Top 10 Fantasy Tight Ends

Tight Ends are probably the most difficult position to predict and probably the most inconsistent. If you don't land one of the top few, though, don't fear. Tight end is also one of the deepest positions in fantasy and you can usually try to play the matchups from week to week.

Bottom line: I consider getting TE points as a bonus. If you can get a great one without sacrificing too much at the WR or RB positions, go for it. I try to aim for a top-tier pass-catching TE in the late 3rd-5th rounds, but if I miss out, I try for something else much later in the draft.

In PPR leagues, a pass-catching TE is almost essential.

Now, the top 10.

1. Tony Gonzalez, ATL - He's earned it over the years with plenty of years of consistent service. Matt Ryan will be able to find him all over the field and in the red zone. He's got a solid running game backing him up and soft hands. He's a solid route-runner, too. He's going to be taken extremely early in drafts, maybe as early as the third round.
Projection: 90 catches, 1,100 yards, 10 TDs.

2. Jason Witten, DAL - Without T.O. in Dallas, Witten is clearly Tony Romo's top target. He's probably the second-best TE in PPR leagues. Don't reach for him, but if he's still available in the fourth round and have 2 solid RBs, you'll be more than happy with Witten.
Projection: 80 catches, 1,000 yards, 9 TDs.

3. Antonio Gates, SD - This guy is the ultimate in draft-and-trade players. He's got a big name, he plays in a great offense and he's got a good QB. But, he's not going to live up to the expectations you probably have for him. Draft him, if you want, but in my opinion he's a guy you can sell high to an owner with quality depth at another position, maybe for a high-caliber QB or middle-tier WR.
Projection: 75 catches, 800 yards, 8 TDs.

4. Dallas Clark, IND - I may have mentioned this once or twice on this blog, but Marvin Harrison is no longer a Colt. I can't really emphasize how much offense this actually opens up for the rest of the team and Clark stands to benefit a lot from his departure. I could see him outperforming Gates by a lot, so he's a guy you should target, too, as Manning will be doing the same every Sunday.
Projection: 75 catches, 950 yards 8 TDs.

5. Chris Cooley, WAS - This gets said a ton on this blog, too, but TDs are inconsistent. Cooley is capable of huge games and he got his opportunities last year, but not as much in the red zone. I think if Malcolm Kelly can open up the outside, Cooley returns to 8-1o TD territory. And he'll still get the yards as a reliable target for Jason Campbell.
Projection: 70 catches, 800 yards, 7 TDs.

6. Owen Daniels, HOU - He usually tends to start off kind of slow, meaning an owner might get frustrated and drop him or trade him cheap. If you draft him, hold him. His numbers will pick up. If you can pick him up, do it. A sort of Dallas Clark-lite, he's good for catches and yards and is probably the second option for targets on his team. He should have a solid, if not spectacular season.
Projection: 60 catches, 750 yards, 6 TDs.

7. Greg Olsen, CHI - Olsen has never had a QB like Cutler. Remember Tony Scheffler had some useful fantasy games in Denver last year, too. Olsen is probably the most reliable receiver on the Bears, so I expect Olsen to put up something close to 80 yards per game.
Projection: 65 catches, 750 yards, 5 TDs.

8. Heath Miller, PIT - Players generally don't sign huge contracts such as the one Miller signed this offseason and not get utilized in the passing game. I'll count on this being Miller's breakout receiving season, and as a featured part of the Steelers offense, he'll be among the most reliable TEs this season. Temper your expectations, but TDs could boost his value.
Projection: 60 catches, 650 yards, 6 TDs.

9. Zach Miller, OAK - A sleeper candidate to be a breakout player of the year. Of course, I don't love tying my fantasy TE's value to JaMarcus Russell, but he did okay last year, so maybe there will be improvement, or at the very least, consistency.
Projection: 55 catches, 700 yards, 3 TDs.

10. John Carlson, SEA - He had a decent season without Matt Hasselbeck last year. Now lets see what he can do with a real QB running the offense.
Projection: 50 catches, 600 yards, 4 TDs.