2009 Fantasy Football TE Rankings – A Double Take

Greg Olsen - Value Pick?

Updated Top 25 Tight End Rankings – Standard League

The tight end position is an enigma for fantasy football owners because even the best tight end is generally no more fantasy relevant than your WR3. As noted in my IDP article, Jason Witten who was last years best TE in a PPR league, scored just less than  linebacker Patrick Willis, yet you will still see owners reaching for those elite TEs too early in the draft. That said, the goal is always to aim for the top scorers at every position. The trick is getting value for your selection. There are pretty much three basic tiers at this position; the top five elite TEs, mid-round guys like Winslow, Cooley and Daniels, and then everyone else. If you miss any of the top eight or so, do not fear, there is good value deeper in the draft.

This ranking list is updated from our previous top 10 rankings on August 6, 2009: Read article, written by Alex Olson. I also wrote a separate article for FantasyKnuckleheads.com on my top 25 TE picks. As we get down to the last week or so of heavy drafting, my goal here is to take both our rankings and include relevant updated information from preseason performances to give you the most up-to-date and useful list. I used standard scoring for a 12 team league and ESPN’s current ADP list. The Top 5 are this year’s elite handful and an argument may be made for anyone of them to be the first pick.

= Value Pick.

1. Jason Witten, DAL ~ Last season’s best overall TE. Until proven otherwise this is his spot to hold. Terrell Owens should no longer be a distraction, and the coaches in Big D are talking a lot of tight end sets this season. Now as long as the new scoreboard doesn’t fall and crush the team… Current ADP 45, 4th round.
2. Dallas Clark, IND ~ My colleague made a strong argument for taking Clark first overall. He is a favorite target of Peyton Manning and each season he gets more and more looks from his QB. This could be a monster season for DC. Current ADP 56, 5th round.
3. Greg Olsen, CHI ~ We are all very high on Olsen this season, and the arrival of Jay Cutler only makes us salivate that much more at his potential to have a massive season. He is one to watch in drafts because he’s still not getting as much love as he should be. Current ADP 85, 7th Round.
4. Antonio Gates, SDG ~ Gates is still an elite TE. Perhaps THE elite TE, but his injury concerns have us worried. If he can stay healthy he is Philip Rivers favorite red-zone target. Current ADP 50, 4th round.
5. Tony Gonzalez, ATL ~ Tony G. is a perennial top 3 TE. His value has not diminished in terms of ability, rather the belief that in Atlanta he will see less touches and looks because the offense no longer revolves around him. Because of that he is still going too high, based on history rather than the present. Current ADP 43, 3rd round.
6. Kellen Winslow, TBB ~ K-dub didn’t make Alex’s top ten last time, but he was my 6th ranked TE, and I believe this is where he belongs. Winslow has the skill to be in the top five every season, but his career has often been derailed by injuries or stupidity. When he does play he produces. In Tampa Bay he is expected to be a key focal point of the offense. Current ADP 96, 8th round.
7. Owen Daniels, HOU ~ Daniels is a top target in the Texans high powered offense. Like Cooley below, he just needs to see a rise in his endzone production to make the leap to elite status. Current ADP 71, 6th round.
8. Chris Cooley, WAS ~ Chris is about as consistent as they come at the TE position. Expect another 80 or so receptions, and an improvement on last year’s woeful lone TD. Current ADP 76, 7th round.
9. John Carlson, SEA ~ Hassleback is back and looking healthy. Matt wasted no time getting back in the flow with two TDs in this weekend’s second preseason game. He likes to spread the ball around which may hurt Carlson, but he likes to throw a lot which bodes well for a solid season for John. Current ADP 121.5, 11th round.
10. Dustin Keller, NYJ ~ Keller had a moderately disappointing 2008, but with a full season under his belt and a new head coach, and  Keller is poised for a break-out season. Current ADP 130, 11th round.
11. Zach Miller, OAK ~ Oakland’s passing game is all kinds of messed up, but one of the few bright spots in 2008 was Miller. Expect similar production, but increased TDs. Current ADP 113.5, 10th round.
12. Kevin Boss, NYG ~ Travis Beckum is the better tight end for the Giant’s , but for now Boss is boss. I’m not as high on him as my colleagues are. He disappointed in his first full season as a starter. It’s time for the Boss to produce. Current ADP 126, 11th round.
13. 

    Favre's cousin Vinny

    Vinsanthe Shiancoe ~ Vin was almost tagged with the bust label until his breakout campaign last season. He looked like a nice late pick up this year, but Favre’s arrival have bolstered his value, but also raised owners attention level. His ADP has risen 9% since Favre’s signing. Current ADP 131, 11th round.

14. Brent Celek, PHI ~ This kid is all about upside in what is expected to be a dynamic offense. LJ Smith is gone, and Donovan McNabb loves finding his tight end. Hmm, that doesn’t sound right. Celek could be a surprise fantasy monster in ’09. Current ADP 161, 14th round.
15. Jeremy Shockey, NOS ~ Shockey has been a bust the last few season’s but he’s in an explosive offense and looking good so far this summer. His stock is on the rise again. However, he’s still going too high for my tastes. Current ADP 119, 10th round.
16. Vernon Davis, SFO ~ Davis has been all about promise since he joined the league. So far he hasn’t kept it. But with Mike Martz out of San Francisco, and the way he’s looked this summer, there is great optimism that this is the season he starts fulfilling that promise. Current ADP 147, 13th round.
17. Brandon Pettigrew, DET ~ There’s not much receiving talent left in Detroit except Calvin Johnson. That means RB Kevin Smith and rookie TE Pettigrew should see a lot of short passes, and red zone opportunities. Pettigrew was considered the best TE in this year’s draft. Current ADP 162, 14th round.
18. Tony Scheffler, DEN ~ Injuries and Cutler’s departure have diminished Scheffler’s value, but he’s making connections with new QBs Kyle Orton and Chris Simms, and the coaches love him, so he could regain his former value. Current ADP 145, 13th round.
19. Bo Scaife, TEN ~ Tennessee throws to their tight ends quite a bit and Scaife has been the primary recipient. Rookie Jared Cook is the team’s best TE option, but he’s mired behind Scaife and Alge Crumpler. But keep an eye on him in dynasty and keeper leagues. For 2009, Scaife is likely to be the most fantasy productive. Current ADP 149, 13th round.
20. Heath Miller, PIT ~ Big Ben likes to throw to Miller in the red and end zones, so he’s a nice TD magnet. However, he doesn’t get a ton of receptions or yardage. Current ADP 140, 12th round.
21. Anthony Fasano, MIA ~ Fasano was a solid target for Chad Pennington last season. He’d be ranked higher, but he doesn’t see great yardage. Like Miller above he’s mostly an endzone threat. Current ADP 150, 13th round.
22. 
    

    Cottam

    Brad Cottam, KCC ~ Tony Gonzalez has moved on and left a huge void at TE. Cottam is the guy who gets that opportunity. He should see a lot of  looks from Matt Cassell this season and could be a nice late round steal. Current ADP, undrafted.

23. Todd Heap, BAL ~ his best years are behind him, but if healthy, he is always a threat to put up numbers. Current ADP, undrafted.
24. Randy McMichael, STL ~ McMichael is perhaps a veteran sleeper this season. He missed most of 2008 to injury and has dropped off the fantasy radar, but he could surprise people in 2009. Current ADP, undrafted.
25. Ben Watson, NEP ~ Brady is looking healthy again and while he likes to spread the ball around, Watson has always received his share of looks. Current ADP, undrafted.

–Sleeper– Gary Barnidge, CAR ~ He’s sewn up the starting TE position and has looked great in camp.

–Bust– Donald Lee, GBP ~ If you can’t produce in a strong offense with Aaron Rodgers throwing you the ball, it’s time to play badminton.