TE rankings: Top 15
The field has gotten much stronger in recent years, as coaches employ tight ends in the passing game as much as they rely on their run-blocking capabilities. A total of 68 different players logged as tight ends caught at least one touchdown pass during the 2007 season. Twenty-six of those players caught three or more touchdowns, led by Indianapolis' Dallas Clark with 11. Nineteen tight ends caught at least 40 passes.
Do you get the picture? There are spots to plug-and-play different tight end options. As we launch the full-blown version of our Fantasy Football Draft Guide for 2008, we'll more than double these initial rankings list and add players such as all-name members Visanthe Shiancoe and Kevin Boss (it's simple, yet says so much).
In the interim, let's rank the top 15 players at the position. There's a new sheriff at the top of the mountain, bringing home a gold star to the state of Texas.
15. Benjamin Watson, New England Patriots
Watson's yearly absences because of injuries force me to move him down the list, but his role in the vaunted New England passing game keeps me from dropping him entirely. He caught touchdown passes in four of his first five games (five total) before the injury bug hit. Naturally, you shan't expect huge reception totals from Watson given the availability of Randy Moss and Wes Welker. Watson is all about the big play and red zone dominance. If you miss out on the reception options at the top of the list, Watson is worthy of a roll of the dice for his ability to use his sizable frame at the goal line.14. Alge Crumpler, Tennessee Titans
He was the primary receiver and ultimate safety valve for Michael Vick in Atlanta for year, but then battled injuries and watched his role shift in Bobby Petrino's offense (before Petrino quit and left like a thief in the night, of course). Crumpler averaged three receptions per game and rewarded patient owners with three touchdowns in the final two weeks of the season (most had cut bait long before then).Crumpler now assumes a huge role in the Tennessee offense. He'll be counted on to bring Vince Young along, much in the same fashion he was used in Atlanta and work in two-tight end formations with Bo Scaife (46 receptions in 2007). The Titans brought in Crumpler and Justin McCareins to upgrade the passing game and work alongside Brandon Jones (can he stay healthy?) and breakout receiver Justin Gage. I expect the cagey veteran to become a frequent target for Young. Scaife and the wideouts might see the red zone touchdown love, but Crumpler may pile up receptions.
13. Vernon Davis, San Francisco 49ers
Can he stay healthy? That's the big question for Davis as he enters his third season in San Francisco. If he can, there will be ample opportunities for Davis to assert himself in Mike Martz's frenetic offensive attack. The team added veterans Isaac Bruce and Bryant Johnson to the receiving corps to offer assistance to the quarterbacking trio of Alex Smith, Shaun Hill and J.T. O'Sullivan. However, I expect Davis to remain a fixture in this retooled attack. He caught 52 passes for 509 yards and four scores in 14 games including nine games with three or more receptions. More consistent quarterback play frees things up for Frank Gore and ultimately affords Davis more red zone looks. Hey, the offense can't be any worse than 2007. Am I right?12. L.J. Smith, Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles were positively dreadful in the red zone last season, and they're hoping that a healthy return to the field by Smith will help solve those woes. Smith played in parts of 10 games and never became the frequent target that the team had envisioned. Of course, he's a favorite of Donovan McNabb's, so McNabb's absence didn't help matters, either. Both players are expected to be healthy for the start of camp and will welcome a new speed weapon to the passing game in DeSean Jackson. The Eagles have speed by the bucketful, with Kevin Curtis and Reggie Brown joining Jackson to form a formidable downfield trio. Remember, Smith had averaged 55 receptions and 646 receiving yards in the two seasons prior to last year's injury-shortened campaign. If he can stay on the field, Smith may be one of the top surprises at the position.11. Tony Scheffler, Denver Broncos
After failing to catch a single pass in Denver's' first four games, Schefffler became a reliable target for Jay Cutler and finished the year with 49 receptions, 549 receiving yards and five touchdowns. In fact, he caught three or more passes in nine of the team's final 12 games and his five touchdown receptions tied Brandon Stokley for second on the team behind Brandon Marshall. Scheffler's role only stands to increase in Mike Shanahan's offense this season, particularly with Marshall drawing such consistent double-team coverage. I'm most intrigued by his ability to use his 6-foot-5 frame in the red zone.10. Owen Daniels, Houston Texans
Daniels caught fewer touchdown passes in 2007 than he did in 2006, but his role in the Houston offense was much more pronounced. An injury to Andre Johnson made him a primary target for Matt Schaub/Sage Rosenfels, as he caught three or more passes in 12 games. The fortification of the running game with the acquisition of Chris Brown and selection of Steve Slaton should help to create more balance in Gary Kubiak's attach. As such, I'm expecting more opportunities for this third-year pro from Wisconsin. Remember, Johnson came back with a vengeance toward the end of the year and posted ridiculous numbers in his partial season. The team hopes Jacoby Jones can become a speed threat downfield. With safeties monitoring Jones downfield and Johnson routinely facing double-coverage, that leaves the middle of the field wide open for Daniels. He's not quite a sleeper, but Daniels could be a true fantasy force in 2008.9. Jeremy Shockey, New York Giants
I'll admit it. I've been sliding Shockey all over the board, trying to read into the crystal ball to determine whether he finds himself in a Saints uniform for the season opener. In the interim, let's evaluate his current value. He remains a top option for Eli Manning when healthy, but Manning was decidedly more confident and choosy about his throws following Shockey's injury. There's no denying Shockey's talent, but it appeared that Manning tried to force the ball to his tight end fairly often, and sometimes with disastrous consequences.Shockey caught three or more passes in nine different games (do you remember his 12-catch gem against the Cowboys?), although he topped 60 receiving yards only four times in his 14 games. He regularly appears on the injury report and will force many game-day decisions. However, Shockey normally battles through and plays well. He would remain the No. 2 target behind Plaxico Burress if he stays in New York. I'm obviously intrigued by a marriage of Shockey with Drew Brees.
8. Heath Miller, Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers watched Ben Roethlisberger take a huge step forward in 2007, and he used his big right arm to connect on 32 touchdown passes. Third-year tight end Heath Miller established new career marks in receptions, receiving yards and touchdowns (47, 566 and seven, respectively) despite missing a game. Miller caught three or more passes in nine different games and was one of Roethlisberger's favorite red zone targets. He slides on the list entering this season because of the presence of fellow tight end Matt Spaeth and the selection of Limas Sweed on draft day. While Miller will continue to post strong reception and yardage totals, I'm concerned about the divvying up of those red zone targets. Remember, Hines Ward and Santonio Holmes are also dangerous on those short slant routes in the red zone.7. Todd Heap, Baltimore Ravens
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| Todd Heap is typically a productive tight end, but he was hampered by a hamstring injury for most of 2007. (Chris McGrath / Getty Images) |
6. Chris Cooley, Washington Redskins
One of the fantasy world's greatest spokesmen (he's a big-time FF player), Cooley remains one of the top tight ends off of draft boards each season. He established a new career mark with eight touchdown receptions last year while averaging 4.13 receptions per game. Early last season, Cooley took on the role of red zone threat, as his total number of receptions and receiving yards were minimal (he had a four-game touchdown streak). The Redskins added more firepower in the passing game during this year's draft, and that will afford Cooley more space over the middle. I look for Jason Campbell to make great strides under the tutelage of new coach Jim Zorn, and checking down to his trusty tight end will remain a huge component of his game.5. Kellen Winslow, Jr., Cleveland Browns
Winslow completed his second straight full schedule last season, and shone brightly in the high-octane Cleveland offense (did I just write that?). His past injuries still weigh on our minds come draft day, but there's no denying his talent when on the field. Winslow caught seven fewer passes in 2007 than he had in 2006, but his receiving average improved by nearly four yards per catch.The offensive line play in Cleveland should afford Derek Anderson ample time to work in the pocket, and the addition of deep threat Donte' Stallworth will help open the middle for Winslow to work against smaller cornerbacks. I suspect that he factors into the red zone offense more in 2008 and that his touchdown total rises commensurate with his high reception total.
4. Tony Gonzalez, Kansas City Chiefs
Despite spotty quarterback and offensive line play and the loss of Larry Johnson from the backfield, the seemingly unstoppable Gonzalez continued his march to Canton. He narrowly missed his second 100-reception season (99) and generated his third 1,100-yard season. Gonzalez remains a favorite in PPR leagues, as he caught three or more passes in every game last season. What else can you say? He's been like Teflon, missing only two games in his illustrious career.The Chiefs have fortified the offensive line and Johnson will be back to pound the rock into the line. Now, it's just a matter of whether the Kansas City offense receives more consistent quarterback play. That's the worry of wins and losses (which we need not consider here). Gonzalez will continue to rack up receptions. Therefore, he remains among the positional leaders.
3. Dallas Clark, Indianapolis Colts
Clark nearly doubled his reception total and tripled his touchdown output (11) in the absence of Marvin Harrison, and I suspect that the imposing tight end from Iowa can match that output if he can avoid injuries of his own. Harrison's knee (and to a lesser degree, his legal issues) makes Clark the No. 2 option for Peyton Manning behind all-world receiver Reggie Wayne. He's able to stretch the field and take advantage of size mismatches. The only knock on Clark is he's rarely of great help in the receiving yardage column. He recorded 60 or more receiving yards only five times last year.2. Antonio Gates, San Diego Chargers
Gates is recovering from toe surgery, an injury that is expected to keep him out of most, if not all, of training camp. As such, he begins the ranking season in the No. 2 slot .We'll be sure to monitor his progress as camp begins and adjust things accordingly.In the interim, let's speak to the Chargers offense as a whole. Philip Rivers has begun to find his legs, and the in-season acquisition of Chris Chambers certainly provided a spark to the offense. His presence affords Gates more room to maneuver down the seams, particularly with opposing linebackers needing to spy LaDainian Tomlinson. Gates' reception total has been down the past two years (he recorded three or fewer receptions in seven games last season), but he remains a red zone beast. He's caught nine or more touchdown passes in four consecutive seasons.
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