PPR Target Report: Tight Ends

In the one fantasy football league that I participate in every year, we recently moved to a 0.5 point PPR format and I liked the move. I am not sure how it was decided to go with a 0.5 point per reception rather than a full point, but take it from me, having the right receivers rostered and in your lineup can make all the difference from week to week. Last season, my team lost one game by 1.3 points and another by 0.8 points, so know which receivers to play week to week could be the difference between winning and losing. Thus the reason for the PPR Report, which I will write on a weekly basis through the end of the season. This report will provide you with the receivers who are seeing more and more targets from week to week, and also take a look at some receivers who are losing targets as well.

With that said, let's take a look at the top targeted Tight Ends over the last three seasons (based on their 3 year average) with some thoughts on how offseason moves could impact their 2012 performance. Let's take a look after the jump:

With Brandon Lloyd added to the corp of receivers in New England, Tom Brady may look to target him a bit more than Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez in 2013. It was reported recently that Hernandez stayed late after practice to take handoffs from Brady, in an effort to get him more looks this season. Should be interesting to watch this offense for sure.

With Laurent Robinson off to Jacksonville in the offseason, and Miles Austin down with another hamstring injury, one would think the Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo may give Jason Witten a few more looks in the red zone this season. Witten's targets were down a bit last season, as Romo looked to give more targets to Dez Bryant, Austin and Robinson. That could change in 2013 and Witten's targets, receptions, yards and touchdowns may benefit as a result.

I am high on Chargers Tight End Antonio Gates this season. He appears healthy and could put up a monster season in the Chargers air it out offense. Vincent Jackson has left for Tampa, so Gates targets could return to the 2009 levels where he had 79 receptions, 1,157 yards and 8 touchdowns. I look for Gates to put up double digit touchdowns this season as long as he can stay healthy.

One guy not on this list is Broncos TIght End Jacob Tamme who could quicky become a favorite of Peyton Manning's this season. Back in 2009, Colts tight end Dallas Clark had 100+ receptions, 1,100 yards and 10 scores. If Tamme can approach just 70% of those numbers, he is a must starter in leagues where you have to roster a tight end.