Fantasy Football Preseason Rankings: Tight End

(Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

You couldn’t say the word bust without mentioning Kellen Winslow last year. After breaking out in 2006 and 2007 with a combined 171 receptions for 1981 yards and eight touchdowns, he missed six games last year and regressed to 43 receptions for 428 yards and just three touchdowns.

Now, he was traded to Tampa Bay and will be the main target there, but they don’t have a real QB. If he can stay healthy, he should put up TE1 numbers, but watch out for the missed games due to injury. Look for him in the middle rounds.

9. Dustin Keller – New York Jets – Projection: 66 Receptions 675 Yards 5 TD

Keller was good in his rookie year, but not great. He was invisible in the first eight games, catching 13 balls for 147 yards and two touchdowns, but then exploded for 27 catches for 313 yards in the next four games, but just one touchdown and became invisible again for the last four games (8 catches for 75 yards).

With a new Head Coach, no Laveranues Coles, and a young QB, expect Keller to be a more prominent player in the Offense. Look for him in the later rounds and he could be a nice TE1 sleeper.

10. Zach Miller – Oakland Raiders – Projection: 62 Receptions 800 Yards 4 TD

If he didn’t play for Oakland, Miller might be in the top seven. However, he plays with an inexperienced QB behind a bad pass blocking O-Line. He had a great season despite those things, catching 56 balls for 778 yards, but only one touchdown.

If his QB can develop, he could breakout this year. You could grab him in the later rounds and may get TE1 numbers out of him.

11. John Carlson – Seattle Seahawks – Projection: 55 Receptions 625 Yards 5 TD

Carlson had a good rookie year, but I don’t expect much of a rise this year. Not because he doesn’t have talent because he definitely does, but because they signed TJ Houshmandzadeh and have Nate Burleson and Deion Branch back from injury.

Seattle may play more three wide receiver sets and Carlson’s numbers will suffer because of that. However, he will be a red zone target, so watch for him in the later rounds.

12. Jeremy Shockey – New Orleans Saints – Projection: 60 Receptions 625 Yards 4 TD

This is a bold statement, but I think Shockey is due for a bounce back year. He was poised to breakout last year, until he had issues with an ankle injury, a sports hernia, and QB Drew Brees.

Now, he appears to be fully healed and on the same page with his QB and still has the talent to improve in his 0 TD bust of 2008. He will last until the later rounds, so he could be a serious sleeper if you grab him and hope that he bounces back, but make sure to grab another decent TE, just in case.

13. Kevin Boss – New York Giants – Projection: 50 Receptions 525 Yards 6 TD

Boss was decent in his first full year as a full time player in the Offense. He was almost completely unused in the first six games, catching six passes for 84 yards and one touchdown, but picked it up after that, catching 27 balls for 300 yards and five touchdowns.

This year, the Giants drafted another TE, but Boss is till expected to be the No. 1 guy and should improve on his receiving totals. He will last until the later rounds, so you can feel free to draft him and expect borderline TE1/TE2 numbers.

14. Heath Miller – Pittsburgh Steelers – Projection: 55 Receptions 505 Yards 4 TD

Miller was considered a bust last year. He only caught 48 balls for 514 yards and just three touchdowns after catching seven in 2007.

Now, he did miss two games and was used more for blocking last year, but he should bounce back this year if the O-Line can keep Big Ben on his feet. Miller will last until the later rounds and will give you TE1/TE2 numbers.

15. Tony Scheffler – Denver Broncos – Projection: 45 Receptions 525 Yards 4 TD

Scheffler has all sorts of problems in Denver right now. A new Head Coach who utilizes Tight Ends as blockers more than receivers, a rumor that he is on the trading block due to not fitting into the system, having two better blocking Tight Ends on the roster, and an injury history.

However, there is another rumor saying that the new Coach wants to utilize Scheffler in the passing game this year. If he can stay healthy and be utilized the right way, Scheffler could be one of the better fantasy Tight Ends, but I don’t see that happening.

Expect TE2 numbers from him and look for him in the later rounds.

There are my first projections for fantasy football. The TE position can be important to your fantasy team depending on which one you choose, so choose wisely. Any questions or concerns, email me at Derek@Sportmeisters.com.

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