Fantasy Tight End Rankings

Fantasy Tight End rankings and statistical projections from VIPsports Edge's fantasy draft guide.

1) Antonio Gates - San Diego

80 Rec, 950 Rec YD, 9 TD, 149 Points.

Gates developed into one of the top tight ends in the league with quarterback Drew Brees, and he will try to establish the same rapport with Phillip Rivers. Gates got off to a slow start last year after missing the opener with a holdout, but he rebounded with another monster season.

2) Jeremy Shockey - NY Giants

75 Rec, 900 Rec YD, 8 TD, 138 Points.

Shockey has always put up good numbers when healthy, no matter who his quarterback is. However, it certainly helps that his quarterback, Eli Manning likes to use him as a safety valve in the middle of the field. Shockey should improve on his seven touchdowns from 2005.

3) Jason Witten - Dallas

75 Rec, 850 Rec YD, 7 TD, 127 Points.

Witten’s receiving yards went from 980 in 2004 to 757 last year, as new quarterback Drew Bledsoe continually looked to Terry Glenn. Dallas drafted Anthony Fasano in the second round, but that was to use more two tight-end sets, and Witten’s numbers should increase this year.

4) Tony Gonzalez - Kansas City

75 Rec, 900 Rec YD, 5 TD, 120 Points.

Gonzalez is entering his 10th season in the league, but he is still only 30 years-old and remains one of the top tight ends in the league. An area of concern from a fantasy perspective is his two touchdowns last season, after averaging eight for the prior five years.

5) Todd Heap – Baltimore

70 Rec, 825 Rec YD, 6 TD, 119 Points.

75 receptions, 900 receiving yards, 8 touchdowns, 138 fantasy points.

Heap has been a very productive tight end even though he has been stuck in a below average passing offense. Heap has started all 16 games three out of the last four years, although he did miss 10 games in 2004. Look for another strong campaign in 2006.

6) Chris Cooley – Washington

70 Rec, 750 Rec YD, 7 TD, 117 Points.

Cooley is a third year player out of Utah State and he thrives as a tight end and h-back. In 2005, he broke through for 774 receiving yards as a favorite target of quarterback Mark Brunell. Cooley had seven touchdowns last year and that looks like a good base for this year.

7) Alge Crumpler - Atlanta

60 Rec, 800 Rec YD, 5 TD, 110 Points.

Crumpler has developed into a premier pass catching tight end, despite having a below average passing quarterback. Part of his success is due to a weak wide receiver group, but Crumpler will remain Michael Vick’s favorite target even with improved wide-outs in 2006.

8) L.J. Smith - Philadelphia

70 Rec, 775 Rec YD, 5 TD, 108 Points.

Smith almost doubled his receiving yards last year at 682, and that number will grown again this year with Terrell Owens gone. Fantasy owners would like to see Smith increase his touchdowns, after scoring just three last year. Smith had five touchdown receptions in 2004.

9) Randy McMichael – Miami

70 Rec, 750 Rec YD, 5 TD, 105 Points.

McMichael had a decent 2005 season hauling in 60 catches for 582 yards. Both of those numbers were down from 2004, although he did have a career high in touchdowns with five. The good news is that new quarterback Daunte Culpepper likes to use his tight end.

10) Heath Miller - Pittsburgh

50 Rec, 625 Rec YD, 6 TD, 99 Points.

Miller had a very solid rookie season as a first round pick out of Virginia. Miller was the third leading receiver on the team behind Hines Ward and Antwaan Randle El, and he has a good chance to be Ben Roethlisberger’s second favorite target this season behind Ward.

11) Dallas Clark - Indianapolis

45 Rec, 600 Rec YD, 5 TD, 90 Points.

Clark’s fantasy numbers were supposed to increase last year with Marcus Pollard leaving for Detroit. Instead, they were up only slightly over 2004. This should be Clark’s best year as he enters his fourth season and his learning curve progresses in the Colts’ offensive system.

12) Ben Watson - New England

40 Rec, 550 Rec YD, 5 TD, 85 Points.

Watson has a similar skill set to 49ers’ rookie Vernon Davis, and fantasy owners are waiting for him to fully show it on the field. With the Patriots not having a set number two receiver on the team, Tom Brady should be looking a lot more in Watson’s direction this year.

13) Ben Troupe - Tennessee

55 Rec, 550 Rec YD, 4 TD, 79 Points.

Troupe is a third year player out of Florida, and was a second round pick of the Titans. Troupe has big play ability that he flashed a lot last year on his way to 530 receiving yards. If he didn’t have to share the tight end load with Erron Kinney, his numbers would be a lot higher.

14) Kellen Winslow - Cleveland

45 Rec, 575 Rec YD, 3 TD, 76 Points.

Winslow was a high 2004 draft choice, but missed almost all of the last two seasons with injuries. Last year was due to a motorcycle accident when Winslow was doing his “Evil Knievel” routine. He is almost 100% now, and will be a big part of the offense if he can stay that way.

15) Alex Smith - Tampa Bay

45 Rec, 450 Rec YD, 4 TD, 69 Points.

Smith was another exciting rookie last year for Tampa Bay although he got overshadowed by Cadillac Williams. In his second season, Smith will look to build on his 41 catches for 367 yards, and that is likely as he will provide a great target for Chris Simms over the middle.

16) Jerramy Stevens - Seattle

40 Rec, 450 Rec YD, 4 TD, 69 Points.

Stevens had his best season as a pro in 2005 with 554 receiving yards and five touchdowns. However, Stevens had a horrible Super Bowl game, and is coming off arthroscopic knee surgery. Backup Itula Mili is competing for playing time, but the job still belongs to Stevens.

17) Marcus Pollard - Detroit

40 Rec, 440 Rec YD, 4 TD, 68 Points.

Pollard played for 10 years in the high octane Indianapolis offense before coming to Detroit last year. Pollard had 516 receiving yards in 2005 and that is a good benchmark for this season even though Mike Martz’ offense does not feature the tight end that much.

18) Erron Kinney - Tennessee

50 Rec, 500 Rec YD, 3 TD, 68 Points.

Kinney is quietly one of the better tight ends in the league. His numbers reflected that last year with 55 receptions for 543 receiving yards. Those are very similar numbers to what fellow tight end Ben Troupe put up. Those two will continue to share the load in 2006.

19) Vernon Davis - San Francisco

40 Rec, 450 Rec YD, 3 TD, 63 Points.

Davis was the 6th pick in this year’s draft and he will be the starter right out of the gate. Davis is a receiving tight end in the mold of Antonio Gates and has freakish speed and athletic ability. However, playing in the anemic San Francisco offense will slow his initial development.

20) Bubba Franks - Green Bay

35 Rec, 300 Rec YD, 4 TD, 54 Points.

Franks has been a solid tight end over the years and he was rewarded with a big contract before 2005. Neck and back injuries derailed him much of last year, scoring one touchdown after averaging almost seven the prior four seasons. Franks is now healthy and ready to go.

21) Jermaine Wiggins - Minnesota

50 Rec, 450 Rec YD, 1 TD, 51 Points.

Wiggins has very little speed or athletic ability, but he is still an above average receiving tight end. Wiggins would have more fantasy potential if Daunte Culpepper was still the Minnesota quarterback, but he should end up around 450 receiving yards when it is all said and done.

22) Marcedes Lewis - Jacksonville

35 Rec, 350 Rec YD, 2 TD, 47 Points.

This rookie first rounder may have gotten drafted a little early, but he fills a big need. The Jaguars’ tight ends of Kyle Brady and George Wrighster combined for just 31 catches and 277 yards last year. Lewis can be a big play guy over the middle which Byron Leftwich needs.

23) Jeb Putzier - Houston

30 Rec, 400 Rec YD, 1 TD, 46 Points.

Putzier was released from Denver this off-season despite averaging over 500 yards receiving the last two years. Putzier is helped by the fact that Texans coach, Gary Kubiak was his offensive coordinator in Denver. Putzier could be a sleeper at the tight end position in 2006.

24) Desmond Clark - Chicago

30 Rec, 325 Rec YD, 2 TD, 45 Points.

Clark is entering his 4th season with the Bears and 8th overall in the NFL. He has seldom lived up to his potential from a fantasy perspective and his receiving yards keep declining. Clark has lost some weight though, and looks to have somewhat of a bounce-back year.

25) Courtney Anderson - Oakland

25 Rec, 300 Rec YD, 2 TD, 42 Points.

Anderson was a 7th round pick in 2004, but he hasn’t let that deter him. The problem with Anderson is that he faded down the stretch in 2005, and Oakland has a ton of other receiving threats. Anderson’s fantasy upside appears very limited.

26) Zach Hilton - New Orleans

35 Rec, 350 Rec YD, 1 TD, 41 Points.

Hilton had a good year in 2005 with 396 yards receiving in just six starts. Hilton has to be excited about having Drew Brees at quarterback because a tight end, Antonio Gates, was his favorite target in San Diego. Hilton is the best bet of a crowded group of Saints’ tight ends.

27) Doug Jolley - NY Jets

30 Rec, 325 Rec YD, 1 TD, 39 Points.

Big things were expected from Jolley when he was acquired from Oakland last year, but he had just 324 receiving yards. Now, offensive coordinator Mike Heimerdinger is gone, and he liked to use the tight end. Expect very minimal gain from Jolley this season.

28) Daniel Graham - New England

20 Rec, 250 Rec YD, 2 TD, 37 Points.

Graham is one of the best blocking tight ends in the NFL, but he doesn’t get a lot of reception opportunities. Graham’s catches have gone from 38, to 33, to 16 the last three years. Having Ben Watson on the roster means Graham’s catches will again be limited.

29) Chris Baker - NY Jets

25 Rec, 300 Rec YD, 1 TD, 36 Points.

Baker is a 5th year player known more for his blocking than receiving ability. However, Baker averaged almost 15 yards per reception last year and had 269 receiving yards in just eight games. If Doug Jolley was not on the roster, then Baker would have sleeper potential.

30) Leonard Pope - Arizona

25 Rec, 250 Rec YD, 1 TD, 31 Points.

Pope was taken in the 3rd round in this year’s draft after projecting to be as high as a late first rounder. Pope is a big target who projects to be a starter very soon, but right now he is battling for playing time with former un-drafted rookies, Adam Bergen and Eric Edwards.

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