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Jeremy Shockey moved up our rankings here with a change of scenery to New Orleans. Reunited with the man whom he had his best season for, and stepping into a high powered offense looking to get their tight end more involved, Shockey has huge potential coming into this season. He hasn’t had this much potential since he came into the league.

I like Shockey a lot, and think the trade will pay off big for the Saints. Shockey presents a true number one option at tight end, with some big games to come. You can probably nab him in the middle rounds somewhere this year, maybe into the 7th or 8th rounds. He’s an excellent pick there, and sure to deliver this season.

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Vernon Davis came into the league and was a fashionable sleeper pick, although he has yet to produce the way many thought he would. With the addition of Martz in San Francisco, that could change this season.

Davis has all the skills, and Martz has spoken highly of him this off-season. Martz will find a way to get him involved in the offense, but will the quarterback play allow for him to have a breakout year? That’s the concern, and that issue will ensure that he is not one of the first tight ends taken this season.

Davis could be a very good value pick, he should go somewhere in the middle rounds, and should also be a good starting option at the position. The huge upside is the potential for a breakout year, it is his third season, and the possibility that he joins the ranks of the elite players at his position. I see him with a 70 reception, 6 touchdown season with 800 yards or so. With a better offense around him, he would put up big numbers, but I don’t see the supporting cast around him that will allow him to reach that elite level this year.

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Heath Miller is coming off a career year, and should improve on last season. Look at him as a low end number one tight end in the 2008 fantasy football campaign.

Miller has a good relationship with his quarterback, and the newly implemented Steeler offense now has a full season under its belt. Expect them to get the ball into his hands a bit more this year, and look for around 60 receptions, 700 yards and half a dozen or so touchdowns. With a solid running game and good options at the wide receiver position, Miller will have favorable match ups all season long. He should get you some points each week, with the occasional big game.

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Tony Scheffler should be a decent option at tight end this season. He won’t put up top numbers for a tight end, but you can be pretty sure of what you are going to get when drafting him.

Scheffler should have a season very similar to the one he had last year. 50 catches, 600 yards and half a dozen touchdowns is what you’re looking at with him. Not a stud tight end, but definitely serviceable. If you decide to wait until the later rounds to grab your tight end, Scheffler should give you a decent option at the position.

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Alge Crumpler is poised for a huge season this year, and could easily be a top five tight end, although he probably won’t be drafted as such in most leagues.

Crumpler has left Atlanta and is now the number one receiving option for Vince Young and the Titans. Add to that the fact that Young has shown a tendency to use his tight ends, although they have used a rotation in the past, and the fact that there is no clear cut number one wide-out and you have a situation where Crumpler could be the top receiver for the Titans.

The only issue I have with Crumpler is his knee. I think he will be ok, and after a terrible 2007 season, he should be hungry to come back strong. Crumpler is a great option at tight end this season, and you can probably wait to pick him up until late in the draft. If you don’t draft one of the top end studs, Crumpler has enough upside to be a strong sleeper playing in this Titans offense that wants to get Young throwing the ball more.

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Todd Heap was a huge disappointment last season to fantasy owners, sitting out the majority of the year with hamstring injuries. Normally a number one option at tight end, his 2008 fantasy football outlook depends entirely on his health.

It looks like Heap should be back for the 2008 season healthy, but hamstring injuries are a funny thing, and can linger. If Heap is healthy, he is a solid option and should be able to hold down the tight end position for you with pretty good numbers. I think that is a gamble, however, and will be staying away this draft unless he slips and falls into a position where I can’t not take him.

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Chris Cooley could be in for a huge year this season, with the potential to be a breakout tight end and top fantasy football player at his position.

Cooley had over 60 catches and 800 yards last season, along with 8 touchdowns. I expect better numbers from the tight end this year.

With a move to the west coast offense, the Redskins tight end should snag more balls. He may be their best receiver, and a 90 catch season is not out of the question. Look at Cooley as a solid number one tight end, with the potential to put up numbers as a top five TE, or better.

I would not hesitate to run with Cooley as my tight end this season, you should be able to grab him in the middle rounds this fantasy football draft. He’s a player you can target, and will bring you good value for his draft position.

A-D, TE | 1 Comment »

Dallas Clark is one of my favorite tight ends in the NFL, and is a great selection come draft day.

Clark is one of those guys who does not get the credit he deserves, and will slip some come draft day. He hasn’t put up huge numbers year in and year out, and probably won’t challenge Gates as the number one TE, but he will give you consistent points week in and week out, and will catch his fair share of touchdowns.

Last year, Clark caught 58 balls for 616 yards, but had almost a dozen touchdowns. He is Manning’s security blanket, and with teams having to deal with Wayne and Harrison, Clark can fly under the radar.

Last year is an indicator of things to come, and the Colts weren’t even clicking on all cylinders offensively. If Manning has another big year, Clark could put up very good numbers. Also, if Harrison is hurt, or out for legal issues this season, Clark will see an increase in his numbers. With Harrison out last season, Clark lined up in the slot often. Look for that to carry over into the 2008 campaign, regardless of Harrison’s status.

Take a good look at Clark. He may not end up being a top 3 or 4 TE’s this year, but he will be solid, and will give you the contribution you need from the tight end position.

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Year in and year out, Tony Gonzalez is a consistent tight end, and one you can count on to put up good numbers in the 2008 fantasy football season.

Last year Gonzalez had one of his best years stat-wise. With the emergence of Bowe as an option through the air, I don’t know that you see Tony catch as many balls as last year, but look for pretty similar stats. He is a top five tight end, but I don’t see a huge upside for him. Pretty safe pick at tight end, you can pick him up and feel pretty confident that your tight end position is solid for the season.

I’m not sure I would spend anything higher than a sixth round selection on him. There are a few other tight ends that should be around that I like as much as Gonzalez, with a bit more upside. If he slips any further than round 6, and you haven’t taken a tight end, be sure to consider picking him up. I don’t know that he will be a stud in the 2008 season, but he will be rock solid.

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Kellen Winslow is a stud fantasy football tight end. No doubt about it, he is a top five TE, with the potential to end the season as the number one at his position.

Winslow plays for the Browns, who I really like right now. They have a vertical offense, and should continue to stretch the field in 2008.

Winslow had 82 catches for 1106 yards and 5 touchdowns in 2007. He should put up very similar numbers, but I expect his touchdown total to increase. He will be a prime red zone target, and has great hands. Plays like a wide receiver, and puts up the numbers to support that style of play.

Expect Winslow to be the third TE taken this year, behind Witten and Gates. I don’t think there will be a large gap between the numbers these three put up, if you want a top level tight end, Winslow offers a decent value without having to spend a top 2 or 3 pick.

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