The Texans resident atmospheric and oceanic
sciences major could be one of league's best TEs in 2008
(Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Tight End:
Owen Daniels
2007 Notable Numbers:
63 receptions, 768 receiving yards, 3 TDs
The Dirt:
Owen Daniels is one of the most underrated Tight Ends in the NFL. With 97 career receptions, the kid's averaged a little more than a first down everytime he touches the ball (11.5 yds. per reception). Six other tight ends with 90 or more receptions in the past two seasons average 11 yards per reception or more...and these names go fast: Gates, Winslow, Witten, Gonzales, Cooley and Crumpler (well maybe not Crumpler). What discouraged most fantasy owners from Daniels the most was his dissappointing TD total: 3. So I took a look at the numbers and found out the reason: Sage Rosenfels (no offense to my man Sage, but he didn't give Owen very much love). Last season, Owen recorded 5 or more receptions in 7 games. Matt Schaub only played 8 games from start to finish. This isn't a coincidence. Every full game Schaub played, Daniels averaged 5.1 receptions and 66 receiving yards. Without The Schaub, it gets a little uglier (2.6 receptions, 32.7 receiving yards). If you take the "with-Schaub" averages and stretch them across a full season, Daniels would've potentially grabbed 97 passes last year for 1056 yds. That's not a BS stat either. That's QB-TE chemistry. Bottom line is, if Daniels and his buds on the offensive line can keep Schaub upright all season this year...Owen Daniels WILL EXPLODE.
In other words: You're looking at a sleeper right here, folks. Unless you signed up for a fantasy league full of Texans diehards (which I have yet to), Daniels will be there after all the big names are gone. Go ahead and target a top 5 TE if you can. Once they jump off the board, use that round to go after another WR or RB while everyone else panics to grab their own TE. When the dust settles, grab Daniels. You'll be glad you did.
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