Over the last several years the number of athletic and speedy tight ends has risen. But despite their rising importance in offensive schemes, the run for quality tight ends won't begin until the middle rounds when guys such as Todd Heap, Tony Gonzalez and Kellen Winslow all disappear off the board. Meanwhile, the unquestionable number one, Antonio Gates, will likely get picked up sometime earlier — think the late second or early third-round. After securing their starters, most players tend to ignore possible backups until the end of the draft, instead opting to bolster their lineups with wide receivers and extra running backs. Tight end is a tough position to gauge in terms of fantasy importance, but if properly utilized, fantasy owners can maximize the potential from the position. UPDATE! is here to ensure you don't get stuck with guys who routinely flat line the week after posting some serious numbers. Here are our picks:




San Diego Chargers
Comment: Antonio Gates was the best tight end in football last season and he will be this season. His numbers dropped off a bit after a spectacular 2005, but it doesn't matter. Gates will catch for over 900 yards and put up similar TD totals (9) as last season. Besides, with LaDainian Tomlinson and Philip Rivers, the Chargers have one of the top-five offenses in the league. Expect Gates to be the first tight end off the board — probably somewhere in the third-round.

Baltimore Ravens
Comment: On a sharp Baltimore Ravens team, Heap provided consistent play and explosiveness all season long. He has collected over 70 catches in each of his last two seasons, and fantasy owners can expect this to continue. The Ravens might look to feature their wide receivers more at the start of the season, but it won't make much difference. He is still the second best tight end out there. Heap's is an attractive choice for quarterback Steve McNair out in the field and should duplicate last season's numbers.

Kansas City Chiefs
Comment: Over the past ten seasons Gonzalez has earned a reputation as the most reliable TE in the NFL. He has caught for over 800 yards seven times and earned double-digit TD totals twice throughout his career. And while he may be on the decline, there is no reason to expect Gonzalez won't have another 900-yard, six-TD season. Throughout his career Gonzalez has been rock solid in Kansas, never playing fewer than 15 games. Fantasy owners can pencil in Gonzalez without worry — he will deliver.

Cleveland Browns
Comment: In his sophomore season Kellen Winslow had 89 receptions, 875 yards and three TDs. However, his big question mark is his durability. Winslow underwent microfracture knee surgery in the off-season, which will probably limit his presence on the field during training camp. Keep an eye on Winslow, though. If he's healthy, he's one to grab. Another 800-plus yard, multiple TD season is not out of reach if Winslow can stay off the sidelines.

Atlanta Falcons
Comment: The Atlanta Falcons had a busy off-season, adding new coach Bobby Petrino along with wide receiver Joe Horn and running back Warrick Dunn. Petrino favors a high percentage, agressive style of play, which should benefit the entire offense. Plus, Horn's presence will take away some of the pressure. Crumpler led his team in nearly every passing category last season and was the second best tight end after Antonio Gates. But with so many new additions his eight TDs will probably see some reduction. He should be good for another 700-plus yard season though.

New York Giants
Comment: Shockey has bulked up to an all-time high 265 pounds for this season. With Tiki Barber gone, he's going to need that added weight to offset the increased attention from defenders. With a young and unproven running back, the Giants will focus primarily on their passing game and Shockey should be the main beneficiary. Although his total yards were down last season, he still caught seven touchdown passes and the fifth-most receptions at his position. Expect more of the same from Shockey; he is a legitimate Top-10 fantasy tight end.

Washington Redskins
Comment: Now entering his fourth season with the Redskins, Chris Cooley has been an important part of an offense that includes Santana Moss, Clinton Portis and Jason Campbell. Cooley showed his worth late in the season as he caught four or more receptions in five of his final seven starts. This type of production will likely carry over into 2007, despite the Redskins tough schedule of nine games against playoff teams. Still, Cooley should be good for 700-plus yards and five TDs.

New England Patriots
Comment: The Patriots made the most of the off-season, adding Donte' Stallworth and Randy Moss to an already talented receiving corps. With depth out in the field and Tom Brady throwing the ball, Watson might be a breakout candidate this season. Look for some improvement on his 643 yards and three TDs from 2006.

Dallas Cowboys
Comment: When Tony Romo took off as the Cowboys starting quarterback last season, Jason Witten took off with him. In the 10 games with Romo helming the Cowboys, Witten caught 44 passes for 517 yards. Limiting his fantasy value, however, was just one TD. Romo and Witten now have a season together under their belts and he should be more relied upon in the end zone this season. Witten has a lot of upside for fantasy owners in 2007.

Philadelphia Eagles
Comment: Coming off back-to-back 50-catch, 600-yard seasons Smith's fantasy stock is at an all-time high. And with reports from training camp saying Donovan McNabb is healthy, perhaps Smith can finally lay to rest the inconsistencies that have kept him from being a top tight end. At 27, Smith still is young enough for improvement and he should be good for another 600-yard, multiple TD season. Smith has massive potential for fantasy owners, but it remains to be seen if he can be consistent week after week.

INDIANAPOLIS COLTS
Comment: Injuries limited Clark last season and caused him to miss four starts with a knee injury. His regular season inconsistencies did not carry over into the playoffs, however, where he had almost as many yards (317) as in the regular season (367). With Peyton Manning helming the offense, there will always be opportunities for Clark; if he can manage to stay healthy and play a full 16 games, then Clark can be considered a viable choice at tight end for fantasy owners.

San Francisco 49ers
Comment: Vernon finished up last season with 13 receptions, 196 yards and two TDs in his final four starts. Prior to that, however, injuries caused Davis to miss six games and led many to question his talent. Don't worry. The talent is there, and on an improved 49ers lineup Davis could be the statistical monster everyone's been waiting for — if he can stay off the injured list that is. Davis is a definite sleeper pick next season.

St. Louis Rams
Comment: The Rams are one of the top offenses in the NFL, with Steven Jackson and Marc Bulger primed to be a potent fantasy force again in 2007. Now, the Rams have bolstered their attack with the additions of Drew Bennet and McMichael's. McMichael's has never missed an NFL start and posted decent numbers during his five seasons with Miami. He should make the transition to Saint Louis easy, and fantasy owners can expect more of the same: 600 yards and 50-plus receptions.

Chicago Bears
Comment: Clark enjoyed a mid-career resurrection last season when he posted his best totals since 2001. While he was inconsistent at times, on games when he produced owners were treated to monster stat lines. Last season's 45 receptions, six TDs and 626 yards are too much to ask from the 30-year-old veteran to repeat though, and his numbers should slide a bit. He can still be effective on fantasy rosters and should be a good late-round pickup.

Denver Broncos
Comment: Graham bolted from the Patriots and signed a big time contract with Denver in the offseason. Expect him to play an important role in the Bronco attack; he should be a nice target in the end zone for Jay Cutler. Unfortunately, durability has always been an issue with Graham, who has never played more than 14 games in his five-year tenure in the NFL. If he can remain healthy throughout the season though, he should be a boon to fantasy owners.

Lamberti is UPDATE! Editor in Chief.

Minnesota Vikings
Comment: After spending his career blocking for Jeremy Shockey on the Giants, the Vikings have decided to plug Shiancoe in at the tight end slot. While he has little experience and is not considered a great receiver, Shiancoe has fallen in favor with the Minnesota brass, who feel he can contribute with his speed and versatility. Standing in for Jermaine Wiggins, Shiancoe doesn't have big shoes to fill and should fit in nicely in the Vikings system. Although he is unproven, he has a lot of upside.

Pittsburgh Steelers
Comment: Now entering his third season, Miller has shown himself to be a well-rounded and solid player. As a backup you can't go wrong with Miller. He will always be serviceable and, if he ends up exploding for some monster numbers, you can plug him in the lineup week after week. As a bonus, Miller has played in all 32 games over the past two seasons.

Miami Dolphins
Comment: A former wide receiver, Martin looks to transition into a tight end role with coach Cam Cameron and the Dolphins. A good receiver with speed and athleticism, Martin should slide into his role as the Dolphins tight end with ease. Cameron has typically gotten strong production from his tight ends, using them as downfield threats and molding them as he saw fit. Under Cameron, Martin has the opportunity to blow up and make some big-game catches.

San Francisco 49ers
Comment: Another former wide receiver, Johnson possesses good speed and strong instincts. On a revamped 49ers team Johnson will be constant threat and yardage machine. Throughout his career he has not seen the end zone often, but that could change this year if he stays healthy. His only knock has been his inability to stay off the sidelines, suffering injuries in a number of ways throughout the years.

Houston Texans
Comment: Daniels was a legitimate red zone threat during the first half of 2006. The rookie found pay dirt five times before petering out over his final seven games. He must become more consistent before he can be considered a legitimate draft-day addition, but he surely has the talent to succeed in the NFL. The Texans must be hopeful that the passing game will improve with new quarterback Matt Schaub. And this certainly bodes well for Daniels chances.




Tennessee Titans
Comment: Troupe underachieved big last season. In his third season with the Titans, Troupe posted the lowest totals of his career. Injuries limited his effectiveness on the field and caused him to miss six contests. His exceptional size and speed just hasn’t translated into the numbers the Titans expected, and Bo Scaife will be riding him closely on the depth charts. His sophomore 2005 campaign is likely the best we'll ever see of Troupe.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Comment: Stevens signed with the Buccaneers during the off-season, where he will compete opposite Alex Smith for playing time. There's no doubt Stevens has talent, but his consistency is cause for concern. Expect the two players to split time close to evenly, which reduces both their fantasy values noticeably.

Jacksonville Jaguars
Comment: While never spectacular, Wiggins has made a name for himself the last three seasons with the Vikings. Now relocated to Jacksonville, Wiggins value plummets. He's stuck behind as many as three tight ends on the depth chart and his role will not be nearly as prominent. While still a veteran talent, Wiggins will not see enough action to warrant a draft pick.

Arizona Cardinals
Comment: This second-year Georgia standout seems to have secured a starting job on Ken Wisenhunt's Cardinals, but it doesn't look like it will make much of a difference. He will be used primarily as a blocker and unless he develops into a red zone threat won't see enough touches to have any fantasy value. Plus, he still has to fight off Troy Bienemann to keep hold of his starting role.

Seattle Seahawks
Comment: After a productive career with the Colts, Pollard went largely ignored with the Lions the last two seasons. His twelve receptions were the lowest since 1997 and he failed to record a touch down for just the second time. Now with the Seahawks, Pollard should see an increase in receptions. But at 35, he's on the downside of his career. Pollard is a waiver wire addition at best.