Tight end is a frustrating position for fantasy owners, especially in leagues that require owners to start at least one every week. After the handful of elite performers, it can really start to get ugly. Fortunately, more rookies are coming into the league and making an immediate impact. Last season, Seattle's John Carlson established himself as one of the most reliable, if unspectacular, tight ends in fantasy football. In New York, Dustin Keller emerged late in the season and showed that he could do some great things in the 2009.
The clear-cut choice for the head of the draft class in 2009 is Brandon Pettigrew. He should put up decent fantasy numbers in Detroit if he gets enough passes thrown his way, but he's not the only rookie tight end who could be a great pick in 2009. Here are three other rookie tight ends who could make an impact. They just had to wait until Day 2 to hear their names called.
Shawn Nelson, Buffalo - Nelson should step right into a starting role with the Bills, who don't have much quality depth at the position. He was expected to go much earlier than the 4th round, which is where he was taken with the 121st overall pick. The only real question is how many passes will he see with Terrell Owens and Lee Evans on the outside?
Chase Coffman, Cincinnati - A pass-catching specialist (he set the NCAA record for career receptions by a tight end with 247) with eye-popping measurables (6'6", 244 lbs.). His father was an All-Pro tight end with the Green Bay Packers, so the genes are there at the very least. The Bengals will be thinner at wide receiver, which could give Coffman the opportunity to shine with Carson Palmer throwing him the ball.
Cornelius Ingram, Philadelphia - An ACL injury caused him to miss the entire 2008 college season. As a result, he slid all the way down to the 5th round, but he reportedly was well on his way to recovery at the NFL Combine. Former starter L.J. Smith left the Eagles in the offseason. Philadelphia still has Brent Celek, who showed some flashes last season. We know the Eagles like to use multiple tight ends. That could provide Ingram with the opportunities that would give him some fantasy value.