| Let's imagine for a second that you're fantasy | | | | Chase Coffman. Coffman's big frame (6'6", 244 |
| football draft is taking place. It's now in it's 13th | | | | lbs) comes with a bigger risk on draft day than |
| round and you realize that you've forgotten to | | | | Pettigrew will. For starters, he was drafted by the |
| draft a tight end. All the big names (Witten, | | | | Cincinnati Bengals. They only averaged 150.4 pass |
| Gates, Ton-Gon, even Heap) disappeared hours | | | | yards per game last year. Secondly, Coffman will |
| ago and Robert Royal isn't looking too promising. | | | | be playing second fiddle to Reggie Kelly. But, there |
| Well, rookie, here's a look at some rookies that | | | | is an upside! For starters, he is behind Reggie Kelly! |
| could help your team and make an immediate | | | | Kelly continued towards a second disappointing |
| impact this year. | | | | season last year, which should allow Marvin Lewis |
| First, we will start with the most obvious choice: | | | | to give Coffman an even closer look. If Lewis |
| Brandon Pettigrew. This 6'5" 260 pound rookie | | | | wants a touchdown scored from his tight end, |
| polishes off a class of talented, young offensive | | | | then Coffman is the answer not Kelly. |
| players for the Detroit Lions. Pettigrew will be | | | | While I wouldn't recommend relying too heavily on |
| surrounded by Calvin Johnson, Kevin Smith and | | | | Pettigrew and Coffman, they are viable bye |
| also-newly-drafted Matthew Stafford when (and | | | | week relief and/or bench players (after all, they |
| if) the Lions offense takes the field. | | | | ARE on the Bengals and the Lions). Pettigrew |
| It's obvious to see that Pettigrew was the best | | | | offers the most upside and who knows, he might |
| tight end in this year's draft. After all, the Lions did | | | | be able to put up some decent numbers. If he |
| snag him quickly, making him the first tight end to | | | | does, you can finally talk some trash to that guy |
| be drafted in 2009. Lately, the Lions have also | | | | in your league who allegedly "discovered" Matt |
| had a knack for finding explosive offensive talent | | | | Forte before "anyone even heard of him". |
| (sans Joey Harrington). Don't expect Pettigrew to | | | | Nevertheless, if your draft is still taking place and |
| put up Antonio Gates-esque numbers. But, he still | | | | you still want to wait on a tight end, well, |
| remains the Lions best option at tight end. | | | | Jermaine Gresham comes out next year. |
| Another rookie tight end worth taking a look at is | | | | |