Tight End Rankings

1	Tony Gonzalez/TE/KC	There isn’t much need for commentary on Tony Gonzalez. He is simply bare none your best option at tight end. You will have to justify spending an early round selection on Gonzo and your league scoring format can help you in this decision.
2	Todd Heap/TE/BAL	The dismal passing game in Baltimore makes you question what round Heap actually falls into, but you can’t deny his numbers the last two seasons. He is an elite tight end.
3	Bubba Franks/TE/GB	Rant, rave, argue and call a shrink if it makes you feel better but Franks is the one tight end that can compete with Tony Gonzalez in touchdown receptions. Expect a big year from Franks and thank me later.
4	Jeremy Shockey/TE/NYG	Injuries have harnessed the talent of Shockey the last two seasons, but there is no question what he brings to the field on Sunday afternoons. Shockey is a yardage machine, but only four touchdowns in his first two seasons along with summer surgery make him a question mark. Approach with caution and care in your fantasy draft.
5	Alge Crumpler/TE/ATL	Crumpler should continue his success with a healthy Mike Vick and new offensive coordinator Greg Knapp.
6	Kellen Winslow II/TE/CLE	The signing of Dennis Northcut and the contract extension of tight end Steve Heiden through 2007 makes it obviously clear that Cleveland is preparing for a Winslow hold out. Unless Winslow signs before training camp starts his ranking will start dropping in our redraft cheat sheets. UPDATE: Winslow is signed and looks to be a number one option at tight end this season. Winslow is a rookie and shouldn’t be expected to carry any Fantasy team to the Promised Land.
7	Fred Jones/TE/ARI	Jones is a talented tight end that has great hands and runs terrific routes. He will benefit from Dennis Green and the new offense in Arizona.
8	Boo Williams/TE/NO	The Saints have two solid tight end options for Aaron Brooks. Williams came on strong last season after an injury to Conwell. Williams will have to share touches with Conwell making this ranking as tall as it can get. Don’t spend too much on any tight end outside of Gonzo this season. The difference in production from the majority of the tight end group this year will be relatively small making this position one of your last priorities on draft day.
9	Dallas Clark/TE/IND	Clark is young, talented, and ahead of Pollard on the depth chart going into training camp. If Clark can stay healthy he could become a top five Fantasy options at this position.
10	L.J. Smith/TE/PHI	Smith might be the key to a successful season for the Eagles. Smith has the ability to make defenses adjust, and the addition of T.O. in Philadelphia should open up some opportunities for Smith and solid numbers for seasons to come.
11	Antonio Gates/TE/KC	Gates was fantastic at the end of 2003, but the small test sample makes him a fringe starter and a solid sleeper, not a player you want to target in the first 2/3rds of your draft. There will be plenty of talent at tight end to choose from in the late rounds of your draft. Don’t, and I repeat, don’t spend too much on any tight end this year. If Gates is available in the eighth or ninth round of your 12-team league selection process consider him a value pick.
12	Anthony Becht/TE/NYJ	Consider the signing of Michael Ricks insignificant. Becht is a better receiver than his last year numbers represent and a healthy Pennington makes him a fringe starting tight end in formats that require a blocking receiver.
13	Jim Kleinsasser/TE/MIN	Inconsistent and over used as an H-back/fullback decoy in goal line situations. He will give you a big game, and then he won’t show up. We know his value to the Vikings because this guy can do everything, but in Fantasy football consistency is more important that one giant game, and then one midget game. He has to be considered a fringe starting tight end, but you must be a good X’s and O’s owner and find the right weekly match-up for Jim.
14	Erron Kinney/TE/TEN	Kinney is a great athlete with good speed and should get more touches with Frank Wycheck’s retirement. The addition of Ben Troupe to the offensive mix in Tennessee makes Kinney a reserve in most scoring formats. If there was one back-up tight end that has a huge upside it is Kinney. Tennessee will throw the ball close to 500 times this season giving Kinney his fair share of looks.
15	Desmond Clark/TE/CHI	Clark will have more receiving opportunities this year with the addition of Terry Shea to the Bears offensive staff. Consider Clark as a fringe fantasy starter in deep leagues of 14-teams or more.
16	Randy McMichael/TE/MIA	This ranking will surprise some but with McMichael’s legal troubles, his condition coming into minis, and his inability to be successful in a tight end oriented offense like that of Norv Turners, well, he just doesn’t excite me. McMichael has been a bust so far in his career and there is no indication that this is going to change. Randy will have to make some serious changes to become an impact player at the tight end position.
17	Marcus Pollard/TE/IND	Has taken a back seat to Dallas Clark over the last year. Pollard still has something to offer the Colts, but sharing touches with Clark makes him a reserve at best.
18	Jason Witten/TE/DAL	Witten has the potential to be a very good tight end, especially in the Bill Parcells scheme. He has very good speed to go along with agility and body control. Until Dallas produces a quarterback that fit’s the Dallas offensive Witten is a Fantasy reserve.
19	Daniel Graham/TE/NE	Graham has to become a more consistent receiver to take his game to the next level. It appears that the New England front office has questions about whether that is going to happen. Point in case, the Patriots selected Ben Watson during the amateur draft. Graham shouldn’t be considered anything more than a reserve until he proves otherwise.
20	Ben Troupe/TE/TEN	Ben will get his chance to succeed as the Titans blocking receiver, and it won’t be a surprise if it happens sometime during this season. Troupe will share playing time with Kinney making him a late round back-up at best.
21	Itulu Mili/TE/SEA	I just don’t like what I am hearing out of Seattle this summer. The rising Fantasy status of Jerramy Stevens makes the tight end situation in Seattle a Fantasy platoon nightmare. Split up 500-600 yards and five to six touchdowns between Mili and Stevens and neither player figure to be more than a reserve 12-team leagues.
22	Ernie Conwell/TE/NO	Expect Conwell to start the season as a reserve after what Boo Williams did in his absence last season. However, Conwell will have an opportunity to play retarding the Fantasy value of both of the Saints tight ends.
23	Jed Weaver/TE/DEN	Weaver produced his best numbers last season with the Niners. (35 catches and 437 yards, one touchdown). Weaver's workload could increase now that Shannon Sharpe has retired but he has to be considered a back up to your number one blocking receiver, especially in a Denver offense that is going to run the ball as much as any team in the league.
24	Billy Miller/TE/HOU	Miller has soft hands and plays with a quarterback that can get him the ball. His 2003 stats dropped in comparison with 2002, 11 less receptions and 258 fewer receiving yards. Miller has the skills to become a Fantasy starter, but yet another talented tight end in Houston, Bennie Jobbru, will cut into his touches. Miller is a Fantasy reserve in deep leagues.
25	Kyle Brady/TE/JAC	Brady is considered a blocking tight end at this point in his career. You can’t expect the 64 catches for 729 yards and three scores he put up in the 2000 season. A possible backup for you top tight end.
26	Teyo Johnson/TE/OAK	Johnson is an interesting sort and has tremendous Fantasy potential. The combination of speed and height make him a nice receiving target, but his size limits him in the Norv Turner scheme. To many question marks in Oakland to make a draft run at Johnson.
27	Mark Campell/TE/BUF	The Bills will get some production out of Campell this year, but not enough to make him a draft day selection. Avoid him unless you are in a deep league and then consider him a backup at best.
28	Tony McGee/TE/NYG	If Shockey doesn’t rebound from his summer surgery look for McGee to fill in nicely. His Fantasy value jumps if Shockey can’t play on Sunday afternoons this year.
29	Brandon Manumaleuna/TE/STL	Mike Martz has never featured the tight end in his offensive scheme and Manumaleuna is an after thought for Bulger.
30	Matt Schobel/TE/CIN	Schobel is the number-two TE on the depth chart, but he is the Bengals' tight end with the most fantasy potential. Reggie Kelly is known for his blocking ability, not his pass catching prowess.
31	Eric Johnson/TE/SF	Johnson looks to be the number one tight end in San Francisco this season, but the youth and offensive question marks surrounding the Niners make Johnson a wait and see Fantasy prospect. Keep a close eye on Johnson during the pre-season. If Rattay gets back in time to start the regular season Johnson’s stock will rise.
32	Donald Lee/TE/MIA	If McMichael fails in Miami, Phil Gentles is touting Lee. The Dolphins signed Lee to a four-year contract this summer and like what they see. Keep a close eye on the Dolphins tight end situation during training camp.