Tight End "Under-the-Radar" da Duck , Fantasy Football Guest Writer May 21, 2008 | More

Once Gates (SDG), Gonzales (KAN) and Witten (DAL) are taken in your NFL Fantasy Draft the fantasy value potential at TE drops considerably, leaving the rest of the league owners selecting from a largely homogeneous pool of potential TE's - usually at mid-to-later rounds.  Here's a potential gem at TE that is still very much 'under-the-radar' - Big Number 89 of the Jacksonville Jaguars - Mr. Marcedes Lewis out of UCLA.

Size ?  How about a 6'6" 255-275 lb Target that is a real 'Hoss to take down.  Athleticism ?  Lewis was also a highly recruited basketball star at college.  Toughness ?  In all 16 regular season games in '07 and 15 in '06.

Just 25 yrs old Marcedes Lewis caught 37 passes (2 TD's) in 2007 for 391 yards (nice YAC !) but it was in the latter half of the '07 campaign that he began to turn heads and eyes including the head and eye of QB David Garrard, emerging as 'the guy' at Tight End for Jacksonville.

With his size and ability Lewis projects to be the number one TE for the Jag's this year.  He will assume a much more involved role in the Jacksonville offense as both receiver and outlet runner.  Not just a big blocker anymore (he is that, and will improve there too).  Greatly increased playing time equals more output opportunities and Marcedes could easily more than double his 2007 production.  He will be a legit Pro Bowl contender this year, poised for a 'breakout season' with the Jaguars.

I have already made M. Lewis my guy at TE in my Keeper League this year.  BTW - Last Year's 'Find' ?  An 'undersized' WR traded from MIA to NEP out of itty bitty TCU named Wes.  Wes Welker.

da Duck