Fantasy Football Preseason Rankings: Tight End

(Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

By Derek of The Sportmeisters

Hello Football Fans! It’s June and that means OTA’s and minicamps are all but over and actual training camp is around the corner. Preseason games start on Aug. 13 and boy oh boy I can’t wait.

Now, what I am here to discuss today are my preseason, pre training camp Fantasy rankings for the Tight Ends. Obviously, my rankings are likely to change, but here are my first projections of the year.

1. Jason Witten – Dallas Cowboys – Projection: 90 Receptions 1000 Yards 8 TD

No more T.O. means that Witten is the new number one gun in Dallas. With Roy Williams on the outside, Witten should see more than his fair share of balls thrown his way.

He sorely missed Tony Romo when he was injured last year and his numbers suffered, but I expect him to have a 2007 like season and be the top Tight End taken in all fantasy drafts somewhere between rounds three and five.

2. Antonio Gates – San Diego Chargers – Projection: 80 Receptions 950 Yards 8 TD

How do you consider a season with eight touchdowns a bust season? When you are an Antonio Gates owner and you were expecting the usual 75+ reception, 900+ yard season and you got 60 and 704.

Gates battled injuries last year, but looks to be fully healthy this year and I expect his usual numbers. Look for him to be right up there with Witten on draft day.

3. Dallas Clark – Indianapolis Colts – Projection: 80 Receptions 875 Yards 7 TD

Clark has been a top tier fantasy Tight End for the past two years. In 2007, he had 616 yards and 11 touchdowns and in 2008 he had 77 catches, 848 yards, and six touchdowns. Now, Marvin Harrison is gone and the Colts don’t have a third Wide Receiver as of yet.

I could see Clark being used in the slot much more frequently this year and he should post similar numbers to last year. Look for him to come off the board between rounds three and seven.

4. Tony Gonzalez – Atlanta Falcons – Projection: 80 Receptions 900 Yards 6 TD

Gonzalez posted his second consecutive 90+ catch 1000+-yard season last year and scored 10 touchdowns with a terrible Kansas City team with Tyler Thigpen at QB. Now, he moves to Atlanta, with Matt Ryan. The problem is that Atlanta is a run first team.

Expect TE1 numbers from Gonzo, but not near last year and look for him between rounds four and seven.

5. Greg Olsen – Chicago Bears – Projection: 70 Receptions 800 Yards 7 TD

Olsen had career highs last year in receptions, yards, and touchdowns with 54, 574, and five. Now, he has Jay Cutler at QB and is poised for a breakout season. They don’t have a real number one receiver and Cutler can throw the deep ball very well. Look for Olsen to put up new career highs and should be taken off the board between rounds five and eight.

6. Chris Cooley – Washington Redskins – Projection: 77 Receptions 800 Yards 5 TD

Cooley had career highs last year in receptions and yards with 83 and 948, but only scored one touchdown. It was the first time that he failed to score at least six touchdowns in a season. However, he was targeted 111 times. He should score more this year and will be taken in the middle rounds.

7. Owen Daniels – Houston Texans – Projection: 70 Receptions 825 Yards 5 TD

Daniels has been good for a few years now, but really broke out last year. He had 70 receptions for 862 yards, but only scored two touchdowns, just like his 2007 season where he caught 63 for 768 with only three touchdowns.

If QB Matt Schaub can stay healthy, he should be a top tier Tight End this year and will hopefully find the end zone more. Look for him in the middle rounds.

8. Kellen Winslow – Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Projection: 70 Receptions 750 Yards 5 TD

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