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Jermichael Finley will look to join the elite in 2010.

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The tight end position has turned into one of the deepest positions in the NFL. While there are four really solid options who will always start the tight end run in most drafts, smart and savvy owners know they can wait and get one in the later rounds that will offer them great value with huge upside. When another owner wastes his pick on a TE, it just means somebody you like or need will slide back to you at another position.

If there is a position to wait on, this is it, as even the four solid options have questions or red flags with injury histories and age. If you don’t get one of the four when the inevitable TE run occurs, don’t panic, remember to wait. Those teams that selected those four no longer need a TE which means the remaining teams won’t be rushing to fill the TE position.

Would I be happy drafting Vernon Davis, Owen Daniels, Brent Celek, Zach Miller, Kellen Winslow, Visanthe Shiancoe or Chris Cooley in the later rounds, absolutely! It just means I got better value at the core positions in the earlier rounds when their were better running backs and wide receivers on the board.

While some of the players listed above will no doubt go before the later rounds, there are still some TE’s that can be had before you select your kicker or your defense/special teams in the last two rounds. Some of these guys are quietly productive and can be snagged late, such as Kevin Boss, John Carlson, Dustin Keller, Heath Miller, and Greg Olsen. Olsen is intriguing because of the Mike Martz factor and many fantasy owner’s will shy away from him because of that. Quick note: Olsen had eight TD’s last season.

2010 TE RANKS

1) Dallas Clark – IND – TE

2009 Stats: 100 rec./1,106 yards/10 TD’s

Clark is one of the surest things for fantasy points there is. He is the number two option behind Reggie Wayne in a potent offense, not to mention Peyton Manning who knows how to get him the ball. Clark had 135 targets last season with 100 receptions, not to mention he went over 1,000 yards and had 10 TD’s. That is production that can’t be overlooked.
 
2) Antonio Gates – SDC – TE

2009 Stats: 79 rec./1,157 yards/8 TD’s

Gates is another safe option at the position. He saw 115 targets last season and that number could go even higher with the three game suspension of Vincent Jackson. Gates had 1,157 receiving yards last year and chipped in eight TD’s. Gates has had eight or more TD’s in six straight seasons and this year should be no different.
 
3) Vernon Davis – SFO – TE

2009 Stats: 78 rec./965 yards/13 TD’s

Finally is the word that came to alot of owner’s minds last season when Davis put up eye-popping numbers. Were pretty sure owner’s in keeper leagues were cursing as they watched him nab 13 TD’s. He saw 134 targets last season and was just shy of a 1,000 yard season finishing with 965 yards. If there is any TE on the board that might see a slippage in numbers, Davis is it. Tread with caution.
 
4) Jermichael Finley – GRE – TE

2009 Stats: 55 rec./676 yards/5 TD’s

Finley is another guy that could vault himself into the elite. Towards the end of the year and into the playoffs Finley was a beast. This ranking has more to do with potential than anything else and we think QB Aaron Rodgers will lean on this young playmaker for years to come. He is only 23 years old, has great hands and runs excellent routes and shows freakish athleticism for a man his size.
 
5) Jason Witten – DAL – TE

2009 Stats: 94 rec./1,030 yards/2 TD’s

Witten needs to do a little more work around the goal line to be considered one of the top tight ends and he may be a bit high here. He had two TD’s last season, in yardage leagues he is money and he also saw 128 targets last season with 94 receptions. The Cowboys have so many weapons on offense we wonder if those numbers might dip this season. This ranking tells us he is in line for another Witten type year.
 
6) Brent Celek – PHI – TE

2009 Stats: 76 rec./971 yards/8 TD’s

The Fantasy Football Brothers wunderkind. We love this guy! It’s safe to say there is sort of a man crush thing going on with Celek at FFB headquarters. The biggest story line with him is that Kevin Kolb and him are road roomies and that will translate to the field. Celek saw 117 targets last season and it was a career year for the young TE. He had eight TD’s to go along with 971 yards, and that maybe only the beginning. He is only 25 years of age and his development was stalled by L.J. Smith, remember that guy?
 
7) Tony Gonzalez – ATL – TE

2009 Stats: 83 rec./867 yards/6 TD’s

Tony Gonzalez is the guy that just keeps doing it. He is as steady as they come and you have to wonder if age will ever catch up to this guy. I’m not ready to knock him down the ranks yet just because he was shy of 900 yards. He is a beast around the goal line when teams load up against the run. Gonzalez saw 139 targets last season, but managed only 83 receptions. Gonzalez is another safe option with asterisks.
 
8) Owen Daniels – HOU – TE

2009 Stats: 40 rec./519 yards/5 TD’s

Owen Daniels was probably on his way towards elite before he tore his ACL in Week 8. It is being reported that Daniels will be ready to go by Week 1, but we have our reservations about ACL injuries. It helps that Daniels plays in a potent offense and is really the second option behind Andre Johnson, it also helps that Daniels is in a contract year and will be looking for a payday.
 
9) Kellen Winslow – TAM – TE

2009 Stats: 77 rec./884 yards/5 TD’s

Kellen Winslow has never been over five TD’s in his career, that is amazing considering he is the highest paid tight end in the game. Winslow is a number one receiver (130 targets last year) for a team that has lacked playmakers at the position. That could all be changing with the recent draft selections of Arrelious Benn and Mike Williams. The more talent they can put around Winslow, the better his production will be and we’re all for that.
 
10) Zach Miller – OAK – TE

2009 Stats: 66 rec./805 yards/3 TD’s

Miller has the most upside out of this group with new signal caller Jason Campbell under center. He should see a spike in numbers, but for the last two seasons this guy has been flat out consistent with poor QB play. He is only 24 years old and should vault himself into the elite in no time. Miller, like Witten suffers around the goal line as he had three TD’s last season, but with Campbell that is sure to improve.
 
11) Visanthe Shiancoe – MIN – TE

2009 Stats: 56 rec./566 yards/11 TD’s

Shiancoe is a touchdown machine for tight ends. He had 11 TD’s last season, in large part to Brett Favre who targeted him 17 times in the red-zone last season. Shiancoe’s value is better in TD leagues than reception and yardage leagues, where he is somewhat ordinary as last season he had 56 receptions for 566 yards. But, it’s the TD’s that make him dangerous and with one more season with Favre, we don’t see things changing.
 
12) Heath Miller – PIT – TE

2009 Stats: 76 rec./789 yards/6 TD’s

Heath Miller is one of the more consistent tight end’s on a run first based offense. The Steeler’s were forced to throw alot last season and Miller saw 103 targets and hauled in 76 receptions to the tune of 789 yards and 6 TD’s. The concerns around Miller are that the Steelers will go back to that run first mentality with Rashard Mendenhall and the drafting of Jonathan Dwyer, they have the horses to do it. We fear Miller may be asked to block more this season, and we all know you don’t get point for blocking in fantasy football.
 
13) Chris Cooley – WAS – TE

2009 Stats: 29 rec./332 yards/2 TD’s

A bounceback is in store for Cooley who was hobbled by a broken right ankle. He is one of the better TE’s in the league and was on quite a roll before 2009. Now he finds himself with head coach Mike Shanahan who loves TE’s and quarterback Donovan McNabb who knows how to use TE’s. Those owner’s concerned about fellow TE Fred Davis need not worry as Cooley is the better player and will be featured. If there is a guy that people are sleeping on heading into the season, he is it.
 
14) John Carlson – SEA – TE

2009 Stats: 51 rec./574 yards/7 TD’s

Carlson has been good, but not great in Seattle. The offense continues it’s overhaul, but the key position that has remained stagnant is at quarterback. Until the Seahawks draft Jake Locker, and they will draft Jake Locker, the offense is mired in mediocrity under Matt Hasselbeck. If Carlson matches his 2008 and 2009 numbers he is serviceable fantasy wise, but that is not what we fantasy owner’s expected after his promising rookie campaign.
 
15) Dustin Keller – NYJ – TE

2009 Stats: 45 rec./522 yards/2 TD’s

Keller’s hype hasn’t matched his production in his young career, but that has more to do with the team than it does Keller. He came in with the Brett Favre fiasco, then was given a rookie quarterback in Mark Sanchez. The team is also a run first team which doesn’t help things, and they keep on adding wideouts to update the aerial attack. Look for Keller to be right on par with his first couple of years in the league, but let’s hope he gets a few more TD’s.
 
16) Greg Olsen – CHI – TE

2009 Stats: 60 rec./612 yards/8 TD’s

Greg Olsen had 23 red zone targets and 103 targets last season finishing with 60 receptions for 612 yards and 8 TD’s. So why the drop? Mike Martz and his bag of tricks has blown into the Windy City and will look to revive a stagnant Bears’ offense. Problem is Carnival Master Martz’s offenses’ don’t feature the tight end and use the position as an extra blocker. A blocker Olsen is not, what he is is a pass catching beast playing on the wrong team. We think he will have a frustrating year in the Bears’ offense and will frustrate owner’s in return.
 
17) Kevin Boss – NYG – TE

2009 Stats: 42 rec./567 yards/5 TD’s

Boss has steadily improved with each passing season and at age 26 there is still room to grow. He is one of the more undervalued tight ends in the game and he plays on team and with a quarterback who likes to use him near the goal line. Boss is usually overlooked because of the Giants ground game and the fact that they employ three solid wideouts. Boss is a steady performer that you can grab late in your draft.
 
18) Tony Scheffler – DET – TE

2009 Stats: 31 rec./416 yards/2 TD’s

Tony Scheffler was once a hot commodity in Denver. After being in the doghouse in Denver he finds himself in Detroit keeping the seat warm for incumbent starter Brandon Pettigrew who is coming off an ACL injury. Scheffler might surprise as the team signed Nate Burleson to join Calvin Johnson which should free things up in the middle of the field. Scheffler is a solid receiver and can run after the catch. He will attempt to make it hard on the Lions to give Pettigrew his old job back.
 
19) Fred Davis – WAS – TE

2009 Stats: 48 rec./509 yards/6 TD’s

If Davis was to be handed the starting gig then he would be higher up these rankings, way higher. Until then he remains a pass catching talent that doesn’t block all that well. A healthy Cooley will stand in the way of his skills and we wonder how the coaching staff is going to get him on the field. Davis fits the bill of wait and see how the Redskins’ use their two tight ends, if he sees regular time, then again move him up.
 
20) Jermaine Gresham – CIN – TE

2009 Stats: In college at Oklahoma

“The Bengals never throw to their tight ends” is a popular phrase going around. With Gresham we think that will change as they will attempt to add a missing piece to the puzzle. With Chad Ochocinco and Antonio Bryant that should free up Gresham to do his best work across the middle utilizing mismatches. Gresham boasts super athleticisim and solid receiving skills, what he also carries is an injury history so buyer beware. He is a high risk/high reward play in most drafts considering you will be able to grab him late.
 
21) Jeremy Shockey – NOR – TE

2009 Stats: 48 rec./569 yards/3 TD’s

Shockey continues to disappoint fantasy owner’s who draft him on name recognition alone and the fact that he plays in a potent aerial attack. That’s his only value and I would say, “STAY AWAY”, but then again he has Drew Brees controlling the offense, so he is a roll of the dice. Tread with caution is my only warning as Shockey has yet to make it through a full season.
 
22) Todd Heap – BAL – TE

2009 Stats: 53 rec./593 yards/6 TD’s

Well look who decided to show up after taking a couple of years off from a fantasy perspective. Heap was a nice surprise for fantasy owner’s who rolled the dice and drafted him on name recognition alone. The Raven’s might be phasing Heap out with the draft selections of Ed Dickson and Dennis Pitta, but he might have another season left in him.
 
23) Bo Scaife – TEN – TE

2009 Stats: 45 rec./440 yards/1 TD

Scaife is better in PPR leagues as he has averaged 50 receptions the last three seasons. Scaife plays with a quarterback in Vince Young who is always checking down, but his time might be limited as the Titan’s have a young, flashy pass catching tight end in Jared Cook who is better after the catch in the open field. The team is also stockpiling young talent at the wideout position in Nate Washington, Damian Williams, and Kenny Britt which will take away looks from Scaife as Young starts to mature.
 
24) Benjamin Watson – CLE – TE

2009 Stats: 29 rec./404 yards/5 TD’s

Ben Watson has been the topic of many converstations at FFB headquarters. Some like him to have a solid year and some say he just doesn’t have it due to his years with the Patriots. Watson was derailed by injuries throughout his Patriots’ career and they didn’t feature him in the offense. He has good size and is an athletic freak, what he doesn’t have is a solid quarterback in Jake Delhomme and that will keep owner’s away. I like him to put together a solid season.
 
25) Anthony Fasano – MIA – TE

2009 Stats: 31 rec./339 yards/2 TD’s

I can’t believe Fasano is only 26 years old…seems like he’s been in the league forever. Fasano was a red zone beast in 2008 with seven TD’s, but fell off last season to just two TD’s. He played better towards the end of the season as the Dolphin’s gained trust in quarterback Chad Henne and opened up the playbook. The Dolphin’s added wideout Brandon Marshall so that should take some heat off of the other pass catcher’s. Fasano is an intriguing case with the new addition of Marshall and the maturing of Henne. I would label him as a wait and see, or monitor on the waiver wire.
 
26) David Thomas – NOR – TE

2009 Stats: 35 rec./356 yards/1 TD

I never understood why the Patriot’s let this guy walk, but that is for another discussion. Thomas is a smooth route runner with solid receiving skills. He stepped it up last season in the wake of another Shockey injury. Thomas is in a contract year so his numbers could spike if Shockey were to get injured again. Key word again and injury joined with Shockey.
 
27) Shawn Nelson – BUF – TE

2009 Stats: 17 rec./156 yards/1 TD

This is pretty high for a guy that is still unproven. So why the ranking? We like his athleticism and the fact that he plays in a bad offense with minimal receiving weapons. Whatever quarterback wins the job, be it Trent Edwards or Brian Brohm will look to lean on the youngster and that reeks of fantasy points.
 
28) Brandon Pettigrew – DET – TE

2009 Stats: 30 rec./346 yards/2 TD’s

Pettigrew is coming off an ACL injury and he may or may not be ready for Week 1. With the addition of Tony Scheffler we have to wonder. Pettigrew was on a way to a productive rookie season and was targeted 56 times in only eleven games, so you know quarterback Matthew Stafford was comfortable with the fellow rookie. Pettigrew is a guy to monitor his health and might be a late add towards the end of the season as he works his way back.
 
29) Tony Moeaki – KAN – TE

2009 Stats: In college at Iowa

I have to admit I am higher on Moeaki than most people at FFB. I even think he might be a little low here. The Chief’s don’t have a pass catching tight end and haven’t had one since Tony Gonzalez left town. Moeaki was a solid pass catcher at Iowa who played in a pro style offense, but injurues plagued him throughout his career. If he can stay healthy and the Chief’s offense can be better than it was last year, then what we have here is a bona fide sleeper.
 
30) Marcedes Lewis – JAC – TE

2009 Stats: 32 rec./518 yards/2TD’s

One look at Marcedes Lewis and one has to wonder why this guy isn’t a beast in the passing game. He has strung together solid, but unspectacular season’s as the Jaguars’ tight end. The team likes the way he run blocks so he will see time on the field. The Jaguars’ also have another young pass catching tight end in Zach Miller who they see as more of a threat in the passing game. This is a situation for fantasy owner’s to monitor heading into camp.
 
31) Aaron Hernandez – NEP – TE

2009 Stats: In college at Florida

I like the pick of Aaron Hernandez by the Patriot’s if they use the young pass catching tight end. He has the ability to gain yards after the catch and might be a shot in the arm for an aging receiving corps and the absence of wideout Wes Welker. This is a situation to monitor heading into camp with the battle between Hernandez and fellow rookie tight end Rob Gronkowski. We like Hernandez’s receiving skills more which is why he shows up in these rankings.
 
32) Rob Gronkowski – NEP – TE

2009 Stats: In college at Arizona

Gronkowski did not play last season in college due to having back surgery. He could wind up third on the depth chart behind Alge Crumpler and Aaron Hernandez. He also could be fully healthy and be the type of player the Patriots’ envisioned when they drafted him, which is a smart player who runs clean routes and displays a solid set of hands for a guy his size.(6’6, 265 lbs.)
 
33) Jared Cook – TEN – TE

2009 Stats: 9 rec./74 yards/0 TD’s

Jared Cook can blame his poor rookie year on an ankle injury, we’ll give that to him. If he takes a step forward this year then Bo Scaife could see less time on the field as the Titan’s love his athleticism and after the catch abilities. He is one to monitor.
 
34) Dante Rosario – CAR – TE

2009 Stats: 26 rec./313 yards/2 TD’s

Rosario is an athletic pass catcher on the wrong team. The Panthers love to run with their two-headed monster so Rosario is limited in the passing game. What he isn’t is a good blocker so the team often goes with Jeff King to supplement the run game as he is a better blocker. If the Panther’s ever have to open up the playbook, then Rosario has value, until then he is waiver wire fodder.
 
35) Zach Miller – JAC – TE

2009 Stats: 21 rec./212 yards/2 TD’s

Zach Miller is an interesting tight end. He is super athletic and has a great feel for the game. He runs crisp routes for such a young player who is new to the position as he played quarterback in college. He showed flashes towards the end of the season and the Jaguars are high on this kid as they attempt to get some sort of passing game going. He classifies as a super sneaky sleeper at the tight end position.
 
36) Daniel Fells – STL – TE

2009 Stats: 21 rec./273 yards/3 TD’s

Fells showed glimpses last season of being a pass catching tight end. Truth is he’s a superb blocker, but with rookie signal caller Sam Bradford he could be the check down of choice. Fells had three TD’s last season for a team that struggled to score. The Rams need one of their wide receivers to step it up so Fells can work the middle of the field.
 
37) Daniel Graham – DEN – TE

2009 Stats: 28 rec./289 yards/1 TD

Daniel Graham is probably the best blocking tight end in football, for us that is useless, but football coaches love it, so you know he will be on the field. He is mostly an afterthought in the passing game for an offense in transition. If you play in a league that rewards points for blocking, move him up this list if such a league exists.
 
38) Donald Lee – GRE – TE

2009 Stats: 37 rec./260 yards/1 TD

Lee has been steady since the 2007 season, but you could say he has been keeping the seat warm ever since the 2008 season. He has averaged 41 receptions the last three seasons, but will now play second fiddle to Jermichael Finley. If Finley were to go down, Lee would be a necessary add off the waiver wire.
 
39) Leonard Pope – KAN – TE

2009 Stats: 20 rec./174 yards/1 TD

Leonard Pope has the size to be a beast in the red-zone, but unfortunately his size hasn’t translated to the field. The Chiefs selected Tony Moeaki and it looks like the team might phase Pope out of the offense. He could however be used near the goal-line, but that has been the promise his whole career.
 
40) Martellus Bennett – DAL – TE

2009 Stats: 15 rec./159 yards/0 TD’s

Martellus Bennett is a head case. He is a young, talented tight end who just doesn’t seem to get it. I’m not questionin his athleticism, but I do question his desire to play the game of football, rather than being a football player. Some guys are in it for the wrong reasons and he might be one of them. Bennett is neck and neck with John Phillips going into the 2010 season and that about says it all. He is waiver wire material until he stops blaming everyone around him for his poor play instead of looking in the mirror.
 
41) Dennis Pitta – BAL – TE

2009 Stats: In college at BYU

Pitta was drafted out of BYU, they are the school that constantly produces top notch tight ends. Pitta will battle it out in camp with fellow tight ends Todd Heap and Ed Dickson, but look for the veteran Heap to hang on for one more year. Pitta has a nice set of hands and is dangerous after the catch, but Baltimore also expect its’ tight ends to do a little blocking, so he will need to improve on that before he hits the field.
 
42) Ed Dickson – BAL – TE

2009 Stats: In college at Oregon

Dickson is a big, athletic tight end out of the University of Oregon. Many scouts and draft pundits liked Dickson more than the Bengals draft pick Jermaine Gresham. Dickson has been working with the first team in camp due to Todd Heap being placed on the non-football illness list. Word is Dickson looks great and doesn’t appear to miss a beat working in the offense.
 
43) James Casey – HOU – TE

2009 Stats: 6 rec./64 yards/0 TD’s

Casey shows up in these rankings because of Owen Daniels’ ACL injury. If Daniels is limited then Casey has a chance to become the pass catching beast he was at Rice where in 2008 he had 111 receptions for 1,329 yards and 19 TD’s. He is a smooth pass catcher that can net yards after the run. He is one to monitor with the health of Daniels.

Tight end week will continue with the Fantasy Football Brother’s Pre-Season TE Awards. Stay Tuned.

2010 TE Ranks, Aaron Hernandez, Anthony Fasano, Antonio Gates, Benjamin Watson, Bo Scaife, Brandon Pettigrew, Brent Celek, Chris Cooley, Dallas Clark, Daniel Fells, Daniel Graham, Dante Rosario, David Thomas, Dennis Pitta, Donald Lee, Dustin Keller, Ed Dickson, Fred Davis, Greg Olsen, Heath Miller, James Casey, Jared Cook, Jason Witten, Jeremy Shockey, Jermaine Gresham, Jermichael Finley, John Carlson, Kellen Winslow, Kevin Boss, Leonard Pope, Marcedes Lewis, Martellus Bennett, Owen Daniels, Rob Gronkowski, Shawn Nelson, Tight End Rankings Fantasy Football, Todd Heap, Tony Gonzalez, Tony Moeaki, Tony Scheffler, Vernon Davis, Visanthe Shiancoe, Zach Miller