Sleeper Alert
Brandon Pettigrew is not necessarily a big sleeper name, but he is definitely very underrated as a fantasy tight end. He plays on one of the most potent passing offenses in the league. Pettigrew has great hands, and is a massive target at 6’5” and 265 lbs.
In 2010, he finished with a line of 71/722/4. These numbers were mostly without stud QB Matthew Stafford throwing him the rock. In 2011, he improved with a line of 83/777/5. In 2012, I project the Detroit Lions offense to surpass 2011′s passing numbers. With not much of a run game, look for Stafford to rely on his big targets as much as possible.
I see a ton of red zone targets coming Pettigrew’s way this season, and with Calvin Johnson, Titus Young, Nate Burleson and now Ryan Broyles opening up the middle for him, I wouldn’t be surprised if he finished as a top 5 fantasy tight end in 2012. I predict him finishing with a line similar to 94/980/8. With a current ADP in the 6th or 7th round, he will be a steal this year for most fantasy owners. And in 2013, I believe he will have knocked Jermichael Finley out of the top 5 TEs.
Nice write-up, TBL! This guy has skills, that’s for sure, and having a QB like Stafford is a recipe for everything you’re suggesting. Nice work.