Outlook: After a subpar year in 2008, Gates bounced back last year to lead all tight ends in receiving yards. The Chargers offense figures to be dominant once again in 2010, and it’s worth noting that Gates finished 2009 with six touchdowns in the final six games of the season. Gates is clearly the best receiving tight end in the league, able to beat defenders with his agility and use his size to shield them from defending passes. Vincent Jackson’s potential absence only figures to increase Gates’ looks in the red zone. Look for Gates to reclaim the title of fantasy football’s premier tight end in 2010. Injuries have been a concern over the last few years and this offseason has been no different, with reports indicating that he is battling plantar fasciitis. Monitor that situation.

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Outlook: Finley had a coming-out party in 2009 with 55 receptions for 676 yards and five touchdowns, despite playing in only 13 games with nine starts. In those nine starts he amassed 97 fantasy points, and he averaged 11.5 fantasy points per game over the last five games of the season. Finley is a talented receiver with excellent size, speed, and hands, and his production last year might just be just the tip of the iceberg. Given Finley’s obvious skills, he figures to only get better with more experience. With a young quarterback at the helm in Green Bay, Finley has major upside and should be regarded as the top-ranked tight end in dynasty leagues. A top five fantasy ranking in 2010 is within reach, and a number one ranking isn’t out of the question.

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Outlook: Davis had a huge, unforeseen breakout campaign in 2009 that included 13 touchdowns and helped make him the top fantasy tight end. While Davis has always had exceptional speed, too often he was running the wrong route, missing blocking assignments, and blaming anybody but himself for his mistakes. However, he put it all together last year, showing a maturity and dedication that didn’t exist previously. While it is difficult to imagine that he can repeat his 2009 campaign, it’s just as difficult to view him as a one-year wonder. The question is, Do you believe? Here’s the answer: You should. Expect a repeat of his 2009 breakout campaign, but without the 13 touchdowns he had last year.

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Outlook: Clark is coming off a career year in 2009, where he benefited from the absence of a solid threat opposite Reggie Wayne early in the season. With Anthony Gonzalez injured in the opening game, quarterback Peyton Manning fed the ball to Clark, who finished the season with 132 targets, topping his previous high of 107 in 2008. Clark made the most of his opportunities, finishing the year with 100 receptions for 1,106 yards and ten touchdowns. However, Gonzalez returns from injury and Pierre Garcon and Austin Collie have earned significant roles in the team’s offense, so Clark’s opportunities will likely be reduced in 2010. Although he remains a top 5 fantasy tight end, don’t expect him to match his 2009 production in 2010.

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Outlook: Witten had the 3rd most yards among tight ends last year with 1,030 but was only the 8th-ranked fantasy tight end due to his low touchdown total. It’s been a recurring theme for Witten over the last two years, as he finished 2009 with just two touchdowns after having only four in 2008. The Cowboys have shown a propensity to throw to their big wide receivers in the red zone, and the addition of rookie Dez Bryant could exacerbate this trend. In addition, they have an outstanding short-yardage runner in Marion Barber. With Bryant on board and with better health at running back, look for Witten to see fewer opportunities in 2010, resulting in a lower yardage total. Unless his touchdowns increase, his fantasy totals figure to drop this season. He’s definitely more useful in PPR leagues.

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Outlook: Gonzalez had an off year in 2009 after making the jump from Kansas City to Atlanta. And what exactly is an “off year” for Gonzalez? How about 83 catches, 867 yards and 6 touchdowns—good for fifth among all fantasy tight ends. Despite quarterback Matt Ryan’s toe injury during the second half of the season, Gonzalez turned out to be a focal point of the Falcons passing game and should continue to see plenty of targets this season. Look for similar or better numbers from Gonzalez in 2010 if Ryan and running back Michael Turner can remain out of the training room.

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Outlook: Let’s cut to the chase— Celek is a talented pass-catching tight end; he plays in a solid, pass heavy offense; and new quarterback Kevin Kolb loves throwing to him (208 yards and a touchdown during Kolb’s two starts last year). Celek built on his impressive late-season performance in 2008 to become the 4th-ranked fantasy tight end in 2009, with nearly 1,000 yards receiving and eight touchdowns. But for some reason he’s not getting the love, and many prognosticators have him ranked as a mid- to lower-tier option at tight end. That equals value since there’s no reason why he can’t duplicate his 2009 production in 2010. I’m on board, you should be too.

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Outlook: Winslow had a solid season in 2009, maintaining his status as a starting tight end for his fantasy owners. However, his offseason has been hit-and-miss with the departure of Antonio Bryant to the Bengals and another knee surgery, the fifth of his six-year career. Bryant’s loss means Winslow is clearly at the top of the pecking order among the team’s wide receivers, but that advantage may be offset by the extra attention he will receive from opposing defenses, given the Bucs’ weak group of wide receivers. Winslow racks up the yardage totals when healthy but has never topped five touchdown receptions in a year. Which begs the question: Why should anyone bank on that happening in 2010, considering the team’s young, raw talent on offense? They shouldn’t, and neither should you. Winslow will remain a starting caliber tight end, but it would be a total shock if he were to somehow sneak into the top five.

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Outlook: Miller doesn’t get the credit he deserves, mostly because he has never had the chance to play with a decent quarterback. However, he gets a decent quarterback for the first time in his career in Jason Campbell. That is, unless the Raiders do the unthinkable and hand the job to Bruce Gradkowski. Miller is the most underrated tight end in the league, so he could surprise with Campbell under center. If there’s one Raider to own in the passing game, Miller is that player. Consider him a solid sleeper prospect at tight end.

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Outlook: Carlson is coming off a mildly disappointing sophomore season in which he failed to improve upon a promising rookie campaign. He has a new head coach in Pete Carroll, who figures to be more imaginative on offense. However, the offensive line remains a question mark, and if he has to pass protect as much as he did last season, his production will be impacted. Look for Carlson to post better numbers in 2010, but he will likely be a borderline fantasy starter. There is some breakout potential, though, given the team’s lack of proven talent at wide receiver.

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Outlook: Coming off a career year, Miller emerged as a solid check-down option for the Steelers as well as a great red zone target. He is likely to suffer due to Ben Roethlisberger’s four to six game suspension, which will likely reduce his looks in the red zone if the offense struggles. However, he could quickly become a favorite for Dennis Dixon or Byron Leftwich, which may benefit him in PPR leagues. Miller was a low-end fantasy starter with Roethlisberger but reverts to a fantasy backup in 2010—albeit a high-end one.

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Outlook: Shiancoe has been a solid fantasy tight end for the last two years simply because he is a touchdown machine (11 last year and 7 in 2008). He has yet to surpass 600 yards, however, so if you grab him, you’ll be banking on his touchdowns. That means his production is going to be inconsistent, which increases his risk factor. Nonetheless, production is production. And if Brett Favre is on board at quarterback, Shiancoe has a 50/50 chance to catch 8 or 9 touchdowns in 2010.

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