Name | Team | Bye
The Skinny
1. Antonio Gates | SD | 10
It's not sexy to list Gates No. 1 every year, but you know what you're getting from him: at least 900 yards and eight touchdowns. Now that's sexy
2. Dallas Clark | IND | 7
You can make a convincing argument for Clark as the top fantasy tight end, too. He's one of Peyton Manning's favorite targets. What else needs to be said?
3. Jason Witten | DAL | 4
Witten has averaged more than 1,000 receiving yards over the past three seasons, but he's scored just 13 touchdown. All the Cowboys' other weapons should open up the middle for Witten in '10
4. Brent Celek | PHI | 8
Maybe I'm a little too high on Celek, but I have a feeling Kevin Kolb is going to be looking Celek's way often in his first year as a starter
5. Vernon Davis | SF | 9
I think I'm in denial because I still can't believe Davis actually lived up to the hype and scored 13 touchdowns last year. Those numbers should dip a tad, especially if the 49ers switch back to an offense built around power running
6. Jermichael Finley| GB | 10
Like the Packers as a whole, Finley was scorching hot in the second half of 2009. Will he keep it going and become a top-three fantasy tight end, or has he gotten everyone all hot and bothered for nothing?
7. Tony Gonzalez | ATL | 8
It's hard to tell if Gonzalez's declining numbers a year ago were the result of age, Matt Ryan's up-and-down season or the absence of the running game. If age wasn't the issue, he could put up big numbers in 2010
8. Owen Daniels | HOU | 7
Daniels was the top fantasy tight end when he blew out his knee last season. Now, he's likely to fall into the middle rounds of the draft. I'd be content passing on these other guys and grabbing Daniels a little later
9. Chris Cooley | WAS | 9
New coach Mike Shanahan likes his tight ends, and Cooley will get the majority of the looks, meaning he should see produce like he did a couple of years ago
10. Visanthe Shiancoe | MIN | 4
Only Larry Fitzgerald and Randy Moss have scored more receiving touchdowns the past two seasons Sciancoe, who has hauled in 18. He's a boom-or-bust player, so brace yourself for some three- and four-point weeks
11. Zach Miller | OAK | 10
Miller averaged 792 receiving yards in 2008 and 2009, and could be even more productive with a Purple-Drank-less Jason Campbell under center
12. Kellen Winslow | TB | 4
I know, I know. He's a @$%#ing soldier. But Bucs QB Josh Freeman is young and erratic.
13. John Carlson | SEA | 5
Carlson reeled in seven touchdowns last year, and should get plenty of opportunities under new coach Pete Carroll
14. Greg Olsen | CHI | 8
The good news: He had good chemistry with Jay Cutler last season. The bad news: New offensive coordinator Mike Martz has hated tight ends in his former coaching lives
15. Heath Miller | PIT | 5
Miller is a popular target in the red zone, but if the Steelers staunchly run the rock as has been speculated, he'll see more time as a blocker, which hurts his value
16. Dustin Keller | NYJ | 7
He's got upside, but will he get enough looks in the Jets' run-heavy attack?
17. Ben Watson | CLE | 8
This talented tight end was a disappointment in New England, but maybe a chance of scenery will allow him to fully utilize his skill set
18. Kevin Boss | NYG | 8
He's a solid spot starter, but I wouldn't feel comfortable with him as my top tight end. Sweet name, though
19. Jeremy Shockey | NO | 10
There are many mouths to feed on the Saints' offense, and the oft-injured Shockey is near the bottom of the list
20. Todd Heap | BAL | 8
Heap had his best statistical season since 2006, but rookie tight ends Ed Dickson and Dennis Pitta could cut into his playing time
21. Tony Scheffler | DET | 7
22. Fred Davis | WAS | 9
23. Rob Gronkowski | NE | 7
24. Jermaine Gresham | CIN | 6
25. Anthony Fasano | MIA | 5
26. Shawn Nelson | BUF | 6
27. Daniel Graham | DEN | 9
28. Bo Scaife | TEN | 9
29. Ed Dickson | BAL | 8
30. Marcedes Lewis | JAX | 9
Sleeper: Everyone assumes the arrival of Mike Martz will mean Greg Olsen's numbers will nosedive, but Martz insists he'll work Olsen into the offense. If he does, Olsen could put up big numbers with Jay Cutler
Bust: You've figured out by now that you should stay clear from Jeremy Shockey, right?
Rookie: Jermaine Gresham will be a better player over the long-term, but Rob Gronkowski could put up decent numbers in 2010 as the Patriots look for new playmakers -- assuming he can stay healthy
You tell me:
When's the earliest you should draft a tight end?