In fantasy football, the tight end position is the deciding factor in many games. For instance, if your regular tight end is on a bye week and you are trailing by 4 points with your tight end playing on Monday Night. He only gets you 20 yards and you lose the game which could end up costing you a playoff birth. Tight end is a position that you can get good value in the 9th round but to get one of the elite like these guys, you will need to keep them in mind as they will start going off the board in the 4th or 5th round. If you don't get one of them there is no need to worry, but it will be hard finding other tight ends who could put up similar numbers.
1. Antonio Gates Chargers: Gates didn't have the numbers that were expected of him last year but he is still the number one fantasy tight end. With his great size, Gates if healthy is a lock for 8 touchdowns. Plus he catches around 75 passes a year. With those numbers, why wouldn't he be number one? Expect around 900 yards and 10 touchdowns.
2. Jason Witten Cowboys: Witten was the best fantasy tight end last year as he had over 95 catches for over 1100 yards to go along with 7 touchdowns. He should have another good year but it will be hard to repeat last year’s numbers. Witten should be picked in the 5th or 6th round but could get picked higher by an owner who is listening to the Cowboys hype. Expect around 900 yards and 7 touchdowns.
3. Kellen Winslow Browns: Winslow has been very productive the last few seasons as he has had over 170 catches for almost 2000 yards and 8 touchdowns. The scary part is Winslow isn't even fully healthy. Last year he played with two bad knees and had a bad shoulder. If fully healthy, Winslow could become the best tight end in fantasy football. The only problem is he only scored 5 touchdowns. But if he gets another 80 catches for over 1000 yards, his owners won't be disappointed. Expect around 900 yards and 6 touchdowns.
4. Chris Cooley Redskins: Cooley is one of the most consistent tight ends in all of fantasy football as he is always good for at least 60 catches 700 yards and 6 touchdowns. Now Cooley is in the west coast offense and should have another big year as the Redskins aren't that strong at receiver. He is one of the most underrated fantasy tight ends and for that reason should be picked around the 8th round. Expect around 800 yards and 6 touchdowns.
5. Tony Gonzalez Chiefs: Gonzalez is one of the best tight ends of all time and should have another very good season. Due to the quarterback situation in Kansas City, many people expected Gonzalez to drop off last year. But he ended up with 99 catches for 1172 yards and 5 touchdowns. Gonzalez may not get many touchdowns this year, but is still among the league's elite at the position and should be highly coveted in leagues that you get points for receptions. Expect around 1000 yards and 4 touchdowns.
6. Dallas Clark Colts: On any other team, if Clark put up the numbers he did last year, he would be the number one tight end on fantasy football. But when you are on a team like the Colts, with loads of offensive weapons, you end up here. Clark is one of Manning's favorite targets, but with Reggie Wayne, Joseph Addai, Marvin Harrison and a developing Anthony Gonzalez, Clark won't have as many balls to go his way. That won't stop him from putting up good numbers though. Expect around 600 yards and 8 touchdowns.
7. Tony Sheffler Broncos: Even though he was recovering from a broken foot, Sheffler had a solid sophomore campaign as he had 549 yards for 5 touchdowns. He should improve this year though as he has a great connection with Jay Cutler. Plus, with the developing Brandon Marshall situation, Sheffler could be Cutler's number one option for a few games which would make him even more valuable. Expect around 700 yards and 5 touchdowns.
8. Todd Heap Ravens: If healthy Heap is one of the best tight ends in the league. The only problem is, that's a big if. Heap last year only played 6 games but in the process had 23 catches for 239 yards and a touchdown. Now his offensive coordinator is Cam Cameron who with the Chargers turned Antonio Gates into a star. Heap could be undervalued in most drafts and if he stays healthy, he will be a major steal. Expect around 700 yards and 4 touchdowns.
9. Heath Miller Steelers: Miller had a career season last year with 566 yards and 7 touchdowns. But why isn't he higher on the list? That's because he's very inconsistent. Miller will either get you 40 yards and a touchdown or one catch for 6 yards. Miller has loads of potential and if he gets more consistent could be higher on the list next year. Expect around 600 yards and 6 touchdowns.
10. Vernon Davis 49ers: So far Davis hasn't had the career many people expected. With great size and 4.4 speed, Davis was expected to come in right away and be an elite tight end. But with injury problems and the lack of quarterback play in San Francisco, his Under Armour ads are more memorable than his stat line. But Davis started to turn it around last year and with the way Mike Martz loves to pass, could have the year that people were expecting from the beginning. Davis could be among the top 5 tight ends on this list next year if he stays healthy. Expect around 600 yards and 5 touchdowns.
No comments:
Post a Comment