Jason Witten, Tony Gonzalez Head 2009 Fantasy Football Tight End Rankings

The TE position can be a conundrum for fantasy owners. Do you draft an elite one early when you could be drafting an up-and-coming WR or RB? Do you draft one late, picking from what’s left in the scrap heap?

Some draft two, and you have to draft one, but who will that one be? Just a couple TDs and a few hundred yards separate the good from average from bad, but those couple TDs and few hundred yards could put you over the edge on any given Sunday.

After the TEs, read my QB and RB rankings!

1. Jason Witten, DAL

No QB loves his TE more than Tony Romo loves Witten. Feel the love as the sure-handed target makes an assault on the 1,000-yard mark for the second time in his career.

2. Tony Gonzalez, ATL

A change of scenery shouldn't hurt Gonzalez, who's had no problem adjusting to QBs over the years. Gonzo will look to score the ball before Michael Turner gets a chance.

3. Antonio Gates, SD

Still a touchdown machine, Gates is the top red-zone target for a QB who passed for 4,000 yards last season. As long as nagging injuries don't bring him down, Gates is golden.

4. Dallas Clark, IND

With Marvin Harrison gone, Peyton Manning will rely more on Clark in the passing game. He is extremely comfortable split out in a two point.

5. Chris Cooley, WAS

Jim Zorn's offense was kind to Cooley, as he posted career catch and yardage numbers. Expect him to multiply his one TD from last year.

6. Owen Daniels, HOU

Another tight end who benefits from his offensive scheme is Daniels, and he's another tight end who should at least double his TD production from last season (2).

7. Greg Olsen, CHI

Olsen has surpassed Desmond Clark in the Bears' passing attack, and he's looking to post Pro Bowl numbers. More of a big receiver, he should be Jay Cutler's favorite target.

8. John Carlson, SEA

Already possibly the best tight end to ever play for the Seahawks (sorry Mike Tice), Carlson is sure-handed and capitalizes in the end zone.

9. Kellen Winslow, TB

Injuries and lack of talent around him should be a concern, but there are few who do it better with the ball in their hands.

10. Zach Miller, OAK

Quietly had a very nice year in 2008 (56 catches, 778 yards), but the Raiders have struggled to give Miller the scoring opportunities he needs to be an elite TE.

11. Dustin Keller, NYJ

It took Keller a while to get adjusted to the NFL, but now he is ready to show off the athleticism that we've been hearing about.

12. Jeremy Shockey, NO

Nobody is counting on Shockey playing 16 games this year, which is why nobody is willing to make him a top 10 TE.

13. Bo Scaife, TEN

With the QB position solidified in Tennessee (for now), Scaife can comfortably meet or beat his stats from 2008.

14. Visanthe Shiancoe, MIN

A diamond in the rough last season, the Vikings have added another TD scorer (Percy Harvin), but Brett Favre has always been kind to his TEs.

15. Kevin Boss, NYG

At 6'7", Boss is a great red-zone target, and he is one of the more established receivers in the Giants' passing attack.

16. Tony Scheffler, DEN

The new scheme in Denver traditionally spreads the ball around, and a downgrade at QB downgrades Scheffler's fantasy ranking.

17. Heath Miller, PIT

Miller's solid 2008 was two games short due to an injury. If you're going to grab a TE in the final few rounds, he's a great option to target.

18. Vernon Davis, SF

Word is Davis is finally ready to contribute to the Niners offense, and we know he has the speed to break one on any play.

19. Brent Celek, PHI

With L.J. Smith out of the picture, Celek is the man in Philly, but they added to their offense in the draft (WR and RB), putting in question how much they will use the TE.

20. Anthony Fasano, MIA

Football's most accurate passer is what he is because he uses his tight end.

21. Brandon Pettigrew, DET

Slighted a bit in the draft, we will see if Pettigrew plays with a chip on his shoulder for a Lions team who needs his presence.

22. Marcedes Lewis, JAX

The Jags look to mount a better passing attack in 2008, and Lewis is the biggest target they've got. Will he get with the program or continue to be a disappointment?

23. Donald Lee, GB

The Packers like to throw, but they don't target their TE much. Lee will score here and there, but don't expect consistency.

24. Brad Cottam, KC

With Gonzo gone, Cottam will get a chance to show what he can do. Unfortunately the new offense in KC doesn't call for a Gonzalez-type TE.

25. Randy McMichael, STL

After Donnie Avery's injury, McMichael becomes the top receiver in the Rams offense—bad for Rams fans, possibly good for fantasy owners.

26. Chase Coffman, CIN

With Robert Royal's injury, the TE position race for a lot easier for Coffman in Cincy.

27. Martellus Bennett, DAL

The former Hard Knocks star always looks good when he gets a shot. Expect the Cowboys to use Bennett in a variety of roles.

28. Jermichael Finley, GB

The pass-catching TE of the future for Green Bay, Finley is still developing, but when he's ready, he will get the looks.

29. Chris Baker, NE

As deep a sleeper as they come, Baker is working to become a favorite red zone option of Tom Brady.

30. Benjamin Watson, NE

Sharing time at the TE spot, Watson is reliable for the Pats but not for any fantasy team.

31. Shawn Nelson, BUF

The rookie has all of the physical tools, and the Bills are going to be passing the ball more, but we are still unsure as to where he fits in the equation.

32. Todd Heap, BAL

Once an elite fantasy TE, I still like Heap over Smith as long as he can stay on the field.

33. Leonard Pope, ARI

A giant of sorts, the Cards don't highlight a TE in their passing attack, but Pope always gets a look or two.

34. L.J. Smith, BAL

One of the most disappointing receiving TEs in NFL history.

35. David Martin, MIA

Like Fasano, Martin is a friend of Pennington's, but the Dolphins will be moving the ball in a variety of ways this year.

36. James Casey, HOU

The Texans offense can highlight more than one TE, especially when that TE can play Wildcat QB. Casey could run for, pass for, and catch a TD this season.

37. Jared Cook, TEN

The Titans may not pass enough for Cook and Scaife to both be fantasy relevant, but he is a name worth holding onto.

38. Billy Miller, NO

The second Shockey goes down, Miller is a top-20 fantasy TE.

39. Daniel Graham, DEN

Good for a few TDs a year, Graham is great in play action looks.

40. Travis Beckum, NYG

He hasn't played a game in about a year, but it didn't stop the Giants from drafting the potential game breaker.

Rankings: QB and RB

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