Power Ranking Every Tight End Depth Chart Entering the 2012 NFL Preseason

Tight ends have become essential weapons in the modern NFL offense. An influx of versatile athletes at the position has prompted an increased use of multiple tight end sets.

Coordinators are now more willing to sacrifice a running back or wide receiver in favour of a tight end who can pose a host of matchup problems to a defense. Last season, the New England Patriots, New Orleans Saints and San Francisco 49ers all made the playoffs with pass attacks led by tight ends.

Many teams across the NFL will be hoping to emulate this model during the 2012 campaign. Here is a list power ranking every tight end depth chart in the league, prior to the preseason.

32. Oakland Raiders

Perhaps no position on the Oakland Raiders' roster is as uncertain as tight end. The Raiders are commencing their preparations for a new era, with a cast of unproven and inexperienced tight ends.

Tory Humphrey signed from the New Orleans Saints during the offseason, but the five-year pro has made only nine starts and caught a mere 13 passes in his career. Brandon Myers returns after an uninspiring 2011, and youngsters David Ausberry, Kyle Efaw and Richard Gordon round out a group that is unlikely to strike fear in opposing defenses.

31. Chicago Bears

Such a low ranking for the Chicago Bears' tight ends can be explained by how little they feature in the passing scheme and the poor play of the offensive line.

It's not that Matt Spaeth and Kellen Davis are bad players, although neither are particularly proficient receivers. However, given the Bears' troubles protecting the passer, the tight ends are often forced to help with blocking.

Fourth-round draft pick Evan Rodriguez has a chance to boost the unit's production, but until the Bears get better in protection, Spaeth and company could find many of their talents wasted.

30. St. Louis Rams

Youngster Lance Kendricks has potential, but aside from him, the St. Louis Rams don't have a lot of credible options at tight end.

Michael Hoomanawanui has struggled to shake the injury bug, while new signing Brody Eldridge is facing a four-game suspension for substance abuse. The Rams have numbers at tight end, but it seems unlikely that youthful trio Jamie Childers, Cory Harkey and DeAngelo Peterson will all survive preseason cuts.

Matthew Mulligan arrived from the New York Jets in free agency, but his best use to the offense will likely be as a blocker. He is familiar with new coordinator Brian Schottenheimer's schemes, so he has a good chance of making the final roster.

29. New York Giants

The defending Super Bowl champions will be relying on former Dallas Cowboy Martellus Bennett to fill the rather sizable void left by the departed Jake Ballard.

Bennett has the skills, but his temperament has consistently let him down at the pro level. The New York Giants need him to finally put it all together, with Travis Beckum coming back from the ACL injury he suffered in the Super Bowl.

Big Blue will also be hoping that fourth-round draft choice Adrien Robinson can translate his raw athleticism to the NFL. Bear Pascoe is still around, but the 26-year-old remains strictly a blocker.

Eli Manning could make Bennett better, but Giants fans shouldn't kid themselves; there's no Mark Bavaro or Jeremy Shockey on this roster.

28. Arizona Cardinals

Despite the presence of accomplished veteran Todd Heap, the Arizona Cardinals' tight end depth chart is far from impressive. One of the chief problems is how little they feature in the offense.

Heap appeared in only four games in 2011 and it remains to be seen just how much the 12-year-veteran has left. Sadly for the Cardinals, they only have a collection of one-dimensional blockers behind Heap.

Jeff King heads that group, with youngsters Jim Dray, Rob Housler, Steve Skelton and Martell Webb all needing a good preseason to stay on the roster.

27. Minnesota Vikings

The strength of the Minnesota Vikings' tight end depth chart depends on the potential of Kyle Rudolph and the return to health of brittle veteran John Carlson.

Rudolph caught 26 passes and scored three touchdowns during his rookie season. The Vikings will be hoping he can offer more of a downfield threat this term. 

If he can't, then maybe Carlson can, provided he returns to his form of 2008 and 2009. The 28-year-old missed the 2011 season through injury, but has always been a dependable underneath and red-zone target.

Allen Reisner and Mickey Shuler are unlikely to provide strong competition, so the Vikings need Rudolph and Carlson to quickly form a useful double act.

26. Cleveland Browns

The Cleveland Browns have plenty of options at tight end and need someone to emerge as the unit's main playmaker.

Benjamin Watson could be that player, provided he can stay healthy. Evan Moore has shown promise as a downfield target, and Alex Smith has the attributes to operate from the slot.

Second-year pro Jordan Cameron will be hoping to rebound from a forgettable rookie campaign and push for playing time. However, as much potential as there is here, the Browns need the picture to become a littler clearer in time for preseason.

25. Indianapolis Colts

Potential is also the key word when it comes to the Indianapolis Colts' tight end rotation. Second and third-round draft picks Coby Fleener and Dwayne Allen could become key weapons in a new-look offense led by top pick Andrew Luck.

Fleener was Luck's favourite target at the collegiate level and is dynamic enough to stretch the field from the slot. Allen is more of an in-line, intermediate target but could prove just as valuable.

However, until they have played a pro down, it's difficult to rate the group any higher. The only depth comes in the form of three other unproven and less touted youngsters, Dominique Jones, Kyle Miller and Andre Smith.

24. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will be hoping Dallas Clark can emulate the form that made him so dangerous for many years with the Indianapolis Colts.

Of course, that was with Peyton Manning throwing the passes. This time Clark will be relying on Josh Freeman, and the 33-year-old won't get much help from the other tight ends on the Bucs' roster.

Clark has missed 15 games in the past two seasons, and behind him there is only a clutch of unproven youngsters. However, when healthy, Clark is still a capable weapon in any pass offense.

23. Carolina Panthers

The Carolina Panthers tight end depth chart will miss Jeremy Shockey, but the presence of Greg Olsen still keeps them strong at the position.

He caught 45 passes and scored five touchdowns in 2011, while quickly becoming an invaluable outlet for quarterback Cam Newton. Ben Hartsock handles the blocking duties but won't offer the receiving complement that Shockey did.

22. Miami Dolphins

Anthony Fasano is a talented playmaker, but the Miami Dolphins will need rookie Michael Egnew to make a quick pro transition and provide strong depth.

The Dolphins only have little-used youngsters Jeron Mastrud and Will Yeatman in reserve, along with another rookie, Les Brown. Egnew has the skill set to be a useful addition to new head coach Joe Philbin's West Coast schemes.

However, Fasano could face a difficult transition, after spending most of his career in the Perkins-Erhardt system, implemented by Bill Parcells.

21. Buffalo Bills

Buffalo Bills tight end Scott Chandler is one of the NFL's more underrated players at his position. The 6'7", 260-pounder has the dual-purpose skills all good tight ends should possess.

An outstanding red-zone target, Chandler hauled in six touchdowns in 2011 and is a punishing, in-line blocker. Fendi Onobun remains on the roster, and he should take away some of Chandler's blocking duties this season, freeing him up to do even more damage as a receiver.

20. Seattle Seahwaks

The Seattle Seahawks have the makings of a very productive tight end unit this season. The issue will be who is throwing the passes to the likes of Zach Miller and Kellen Winslow.

Cameron Morrah has struggled since being drafted in 2009, so the Seahawks need Miller and Winslow to lead the way. Winslow has the talent to be the featured weapon for any offense, but concerns about his attitude and durability persist.

Miller is not likely to frighten defenses, but he is a capable target, who must rebound from a disappointing 2011 campaign.

19. Washington Redskins

Talent-wise, the Washington Redskins should probably be ranked higher than 19. However, there are just too many questions surrounding their tight ends heading into preseason.

Can Fred Davis stay out of trouble and avoid another league suspension? Will veteran Chris Cooley return to full fitness, or will his hefty salary make him a high-profile cap casualty? Can converted wide receiver Niles Paul make a successful transition to tight end?

If Davis behaves, then he is the key. The 26-year-old is a legitimate big play threat and has the ability to post monster numbers.

18. New York Jets

The New York Jets have a reliable weapon in tight end Dustin Keller, but the rest of the depth chart is pretty bare. Keller has been the favourite target of Mark Sanchez for the last three seasons but is not as dynamic as he should be.

In fairness to Keller, defenses know to key on him, particularly on third downl and have found ways to limit him to short gains. Youngster Hayden Smith will fight for playing time in preseason, and Jeff Cumberland gives the team a natural blocker.

17. Tennessee Titans

The Tennessee Titans' tight end depth chart would look a lot better if Jared Cook was the clear leader. The Titans should feature Cook more often, as the 25-year-old offers genuine stretch-the-field ability.

Craig Stevens is a better blocker and runs some nice routes underneath, but Cook will provide more big plays. Youngsters Brandon Barden, Cameron Graham and Taylor Thompson will compete to round out a unit that could surprise many this season.

16. Houston Texans

The Houston Texans lost a valuable part of their tight end depth chart when Joel Dreessen signed with the Denver Broncos in free agency, Fortunately, Owen Daniels is still around, but he no longer has capable reserves to spell him.

Daniels is a key part of the Texans' offense, thanks to his ability to work the underneath zones while Andre Johnson challenges defenses deep. Head coach Gary Kubiak plans to add utility player James Casey to the tight end mix, according to NFL.com.

Garrett Graham will also hope to force his way into contention, but Daniels will determine the unit's success this season.

15. Kansas City Chiefs

The Kansas City Chiefs need Tony Moeaki to make a successful recovery from the serious knee injury that wiped out his 2011 season.

If Moeaki can emulate his rookie season, the Chiefs are well-stocked with a true playmaker at tight end. However, that's a big if, and that's probably why the Chiefs signed Kevin Boss in free agency to provide insurance.

Boss is more of a blocker, as is Jake O'Connell, so the Chiefs will have to rely on Moeaki to provide a credible receiving threat.

14. Atlanta Falcons

If this ranking dealt only with starters, the Atlanta Falcons would be a lot higher than No. 14, thanks to the continued brilliance of Tony Gonzalez.

The aging master is still one of the best tight ends in the game and shows no sign of slowing down. The problem is the Falcons have little else behind Gonzalez.

Unknowns LaMark Brown, Tommy Gallarda, Adam Nissley, Michael Palmer and Aron White will all vie to be the chief reserve to Gonzalez.

13. Pittsburgh Steelers

The Pittsburgh Steelers tend to use their tight ends more for blocking, and that's unlikely to change with Todd Haley taking control of the offense.

David Johnson is an excellent supplemental blocker, and former Kansas City Chief Leonard Pope performed a similar role for Haley. Heath Miller remains the clear-cut starter, and although he isn't asked to do much receiving, he is a more-than-capable target.

Jamie McCoy, David Paulson and Weslye Saunders face a challenge to make the roster and be a factor in the offense.

12. Dallas Cowboys

Veteran Jason Witten is one of the best tight ends in the NFL and remains a favourite target for Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo. The question is, can the Cowboys find someone capable of sharing the load with the 10-year veteran?

John Phillips is strictly a blocker, so the pressure will be on sixth-round pick James Hanna to prove he can emerge as the heir apparent. The ex-Oklahoma star is quick off the line and has decent hands, and the Cowboys need him to quickly become a complement to Witten.

11. Jacksonville Jaguars

Marcedes Lewis is the complete tight end, equally adept as a blocker and receiver, on both underneath and vertical routes. His presence alone gives the Jacksonville Jaguars one of the most impressive tight end depth charts in the NFL.

It also helps that the Jags can rely on Zach Miller and Zach Potter to back up Lewis. Miller is an above-average in-line blocker, while Potter offers a big target at 6'7" and 265 pounds.

10. Philadelphia Eagles

The Philadelphia Eagles have one of the better tight ends in football in the underrated Brent Celek. The 27-year-old is a prolific target over the middle and is coming off a season where he exceeded 800 receiving yards.

Clay Harbor is a promising young reserve with the potential to play a bigger role in the offense. Both Celek and Harbor fit the Eagles' mould for a tight end.

In the 240-50 pound range, they are both sure-handed, athletic receivers, capable of making plays in traffic and are ideal fits for the West Coast schemes preferred by head coach Andy Reid.

9. Detroit Lions

Brandon Pettigrew is the best player on the Detroit Lions' tight end depth chart, but he is also backed up by dependable veterans Will Heller and Tony Scheffler.

Pettigrew offers the speed to stretch the field that contradicts his 6'5", 265-pound frame. Excellent hands and an ability to run over defenders in the open field make Pettigrew impossible for defenses to ignore.

Scheffler gives the Lions another capable receiving outlet, while Heller is a good short-yardage blocker. With that level of competition, it's unlikely youngsters Alex Gottlieb, Nathan Overbay and Austin Wells make the final depth chart.

8. Denver Broncos

The Denver Broncos did a great job of providing Peyton Manning with useful targets when they added tight ends Joel Dreessen and Jacob Tamme in free agency.

Tamme had a good rapport with Manning as a member of the Indianapolis Colts in 2010. He's quick and sure-handed and the kind of safety valve Manning loves to exploit.

Dreessen is a tight end with wide receiver skills, and he could emerge as a dangerous weapon in a Manning-led passing game. The Broncos are counting on this duo to terrorise defenses this season, according to NFL.com.

Virgil Green, Cornelius Ingram, Anthony Miller and Julius Thomas round out a crowded position group that is sure to get less crowded as preseason progresses.

7. Baltimore Ravens

The Baltimore Ravens can rely on a pair of young playmakers at the tight end position. Ed Dickson and Dennis Pitta have become an important part of coordinator Cam Cameron's offense.

Both are key targets for quarterback Joe Flacco, and while Dickson has greater downfield potential, Pitta is still a capable shorter-range receiver. Dickson hauled in 54 receptions in 2011, and Pitta chipped in with a further 40.

The duo combined for eight touchdowns and should continue to put up impressive numbers this season. Davon Drew and Bruce Figgins have the size to be the blocker the Ravens need to complete their rotation.

Cincinnati Bengals

Jermaine Gresham gives the Cincinnati Bengals one of the league's best young playmakers at the tight end position. He is joined by crafty veteran Donald Lee and exciting rookie Orson Charles.

Gresham is the star of the group, after catching six touchdown passes and amassing 596 receiving yards in 2011. He is a dynamic receiver, with the size, speed and strength to cause matchup issues for any defense.

Lee is a dependable rotation player who is well-versed in the West Coast schemes favoured by coordinator Jay Gruden. Charles is an outstanding athlete with the potential to add a true big-play element to the group.

4. San Diego Chargers

Persistent injuries may have slowed Antonio Gates, but the 10-year veteran still offers a vertical threat few tight ends can match. He is also still one of the most prolific red-zone targets in the NFL, having scored 33 touchdowns in the last four seasons.

The really scary thought is that the Chargers may have found Gates' natural successor in fourth-round draft pick Ladarius Green. The former Louisiana-Lafayette star possesses a similar frame to Gates and offers the same kind of athleticism and ability to leap above defenders and secure a catch.

Randy McMichael is a solid deputy behind two such explosive options. He still has good hands and is certainly the team's most polished blocker at the position.

If it weren't for Gates' age and Green being unproven at the pro level, the Chargers' tight ends would be ranked even higher.

4. Green Bay Packers

Jermichael Finley combines the prototype size for a tight end with the skill set of a wide receiver. If he could only fix that pesky drops problem, then the Green Bay Packers star would challenge the likes of Vernon Davis, Jimmy Graham and Rob Gronkowski for the right to be called the NFL's best tight end.

Still only 25, Finley is one of the most dangerous receiving tight ends to emerge in years. A legitimate deep threat at the position, he can attack the seams vertically better than anyone.

Staying healthy and keeping his concentration are the keys to an outstanding 2012 season for Finley. If he falters, the Packers can always turn to the underrated Andrew Quarless.

Even though he appeared in only 10 games in 2011, Quarless has the size and quickness to be very productive across the middle. Tom Crabtree rounds out a capable and versatile trio.

Brandon Bostick, Eric Lair and D.J. Williams all face a major challenge just to make it through preseason and remain on the depth chart.

3. San Francisco 49ers

The San Francisco 49ers just edged the Green Bay Packers in this ranking, thanks to the continued improvement made by Vernon Davis and the ability of backup Delanie Walker.

Davis became the key component in the 49ers passing game during 2011. He has the size to overpower any defensive back and the takeoff speed to beat any linebacker.

Davis has come close to reaching 1,000 receiving yards in two of the last three seasons and remains the most effective playmaker for the San Francisco offense. It also doesn't hurt to be supported by a backup who could start on many other teams.

Delanie Walker is a sure-handed receiver who can be utilised from a variety of positions. He is quick after the catch and also useful near the goal line.

Even though they added a trio of wide receivers via fee agency and the draft, the 49ers will still rely on their tight ends to make the passing game click in 2012.

2. New Orleans Saints

Having Jimmy Graham as a weapon in the passing game is like having Randy Moss play tight end. The 25-year-old brings those kind of physical skills to the position.

At 6'7", Graham is an ideal target for a jump ball. His 265-pound frame also enables him to flatten defenders in the open field.

If that wasn't enough, Graham has the kind of dynamic speed tight ends simply aren't supposed to possess. His stats in 2011 redefined the expectations for the position.

Graham made 99 receptions for 1,310 yards and found the end zone 11 times. On the rare occasions Graham is covered, or needs resting, David Thomas is a dependable alternative.

The seven-year pro is a smart underneath route-runner who rarely drops a pass. However, it's Graham's talent that guarantees the Saints second place in this particular ranking.

1. New England Patriots

Terrific tandem Aaron Hernandez and Rob Gronkowski would have been enough to guarantee the New England Patriots a spot near the very top of this list. However, their offseason efforts have ensured that Bill Belichick's team has the strongest tight end depth chart in the NFL.

They added Jake Ballard, Daniel Fells and Visanthe Shiancoe to an offense that promises to be even more potent this season. Fells is an excellent blocker, and Ballard proved himself to be a more-than-capable receiver as a member of the New York Giants in 2011. Shiancoe is the kind of tight end who poses problems from the slot.

Then there are Gronkowski and Hernandez, the duo who have helped change the way offenses use tight ends. Not many defenses have found a way to handle Gronkowski. His size, excellent hands and precise route running create mismatches for any unit.

As much as the New York Giants have the Patriots' number, there's no doubt Big Blue caught a huge break when Gronkowki entered Super Bowl 46 carrying an injury. With defenses sure to pay more attention to Gronkowski this season, Hernandez could be an even bigger factor.

He possesses superior speed to excel as a larger slot receiver. His quickness and agility commits defenses to assigning a secondary player to cover him.

With Hernandez and Gronkowski featured in the passing game, the Patriots will remain among the league's highest scorers, while other teams try to emulate their multiple tight end offense.