ESPN Positional Ranking: 1.
Antonio Gates' receptions, yards and touchdowns decreased a bit in 2006 because he was playing with a rookie quarterback. He'll bounce back this season.
Projected Stats: 1,050 receiving yards. 11 TDs.
Projected Fantasy Points: 171
Player Value: 82

ESPN Positional Ranking: 6.
Chris Cooley's numbers actually increased with Jason Campbell under center. A good sign if you're planning on taking the Utah State alumnus.
Projected Stats: 850 receiving yards. 6 TDs.
Projected Fantasy Points: 121
Player Value: 32

ESPN Positional Ranking: 3.
One of the top tight ends in the NFL. Eli Manning may throw to him more often in the wake of Tiki Barber's retirement.
Projected Stats: 750 receiving yards. 7 TDs.
Projected Fantasy Points: 117
Player Value: 28

ESPN Positional Ranking: 5.
Brilliant. Consistent. Reliable. What more could you ask for?
Projected Stats: 800 receiving yards. 6 TDs.
Projected Fantasy Points: 116
Player Value: 27

ESPN Positional Ranking: 2.
Tony Gonzalez caught 102 passes for 1,258 yards in 2004. Since then, he's had a pair of 900-yard campaigns, each with about 75 receptions. Now in his 11th season, Gonzalez isn't the player he used to be, but he's still one of the top tight ends in the NFL.
Projected Stats: 925 receiving yards. 4 TDs.
Projected Fantasy Points: 116
Player Value: 27

ESPN Positional Ranking: 4.
Should be one of the first tight ends taken in your fantasy league.
Projected Stats: 800 receiving yards. 6 TDs.
Projected Fantasy Points: 116
Player Value: 27

ESPN Positional Ranking: 17.
Sleeper. You could tell Jay Cutler and Scheffler developed a rapport last preseason. Scheffler caught just five passes with Jake Plummer at the helm. With Cutler? How about 12 receptions, 219 yards and four scores in just five contests? That translates to 700 yards and 12 touchdowns over a 16-game slate. Don't worry about Daniel Graham's presence - he's a blocking tight end, and won't factor much into the aerial attack.
Projected Stats: 650 receiving yards. 8 TDs.
Projected Fantasy Points: 113
Player Value: 24

ESPN Positional Ranking: 11.
Jason Witten had 754 yards but only one touchdown. He should be able to bounce back in 2007.
Projected Stats: 800 receiving yards. 5 TDs.
Projected Fantasy Points: 110
Player Value: 21

ESPN Positional Ranking: 7.
Kellen Winslow Jr. had an exceptional season, notching 89 receptions for 875 yards and three touchdowns. What's remarkable is that he did so with Charlie Frye throwing him the ball.
Projected Stats: 800 receiving yards. 4 TDs.
Projected Fantasy Points: 104
Player Value: 15

ESPN Positional Ranking: 8.
I talked about the type of production Vernon Davis displayed the final four weeks of his rookie campaign. Spread those figures out for an entire 16-game campaign, and you get 784 yards and eight touchdowns. That's pretty realistic.
Projected Stats: 650 receiving yards. 6 TDs.
Projected Fantasy Points: 101
Player Value: 12

ESPN Positional Ranking: 10.
Ben Watson experienced a surge in yardage (643) but only scored thrice in 2006. A second-tier tight end.
Projected Stats: 700 receiving yards. 4 TDs.
Projected Fantasy Points: 94
Player Value: 5

ESPN Positional Ranking: 9.
A solid tight end in fantasy football, unless your league deducts points for dropped passes.
Projected Stats: 650 receiving yards. 4 TDs.
Projected Fantasy Points: 89
Player Value: 0

ESPN Positional Ranking: 13.
Heath Miller's numbers dropped, but maybe that was in connection to all of Ben Roethlisberger's complications. If so, look for him to rebound in 2007.
Projected Stats: 475 receiving yards. 6 TDs.
Projected Fantasy Points: 83
Player Value: -6

ESPN Positional Ranking: 15.
Dallas Clark is a household name although he has yet to register more than 500 receiving yards in a single season. He had 367 last year, but missed four games with an injury. He may hit 500 in 2007, but he's still overrated in terms of fantasy football.
Projected Stats: 510 receiving yards. 5 TDs.
Projected Fantasy Points: 81
Player Value: -8

ESPN Positional Ranking: 33.
After a promising rookie campaign, Alex Smith struggled a bit in 2006, catching only 35 passes for 250 yards. Don't forget that Bruce Gradkowski was at quarterback.
Projected Stats: 500 receiving yards. 5 TDs.
Projected Fantasy Points: 80
Player Value: -9

ESPN Positional Ranking: 22.
Desmond Clark caught 45 passes for 626 yards and six touchdowns. Greg Olsen likely won't supplant him as the starter until 2008.
Projected Stats: 500 receiving yards. 5 TDs.
Projected Fantasy Points: 80
Player Value: -9

ESPN Positional Ranking: 16.
Had a pretty solid rookie campaign. Caught nine passes for 99 yards at Tennessee. Registered five receptions for 36 yards against the Jets. Only had three catches in December, however. A flash in the pan like Billy Miller? For the sake of Houston, I hope not.
Projected Stats: 450 receiving yards. 5 TDs.
Projected Fantasy Points: 75
Player Value: -14

ESPN Positional Ranking: 12.
Joe Klopfenstein caught 20 passes for 226 yards in St. Louis' offense last year, so Scott Linehan decided to go out and sign Randy McMichael. The former Dolphins tight end had triple whatever Klopfenstein was able to muster. Not sure what to make of McMichael; he's talented but will be playing in a brand-new system.
Projected Stats: 550 receiving yards. 3 TDs.
Projected Fantasy Points: 73
Player Value: -16

ESPN Positional Ranking: 41.
One of two offensive players on the Raiders worth drafting in a traditional league. It's hard to say what Zach Miller will do because he's only a rookie.
Projected Stats: 550 receiving yards. 2 TDs.
Projected Fantasy Points: 67
Player Value: -22

ESPN Positional Ranking: 24.
A forgotten man in Mike Martz's offense, Marcus Pollard registered only 12 receptions in 2006 after garnering 46 for 516 yards the year before. Problem is Pollard is 35. Not sure how much he has left in the tank.
Projected Stats: 350 receiving yards. 4 TDs.
Projected Fantasy Points: 59
Player Value: -30

ESPN Positional Ranking: 23.
This offense is too statistically dreadful to warrant any sort of fantasy consideration. Look at other tight ends.
Projected Stats: 350 receiving yards. 3 TDs.
Projected Fantasy Points: 53
Player Value: -36

ESPN Positional Ranking: 20.
Not much here either from Young's other tight end.
Projected Stats: 410 receiving yards. 2 TDs.
Projected Fantasy Points: 53
Player Value: -36

ESPN Positional Ranking: 14.
Daniel Graham's a good player, but he's more a blocking tight end. His career highs include 409 yards (2003) and seven touchdowns (2004). He's changing systems, so you never know how that will effect his statistics.
Projected Stats: 325 receiving yards. 3 TDs.
Projected Fantasy Points: 50
Player Value: -39

ESPN Positional Ranking: 25.
Way to replace Randy McMichael with a guy whose career highs are 27 receptions, 224 yards and three touchdowns.
Projected Stats: 325 receiving yards. 3 TDs.
Projected Fantasy Points: 50
Player Value: -39

ESPN Positional Ranking: 21.
No fantasy value here.
Projected Stats: 300 receiving yards. 3 TDs.
Projected Fantasy Points: 48
Player Value: -41

ESPN Positional Ranking: 26.
New Orleans' new tight end, but that doesn't mean a lot in fantasy land; Mark Campbell led all Saints tight ends with 164 yards in 2006. Johnson also has injury issues.
Projected Stats: 325 receiving yards. 2 TDs.
Projected Fantasy Points: 44
Player Value: -45

ESPN Positional Ranking: 42.
George Wrighster's average and the Jaguars want the disappointing Marcedes Lewis to beat him out. Don't expect much from the tight end position.
Projected Stats: 310 receiving yards. 2 TDs.
Projected Fantasy Points: 43
Player Value: -46

ESPN Positional Ranking: 27.
The tight end in Mike Martz's offense doesn't play much of a role outside of blocking.
Projected Stats: 250 receiving yards. 3 TDs.
Projected Fantasy Points: 43
Player Value: -46

ESPN Positional Ranking: 19.
Greg Olsen will see some action, but 2007 will probably be a learning experience for the rookie tight end. No need to rush him into the starting lineup with Desmond Clark on the roster.
Projected Stats: 300 receiving yards. 2 TDs.
Projected Fantasy Points: 42
Player Value: -47

ESPN Positional Ranking: 30.
Not really much of a factor in fantasy football.
Projected Stats: 225 receiving yards. 3 TDs.
Projected Fantasy Points: 40
Player Value: -49

ESPN Positional Ranking: 36.
The rookie tight end accumulated most of his numbers in December, as he caught eight passes for 78 yards. Prior to that month, he had the same amount of receptions. Tight ends don't do much in Arizona's offense, so I wouldn't take Leonard Pope in your fantasy draft if I were you.
Projected Stats: 310 receiving yards. 1 TD.
Projected Fantasy Points: 37
Player Value: -52

ESPN Positional Ranking: 35.
The Panthers plan on using tight ends more in the offense, but how much can you really expect from a guy who caught only 15 passes in 2006?
Projected Stats: 275 receiving yards. 1 TD.
Projected Fantasy Points: 33
Player Value: -56

ESPN Positional Ranking: 29.
I know he was stuck behind Jeremy Shockey, but Visanthe Shiancoe has never registered more than 100 receiving yards in a single season.
Projected Stats: 250 receiving yards. 1 TD.
Projected Fantasy Points: 31
Player Value: -58

ESPN Positional Ranking: 40.
The tight end doesn't do much in Cincinnati's offense. Stay away.
Projected Stats: 225 receiving yards. 1 TD.
Projected Fantasy Points: 28
Player Value: -61

ESPN Positional Ranking: 34.
Read the offensive portion of my season preview if you're thinking about drafting Bubba Franks.
Projected Stats: 225 receiving yards. 1 TD.
Projected Fantasy Points: 28
Player Value: -61