Our Fantasy Football tight end rankings update features a number of significant moves at the top of the rankings. Taking over the number one ranking is Antonio Gates, who looks healthy and ready to rebound from a surprisingly mediocre 2008 campaign. Greg Olsen of the Bears jumps to number five while Jeremy Shockey and Vernon Davis move up with reports indicating both have shown more dedication than last year.
- Antonio Gates, SD – Now the top ranked TE but more based on Jason Witten’s situation than any news regarding Gates.
- Jason Witten – DAL – Reports out of Dallas indicate that Martellus Bennett is looking too good not to play and that may eat into Witten’s opportunities. Not significantly but enough to move him out of the top spot.
- Tony Gonzalez, ATL – Moves up due to potential of Atlanta offense and loss of Harry Williams in the slot.
- Dallas Clark, IND – Moves down due to concerns over his injury history.
- Greg Olsen, CHI – Olsen moves into the top five as he looks ready to bust out in Chicago with Jay Cutler now behind center.
- Owen Daniels, HOU
- Dustin Keller, NYJ – Biggest mover going from 12 to 7. Reports indicate that Keller has looked fantastic in Jets training camp while no wideout has emerged as the starter opposite Jerricho Cotchery.
- John Carlson, SEA
- Kellen Winslow, TB
- Zach Miller, OAK – Raiders wideouts are horrendous and Miller figures to benefit.
- Visanthe Shiancoe, MIN – Up to 12 with Brett Favre likely to provide more stable play at the quarterback position. Could once again put up a surprising number of TDs.
- Brent Celek, PHI – Moves up a couple of spots with Philly offense looking solid and team’s top three widoeuts all Smurfs.
- Tony Scheffler, DEN – If new head coach Josh McDaniels throws to the tight end as much as he did in New England, Scheffler has no chance of a breakout campaign.
- Kevin Boss, NYG – Moving down a spot due to concerns that he will lose playing time to rookie 3rd round pick Travis Beckum. Still has upside as he figures to be team’s top red zone threat (six TDs in 2008).
- Jeremy Shockey, NO – Reports out of New Orleans suggest he has his head on straight and is focused. Worth a late round flyer but don’t reach for him.
- Vernon Davis, SF – Ditto Shockey.
- Randy McMichael, STL – Marc Bulger has to throw to somebody and right now McMichael is the most experienced receiving threat on the team.
- Heath Miller, PIT
- Bo Scaife, TEN
- Ben Watson, NE
- Martellus Bennett, DAL – Bennett has looked solid in Dallas and the team will apparently use two-TE sets more frequently to get him on the field.
- Anthony Fasano, MIA
- David Martin, MIA
- L.J. Smith, BAL
- Donald Lee, GB
- Brandon Pettigrew, DET
- Jerramy Stevens, TB
- Marcedes Lewis, JAX
- Chase Coffman, CIN – Bengals rookie moves into the top 30 and has solid prospects for the future.
