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2008 FOOTBALL PLAYER RANKINGS - TIGHT ENDS

 

The player rankings are based on projected statistics for the 2008 football season.  UPDATED: September 1, 2008

 

PLAYER RANKINGS   -   QB      RB      WR      TE      K      DEF/ST

 

RANK NAME TEAM BYE PS(*) TIER COMMENTS
1 Jason Witten DAL  10 * 1 Definite top 3 TE. Came on strong last year with 96 receptions, over 1,100 yards and 7 TD's. With Terrell Owens getting constant attention, Witten is Romo's safety valve. Expect another big year in 2008.
2 Antonio Gates SD  9 * 1 When healthy he is the #1 fantasy TE in the league. The problem is he had offseason toe surgery and will not be 100% entering the season. You may get value out of Gates if he slips past round 4.
3 Kellen Winslow Jr CLE  5 * 1 Put together two very good seasons in a row. People are still worried about his past knee injuries, but he has been healthy. We project 80 receptions with 1,000 yards and 5 TD's. The drop off begins after Winslow.
4 Tony Gonzalez KC  6 * 2 Had his best season in years with 99 receptions, 1,172 yards and 5 TD's. He is 32 and the Chiefs are a run first team, on top of that the QB situation is bleak. With that said, he will produce like a top 5 TE, just don’t expect many TD's.
5 Chris Cooley WAS  10 * 2 Has been very consistent the past 3 years and other than Antonio Gates is the best TD producer among the TE's. He will not have over 70 receptions or 800 yards, but will get 7-8 TD's.
6 Jeremy Shockey NO  9 * 2 Missed the end of the 2007 season with a broken leg. He should be ready for the start of the season. Is going to a better offensive team who we think will better utilize his athletic skills. If he can stay healthy, around 70 receptions and 7 TD's. 
7 Dallas Clark IND  4 * 2 2007 numbers were highest of his career, including 11 TD's. With Marvin Harrison back in the lineup and the development of Anthony Gonzalez, we expect fewer receptions and TD's for Clark. He will still be a top 8 TE and is a fantasy starter. 
8 Vernon Davis SF  9 * 3 Has tremendous potential and with Mike Martz running the offense, Davis could develop further into an elite fantasy TE. The QB situation is in flux, which will not help his production, but 55 receptions for 700 yards and 6 TD's is what we are predicting.
9 Owen Daniels HOU  8 * 3 Has only been in the league a few years and is already a top 10 fantasy pick. May not quite produce the number of receptions and yards like 2007 if Andre Johnson is healthy, but 50 receptions and 4 TD's should be easily achieved.
10 Todd Heap BAL  10 * 3 2007 was a set back for Heap. He is somewhat injury prone and thus is rated accordingly. If you think he can stay healthy, he is a top 6 TE. We do not see the Ravens QB scenario, no matter who they decide on, as a positive.
11 Heath Miller PIT  6 * 3 Although Miller will not get the receptions or yards as some of the TE's rated above him, he is a red-zone target who is a shoe-in for 6 TD's.
12 Alge Crumpler TEN  6 * 3 Borderline starting fantasy TE. His best years are behind him, but he is still a quality TE. The move out of Atlanta was needed as he is in a better situation and could help in Vince Young's development.
13 L.J. Smith PHI  7 * 3 Had a poor 2007 season due to various knee and groin injuries which caused him to miss several games. Appears healthy again and should rebound to his typical 50 receptions, 600 yards and 4 TD's.
14 Zach Miller OAK  5 * 3 Had 44 receptions as a rookie last season even with the revolving Raider QB situation. We see him as a sleeper in 2008 as Russell appears to be throwing a lot of short drop off passes in preseason, thus Miller will become his safety valve and red zone target.
15 Tony Scheffler DEN  8 * 3 Had no catches the first 4 games of 2007 as he was recovering from a broken foot, but played very well the final 12 games. We like his pass catching abilities, but Daniel Graham and Nate Jackson will take away some of his playing time. 
16 Donald Lee GB  8 * 4 Had a breakout year in 2007 with 48 receptions, 575 yards and 6 TD's. We are downgrading those numbers slightly this year with Favre no longer in Green Bay. With that said he is a borderline starter and bye week fill in TE.
17 Randy McMichael STL  5 * 4 Came over to the Rams last year and had the worst season of his career. Had to spend much more time blocking because the offensive line injuries. Would be downgraded, but having Al Saunders as the offensive coordinator should help his cause.
18 Ben Watson NE  4 * 4 Had a very good start to the 2007 season, but then sustained an ankle injury and was never the same. Had offseason surgery to clean things up and expects to be ok entering the season. Playing in New England with Brady at QB helps his value a lot and even with Moss on the field is a red zone target.
19 Greg Olsen CHI  8   4 The rookie showed flashes of what he could do in 2007, but with Desmond Clark taking away playing time and touches he only had moderate success last season. Both Olsen and Clark will get plenty of playing time in CHI, but Olsen will become the primary receiver and Clark will take on more of a blocking role.
20 Kevin Boss NYG  4 * 4 When Jeremy Shockey got hurt last year, Boss stepped in and the Giants did not miss a beat. Now that Boss is the starter, expects decent overall numbers from him in 2008. The Giants like to throw to their TE and although Boss is not as physically gifted as Shockey, he is big target in the red zone and has good hands.
21 Marcedes Lewis JAX  7 * 4 Very big TE with great hands. Should do pretty good in Jacksonville's risk averse offense. George Wrighster will take away some playing time.
22 Ben Utecht CIN  8 * 4 Goes from a backup with the Colts to a starter with the Bengals. With Palmer at QB and a pair of great WR's, Utecht should see a lot of one on one coverage and do well working the middle of the field.
23 Desmond Clark CHI  8 * 4 Both Clark and Greg Olsen will get plenty of playing time in CHI, but it is expected Clark will be more of a blocker this season. He will still be a red zone target, but expect fewer catches and yards this season.
24 Leonard Pope ARI  7 * 5 Dislocated his ankle at the end of the 2007, so he may not be fully healed entering the season. Will not help a lot in reception and yardage leagues, but did have 5 TD's in limited action last season.
25 Anthony Fasano MIA  4 * 5 Bill Parcells wanted Fasano in Miami, so you know he will now be the starter. He played behind Jason Witten the last two seasons which limited his production.
26 John Carlson SEA  4 * 5 Expected to start in Seattle this season. Carlson is a rookie and with that will come some good and bad games. Plays in a good offense and with injuries to the WR's he could do ok.
27 Dustin Keller NYJ  5   5 Chris Baker is the starter, but the rookie Keller is an outstanding athlete who will be on the playing field in a variety of situations including 3rd/slot WR. He has plenty of upside, but remember he is a rookie.
28 Jeff King CAR  9 * 5 Was having a very good year until Delhomme was injured. Not rated higher because he is being pushed by Gary Barnidge and Dante Rosario for playing time. Also, he rarely sees passes thrown his way in the red zone.
29 Alex Smith TB  10 * 5 Has talent, but his receptions have decreased since his good rookie year in 2005. With Ben Troupe and Jerramy Stevens in the TE mix at TB, he will have to play well to stay on the field.
30 Visanthe Shiancoe MIN  8 * 5 The bad news is the Vikings running game is very good and the passing game is below average. The good news is there is not a dominant WR on the team and he will serve as a safety valve.
31 Chris Baker NYJ  5 * 5 With Dustin Keller being drafted, Baker's fantasy value takes a hit. Still, Favre likes to utilize his TE's so 30 receptions is likely.
32 Bo Scaife TEN  6   5 Was a starter last season, but with Alge Crumpler now playing for the Titans, his production will drop accordingly.
33 Robert Royal BUF  6 * 5 Starter for Buffalo, but is a low fantasy option. Had 25 receptions for 248 yards and 3 TD's last season.
34 Daniel Graham DEN  8   5 Came over from New England last season hoping to increase his production. It did not happen as he is the backup to Tony Scheffler.
35 David Martin MIA  4   5 Looks to be a backup now that Bill Parcells has brought in Anthony Fasano. 
36 Fred Davis WAS  10   5 Backup who will not get many receptions.
37 Dante Rosario CAR  9   5 Backup who will not get many receptions.
38 Jacob Tamme IND  4   5 Backup who will not get many receptions, but does play in an offense that throws a lot to their TE's.
39 Brad Cottam KC  6   5 Backup who will not get many receptions.
40 Brent Celek PHI  7   5 Backup who will not get many receptions.
41 David Thomas NE  4   5 Backup who will not get many receptions.
42 Ben Troupe TB  10   5 Backup who will not get many receptions as he is battling Alex Smith and Jerramy Stevens for playing time.
43 Martrez Milner ATL  7 * 5 Battling Ben Hartsock for playing time. Hartsock is a H-back, but when playing takes Milner out of the game. Milner should be in more on passing downs and the primary TE target for Atlanta.
44 Daniel Wilcox BAL  10   5 Backup who will not get many receptions.
45 Billy Miller NO  9   5 Backup who will not get many receptions.
46 Martin Rucker CLE  5   5 Backup who will not get many receptions.
47 Michael Matthews NYG 4   5 Backup who will not get many receptions.
48 Jermichael Finley GB  8   6 Backup who will not get many receptions.
49 Delanie Walker SF  9   6 Backup who will not get many receptions.
50 Jeb Putzier SEA  4   6 Backup who will not get many receptions.
51 Michael Gaines DET  4   6 Backup who will not get many receptions, but is battling for the starting position.
52 Ben Hartsock ATL  7   6 Battling Martrez Milner for playing time. Hartsock is a H-back, but when playing takes Milner out of the game.
53 Reggie Kelly CIN  8   6 Backup who will not get many receptions.
54 Dan Campbell DET  4 * 6 Starter, but will produce fantasy numbers below most reserves.
55 Martellus Bennett DAL  10   6 Backup who will not get many receptions.
56 Joe Klopfenstein STL  5   6 Backup who will not get many receptions.
57 John Madsen OAK  5   6 Backup who will not get many receptions.
58 Marcus Pollard ZFA     7 Aging veteran was released by New England and Atlanta this preseason. Probably not much left in the tank at this point in his career.
59 George Wrighster JAX  7   7 Will begin the season on the PUP list. Backup who will not get many receptions, but may take away playing time from Lewis when he is healthy. 
60 Eric Johnson ZFA     7 Is a free agent that is recovering from ankle surgery. Had 48 catches last season in New Orleans. Talented, but injury prone.

 

Fantasy Points to determine the rankings are based on the following:

1 fantasy point for every 2 receptions, 1 fantasy point for every 10 yards receiving, 6 fantasy points for every receiving TD,  -1 fantasy point for every fumble and 2 fantasy points for every receiving 2 point conversion.

 

PS(*) means the player is the expected starter.

 

Tiers: Based on typical starting lineup of 1 QB, 2 RB, 2 WR, 1 TE, 1 K and 1 DEF/ST

1 - Elite fantasy player, best fantasy football players at their position.

2 - Very good fantasy player, not quite in the elite class but better than a typical fantasy football starter.

3 - Good fantasy player, worthy of a spot on your starting fantasy football roster.

4 - Average fantasy player, not worthy of a spot on your starting fantasy football roster but a player who usually starts or plays a lot for his NFL team.

5 - Below average fantasy player, starters who put up poor fantasy numbers or backups who see some playing time.

6 - Poor fantasy player, typically backups or specialist players who have limited playing time.

7 - Bottom of the barrel fantasy player, likely no or very little playing time unless there are injuries. 

 

 

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