The Top-35 Tight Ends conclude of our season-ending Dynasty rankings series. For earlier installments, see the following:
Top-50 Quarterbacks
Top-65 Running Backs
Top-90 Wide Receivers
Tight Ends
Tier One
1. Antonio Gates, Chargers | Age: 30.3 – After an injured-filled disappointing 2008, Gates returned to the elite same elite player he was from 2004 through 2007. Though 2009 wasn't his best fantasy season thanks to a mediocre touchdown total, it was Gates' best NFL season. He's earned the No. 1 spot going into 2010.
2. Jermichael Finley, Packers | Age: 23.6 – A physical mismatch for linebackersand safeties, the fast-rising Finley is drawing comparisons to a young Tony Gonzalez as the Packers' biggest matchup problem. His catch rate was behind only Jason Witten among tight ends, and he was flat-out uncoverable at times late in the season. An incredible athlete, the 23-year-old has the advantage of playing with the brightest young quarterback in the league.
3. Jason Witten, Cowboys | Age: 28.4 – You could make the argument that Witten is due for a healthy bounce-back in touchdowns next season, but he's now had four TDs or less in three of the past four seasons. While he's still a lock for 85 catches and 900+ yards, the Cowboys just have too many other quality options at the goal-line.
4. Dallas Clark, Colts | Age: 31.3 – The good news is that Clark's 100 receptions were the second-most in history for a tight end, behind only Tony Gonzalez's 102 in 2004. The bad news is that Clark will be 31-years-old entering the 2010 season.
5. Vernon Davis, 49ers | Age: 26.8 – Finally making good on his freakish talent, Davis was a playmaking monster all over the field once Alex Smith took over as quarterback. The two have obvious chemistry, which is a slight problem as Smith hardly inspires confidence as the solution to the Niners' QB problems.
Tier Two
6. Brent Celek, Eagles | Age: 25.8 – Celek is steadily improving as a blocker, but it's his speed and after-the-catch ability that sets him apart. The six-year, $33 million extension guarantees the he remains a top option in the Philly passing game for years to come.
7. Kellen Winslow, Buccaneers | Age: 27.2 – Rookie Josh Freeman was surprisingly good for Winslow's value. The tight end is now the focal point of the Bucs passing offense, though that could change if the Bucs reel in a legit No. 1 receiver this offseason.
8. Owen Daniels, Texans | Age: 27.10 – Daniels was basically used as the Texans' No. 2 receiver behind Andre Johnson before he suffered the third ACL injury of his career last season. The injury ruins his chances of signing a monster contract with the Texans this offseason, but at least he'll return to a Gary Kubiakoffense in 2010.
9. Zach Miller, Raiders | Age: 24.9 – Did you buy low late in the season? Miller continues to impress as the one member of the Raiders offense who can produce despite shoddy quarterback play. He should knock on the door to the Top-5 if the Raiders finally unearth a legit NFL passer.
10. Chris Cooley, Redskins | Age: 28.2 – A trade chip for Mike Shanahan? Fred Davis played well down the stretch, and the new regime in D.C. would welcome the opportunity to land more draft picks.
11. Greg Olsen, Bears | Age: 25.6 – Couldn't make the leap in 2009 despite even while playing alongside an underwhelming group of wide receivers. As Vernon Davis can attest, Olsen would be screwed if Mike Martz somehow lands the offensive coordinator job.
Tier Three
12. Dustin Keller, Jets | Age: 26.0 – Keller's nice playoff run illustrated his solid hands, good route running, red-zone presence, and impressive after-the-catch ability. Keller has one thing keeping him from every-week stud status: he can't run block on a team that prides itself on a "ground and pound" attack.
13. Tony Gonzalez, Falcons | Age: 34.7 – Still elite but the best tight end of all time is another year closer to the end, turning 34 in February. Shannon Sharpe is the only tight end in history to record a 500-yard season at Gonzalez's age.
14. Heath Miller, Steelers | Age: 27.11 – Was 2009 the start of a trend or simply a career year? I'd lean toward the former with the Steelers' owner and head coach making it clear that re-establishing the running game is the No. 1 offensive priority in 2010.
15. John Carlson, Seahawks | Age: 26.4 – According to then-coach Jim Mora, Carlson had trouble clearing linebackers at the second level. That, and staying in to block, killed his fantasy value in 2009.
16. Tony Scheffler, Broncos | Age: 27.7 - Still among the most effective pass-catching tight ends in the league, Scheffler wass simply under-utilized in Josh McDaniels' offense. The Vernon Davis lesson should teach Dynasty leaguers not to sleep on a talented tight end coming out of a bad situation. Scheffler is fully expected to be dealt this offseason, and that's all he needs to regain weekly fantasy relevance.
Tier Four
17. Visanthe Shiancoe, Vikings | Age: 30.3 – Similar to Sidney Rice, Shiancoe's value is highly dependent on the return of Brett Favre. Due to reach the age-30 mark this summer, he's not much of an asset outside the red zone.
18. Jared Cook, Titans | Age: 23.5 – Freakishly talented receiver/tight end hybrid should see a dramatic increase in playing time with Bo Scaife's Titans future in question. Part of an interesting collection of emerging young talent in Tennessee with Chris Johnson, Vince Young, and Kenny Britt.
19. Brandon Pettigrew, Lions | Age: 25.7 – Just when he was starting to show serious promise, the No. 20 overall pick tore his ACL. Reports out of Detroit indicate he could begin the 2010 season on the PUP list.
20. Fred Davis, Redskins | Age: 24.8 – Not on Chris Cooley's level yet as an all-around player, but he's proven to be a more effective red-zone weapon. Davis has earned an increase in snaps for 2010, but his fantasy value is entirely dependant on a Cooley trade.
21. Martellus Bennett, Cowboys | Age: 23.6 – The ultra-talented second fiddle took a step back in 2009, losing snaps to John Philips down the stretch in a penalty-filled season. Bennett has the ability to be a fantasy stud, but he's nothing more than a roster decoration for the next couple of seasons.
Tier Five
22. Kevin Boss, Giants | Age: 26.8 – Dynasty owners couldn't give him away at mid-season, but Boss finished as a rock-solid TE2 with a career season.
23. Marcedes Lewis, Jaguars | Age: 26.4 – Lewis is a frustrating player to own because he has the athleticism, size, and now the elite blocking ability. On the flip side, his hands are inconsistent and speedy Zach Miller threatens to steal passing-down snaps going forward.
24. Jeremy Shockey, Saints | Age: 30.1 – Constantly battling through nagging injuries, Shockey is no longer a weekly starting option. Wait for him to open the season strong, and then deal him before the injuries start to kick in.
25. Todd Heap, Ravens | Age: 30.6 – See Shockey's comments.
26. Ben Watson, Patriots | Age: 29.9 – Watson finished No. 1 in footballoutsiders.com's DVOA rankings, but the Patriots are fully expected to let him walk. He's in dire need of a fresh start elsewhere.
Tier Six
27. Evan Moore, Browns | Age: 25.8 – A 6'6, 247-pound former basketball player and wide receiver at Stanford, Moore flashed soft hands and impressive athleticism down the stretch. He's an ideal roster stash/flier.
28. Gary Barnidge, Panthers | Age: 25.0 – My favorite deep sleeper at tight end, Barnidge has 4.6 speed and soft hands. Behind Steve Smith, he's the best pass-catching option on the team.
29. Zach Miller, Jaguars | Age: 25.11 – Another fine roster stash, Miller is a former quarterback who flashed impressive speed and solid hands in a 15-catch December.
30. David Thomas, Saints | Age: 27.2 – Thomas filled in beautifully in the Billy Miller down the stretch, but his fantasy value revolves around Shockey's health.
31. Bo Scaife, Titans | Age: 29.8 – Scaife's yardage numbers aren't bad, but he's one of the least effective per-play tight ends in the league. Unlikely to be brought back in Tennessee at a $5.91 million tender offer, he'll struggle to find a starting job on the open market.
32. Shawn Nelson, Bills | Age: 24.11 – One of the league's least effective tight ends in footballoutsiders' metrics, Nelson deserves a mulligan in the Bills' lifeless offense.
33. James Casey, Texans | Age: 26.0 – Had an opportunity in the second half with Daniels' ACL injury, but he ended up riding the pine behind Joel Dreessen.
34. Anthony Fasano, Dolphins | Age: 26.5 – Coming off an awful season in 2009. Where's the upside?
35. Tie: Chase Coffman, Bengals | Age: 23.10 / Cornelius Ingram, Eagles | Age: 25.3 – Both players are young, athletic pass-catchers with loads of potential and checkered injury histories.
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