Top Ten 2008 FF Tight Ends

four of our series on the top ten at each position we move to the oft forgotten tight end spot. Where to draft a tight end is always interesting as you start choosing before taking your second or third wide receiver and a tight end. There are certainly a number of tight ends who can make the difference between winning and losing on any given week. This year there are seven really solid looking guys at the spot and a second tier right behind them that can also produce so there isn't a huge premium on the position or a major drop off, except for the yardage. Point-per-reception leagues might alter the rankings below, but not significantly. The big question in the draft comes down to Gates or Witten?

1) Jason Witten, Cowboys
2007 Stats: 96 catches, 1,145 yds, 7 TDs
Tight end 1A is Tony Romo's best pal and the second option in the passing game in Dallas. He was only three passes and 27 yards short of leading the league in both categories among tight ends. How close are Romo and Witten? They are roommates on the road meaning Witten has all the scoop on Jessica Simpson! I give Witten the nod because of fewer passing options in Dallas, a better QB, OL, and no health issues. But you might as well flip a coin on this one and you probably can't go wrong either way.

2) Antonio Gates, Chargers
2007 Stats: 75 catches, 984 yds, 9 TDs
Gates played in all 16 games last year but wasn't a full strength. He had foot surgery and is said to be running routes well now. All things being equal I looked at both teams schedules and the Chargers play the AFC West for six games and the NFC South for four while the Cowboys could be in the most competitive division in football. But all things are not equal. The former basketball player is very gifted but San Diego now has some options at WR and a capable backup TE that could take away a few of Rivers targeted passes to Gates moving him to 1B.

3) Kellen Winslow Jr., Browns
2007 Stats: 82 catches, 1,106 yds, 5 TDs
Winslow has been moving up the charts but took a huge leap forward last year as the Browns found their QB and an offense for the first time in years. Is Jr. better than his dad? Probably not. But after recovering from a stupid motorcycle accident three years ago he is now a legitimate Pro Bowl tight end. One of only three at his position to cross the 1,000-yard mark last year, Winslow was Cleveland's leading receiver with 82 catches and is Derek Anderson's check down target when Braylon Edwards isn't open deep.

4) Tony Gonzalez, Chiefs
2007 Stats: 99 catches, 1,172 yds, 5 TDs
The Chiefs were awful last year, especially on offense. Larry Johnson where are you? But the nine time Pro Bowler still lead all tight ends in receptions and yards. But Gonzo is 32 now and with Kansas City stalled on offense you have to begin to wonder how productive can Tony be this year. He only had five touchdowns in 2007, another concern. But name a positional FF player that has been more dependable than Tony over the years - oh wait, you can't.

5) Dallas Clark, Colts
2007 Stats: 58 catches, 616 yds, 11 TDs
Clark plays in one of the leagues most potent offenses and his 11 scores last year was tops among tight ends. Dallas tends to disappear when the Colts are in their half of the field, but once they get near the redzone you can see Manning start to look for his big target. He also doesn't need to share time with Ben Utecht who has moved to the Bengals. That is one less player to share catches with that already included Reggie Wayne, Marvin Harrison, Anthony Gonzalez, and Joseph Addai.

6) Chris Cooley, Redskins
2007 Stats: 66 catches, 786 yds, 8 TDs
Cooley has been a very steady performer since joining the Skins in 2004 despite the parade of QB's he has had to deal with. There are two concerns for Chris this year. The first is that Jim Zorn is the new head coach and he looks to run the ball a lot more in the tough NFC East. The second is that Chris hooked up with a married a smoking hot Redskins cheerleader, Christie Olglevee, and you gotta worry where all his focus will be!

7) Jeremy Shockey, Saints
2007 Stats: 57 catches, 619 yds, 3 TDs
The biggest question mark in the top ten is exactly where to put Shockey and I was tempted to put him much higher but this is a new team so lets give it a year to short out. Still, Shockey had his best season in New York under coordinator Sean Payton who is now the Saints head coach. We all know that Brees loves passing to the tight end as evidenced by his work with Antonio Gates in San Diego. Still, he hasn't played in a game since breaking his leg last December and until I see him I can't move him further up the list.

8) Health Miller, Steelers
2007 Stats: 47 catches, 566 yds, 7 TDs
The former first-round pick setf his best career marks last year in receptions, yards and touchdowns, problem is they weren't all that eye popping. Miller could also face some competition in the redzone with new WR Limas Sweed and a stronger goal line running attack with first round pick Rashard Mendenhall and free agent Mewelde Moore. Big Ben has a lot of choices in the passing game including Hines Ward and Santonio Holmes, meaning Miller should be matched up favorably against linebackers.

9) Vernon Davis, 49ers
2007 Stats: 52 catches, 509 yds, 4 TDs
The sixth-overall pick in the 2006 draft is a physical freak, but that hasn't meant great production at the pro level. Former Lions OC Mike Martz takes over the reigns in the bay and has stated that he plans to utilize the athleticism of Davis, but name a tight end who has thrived in a Mike Martz offense? But with former Lions backup QB J.T. O'Sullivan reportedly ahead of Alex Smith on the depth chart, well, that doesn't bode well for the 24-year old.

10) Todd Heap, Ravens
2007 Stats: 23 catches, 239 yds, 1 TD
Usually a steady performer, Heap only appeared in six games for Baltimore last season with injuries. He also suffered a right calf injury in training camp. You also have to wonder who his quarterback will be this year, Kyle Boller or Troy Smith. Neither sounds very exciting. The Ravens also lack any sort of deep threat in the passing game. But Heap is the likely top target of whomever wins the camp battle at QB giving him some value.

Just Missed:
Alge Crumpler, Titans
Tony Scheffler, Broncos
Owen Daniels, Texans
Greg Olson, Bears
Ben Watson, Patriots

Rookies to grab:
Dustin Keller, Jets
John Carlson, Seahawks