1)Antonio Gates - Gates is the tight end equivalent of Andre Johnson. He's so steady he's boring to most fantasy owners. Guys are always looking for the "big thing" and often overlook the fact that there cannot be a next until the actual "big thing" is gone. Gates is it. Possessor of the one of the best stiff arms in the NFL, Gates has also done a perfect job of melding his football and basketball skills to become as good as any player who has ever lived at boxing out opposing DB's and pulling down the football the same way he pulled down rebounds for the Kent State basketball team in college. The absence of Vincent Jackson only helps Gates case for number one.2)Dallas Clark - With all the weapons at Peyton Manning's disposal in Indy, you'd think the TE might get overlooked. Nope. Not only does Dallas Clark not get overlooked by the Colts' stellar QB, he gets featured. Especially in the red zone. No player in the NFL has had more targets inside the 20 yard line in the last 3 seasons. Clark had a huge breakout season in 2009 with 100 catches for 1106 yards and 10 TD's. I look for Pierre Garcon to continue blossoming and cut into Clark's production ever so slightly, but you can still expect 85/950/10 from big number 44.
3)Tony Gonzalez - I guess I'm just a sucker for old guys. In what was almost universally panned as an "off" year in 2009, Gonzalez put up 83 receptions for 867 yards and 6 touchdowns. Career numbers for a lot of NFL tight ends, but below average for the greatest tight end who has ever lived. Gonzo was called on to block more in Atlanta last season and wasn't allowed to run routes as often as he had been as the number one receiver in Kansas City. This season, with the emphasis on reducing RB Michael Turner's workload, you'll see more Gonzalez inside the red zone. More red zone looks will equal more TD's which will equal more fantasy football goodness for you.
4)Vernon Davis - Lots of you are probably disregarding me as some hack contrarian for ranking VD this low. Maybe you're right, but everything about Davis' 2009 season screams career spike to me. It was the perfect storm for Davis: Alex Smith rediscovered himself, the Niners running game was so strong that opposing teams played eight in the box against them, and Davis was forced into the lead receiver role because of Michael Crabtree's prolonged holdout. This year, you have to worry if Smith can continue to be as effective and how much Crabtree's presence from day 1 will adversely affect Davis' chances to shine. Expect a decrease.
5)Jason Witten - If the Cowboys ever threw the ball to Witten around the goal line he would be a Top 3 tight end. But they don't. Inexplicably, they just do not utilize their best offensive weapon when it matters the most. Maybe Jason Garrett's Ivy League education has made him too smart for his own good. Whatever the reason, Witten gets the short end of the TD stick and slides in the fantasy rankings as a result. He's still a PPR beast. We would just like to see him finish more often. Two touchdowns last season? Just not good enough.
6)Jermichael Finley - I like Finley. I really do. How can you not be fascinated by his incredible size and athleticism? He's a physical monster. Too big for defensive backs. Too fast for linebackers. But Finley has mucho competition for Aaron Rodgers' affection and until I actually see A-Rod show that preferential treatment to his tight end, I'll keep the hype machine in check. Besides, isn't number six still pretty good? Don't take his injury-riddled past for granted either.
7)Brent Celek - Celek emerged last season as a stud at the tight end position and a go-to guy in Philly on 3rd down and in the red zone. He was consistent and strong from start to finish. And that was with Donovan McNabb still at QB. Word out of the City of Brotherly Love is that Celek's BFF is new QB Kevin Kolb. That a kind of Romo/Witten relationship could develop with the Eagles should make fantasy owners drool. Celek's receptions and yards should both increase with a strong likelihood of double digit touchdowns.
8)Chris Cooley - The clown prince of the tight end position is back and he looks as good as he ever has. Cooley's ankle injury last season saved a lot of unnecessary wear and tear on his body competing for a team that was going nowhere. If you look at the numbers Cooley's been able to amass in his career, it's rather remarkable. Especially when you consider he's never played with a legitimate upper echelon NFL quarterback. Enter Donovan McNabb. 2010 has a chance to be Cooley's greatest season yet with the veteran McNabb. If you have to settle for Cooley around Round 10, don't hang your head over it.
9)Zach Miller (Oak) - Chris Cooley's success in Washington with Jason Campbell is the precise reason I am projecting the Raiders' talented tight end to finally break out of obscurity and push Antonio Gates and Dallas Clark for a Pro Bowl berth. Campbell has an affinity for his tight ends and Miller is much better than most people actually realize. He's been starter worthy in PPR leagues for two seasons and should move up to that level in standard leagues in '10. With no accomplished lead receiver in Oakland, Miller looks to be the man.
10)Kellen Winslow - I have never figured out why Cleveland decided to deal Kellen Winslow to the Buccaneers. They are a team still lacking a presence in their passing game and K2 displayed dominance while he was with them. I guess some guys just wear out their welcome. While the Browns are no longer in the "Soldier" business, Tampa Bay's young QB Josh Freeman is happy to be. The addition of rookies Mike Williams and Arrelious Benn should allow Winslow to work in more open space down the middle in 2010.
11)Owen Daniels - If Daniels were not coming back from knee surgery, he'd likely be a Top 5 guy at the position. But with the uncertainty of his health, I'm forced to drop him down a few notches. When Daniels gets back, be it Week 1 or whenever, he will produce for you. His presence provides Matt Schaub with a security blanket in the middle of the field on those rare occasions when Andre Johnson can't get open. If you gamble on Daniels, make sure you get a viable back-up.
12)Visanthe Shiancoe - Strange stat of the day: Only two receivers(Larry Fitzgerald and Randy Moss) have more touchdown receptions in the past two seasons than Shiancoe. Pretty surprising isn't it? Shiancoe is an old school tight end. A blocker between the 20's and a primary target in the red zone. He'll play that role for Brett Favre once again this year and maybe even have more TD opportunities with Sidney Rice down for at least eight weeks.
13)Todd Heap
14)Heath Miller
15)Jeremy Shockey
16)Greg Olsen
17)John Carlson
18)Jermaine Gresham
19)Tony Scheffler
20)Aaron Hernandez
21)Dustin Keller
22)Kevin Boss
23)Rob Gronkowski
24)Bo Scaife
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