Okay, so I’ve been in this league for a few years now, and every year the tight end position gives me a headache. This year, I was staring down a draft decision: Dallas Goedert or Tyler Higbee? Let me walk you through my thought process, ’cause it was a whole thing.
Initial Thoughts – The Eye Test
First, I just went with my gut. Goedert, when he’s healthy, he’s a beast. Big target, good hands, seems to always find the end zone. Higbee, on the other hand… well, he’s been kinda up and down. Remember that one year he went off? But then last year… not so much.
Diving into Last Year’s Stats
So, gut feeling aside, I had to look at the numbers. I pulled up their stats from last season. Goedert missed some games, which was a red flag, but when he played, his per-game numbers were pretty solid. Higbee played more games, but his overall production…meh. It wasn’t terrible, but it wasn’t “win-you-the-week” good either.
- Goedert: Fewer games, but more impressive per-game averages in yards and touchdowns.
- Higbee: More consistent in terms of availability, but lower ceiling.
Team Situations – Who’s Throwing the Ball?
Then I thought about their teams. Philly’s offense, with Jalen Hurts, runs through multiple weapons. A.J. Brown gets a ton of, Devonta Smith, running game’s good…Goedert is a solid option. Higbee had that connection with Stafford.
The Injury Factor
This is where I started to sweat a little. Goedert’s injury history is definitely a concern. I remembered being burned by him missing games in a crucial stretch last season. It was painful. Higbee, while maybe not as explosive, has been generally more reliable in terms of staying on the field. That’s a big deal, especially at tight end where the pickings can get slim on the waiver wire.
Projections and Expert Opinions (Ugh)
I hate relying on projections, but I did peek at a few. Most had Goedert ranked slightly higher, assuming he stays healthy (big “if”). Higbee was projected as a solid, if unspectacular, TE1. Basically, the experts were as conflicted as I was.
The Draft Day Decision
So, draft day came. Both guys were still available when it was my turn to pick my tight end. I paced around my room, muttering to myself. My wife probably thought I was losing it (she wasn’t entirely wrong). Finally, I just went for it. I took…
Dallas Goedert.
Why? It was a combination of factors. My research showed Goedert has a higher ceiling. And, I don’t know, maybe I’m a glutton for punishment. I figured if he can stay healthy, he could be a difference-maker. Higbee felt like the “safe” pick, but I wanted to swing for the fences. I drafted, and immediately afterwards, second-guessed my choices. It took a few days to stop going back and forth about it.
Now, it’s mid-season. Goedert has had some great games, but my blood pressure spikes any time. Higbee’s been…well, Higbee. Consistent, not flashy, putting up decent but i’ve had better. My choice in Goedert hasn’t won or lost me a matchup.
Ask me again at the end of the season if I made the right call. Right now, I’m living with my choice, for better or worse. That’s fantasy football, right?
