By Chris Wesseling
Rotoworld.com
Dynasty Ranks: Tight Ends
The important factor to keep in mind about dynasty league tight ends is that they develop as slowly as quarterbacks only to suffer the shelf-life of running backs. A rookie tight end offering startable production is just as rare as an over-thirty tight end remaining a true difference-maker. There are exceptions, of course, such as Shannon Sharpe and Tony Gonzalez. But even going back to Hall of Fame talents like Marion Motley, Mike Ditka, Kellen Winslow, and Ozzie Newsome, aging mows them down much earlier than most positions.
TIER ONE
1. Antonio Gates SD 28 - When healthy, he's been a tier unto himself among tight ends. Chargers offense could have a tough time working out the cobwebs early with so many key components returning from injury.
2. Kellen Winslow II CLE 25 - Similar to Frank Gore in that many believe he will age quickly due to the seriousness of past leg injuries, but that's mere speculation for now and he's producing like a stud.
3. Jason Witten DAL 26 - A great bet to stay heavily involved in the offense, if not quite as impressively as in '07.
TIER TWO
4. Chris Cooley WAS 26 - How will he produce in the West Coast offense with a new head coach? He's a terrific red zone weapon, and a consistent bet for 65-70 receptions and 750 yards.
5. Todd Heap BAL 28 - One of the best buy-lows of the off-season at any position; even with putrid QB play, Heap has been a difference maker when healthy.
6. Vernon Davis SF 24 - Kept up statistically with guys like Heath Miller & Jeremy Shockey over the second half of '07 and offers much more upside.
7. Dallas Clark IND 29 - Long-term contract offers very good dynasty value in Colts offense; will he be used as heavily as he was last season, or was that a one-year aberration?
8. Tony Gonzalez KC 32 - Hasn't slowed down yet, but turns 33 during the season and has major QB issues.
9. Tony Scheffler DEN 25 - Young, athletic Heap clone benefits from an obvious rapport with Cutler and stands to build on outstanding second half numbers.
TIER THREE
10. Jeremy Shockey NYG 28 - Could be seen as a very good buy-low as flavor of the month Kevin Boss isn't nearly as talented, but there's a definite injury factor here.
11. Heath Miller PIT 25 - Great red zone option and very good in the open field, but he just doesn't see consistent enough targets to move to the next level.
12. Ben Watson NE 27 - Running out of time to make good on that tremendous promise. Very good big-play ability, and a nice red zone target, but his poor hands often leave him without the trust of his QB.
13. Owen Daniels HOU 25 - A major component of the Texans passing attack, but he needs to be more involved in the red zone game plan.
14. Greg Olsen CHI 23 - Showed promise on that 1st round talent, but he worked much better with Griese and Desmond Clark re-signed to bleed value from Olsen.
TIER FOUR
15. Zach Miller OAK 22 - One of the few bright spots in the Raiders offense, he had rookie teammate JaMarcus Russell's attention when the two of them played together in Weeks 16 & 17.
16. Donald Lee GB 28 - 2007 is flashing "career year" in bright neon lights, especially with Rodgers taking over for Favre.
17. Alge Crumpler TEN 30- At age 30 becomes the safety valve for another subpar passer, but he was always able to take that and make it valuable with Vick.
18. L.J. Smith PHI 28 - Could bounce back in '08, but not much security here if he doesn't sign a long-term deal with the Eagles.
19. Marcedes Lewis JAX 24 - Not heavily involved in the Jags offense, but expecting steady, continued improvement isn't unreasonable.
TIER FIVE
20. Ben Troupe TB 26 - Buccaneers hoping he pushes Alex Smith to the sidelines more often; Troupe has had some obvious issues over the past couple of seasons, but the upside is there if he can put it all together.
21. Alex Smith TB 26 - Talented but always left his NFL team and his fantasy owners wanting more; now in a dogfight with Troupe for his job.
22. Leonard Pope ARI 25 - Fantastic red zone weapon at 6'7", but he's just not used enough between the twenties.
23. Jeff King CAR 24 - Worth more in PPR leagues, but not dynamic or well-rounded enough to do much more than he did in '07.
24. Randy McMichael STL 29 - McMichael had only five of 16 games last season with more than two receptions; not enough TDs or targets in the Rams offense.
25. Ben Utecht CIN 27 - TE2 possibility as easily the best receiving tight end of the Carson Palmer/Marvin Lewis era Bengals. Some are expecting him to be used as Palmer's version of Dallas Clark, but he's not that talented and the Bengals don't use their tight ends as much as the Colts do.
26. Chris Baker NYJ 28 - Seems like he could put up better numbers if the Jets would concentrate on getting him the ball more often, but he hasn't exactly been a difference-maker.
27. Desmond Clark CHI 31 - Still putting up interesting numbers, but he's already 31-years-old with Olsen hot on his heels for the starting job while siphoning production in the meantime.
TIER SIX
28. David Thomas NE 25 - Nice sleeper stash if Watson's hands continue to leave doubts about his game.
29. Kevin Boss NYG 24 - Shockey's eventual replacement, but it's not likely to happen any time soon.
30. Anthony Fasano DAL 24 - Needs a Witten injury or the onset of free agency before he accrues real value.
31. Bo Scaife TEN 27 - Never had much of a ceiling and now blocked by Crumpler.
32. Eric Johnson NO 29 - Slowly weeded out of the offense last season, but brought back again.
33. Joe Klopfenstein STL 24 - McMichael's caddy for now.
34. Daniel Graham DEN 29 - He blocks while Scheffler catches passes.
35. Martrez Milner ATL 24 - Crumpler's replacement is the new receiving tight end in Atlanta.
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