General Info

6'4", 262 lbs. 24 years old
Florida

Troupe was the #1 overall draft pick for Tennessee this year. He was the 40th overall selection in the draft (2nd round), and the 3rd tight end Taken. He was one of the best senior tight ends that came out of college this year, and was a 2003 finalist for the John Mackey Award (given to the nation's top tight end). With Frank Wycheck now done in Tennessee, Troupe instantly takes over the #2 slot behind Erron Kinney.

Mike Anderson's Thoughts

2004 Outlook

The retirement of Frank Wycheck opens the door for Kinney to be the top option for coach Steve Fisher, who likes to utilize the tight end in his offense. Kinney is coming off his best season as a pro, posting 41 receptions for 381 yards and three touchdowns. Kinney just signed a long term contract that pays him $535K in 2004 and runs through 2008 with $1,600,000. Seemingly, Kinney has an excellent chance to shine with the Titans.

Ben Troupe is an athletic tight end in the mold of a Shannon Sharpe. He is a tremendous receiver who can stretch the field vertically. He has soft hands, nice size, and the ability to catch the ball in traffic. He runs very well, and makes nice cuts, for a player his size. Troupe will need to improve his blocking to play consistently for the Titans. Expect that Kinney will be the starting TE for the Titans in 2004. Troupe will get on the field in double TE sets, and should get a chance to showcase his skills. With Kinney's large contract, and his knowledge of the system, expect him to remain the Titan's starter for the season. Troupe should get a handful of catches, perhaps top 100 yards receiving, and might score no more that 2 TDs by season end. Troupe will not post any useful or significant stats in 2004 unless he is promoted due to injury. By year end, it would not be surprising to see Troupe splitting time, but he will still not post useful fantasy stats.

2007 Outlook

By 2007, the landscape could change significantly for Troupe. By that time, something has got to give in the way the Titans have the TE position set up currently. Troupe was a second round pick in 2004, and will certainly receive a nice contract. Kinney is scheduled to make $1,400,000 in 2007. The Titans will simply not carry two TEs with big contracts at that time. Kinney is not the long tern answer. Looking at his long-term contract, it's rather pedestrian this season, and climbs to $900K in the 2005 season. The Titans signed that contract with Kinney with the expectation that they would never honor it. They expect that Troupe will pick up the system quickly, and be the starting TE as soon as 2005. Troupe's 6-4 frame should be adequate enough for him to add a little more mass in the form of muscle without sacrificing too much speed. If he can develop into an effective run blocker, he'll be able to play every down in the NFL. Once that happens, Troupe is easily a top 10 TE, starting in every fantasy league, and a strong top 5 TE candidate.

Final Thoughts

Draft Troupe this season, and lock up your starting dynasty TE for years to come (just don't expect anything in 2004 from him).

Will Grant's Thoughts

2004 OUTLOOK

Although Erron Kinney led all Titan TEs last year, there was plenty of stats to go around. Wycheck and Shad Meier combined for 30 receptions for 324 yards and 2 TDs. Troupe has the size and talent to surpass Meier and push Kinney for catches and stats.

But the thing to remember with Troupe is that Kinney is the #1 guy here. Troupe might steal some catches and maybe a redzone TD or two, but Kinney is still the man and will continue to produce solid numbers. That makes Troupe a backup TE at best for Tennessee, and a DEEP backup for your fantasy roster. Unless Kinney is injured, expect Troupe to finish in the 15-20 reception range with 150-175 yards and maybe 2 TDs.

2007 OUTLOOK

The Titans have run 2 TE sets for a long time, and enjoy throwing to both of their starting TEs a lot. However, the 'main' TE is usually the one worth drafting, and the 'secondary' TE has always posted around 300 yards and a couple TDs. That's just not going to cut it in most fantasy circles, even for a backup TE.

Troupe has great size and talent, and on any other team he might be worth selecting. But Kinney is signed through 2008, and he's young and talented enough to hold the starting role during that entire time.

That means Troupe probably won't post more than 300-350 yards receiving unless he changes teams, or Kinney is injured.

Final Thoughts

If you are in a deep league with 16 or more teams, Troupe might have some value for your team as a backup TE. He will snag a couple red zone TDs., and could surprise you the one week you need him. Most likely Troupe is not worth drafting unless something major changes in Tennessee.

Quotations from the Message Board Thread

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Patriothawk:
I hope he's the real deal. I drafted him in our dynasty rookie draft and got him in the beginning of the 3rd round. I thought he was a steal at that spot. I hope he is the stud I hope he turns out to be

Biabreakable:
Troupe was the 1st player the Titans selected which I believe sends a strong message that they believe he has the ability to replace Wychecks role in the offense. Erron Kinney is a very good blocker and he has improved as a receiving threat. But I do not think he is as smooth or as natural of a receiver as Troupe is and I could see Troupe getting more targets than Kinney as soon as 2005. Played his senior year so he should be somewhat mature for a rookie but is said to have a weakness with blocking. Which is good for is prospects as a fantasy player but he may not get enough reps in his rookie season because of this

WinningIsEverything:
Troupe was a very productive player at Florida, and even outscored Winslow. Great size, decent blocking technique (though could improve some). I do not know why I think this, but every time I think of Troupe one name pops into my head, Ben Coates. I think there are similar skill sets here, and could be similar production.