NFL Fantasy Preview: Tight Ends

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Kellen Winslow benefitted from Derek Anderson’s breakout year in 2007.
[PHOTO BY ICON SMI]

BY MICHAEL GANCI
UPDATE! Writer

TOP 15!

1.    Jason Witten

Dallas Cowboys

2007: 96 CATCH, 1,145 YDS, 7 TD

Comments: For some reason, Witten is often overlooked when people talk about the best tight ends in the game. He has played in only five seasons, and has made the Pro Bowl five times. Last year, he reached his career highs in receptions and yards, and with Tony Romo turning into a superstar, there is no reason to believe that Witten will slow down any time soon.

 

2.    Kellen Winslow

Cleveland Browns

2007: 82 CATCH, 1,106 YDS, 5 TD

Comments: After having two injury plagued seasons to start his professional career, Winslow has put up excellent numbers. He has eclipsed 80 catches and 875 yards in each of those seasons, and he should be a solid third or fourth round pick, especially if Derek Anderson replicates the year he had last season. He is a solid play in all formats.

 

3.    Antonio Gates

San Diego Chargers

2007: 75 CATCH, 984 YDS, 9 TD

Comments: Gates has been one of the most dominant tight ends in the game since his inception into the game in 2004. He has eclipsed 900 yards and 71 receptions since his rookie year ended. Philip Rivers is going to be a man on a mission to prove himself after coming off of a big injury next season, so Gates will remain an excellent number one tight end option in all leagues.

 

4.    Jeremy Shockey

New Orleans Saints

2007: 57 CATCH, 619 YDS, 3 TD

Comments: There may not be another player who is more motivated to succeed this season than Jeremy Shockey is. He is well-behaved and performing well thus far in camp. Coach Sean Payton has been cautious with Shockey thus far because the tight end is recovering from a broken leg. Remember, Shockey is in a good place because Payton is a former Giants offensive coordinator. Drew Brees is also coming off of a great season, and that also makes Shockey a great option.

 

5.    Dallas Clark

Indianapolis Colts

2007: 58 CATCH, 616 YDS, 11 TD

Comments: Anyone who plays the role of Peyton Manning’s favorite target is a surefire win in fantasy. Clark had a career year last year, mostly because of the injuries that Marvin Harrison sustained. Tony dungy is going to watch Harrison closely to make sure the old injuries don’t linger. Clark should still be a solid option, and even if he doesn’t accumulate a ton of yards, he can be counted on for touchdowns.

 

6.    Tony Gonzalez

Kansas City Chiefs

2007: 99 CATCH, 1,172 YDS, 5 TD         

Comments: Gonzalez has been one of the best at his position for a long time. For a little while, potential owners were worried about a possible retirement, but Gonzo will be back next season, and he also claimed that he will be back in 2009 if the Chiefs don’t win the Super Bowl. He has eclipsed 900 yards in every year but one since 2000, and is still a surefire number one receiver unless his age begins to catch up with him. Keep a close eye.

 

7.    Chris Cooley

Washington Redskins

2007: 66 CATCH, 786 YDS, 8 TD

Comments: Cooley is one of the most underrated tight ends in all of football. He has eclipsed six touchdowns and 700 yards in three straight seasons. Jason Campbell is looking to emerge as a quality quarterback, and Cooley has been one of his top targets. Look for Cooley to keep up his consistent production and have a solid season in 2008. He should be an eighth or ninth round pick in most leagues.

 

8.    Alge Crumpler

Tennessee Titans

2007: 42 CATCH, 444 YDS, 5 TD

Comments: Crumpler is coming off of a decent season on one of the worst offenses in football, but he has since relocated to Tennessee. Throughout the offseason, crumple and Vince Young have been working closely to establish a connection. It is becoming painfully obvious that Crumpler is going to be Vince Young’s favorite target. Look for him to be a decent option in fantasy.

 

9.    Vernon Davis

San Francisco 49ers

2007: 52 CATCH, 509 YDS, 4 TD

Comments: Last season was the first time Davis has had a successful season as a professional, and the 49ers plan to have him be a big part of their offense again. A couple of weeks back, the coaching staff was toying around with the idea of moving David to wide receiver, but nothing has developed from that. Look for him to be Alex Smith’s favorite target, and look for his numbers to be even better this season. This is another guy who should go around round eight.

 

10.   Todd Heap

Baltimore Ravens

2007: 23 CATCH, 239 YDS, 1 TD

Comments: Todd Heap has been irked by injuries already in the preseason and he was held back by injuries for a large portion of 2007. This should be an interesting situation to follow. When healthy, Heap is as dependable as anyone in football, but we have to see proof that he is healthy to consider him a top tight end. Consider him in the middle rounds in most leagues.

 

11.   Ben Watson

New England Patriots

2007: 36 CATCH, 389 YDS, 6 TD

Comments: Watson is a guy who has been accumulating catches and is a nice little source for touchdowns. Tom Brady is known for loving tight ends and Watson is the Patriots’ number one option. He is another example of a guy who needs to stay healthy to succeed. Consider him in the late rounds.

 

12.   L.J. Smith

Philadelphia Eagles

2007: 22 CATCH, 236 YDS, 1 TD

Comments: Smith was one of the best tight ends in football in 2005 and 2006, but injuries limited his performance in 2007. Now, Smith is healthy and is on a mission to prove that he is worth taking a gamble on. He will be available in the late rounds, and may even go undrafted in some formats. Don’t be proud. Give him consideration.

 

13.   Marcedes Lewis

Jacksonville Jaguars

2007: 37 CATCH, 391 YDS, 2 TD

Comments: David Garrard could be ready to rely on Marcedes Lewis this year. Last year, in Garrard’s first full year as a starter, Lewis caught 37 passes. Garrard has come on record to say that he wants to throw to Lewis more, so that is definitely a good sign for his fantasy value. Look for him to have a better year than last season and be a low end number one option.

 

14.   Heath Miller

Pittsburgh Steelers

2007: 47 CATCH, 566 YDS, 7 TD

Comments: Heath Miller was the benefit from an excellent season by Ben Roethlisberger in 2007. Miller’s numbers have been improving over the years, and there is no reason that the trend should stop. I would expect Miller to be a low-end number one fantasy tight end in all formats.

 

15.  Donald Lee

Green Bay Packers

2007: 48 CATCH, 575 YDS, 6 TD

Comments: Lee has surpassed Bubba Franks as the number one tight end in Green Bay, and his production could have a lot to do with who the number one quarterback is. He set career highs in yards and receptions last season, and he was rewarded with a hefty four-year extension. Look for him to be a high end number two or low end number one tight end option in fantasy.

UPDATE! SLEEPERS

1.  Ben Utecht

Cincinnati Bengals

2007: 31 CATCH, 364 YDS, 1 TD

Comments: Although the Bengals have a track record for not utilizing the tight end position, Utecht could be an exception. Cincinnati hasn’t had an option for Carson Palmer to check the ball off to, and Utecht may be that guy. He has sleeper written all over him, and may be a decent tight end in fantasy when all is said and done.

 

2.  Kevin Boss

New York Giants

2007: 9 CATCH, 118 YDS, 2 TD

Comments: Boss is now the man at tight end in New York following the trade of Jeremy Shockey to New Orleans. Boss played a very important role in the championship run for the Giants last season, and he should continue to be part of the plans in Eli Manning’s offense. To start the season, consider Boss a backup tight end, but he may soon emerge as a favorite of Eli Manning.

 

3. Ben Patrick

Arizona Cardinals

2007: 7 CATCH, 73 YDS, 2 TD

Comments: Now, before you come after my head, remember that this performance was in just eight games last season. If you multiply those numbers by two, you have a decent fantasy tight end. For Patrick, his success depends on Matt Leinart, who is still trying to find himself. Patrick has been running with the first team in camp, so he is expected to be the starter. Don’t draft him, but keep him on your watch list. He could have a break out season. Remember, he is only 23 years-old.