TE Rankings

A year ago at this time Antonio Gates was far and away the best and most productive tight end in the game, he hasn’t quite relinquished his top spot but the rest of the field is quickly closing the gap. The key to selecting a tight end in the draft is being able to get a good valued player as late in the draft as possible so that you can maximize your players at QB, RB, and WR.

1. Antonio Gates (Chargers) – Last year Gates had a disappointing season. He didn’t have the most TD’s (D. Clark), didn’t have the most yards (T. Gonzalez) and wasn’t even a first team All-Pro (J. Witten). With that being said, he did manage 984 yards a 9 TD’s. Not bad for an “off” year. Gates is still the number one tight end in the game, the only difference is that this year I don’t think you need to reach for him so early because the other TE’s in the league have caught up to him significantly of the past two years. Gates will probably be gone in most leagues by the end of the 5th round which is way too early for me to take a TE, I would look to get him either late in the 6th or the 7th rounds. Expect Gates to get you around 900 yards and 9 TD’s this year.

2. Jason Witten (Cowboys) – Witten had a career last year catching 96 balls for 1,145 yards and 7 TD’s (I had him in ’06 when he only had 1 TD and have a personal vendetta against the guy). Witten plays in one of the most explosive offenses in football. Unfortunately he has #81 (as Parcells likes to call him) and M. Barber on his team who tend to eat up the majority of the red zone opportunities. Look for Witten to hang with Gates in all offensive categories this year with the exception of TD’s which I anticipate him to fall two to three touchdowns short. Same story here for Witten, I fully expect him to be gone in most drafts by the end of the 5th because people will reach for him, I would take him late in the 6th at the earliest. Expect Witten to get you around 1,000 yards and 7 TD’s.

3. Dallas Clark (Colts) – This is where I differ from most fantasy football magazines or analysts who would typically have either Kellen Winslow or Tony Gonzalez as the 3rd TE. Clark is a crucial part of what could be the 2nd best offense in the NFL this year. In a year where Marvin Harrison was hurt, Clark stepped up huge scoring 11 TD’s and more importantly proved to be a reliable receiving tight end for P. Manning. This is a player that you can get a huge return from and can probably fill out your entire starting fantasy football roster (with the exception of the kicker and defense) before you pick him up. Look to draft Clark in the 8th round this year and expect a similar year from last year. Expect Clark to get you around 600 yards receiving and 10 TD’s.

4. Kellen Winslow (Browns) – There is no doubt that Winslow is one of the most talented TE’s in the game today, the problem with Winslow is his ability to stay healthy. The last two years Winslow has played in all 16 games, however, he has had a total of 4 knee surgeries and you have to expect that to catch up with him at some point. I like his potential but would be apprehensive to reach for him before the 8th round. The last thing I want on my roster is a TE with injury problems, that’s one position that I count on my starter being healthy. Expect a healthy Winslow to get you 1,000 yards and 6-7 TD’s.

5. Tony Gonzalez (Chiefs) – This guy just keeps getting the job done. Last year he was part of one of the most anemic offenses in football and managed to catch 99 balls for 1,172 yards and 5 TD’s. If Larry Johnson can stay healthy this year, that can only open things up for Gonzalez. Look for Gonzalez to have another good year this year and get you 6-8 TD’s and 1,000 yards receiving.

6. Jeremy Shockey (Saints) – So the news just broke today that Shockey has been traded to the Saints for a 2nd and 5th round draft choice. Assuming Shockey can come back from the broken leg he suffered last year and passes his physical, Shockey could have the best year of his professional career. He will join a pass happy offense and a QB that thrives on spreading the ball. Shockey will no doubt be a valuable commodity to the Saints offense. I look for Shockey to score any where from 7-10 TD’s this year if healthy and get you 600-700 yards receiving.

7. Chris Cooley (Redskins) - Cooley has put up very good numbers over the last three years and is a very talented player, the only problem here is that he doesn’t have much of a quarterback throwing him the ball. Last year Cooley amassed 66 catches and 786 yards with 8 TD’s. The benefit for Cooley this year just like in years past is that the receiving core in Washington is not ideal so look for Cooley to continue to be the safety net for Jason Campbell this year. Look for Cooley to get you 700 – 800 yards and 6-7 TD’s this year.

8. Heath Miller (Steelers) - Miller had a very strong year last year posting 566 yards receiving and 7 TD’s. Miller is the type of player that will stay healthy the entire year and give you solid production. Do not expect Miller to blow up this year and get you 10 TD’s and 800 yards receiving, that will never happen with the new 3 WR look in Pittsburgh. Miller is a solid pick in the 9th round. Look for Miller to get you 600 yards receiving and 7-8 TD’s this year.

9. Vernon Davis (49ers) - The funny thing about Davis this year is that he has so much hype surrounding him because Mike Martz is the offensive coordinator…..ok great, who was the last tight end to thrive in a Martz offense? Let me save you some time and answer that, NOBODY. There is no question that Davis the raw physical ability to be really good in the NFL but I don’t think this is the year it will all come together for him. I’m not big on Alex Smith and Davis hasn’t shown me anything to convince me that he is set for a breakout year. Look for Davis to get you 500 yards receiving and 5 TD’s.

10. Todd Heap (Ravens) - If this guy could prove that he could stay healthy consistently he would be a top three or four tight end in the league, unfortunately he is much too fragile. Heap is coming off of a 239 yard receiving year and 1 TD, a year that he only played in 6 games due to a torn hamstring. Apparently he is healthy again but who knows whats ready to break down next. Look for Heap to get you 400 – 500 yards and 5 TD’s with the assumption that he plays in 10 – 12 games this year.

Notables:

Tony Scheffler (Broncos) – Could be a sleeper pick this year, he has a good rapport with J. Cutler.

Alge Crumpler (Titans) – Could be a nice outlet for V. Young this year and put up solid numbers.

LJ Smith (Eagles) – With the lack of WR’s that McNabb has to choose from, Smith could be in for a big year. He made great progress in 2006 but was hit hard with the injury but in 2007.