Here are Tony's rankings for TEs;1. J. Witten-Dal-T.O. draws the double teams and Witten was the most targeted Dallas receiver last year, no health concerns makes him my top TE.
2. C. Cooley-Wash-New coach Jim Zorn brings a TE friendly offense to Washington, and his 3 yr avg 66/765/7 should improve.
3. A. Gates-SD-He is the #1 TE if healthy, but for where you need to draft him, I'm not taking that chance. His numbers dropped last year after the arrival of Chambers and the emergence of V. Jackson. If you can get him after the 5th round he is a great value, but not in the 3rd or 4th.
4. T. Gonzalez-KC-He is getting older but has still been consistent, He is the #1 receiving option, playing with a young QB, more valuable in PPR leagues.
5. K. Winslow-Clev-The "Soldier" has had 2 consistent seasons but had yet another knee surgery in the offseason, and is an injury risk every week. High upside, but draft at your own risk.
6. J. Shockey-NO-Shockey will be reunited with former OC Sean Payton, and should be out to show the Giants that he is still a top TE. Should benefit from Colston drawing double teams. Also an injury risk, returning from a broken leg.
7. Da. Clark-Ind-Clark had a huge season last year in the absence of M. Harrison. If Harrison is back I see Clark returning to his previous #'s about 35/400/4.
8. T. Heap-Balt-He is on the injury list every week, but until last year rarely missed a game. Cam Cameron's offense is TE friendly. If you miss out on the top 7 TEs Heap is not a bad option.
9. O. Daniels-Hou-He was a major benefactor of Andre Johnson's injury last year making 63 recs, but still only scored 3 TDs, he is the #2 option behind Johnson and should be a top 10 TE.
10. V. Davis-SF-2 years of hype and 2 years of disappointment, he is a freakish athlete, but runs poor routes and drops a lot of passes. Mike Martz comes to SF, he has never relied heavily on the TE but has never had an athlete like Davis. He was the #3 TE last season during the fantasy playoff weeks, while S. Hill started for SF.
11. H. Miller-Pit-Miller posted career highs in recs/yds/TDs. He has averaged 6 TDs in the last 3 seasons.
12. T. Scheffler-Den-A favorite target of Cutler, who should see a lot of targets early with Marshall missing the first 3 games due to suspension.
13. G. Olsen-Chi-Athletic TE, who should see more targets this season, due to the Bears lack of quality WRs. The downside is he spilts time with Desmond Clark.
14. A. Crumpler-Ten-Crumpler is joining a new team, but a team that has little in ways of wr, so Young may rely heavily on him.
15. LJ Smith-Phi-Injured last season, could be a good value if he can return to his 55/650/4 #'s from 05-06.
16. B. Watson-NE-Another athletic TE, who could put up monster #'s if he was on another team. the Pats just spread the ball around too much to rely on him, and Moss gets a lot of the red zone chances, not to mention all the TDs LB Vrabel steals from the offense.
17. K. Boss-NYG-Great hands, will feel the pressure of justifying the Giants trade of Shockey.
18. B. Utecht-The Bengals have not had a receiving TE in awhile, he should get the balls that normally went to the departed #3 wr C. Henry.
19. Z. Miller-Oak-Had 44 recs as a rookie, young QB Russell will rely on Miller like he did in the last 2 games of 2007 (16 targets, 11 recs.)
20. D. Lee-GB-Was a surprise last year, I'm not sure what to expect from him as Rodgers takes over.
21. M. Lewis-Jax-Another one of these young athletic TEs, but he plays for a run first team.
22. R. McMichael-Stl-Had his worst season last year, and may be past his prime.
23. D. Keller-NYJ-Rookie TE is more of a WR, with Favre under center the Jets could throw a lot more this season.
