Jason Witten had another productive year -- 81 catches for 952 yards (11.8 avg.) -- but had just four touchdowns over 16 games. It was a tough year for Witten, who struggled without QB Tony Romo for three games and played with rib and ankle injuries toward the end of the season. While his numbers were down in 2008 from the year before, he still remains one of the most productive tight ends in the NFL. He should also see a bump in touchdowns in 2009 as Terrell Owens was released by the 'Boys in early March and won't hawk them like he has in the past. You can count on Witten to still be a desirable No. 1 option worth a pick between Rounds 5 and 6 in drafts this summer.
While many Fantasy pundits will consider Antonio Gates' 2008 season to be a bust, the reality is that he's a stud at a position thin on productive talent, and that alone will make him a desirable Fantasy option. He posted just 704 yards on 60 catches last year (11.7 avg.) with eight touchdowns, his worst totals since his rookie year. He did this while playing through a hip injury at midseason and an ankle sprain late in the year, and coming back from a significant toe injury that stuck with him through the preseason. Gates is expected to be healthy for the 2009 campaign, so any slip he takes in drafts this summer will be somebody's gain. Be that somebody -- consider him a stud No. 1 Fantasy TE well worth a fifth- or sixth-round pick in drafts this summer (almost right after you see at least one of Dallas Clark, Jason Witten and Tony Gonzalez go off draft boards). If you get him past then, it's larceny.
While Chris Cooley posted career-highs in receptions and receiving yards in 2008, it's his career-low in touchdowns that resonated negatively with Fantasy owners. A Fantasy Football aficionado himself, Cooley caught 83 balls for 849 yards (10.2 avg.), but for one touchdown. Cooley won't be in a contract year, but with his salary morphing four times what he's making this year in 2010, the Redskins won't be content with another touchdown-challenged season. Cooley remains a No. 1 Fantasy tight end as he's part of Jim Zorn's potent West-Coast Offense, and if he can mesh his yardage from 2008 with his previous touchdown production, he's going to be a winner. He's worth a middle- to late-round pick in drafts this summer.
The Buccaneers traded for Kellen Winslow in late February, giving up multiple picks for him. Then they signed him to the richest contract extension for a tight end in NFL history in early April. Winslow certainly now has a lot to live up to with his new team. He played in 10 games with the Browns in 2008 due to injury, catching 43 passes for 428 yards and three touchdowns, numbers way off what he's capable of. In Tampa Bay, Winslow should be utilized in a number of ways and be a key part of offensive coordinator Jeff Jagodzinski's offense. When healthy, Winslow is an elite TE, and the value he brings to an offense as a matchup problem for defenses is huge. There are some questions about who his quarterback will be, but with Jagodzinski and his aggressive version of the West Coast scheme in charge of the Bucs' offense, expect Winslow to be a key contributor -- so long as he's healthy. Did we mention that he has some health issues? Just making sure. Look, do not overvalue him as a stud tight end, though he's certainly capable of being one. Instead, play it safe and keep him tabbed as a middle-end No. 1 Fantasy TE. There is a ton of risk-reward here, but it's not worth reaching for him with a pick in Round 5 or 6. He's better served as a pick in Round 7 or 8.
Tony Gonzalez will continue to be a dominant Fantasy TE in 2009, but he'll be doing so in Atlanta, which is where he was traded to in late April in exchange for a second-round pick in 2010. Gonzalez leaves Kansas City after 12 years with the club and a massively productive career, something the Falcons hope continues. He'll be catching passes from Matt Ryan and likely be targeted near the red zone a smidge more than he was in Kansas City. Even at 33, Gonzalez remains a productive No. 1 Fantasy option and is coming off of a 96-catch, 1,058-yard, 10-touchdown season. Plan on drafting Gonzalez around Round 6 or 7 in all leagues this summer. Most owners in your league will likely take Antonio Gates, Jason Witten and Dallas Clark first, but when you select Gonzalez, do it with a smile since he could outperform everyone at his position.
How disappointing was Jeremy Shockey's first season with the Saints? Not only was he not the club's leading receiver among its tight ends, but he didn't score a single touchdown all season. Shockey finished with 483 yards on 50 catches (9.7 avg.) and might be persona non grata in New Orleans as his cap number tops over $3 million and the club might not think he's worth it after being a nuisance off the field. If he stays with the Saints, the potential is there for him to post much better numbers in 2009 because the Saints will throw a lot. But if he leaves, then there's no telling how low his stats could go. Consider Shockey as an easily replaceable low-end No. 1 Fantasy TE worth a late-round pick in drafts.
Fantasy owners empathized with 49ers head coach Mike Singletary's frustration when he unceremoniously sent Vernon Davis to the locker room early in Week 8. The tight end taken early in the 2006 NFL Draft has been mostly a bust as he's totaled 1,132 yards and nine touchdowns in 40 games. Last year he had just two touchdowns and 358 yards on 31 catches, totals down across the board from his second season. Davis' play perked up once Singletary got through to him last season, but Fantasy owners are leery to trust the freak athlete who hasn't been able to translate his potential into production. Consider Davis a worthwhile reserve that shouldn't be taken with anything more than a late-round pick.
Even with Reggie Wayne, Dallas Clark might be Peyton Manning's favorite receiving option. Manning seems to look for Clark in most big spots, and Clark responded with 77 catches for 848 yards and six touchdowns in 2008. Clark should actually improve on those totals this year with Marvin Harrison now gone. Consider Clark one of the best players at his position, and he's worth drafting as a No. 1 option beginning in Round 5 in all formats. He has 17 touchdowns the past two seasons, which is hard for anyone to argue with that Clark is a stud TE. A concussion suffered in training camp isn't cause for concern at this point.
Todd Heap went from an elite Fantasy option to a dud the past two years. He had 35 catches for 403 yards and three touchdowns in 2008 and now has just 58 catches for 642 yards and four touchdowns in his past two seasons. He should still be considered a No. 2 Fantasy TE and is worth taking a flier on in deeper leagues, but don't expect Heap to start for your Fantasy team this year. Heap's best days appear to be behind him, and it didn't help that the Ravens drafted rookie TE Davon Drew in the fifth round either. While Drew is likely just the No. 2 TE, it could be a sign to push Heap.
Heath Miller had another productive yet unspectacular season in helping the Steelers win the Super Bowl in 2008. Miller had 48 catches for 514 yards and three touchdowns despite missing two games due to injury. This year, Miller enters the final year of his contract, which could motivate him to play hard for a new deal. Miller still remains a No. 2 Fantasy TE, but he could be used as a starter at times during the season and depending on the matchup. Miller has the potential to score double digits in touchdowns, but it depends on how much throwing the Steelers do in the red zone. Miller is worth a late-round pick in all leagues and he's not a bad flier if you miss on all the elite tight ends.
Owen Daniels set career highs in catches (70) and yards (862) in 2008, but he only had two touchdowns. He's a great Fantasy TE in leagues where receptions count, but he needs to find the end zone more often. That is a strong possibility in 2009, especially since he has eight touchdowns in his first two years. He's also playing for a long-term contract as a restricted free agent after the Texans gave him a maximum tender offer which he signed in mid-June. Consider him a No. 1 Fantasy option worthy of a mid-round pick after the elite options (not that Daniels isn't 'elite') are off the board.
Greg Olsen improved in 2008, his second year, catching 54 passes for 574 yards (10.6 avg.) and five receiving touchdowns (which led the team). About the only problem with Olsen was his inconsistent production, which got better in December when he scored three of his five touchdowns. Olsen should continue to improve on his numbers in his third NFL season now that Jay Cutler will be throwing him passes. Olsen should be viewed as a No. 1 Fantasy TE with plenty of upside worth a middle-round pick.
Hobbled by knee, head and shoulder injuries in 2008, L.J. Smith lost his grip on the full-time tight-end role for the Eagles and as a result left the club via free agency this offseason. In mid-March, he signed with the Ravens, where he'll play on a one-year deal. In 13 games, Smith compiled 37 catches for 298 yards (8.1 avg.) and three touchdowns, numbers way off of what's expected of him. Don't make the mistake of drafting Smith with a middle- to late-round pick because he's a familiar name. Instead, figure him for mediocre stats now that he'll potentially be splitting playing time with Todd Heap. Look for him off the waiver wire as a potential one-week replacement.
Alge Crumpler never made the impact with the Titans most hoped for when they signed him prior to 2008 after seven productive seasons with the Falcons. Crumpler had career lows in catches (24), yards (257) and touchdowns (one), with Bo Scaife emerging as the top TE in Tennessee. That should continue this year even though Crumpler is in a contract year. Don't draft Crumpler coming into the season, especially with the Titans drafting rookie TE Jared Cook in the third round, but he could be worth adding off the waiver wire if the 31-year-old can regain his previous form while chasing down a new deal.
Leonard Pope has the size to be a difference-making tight end, but his hands proved to be unreliable in 2008, and he ultimately lost his job for it. Pope was released by the Cardinals in early September and is not on a team. Though he could land with a new team, he's not worth owning.
