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2009 F.F.T. Re-Draft Tight End Rankings (Jun. 25, 2009)
Note: Fantasy Points-based on 1 point per 10 yards rushing and receiving, 6 points for every rushing and receiving touchdown. Adjust for your league scoring accordingly. Auction values based on $200 budget.
1. Antonio Gates-San Diego Chargers
Auction Value: $16
Bye Week: 5
2008 Pre-Season Ranking: 1
2007 Pre-Season Ranking: 1
It was clear last season that Gates was never 100% healthy and yet he still posted 60 receptions, 704 yards, and 8 TD’s, all his lowest totals since his rookie campaign in 2003. Philip Rivers is ever improving and Gates is still the Chargers #1 receiving option. Couple that with the fact that his 2005-2006 tight end coach Rob Chudziniski returns in 2009 and there is no reason to think that Gates won’t return to Pro Bowl form.
(09’ Proj: 80 receptions, 950 yards, 10 TD’s) 155 Fantasy Points
2. Jason Witten-Dallas Cowboys
Auction Value: $16
Bye Week: 6
2008 Pre-Season Ranking: 2
2007 Pre-Season Ranking: 10
Witten’s numbers were solid last season, 81 receptions, 952 yards, and four touchdowns but after the 96 receptions, 1,145 yards, and 7 touchdowns he posted in 2007 we expected more in 2008. And I expect more in 2009 even without Terrell Owens on board. There is enough talent that Witten will not always be the focal point of the offense thus avoiding many double teams.
(09’ Proj: 88 receptions, 960 yards, 9 TD’s) 150 Fantasy Points
3. Tony Gonzalez-Atlanta Falcons
Auction Value: $16
Bye Week: 4
2008 Pre-Season Ranking: 4
2007 Pre-Season Ranking: 2
Every year I think this will finally be the year that the great one takes a step back and every year he is on the same even keel or a step ahead. He was the Chiefs primary receiver for his entire career and for a number of those years he was the Chiefs only real receiving threat, still putting up big numbers. He just keeps Gonzoing along. Going to Atlanta gives him one of the best young quarterbacks in the league in Matt Ryan, one of the best running games in the league, and a capable receiving corp led by Roddy White. The bottom line is you know what you get with this guy and it is goooood.
(09’ Proj: 78 receptions, 950 yards, 6 touchdowns) 131 Fantasy Points
4. Dallas Clark-Indianapolis Colts
Auction Value: $16
Bye Week: 6
2008 Pre-Season Ranking: 6
2007 Pre-Season Ranking: 12
Clark proved that his inflated 2007 numbers were no fluke last season as he posted 77 receptions, 848 yards, and 6 touchdowns. He is never likely to match the 11 touchdowns he put up in 2007 but he has become Peyton Manning’s go-to-guy and his numbers will again be among the best in the league.
(09’ Proj: 80 receptions, 880 yards, 7 touchdowns) 130 Fantasy Points
5. Chris Cooley-Washington Redskins
Auction Value: $12
Bye Week: 8
2008 Pre-Season Ranking: 5
2007 Pre-Season Ranking: 5
Somehow, Cooley posted career highs in receptions (83) and yards (849) last season but only managed to score one touchdown. Going into last year, he had never scored less than six touchdowns in any one season so there is reason to think it wasn't just the TD gods playing their games. With Jason Campbell improving and the cast around him still solid, I look for Cooley to put up similar numbers to last season with touchdown resurgence.
(09’ Proj: 80 receptions, 800 yards, 8 touchdowns) 128 Fantasy Points
6. John Carlson-Seattle Seahawks
Auction Value: $12
Bye Week: 7
2008 Pre-Season Ranking: 25
How can you not like a rookie tight end that compiled 627 yards and five touchdowns on 55 receptions? At 6’ 5”, Carlson will remain a red zone threat and should quickly become one of the most reliable receivers this season and beyond. The addition of T.J. Houshmandzadeh should free up the middle.
(09’ Proj: 70 receptions, 720 yards, 7 touchdowns) 114 Fantasy Points
7. Owen Daniels-Houston Texans
Auction Value: $10
Bye Week: 10
2008 Pre-Season Ranking: 12
2007 Pre-Season Ranking: 15
I wanted to put Daniels higher than this but you just cannot ignore the fact that he has only posted five touchdowns combined over the past two seasons on 133 receptions after putting up five touchdowns on only 34 receptions in his rookie season. He has improved his receptions and yards each season but unless he finds the end zone, he just won't carry the same value as several peers with less talent.
(09’ Proj: 68 receptions, 800 yards, 4 touchdowns) 104 Fantasy Points
8. Greg Olsen-Chicago Bears
Auction Value: $10
Bye Week: 5
2008 Pre-Season Ranking: 16
2007 Pre-Season Ranking: 17
Olsen had a decent rookie season compiling 39 receptions, 391 yards, and 2 touchdowns. He had an even better sophomore season with 574 yards and five touchdowns on 54 receptions. Desmond Clark is still good for 40+ receptions but with Jay Cutler now under center, Olsen will quickly become a favorite weapon and red zone bullseye.
09’ Proj: 60 receptions, 600 yards, 7 touchdowns) 102 Fantasy Points
9. Kevin Boss-New York Giants
Auction Value: $10
Bye Week: 10
2008 Pre-Season Ranking: 33
2007 Pre-Season Ranking: 53
Boss looked like a fish out of water at times last season but in the end, he posted six touchdowns on just 33 receptions. The Giants cut ties with Plaxico Burress and Amani Toomer in the off-season and Boss becomes Eli Manning’s go-to. The running game will continue to take pressure off the passing game and there is still enough receiver talent to open up the middle for Boss. He will not lead the league in receptions but he has the potential to lead tight ends in touchdowns.
(09’ Proj: 55 receptions, 590 yards, 7 touchdowns) 101 Fantasy Points
10. Kellen Winslow-Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Auction Value: $8
Bye Week: 8
2008 Pre-Season Ranking: 3
2007 Pre-Season Ranking: 9
Winlsow is the wildcard as he has the skills to end up the number one tight end in any given season. But he has a history of injuries and attitudes and now a new team that's not known for targeting the tight end. Winslow was targeted 82 times last season in just 12 games while the Bucs only targeted their entire fleet of TE 118 times, of course none of them are as talented as Winslow. High risk/high reward is written all over this one.
(09’ Proj: 65 receptions, 700 yards, 5 touchdowns) 100 Fantasy Points
11. Dustin Keller-New York Jets
Auction Value: $6
Bye Week: 9
2008 Pre-Season Ranking: 21
Keller lacks ideal TE height at only 6’ 2” but makes up for it in athleticism. His rookie numbers were solid, 48 receptions, 535 yards, and three touchdowns. I believe Keller has top five talents but I have concerns with the Jets quarterback situation being in transition. Keller should build on his rookie numbers but next year is when we really see him start posting top end stats.
(09’ Proj: 60 receptions, 700 yards, 5 touchdowns) 100 Fantasy Points
12. Zach Miller-Oakland Raiders
Auction Value: $4
Bye Week: 9
2008 Pre-Season Ranking: 18
2007 Pre-Season Ranking: 24
After a solid rookie season, Miller posted 778 yards on 56 receptions last season. The fact that he only scored one-touchdown concerns me but I believe that, as JaMarcus Russell improves, so will Miller’s touchdown production. Having Darren McFadden live up to his hype along with rookie receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey would help as well. Miller has already established a rapport with Russell that should continue to flourish.
(09’ Proj: 57 receptions, 700 yards, 4 touchdowns) 94 Fantasy Points
