Jan 20, 2013; Foxboro, MA, USA; Detail view of an NFL football before the AFC championship game between the New England Patriots and the Baltimore Ravens at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports

So here we are. Still sludging our way through the NFL Off Season. Bear with me as I try to keep your football pulse alive by giving my take on the Tight End position’s top 15. Instead of the standard order of going QB, WR, RB, TE, K and D, I though I’d bounce it around a little.We know it’ll be a while before we’re drafting any TE’s from Jacksonville, so unfortunately we won’t be seeing Marcedes Lewis on here any time soon. And keep in mind, this is MY OPINION and these ranking will change up until the kick off of the season opener. To me the TE is the hardest position to draft for. This is due to having only 3 studs….. and then everyone else. You could take one, but may miss out on a stud running back or wideout. My strategy has been this: try to get one of the big 3, if I fail to do so, then I draft two really good ones and rotate them week to week based off of production and match ups.

1. Rob Gronkowski- I struggled with the top three. Especially with Gronk’s medical issues (his arm is infection free at the moment). But Brady needs a new security blanket and Gronk has quickly developed into this during his time in New England. Minus Welker out of the equation and there you have it.

2. Jimmy Graham- Brees is generous with the ball. Graham is a match up nighmare that doesn’t need to be open to get the ball. Sean Payton is back and will make sure Graham maintains his dominance.

3. Aaron Hernandez- It doesn’t really matter which one of the top three you draft IMO. Just as long as you have one. The TE’s could easily dominate the passing game in New England next year.

4. Vernon Davis- Crabtree is in all likelyhood, out for the season (Achilles tear). Delanie Walker is no longer there. And it’ll take time for Anquan Boldin to build chemisty with Kap. He could have a monster year.

5. Tony Gonzalez- They’ll have a legitamite run game this year, giving the Falcons one of the most well rounded skill position rosters in the NFL. They fell short of going to the Super Bowl. Gonzalez ain’t going out like that this year.

6. Martellus Bennett- The Bears now have a TE that can catch the ball. They have a QB that can throw the ball. There you go.

7. Jason Witten- I really wanted to put him higher, but I think Dez Bryant is the new Sherrif in town. Still, he’ll have a good year or two before the Escobar era begins.

8. Kyle Rudolph- Besides AP, he’ll be Ponder’s most trusted weapon.

9. Dwayne Allen- I‘ll get a lot of boos for putting him this high, but Indy is switching up their offense. This means Luck won’t be forced to throw bombs down field all day. My only reservation would be Fleener poaching from him.

10. Dennis Pitta- Him and Flacco are BFFs. Rice in the back, Pitta in the middle and Smith out deep.

11. Jermichael Finley- I truely believe their improved back field will help solve a lot of their problems. Finley will return to form.

12. Greg Olsen- Cam Newton came on strong in the second half of last season. This is a shining spot on Olsen’s outlook.

13. Antonio Gates- Remember when Gates dominated the TE position? Vaguely? The new regime will try to resesitate him.

14. Brandon Pettigrew- He’s got a cannon throwing him the ball. Not much reciever depth either.

15. Owen Daniels- In theory, the addition of Hopkins should spread the secondary.

Feel free to comment back. I’d be curious to see who you’d take higher or lower.

-Jason Abarca

May 13, 2013; San Diego, CA, USA; General view of a NFL football at organized team activities at Chargers Park. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

It’s a full 3 months till Fantasy Football draft season is in full effect. I like to refer to the period between the end of the NFL Draft through the first Pre Season game as the “Dark Ages”. I spend this time trying to make training camp and OTA’s keep me sane. But, this is also the time I start prepping for one of my favorite days of the year. Draft Day!

So, to spread it out, I’ll take each position and give my personal take on where I think they belong. Keep in mind, with Training Camp, injuries and Pre Season these will change by the time the regular season starts. Last year I drafted a QB in the first round in 3 of 4 leagues (Brady, Brady & Brees). I was in the final in all 3 leagues. Of the league I didn’t (Ryan) I finished 3rd. It’s backwards thinking n terms of “traditional” fantasy drafting, but I’ve always felt that in both fantasy and reality, you build your team around your QB.

1. Peyton Manning- One of the best to ever play the game only got better with the addition of Welker & Ball.

2. Aaron Rodgers- They added the best RBs in the draft to open up the passing lanes.

3. Drew Brees- Their biggest problem was their Defense. The return of Sean Payton & addition of Rob Ryan will help.

4. Cam Newton- He was one of the best fantasy QBs in the second half of last season. This’ll carry over.

5. Tom Brady- Because he’s Tom Brady. Only slipped due to the departure of Welker.

6. Collin Kaepernick- He fooled me on so many plays last year……as I was watching him on TV. Oh, and adding Boldin will only help.

7. Robert Griffin III- Can he be next year’s AP? I think so, as long as he can stay healthy.

8. Russell Wilson- He doesn’t have a chip on his shoulder. He has a whole bag. Cool Ranch I think. Plays like a man on fire.

9. Matt Ryan- This is the year Manning, Brees, Rodgers & Brady let him sit at their table. Retaining Gonzalez and adding Steven Jackson. Topped with two of the league’s best WRs. Any?’s

10. Andrew Luck- Learning a new offense might stump a lesser QB. He’ll be like a snow ball building momentum throughout the season.

11. Matthew Stafford- Reggie Bush will help, but C. Johnson can’t do it all on his own.

12. Michael Vick- Have you seen a Chip Kelly offense? Lightning fast! Plus they’ve beefed up their O line to keep Vick healthy.

13. Eli Manning- The loss of Bennett will hurt. Plus they need to get Cruz under wraps.

14. Jay Cutler- Brandon Marshall didn’t have over 1,500 yards last year for nothing. Plus he now has a TE (see 13)

15. Andy Dalton- Green, Gresham and now Eifert. This is the year he steps up big.

I’m sure you’re wondering why Blaine Gabbert isn’t on this list. And for good reason. I’m a Jaguars fan first, but I’m also a realist. The best cast scenario, no matter how far fetched it may seem, would be to have Denard Robinson start the year as a RB, then have the Jags try him at QB. He’d have the very uncommon QB/RB label that can be plugged in as either (remember Joe Webb  QB/WR a couple of years ago?). Hey, it could happen. Unlikely, but a possibility. Feel free to comment back or if you’d like to better understand my rationalization.

-Jason Abarca

January 1,2013; Tampa, FL, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks defensive end Jadeveon Clowney (7) against the Michigan Wolverines during the second half of the 2013 Outback Bowl at Raymond James Stadium. South Carolina Gamecocks defeated the Michigan Wolverines 33-28. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

The past couple of weeks have shown us a sign of things to come. First, the Jaguars did NOT draft their Quarterback of the future in 2013. Signing a couple of QB competitors in Draft Free Agency is hardly the future of Jacksonville. A few days later, Justin Blackmon gets suspended for four games to start the season off on the wrong foot. Then the news comes out that Blaine Gabbert will be given every oppurtunity to prove that he’s the future of the organization. All of these headlines scream one thing, “High First Round Selection”. The new regime isn’t looking at building a team just for next season, but building a team for many seasons to come. So with that, let’s look into the future and see who the Jaguars might be picking.

Jadeveon Clowney, DE South Carolina: (2012- 54 Tackles/13 Sacks/3Forced Fumbles) If you haven’t seen the hit he put on Michigan’s Vincent Smith, you must be living under a rock. He was the top recruit coming out of High School and will be the best player coming out of College. He’s been labeled the “Andrew Luck of defensive players” and a player of his caliber only comes along once every 10 – 15 years. He’s dominated the past two years in the SEC and he’s not even remotly close to reaching his full potential. Regardless of how bad the Jaguars need a Franchise QB, Clowney is a player you don’t pass on and will give Luck, Locker & Co. nightmares for years to come.

Johnny Manziel, QB Texas A&M: (2012- Passing 3706/26TD/9Int, Rushing 1410/21TD) Johnny Football reminds me of the QB play of Drew Brees and the athletisism of Cam Newton. Watching him is like watching a video game. People will pick him apart, looking for any kind of flaw. Too short, doesn’t go through all his reads, not an “NFL Quarterback”. News Flash, there’s a new NFL and a new NFL quarterback. Just look at what RG3, Colin Kaepernick and Russell Wilson accomplished last year. Taking Manziel and pairing him with his favorite Left Tackle in Luke Joeckel and you’ve got a recipe to turn the AFC South upside down.

Teddy Bridgewater, QB Louisville: (2012- Passing 3718/27TD/8Int, Rushing 26/1TD) Teddy Bridewater plays with the type of swagger you see in Aaron Rodgers and Joe Flacco. Not cocky or arrogant, but calm and collected. He plays with confidence in his abilites and plays with brains before brawn. He reminded people that Louisville is something more than a basketball power house. NFL size, smarts, accurate and can use his wheels to get out of trouble. He also picks defenses apart before the ball is snapped. As long he keeps it up, there’s no reason he won’t be in the conversation for the #1 pick.

With the way things are lining up, I just don’t see the Jags picking outside of the top three next year. If Gabbert makes vast improvments, then great. If not, then even better. Next year’s class will have “Elite” talent at various positions. Example, taking Clowney at #1 you’d still be able to grab someone like A.J. McCarron or Aaron Murray at the top of the second round. Both of which would have gone before any QB this year IMO. I’m looking forward to a bright future in Jacksonville and them contending in the next 3-4 years.

-Jason Abarca