NFL Power Rankings: 7 Best Tight Ends in the NFL

When you talk about great football players and team leaders, you often don't think of the tight end.

However, this is a very key position in football. Tight ends are men that can block for their quarterbacks and running backs, as well as catch a few passes.

In the past, Shannon Sharpe and Kellen Winslow have been great definitions of what tight ends can be. 

Today, there are certainly more good tight ends than in past years. These are the seven best of 2011.

7. Jermaine Gresham, Cincinnati Bengals

The reason Gresham makes the list is the fact that he's going to be one of the primary targets for Andy Dalton (or Bruce Gradkowski). 

Gresham had a couple injury problems in 2010 (his rookie season), but he managed to catch four touchdowns.

In 2011, he's come out of the gate hot, catching the ball six times and grabbing a touchdown.

In addition to being a quick and powerful receiver, Gresham is a big man who can block for Cedric Benson and Bernard Scott. He adds a little size and talent to a line that is going to struggle all season.

In a couple years, there are definitely possibilities for Jermaine Gresham to be a top-five tight end.

6. Owen Daniels, Houston Texans

Daniels has certainly showed a lot of potential as a Houston Texan. With Schaub throwing the football, he will have plenty of opportunities to catch the ball, assuming he can stay on the field.

Andre Johnson is the clear No. 1 receiver, but there's really no established No. 2. That is where Owen Daniels comes in.

Obviously, at 250 pounds, he can block. He will always be effective on the line blocking for one of Houston's three running backs.

His value comes as a receiver, though. In 2008, Daniels accumulated over 860 yards and has twice caught five touchdowns. He's poised to have a very good 2011 campaign, especially with the recent injury to receiver Kevin Walter.

It's a make or break year for Daniels. While he's had a decent career as a tight end, he's always been on the verge of being in the top five. This season, we could see seven or eight touchdowns from him.

5. Tony Gonzalez, Atlanta Falcons

There's no doubt that Tony Gonzalez's career has been one to remember. He's a sure-fire Hall of Famer in the future.

For now, Gonzalez has lost his touch a bit. After 15 years and at 35 years old, he's not as effective.

Don't mistake that for him being mediocre though. Gonzalez gives the young Matt Ryan an experienced target in the field.

He has always been a decent blocker but not a great one. Being so agile as a receiver has led him to not be a great blocker since he's often going out for a pass anyway.

While Gonzalez is still going to be effective in 2011, he's no longer the top tight end talent.

4. Dallas Clark, Indianapolis Colts

The biggest issue that Clark could wind up having is the fact that he's got no Peyton Manning. He will have to settle for Kerry Collins right now.

Clark spent most of 2010 injured, so it was a down year. However, Clark caught 10 touchdowns in 2009 and 11 in 2007. He can be successful if his quarterback is effective.

He's also proved himself to be very powerful, so blocking for Joseph Addai and Donald Brown will be no problem for him. He can clear a field like any lineman in the game.

Still, Clark can catch double-digit touchdowns in any season. With Kerry Collins? It's iffy.

3. Jason Witten, Dallas Cowboys

Witten is one of the tight ends in football that can pass as a receiver. He's amassed over 1,000 yards in three of the past four seasons.

Last season, he caught nine touchdowns.

Witten doesn't have any issue blocking, and is probably the best blocker on this list. Just ask Felix Jones, Marion Barber or Tashard Choice about that. Barber, in particular, ran effectively behind a line with Witten on it for years.

Despite that, Witten is viewed mainly as another receiver in Dallas. He is a great complement to Dez Bryant and Miles Austin for Tony Romo to throw to. He will catch 10 touchdowns in 2011.

2. Jermichael Finley, Green Bay Packers

Finley is back after missing most of 2010 due to injury. His effectiveness in the field cannot be denied.

Though Rodgers has Greg Jennings, Donald Driver, James Jones and Jordy Nelson to spread the ball to, Finley is basically the second receiver.

Finley has some of the best hands in football, having only fumbled the ball once in four seasons. Plus, he will not be dropping many passes. Overall, having good hands and tremendous speed makes him a perfect receiver.

As for blocking, he's so-so. Green Bay is a passing team, though, so how well he blocks isn't all that important while Rodgers is at the helm.

1. Antonio Gates, San Diego Chargers

Did you really expect anyone else?

What is there to say about Gates that hasn't been said already? Vincent Jackson and Malcom Floyd are great receivers, but Gates is Phil Rivers' go-to guy. 

He's accumulated 10-plus touchdowns three times in his incredible career and got off to a great 2011 start with eight catches on Sunday.

Antonio Gates is going to have yet another top-notch season.