Jason Witten, DAL                    

At 96 receptions, 1,145 yards and 7 TDs, it’s safe to say last year was Witten’s best season of his career to date, and it’s very likely those numbers will never be topped. Even with a regression, he’s still the safest pick at the tight end spot this year.

84 receptions-880 yards-6 touchdowns

Kellen Winslow, CLE                

These projected numbers assumes he plays the full season, and he has managed to not miss a contest the past two seasons. We’ll take the under this year on him playing the full season.

75-1010-6

Tony Gonzalez, KC

When you’ve averaged 83 receptions, 992 yards over the past three years (his numbers are equally impressive if you go back five years as well), Mr. Gonzalez can make a claim to being one of the most consistent tight ends in the game.  Here are three certainties: death, taxes and Tony Gonzalez finishing as a top-5 tight end.                   

77-940-5

Antonio Gates, SD

Unless Gates shows progress from off season toe surgery by mid-August, our projections for him stand.  If he looks anywhere close to usual studly self, add 10 receptions and 125 yards and 2-3 TD’s. Gates has been the undisputed #1 tight end the past 3 seasons but is no lock this year due to his injury. He’ll likely be overvalued in most drafts.

65-800-6

Chris Cooley, WAS       

Cooley is the last of the top tier tight ends. In three seasons as a starter, Cooley has not had less than 57 receptions, 734 yards or six TDs.  There has been some concern about the coaching change in Washington negatively impacting Cooley’s numbers but don’t bet against Cooley. Also, the assumed continued maturing of QB Jason Campbell will only help Cooley’s totals.

62-740-6

Dallas Clark, IND                     

Last season he posted career highs in yards and TDs (616 and 11). Considering he averaged 4 TDs in each of the previous three seasons, the odds are against him having 11 TDs again this year. Also, he has yet to play a full 16 games season. The yardage figures are for real but don’t go expecting double digits in TDs this year or you’ll be disappointed.

60-640-7

Todd Heap, BAL                       

If Heap plays a full 16-game season, he’ll be a top-5 tight end, but that said, he isn’t exactly the most durable player in the league. If fully healthy (gulp), he’ll produce in the area if 74/750/6. He could be a draft day bargain based on last year’s washout.

64-640-5

Tony Scheffler, DEN                 

Is Denver’s #2 receiving option next to All-Pro Brandon Marshall. He posted 49/549/5 last year -- and that’s without catching a pass until week 5. He’ll likely produce top-10 value without the typical cost of a top-10 pick. He represents a solid value.

54-640-5

Jeremy Shockey, NYG          

Jeremy Shockey has never finished lower than 11^th among tight ends in fantasy points in any season during his career. The fact the Giants seemed to flourish without him last year and the fact he seems to want out of New York, doesn’t bode well, however, and post-season stud Kevin Boss looms large. He’s a bigger risk than usual this season.

61-640-4

Owen Daniels, HOU    

Last year, he went for 63/768/3 but Andre Johnson (likely) won’t miss half the season this year. Although, QB Matt Schaub and the passing game will continue to develop, Daniels poses a threat to take a slight step backward statistically this season.  Keep in mind a step back likely still lands him in the top-10 tight ends (and a step up from last season would put him in the top-5 but top-10 is a more realistic finish).

55-630-4

Vernon Davis, SF                      

In his second season last year, Davis posted solid 52/509/4 numbers. With all the hype surrounding this guy you would think he would be a top-5 tight end by now, however. In his defense, San Fran’s offense was dreadful, and he was one of the few bright spots. With new coordinator Mike Martz in town, does this mean continued goodness for Davis? Martz likes to pass but hasn’t utilized the tight end position in St. Louis or Detroit -- but he also hasn’t had any one (supposedly) as talented as Davis. Still, it’s possible he does not continue to develop, or he is under-utilized in Martz’s scheme, and he hovers around the same numbers as last year. Don’t overpay.

49-580-4

Alge Crumpler, TEN

The Bad: how wretched are his knees? He was banged up almost all of 2007 and there are serious question marks about his health coming into this season.

The Good: the Titans loves the tight end and Crumpler will certainly be the beneficiary.

The Very Good:  the Tennessee wideouts are mediocre at best. Crumpler seems to be in an ideal situation and represents arguably the best value in the top-20, if he can stay healthy.

50-540-4

Heath Miller, PIT           

2007 was somewhat of a boom year for Miller as he hit career highs in receptions (47), yards (566), and TD’s (7), although his previous bests were 39/459/6. But Miller has the following question marks:

Big Ben bested his previous TD total by 14 last year. If he returns to the norm, that could mean less for Miller;

Pittsburgh was ranked 22^nd in rushing touchdowns last year, which means more red-zone runs and less passing attempts. The addition of rookie Rashard Mendenhall exemplifies this approach.

That said, Miller offers much upside and he is certainly one of the safer later round tight end picks.

41-510-6

Zach Miller, OAK                     

The tight end is an inexperienced QBs best friend. The fact Miller came on late in the season bodes well for the 2008 campaign. In QBs JaMarcus Russell’s lone start in 2007, Miller’s line was 8/84. Perhaps a taste of things to come?

47-510-4

Donald Lee, GB            

With a new QB at the helm, I think Lee’s numbers from last year (48/575/6) take a bit of a hit. Rodgers isn’t as good as Favre but this may mean that the inexperienced Rodgers looks to the TE position a little more.  He should provide enough value to sneak into the top-15 tight ends.

40-490-4

Randy McMichael, STL

The departure of Issac Bruce and the fact the awful Rams offense is due to rebound this year (see a healthy Orlando Pace) likely means an uptick in the numbers for McMichael, but don’t go hoping for his past boffo Miami-type stats (65/600) or you’ll be sorely disappointed.

42-455-3

Ben Watson, NE

The breakout some fans have been waiting for – and many projected for last year -- has yet to happen. Watson has missed games in each of the past four seasons but seemed to benefit from New England having so many weapons last year, especially around the goal line. At worst, he’ll be a top-20 TE, at best a top-10 TE. Draft accordingly.

35-400-5

L.J. Smith, PHI

After a lost season in 2007 due a sports hernia and groins injuries, let’s remember Smith averaged 55/646 in the 2005 & 2006 seasons, so if healthy, he could be top-10 bound. He can be had for a song at the end of the draft and provide excellent value.

42-420-3

Greg Olsen, CHI                       

The good news is the Bears wideouts are awful, the bad news the QB situation is still awful, and as a result Olsen could be the #1 or #2 receiver on the team. Does that math make sense?

43-450-3

Marcedes Lewis, JAX             

Lewis made strides in his second season. The Jags upgraded the receiver position in the offseason, which could negatively impact Lewis but it shouldn’t hurt him too much. He seems to have talent but will it translate into better numbers?  

40-420-3

Donations can be made by clicking here