
• Offensive scheme
• 2010 Team Schedule

Tight End Rankings (TE) – Previous Ranking in Parenthesis

1. Jermaine Gresham – Bengals 8.27 (1)
2. Rob Gronkowski – Patriots 7.93 (2)
3. Aaron Hernandez – Patriots 7.54 (3)
4. Jimmy Graham – Saints 7.13 (5)
5. Dennis Pitta – Ravens 7.02 (4)
6. Ed Dickson – Ravens 6.90 (6)
7. Anthony Moeaki – Chiefs 6.72 (8)
8. Garrett Graham – Texans 6.57 (7)
9. Andrew Quarless – Packers 5.52 (9)
10. Anthony McCoy – Seahawks 5.46 (10)
11. Clay Harbor – Eagles 5.18 (11)
12. Colin Peek – Falcons 5.13 (12)
13. Fendi Onobun – Rams 5.11 (UR)
14. Nate Byham – 49ers 5.10 (13)
15. Dedrick Epps – Chargers 4.99 (14)
16. Jim Dray – Cardinals 4.98 (15)