Tight Ends Coach

This is the final week of fantasy preparation, because if your draft hasn't been held yet, you better get on it. Only eight days until the NFL season starts. I'm going to rank my top five tight ends today, and will give you a couple names of sleepers that could challenge for those as well. As for kickers and defenses, nothing has changed.

First, lets take a look at my predictions for TE's a year ago:
Picked No. 1 for 2015, Rob Gronkowski: Actually finished: 1. Stayed relatively healthy, so monster numbers followed. Easy pick.
Picked No. 2 for 2015, Jimmy Graham. Actually finished: 17. Seemed like a slam dunk for No. 2, even with a new team, but dealt with some injuries. If he would have played a full slate of games, still would have only been eighth.
Picked No. 3 for 2015, Martellus Bennett. Actually finished: 23. He missed five games as well, but still would only have been 11th if his stats were extrapolated to a full season. Not a good pick.
 Picked No. 4 for 2015, Travis Kelce. Actually finished: 7. Pretty solid pick. Anyone who took him as the fourth TE off the board was pretty happy with his production.
Picked No. 5 for 2015, Greg Olsen. Actually finished: 5. Spot on. He is pretty much a perpetually top five tight end.

For this year:
1. Gronk: Duh.
2. Travis Kelce: He is a big boy with some great hands, and KC still doesn't have any real reliable wideouts outside of Maclin, so Kelce will see the workload.
3. Jordan Reed: Has the talent to be as high as No. 1, but also comes with a lot of injury risks. Plus he plays for Washington, who I feel like are a play away from flushing their whole season down the tubes.
4. Martellus Bennett: A second tight end from the Pats in the top 10? Yes. It's been done before, and it very likely will again. Plus, at worst he is Gronk insurance.
5. Greg Olsen: He is always right around here. Would expect nothing less.
Sleepers: Zach Miller (Chicago) played really well when Martellus went down a year ago. Gary Barnidge (Cleveland) he has slipped quite a bit in drafts after his breakout season a year ago, and if Josh Gordon doesn't return and Corey Coleman struggles as a rookie, Barnkowski could reign again in Cleveland. Lastly, if he can remain healthy Eric Ebron (Lions) is worth a chance as a TE 1.

As for kickers and defense, either don't draft one and then pick one up right before the year starts, or if you'd like to have that solid full roster wait until the final two rounds to take a defense and kicker, in that order. If your league doesn't have these options, kudos.

Ft. Ripley's Jack Hegarty in the opening round of state Class C Amateur baseball.

Rebels starting pitcher Logan Kalis in the game in Dassel.

Pierz junior Brittney Boser swats a high backhand against Pequot Lakes, Aug. 19.

Little Falls' Grace Schulte plays at No. 2 singles.

The Flyers' No. 1 singles player was senior Arielle Emerson.

Upsala junior hitter Stefani Pohlman tries to handle a serve at a pre-conference tournament in Long Prairie. Aug. 23.

Royals sophomore Jenna Carlson digs out a shot.

Royalton setter Alli Moga (No. 2) sends out a set toward hitter Lanae Sieben (No. 7).

Freshman Cierra Gottwalt (No. 4) lays a pass up.

Rebels player/manager Brett Kramer rounds third base.

Rhett Williamson trots to home and celebrates with third base coach Rob Veith Sr. after jacking a monster home run.

Kalis rips a big hole in his pants after this awkward slide.

Kalis turns on the after burners when heading for three.

Swanville sophomore Avery Jackson puts a hit up against Upsala.