Dynasty League Spotlight: Troy Niklas, TE Notre Dame – 2014 NFL Draft
The Trashman, RosterWatch.com

Troy Niklas, TE Notre Dame Fighting Irish

Height: 6’7″
Weight: 270 pounds
40 yard dash:  4.69(projected)
NFL Comparison: Rob Gronkowski

Scouting Notes:

 At 6’7″, Niklas will be among the tallest and most imposing tight ends in the league when he gets drafted. Just to give you a size comparison, he tops Rob Gronkowski by an inch and five pounds. A Mackey Award semifinalist, Niklas had a fairly pedestrian 2013 season with 28 receptions for 422 yards and 5 TDs. His blocking was a greater game day influence than his pass catching on most days, and that was more than adequate. It’s the prospect of what Niklas Could do that’s going to get him drafted, anyway. He is athletic for a player of his size, and though not very quick, his mountainous frame makes him difficult to bring down on first contact. His long stride gives him an edge in the open field as well. Known for his humorous interviews, Niklas will undoubtedly make for a spectacle  on and off of the field.

Fantasy Outlook:

Niklas has the potential to be a fantasy beast at the tight end position. It’s rare that we see a tight end with that kind of build who can move well. The last guy we’ve seen like that was Gronk, and he’s done pretty well for himself in the NFL. Niklas does have some learning to do– he probably could have done with another season of college ball, and the draft is going to be loaded with tight end talent. Still, he’s going to be lightning rod for red zone looks at that height, and he should be on the field a ton as far as snap count since he is such a well-.rounded player. All things we like. He might spend much of his first season learning the position, so I expect Niklas to make his fantasy mark around the year-two point. However, drafting him early in 2014 dynasty league rookie drafts (especially those with NFFC scoring assigning 1.5 points per reception to TEs) will be the only way dynasty leaguers will be guaranteed of his services in 2015 as he’s sure to have a late Round 1 to early Round 2 ADP.