In many fantasy leagues, tight end is a required starting position, and if not, there are still several impact tight ends who are worthy of starting in a flex position. Here are a couple of the tight end battles to keep an eye, each one with major fantasy implications:

Washington: With Mike Shanahan calling plays in the nation’s capital, it’s hard not to have visions of Shannon Sharpe in your head. Shanahan’s offense generally uses a tight end as a primary target. Likewise, Donovan McNabb excelled recently with Brett Celek in Philadelphia. With McNabb under center for the Skins, Chris Cooley makes for a very attractive option. However, he is being challenged by Fred Davis, who filled in admirably last year during Cooley’s injury. In camp, Cooley will probably win the starting role, but Davis will push him and might steal some targets from Cooley in any two tight end packages. Cooley outshines Davis for hottest wife though and there's no competition there.

Fantasy perspective: Cooley is a top 10 tight end and someone I’m very high on this year. I am not worried about Fred Davis’ role on the squad. I like Davis as a long-term option and if your league requires a tight end and you have a deep roster, I like Davis as a handcuff to Cooley, and in dynasty leagues, I like Davis a lot.

New England: In April, the Patriots drafted not one, but two rookie tight ends, signifying a changing of the guards for New England at the tight end position. While TE has not been a vital role in the Patriots offense, that very well could change with Aaron Hernandez and Rob Gronkowski. Both rookies however are battling veteran Alge Crumpler for the starting job.

Fantasy perspective: Both rookies have a lot of potential. I think Gronkowski is the more complete tight end (he’s a physical specimen who can block), Hernandez is likely the one to make the bigger impact. Hernandez is more of a true passing tight end and will exit the field in running plays. But, Hernandez is going to be an attractive red zone target for Tom Brady. In keeper leagues, Hernandez has value. Gronkowski probably needs to hit the waiver wire with a mindful eye on his health and performance. Hernandez, however, is nothing more than a TE2 for your squad.

Cincinnati: The tight end position is something the Bengals actively sought to improve and did so in the draft by selecting Jermaine Gresham. This 6’6” athletic specimen has Carson Palmer excited as he represents something the Bengals have not had in a long time – a red zone target with great hands (who can also block) who can stretch the field and present match up problems. Gresham will have competition from veteran Reggie Kelly who will be more of a tutor/mentor for Gresham than a competitor. And, he’ll have last year’s rookie Chase Coffman, a great catcher but bad blocker, to compete with.

Fantasy perspective: Greshamhas a very high ceiling and could be a real find for your fantasy squad. The tight end pool is deep and I am not sliding Gresham into the top 15 at his position, but in dynasty/keeper leagues, Gresham is THE tight end to snag. The sky is the limit and the only question is whether he will be utilized and exploited.

Detroit: The Lions offense looks much improved. They had several nice veteran signings which should bring stability to a woeful offense. One such signing was Tony Scheffler. Scheffler is not a fantasy stud or even an impact player, but could make for a sneaky selection for a fantasy squad. Likewise, Brandon Pettigrew, a second-year player, could also be a nice target for Matthew Stafford.

Fantasy perspective: If I had to select one of these guys, I’d go with Pettigrew. He is coming off a knee injury and will likely have little impact early on, but late in the season and from a long-term standpoint, Pettigrew has nice potential. He’s nothing more than a TE2 this year, as is Scheffler.

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Fantasy Football christy ogilvee, jermaine gresham, aaron hernandez, fantasy football advice, position battles tight ends