A first look at TEs for 2010
Here’s my top 20 TEs looking ahead at 2010. If you missed the 2010 TE Preview video, click here.
- Dallas Clark, IND - Pretty obvious choice. The loss of Harrison and Gonzalez paid off huge for DC and he should continue to be the first or second look for Peyton in 2010.
- Antonio Gates, SD - “Master” Gates is leading all TEs this year in receiving yards and will finish in the Top 5 for all TEs again this year. He is Mr. Consistency. He’s finished in the top 5 at the TE position since his rookie year in 2004. He’s been the only TE to do that. Yes that’s right, not even “Future Hall of Famer” Tony Gonzalez has done that. Not bad for a guy who didn’t even play football in college.
- Vernon Davis, SF - After receiving only 42 targets in 2008, Davis’ role in the SF offense skyrocketed with 116 targets in 2009 (and 2 games left to play). Obviously, Davis’ production and fantasy owners benefitted. No TE has repeated as the #1 fantasy TE since 2005-06 so if that trend continues, the door could be opened for Davis to take the throne in 2010 as he and his offense continues to develop.
- Jason Witten, Dal - Witten has take a lot of criticism this year, especially from me, but he already has more receptions and yards than he did last year with 2 games to play. His TD total is down this year (3 in 2008, 1 this year) but he could score a couple in the last 2 games. I’ll still target Witten in 2010, but not in the 4th round like I did this year.
- Jermichael Finley, GB - Finley’s year was riddled by a lack of role and injuries the first half of the season, but since week 11, Finley has been the 4th best TE averaging almost 16 points a game. His offense is explosive and with Driver and Jennings jockeying for looks on the outside, Finley should continue to be Rodgers #1 target over the middle in 2010. His value might be down because he won’t have the full season stats like some of the other guys, so you might be able to steal this guy sometime after the 6th round.
- Brent Celek, Phi - Despite battling an injury later in the season, Celek fought through it and has been one of the most consistent TEs in 2009. Along with Davis and Finley, Celek was another great surprise this year at TE. I have a hunch that Celek will be a little over-valued in 2010 as most fantasy players tend to love Eagles players. I will still target Celek in 2010 but only if the value is right.
- Owen Daniels, Hou - Before getting hurt in week 8, OD was the best TE. In week 8, he tore his ACL. The good news is players are coming back from that injury much faster these days. A lot of fantasy players might be scared of the injury which would make OD a nice value if they are. Should his rehabilitation come along nicely, I will be all over OD in 2010. He should assume his role if healthy because although backups Joel Dressen and David Anderson have filled in nicely for OD, neither have found the endzone nor provide the threat that OD does.
- Tony Gonzalez, ATL - “Future Hall of Famer” Tony Gonzalez turned in another solid year in 2009. As long as he’s not retired, Gonzo should be a top 10 TE. I probably have Gonzalez ranked lower than most sites will have him, but I like the younger guys a little more in 2010 and Gonzalez tends to go in the first 5 rounds which is an area where I will try to stay away from when picking a TE next year.
- Heath Miller, Pit - The guy would I couldn’t remember on the video, Heath has been another surprise in 2009. Going into the year, I thought he might surprise because the Steelers schedule vs the pass was very good. Miller also benefitted from the Steelers transitioning to a pass-happy team. This was due to their issues at OL. Tomlin may try to go back to being a run happy team in 2010 and if he does, that hurts Miller’s value. Miller’s status is one I’ll have to keep an eye on before giving him a full top 10 endorsement in 2010.
- John Carlson, Sea - This is probably way too high for Carlson but Carlson has shown that he can put up big games. His value will also be way down (unless he continues to kill it in the last 2 games). His inconsistency was killer this year, but he’s still a guy I wouldn’t mind taking in the 10th+ round in 2010 if I end up holding off on a TE and stacking up at the other positions. How he does the last 2 weeks will determine if he stays here or gets moved down to the 13-17 range.
- Chris Cooley/Fred Davis, Was - Their combined stats for this year is 69 catches for 766 yards, and 8 TDs which would put them slightly better than Brent Celek (65 rec, 754, 7 TDs). I’ve combined them and put them here simply because this is one of the situations at the TE position with the most uncertainty headed to the 2010 position. There’s several questions that will have to be answered before we’ll know their fantasy value in 2010 including whether or not Cooley will be able to fully recover and if he does, will the Redskins keep both?
- Vishante Shiancoe, Min - He doesn’t catch a lot of balls so that limits his potential, but he’s found the end zone 9 times so far this year. One more would give him double digit TDs which is a rare accomplishment for a TE. Shiancoe, like the other Viking receivers, needs Farve to come back in 2010 if they’re going to turn in back-to-back solid fantasy years.
- Zach Miller, Oak - There’s other TEs that could be ranked here, but it looks like Oakland finally figured out that Jasuckus isn’t the answer at QB. As long as they have someone capable, Miller’s numbers should continue to increase. Since Russell was benched, Miller has averaged 12 points a game (weeks 11-15) and if he could do that over a full season, that would put him in the top 10 for TEs. I like Miller here as long as Russell isn’t the Raiders starter in 2010.
- Jeremey Shockey, NO - The Saints offense is the perfect offense for Shockey. He’s not the dominant player he once was but he’s good enough to stay relevent. However, this role reflects in his fantasy role as well. The Saints have so many weapons which kills most of their guys’ fantasy consistency. Shockey, like Carlson, is a guy who I won’t reach for, but would take as my starter if I waited on a TE (10th+ round or so).
- Dustin Keller, NYJ - Keller hasn’t had a great year, but he also had a rookie QB. As Sanchez continues to develop, Keller’s numbers should steadily improve. With Cotchery and Edwards taking heat off of Keller over the middle, I like him as an early sleeper for 2010.
- Greg Olsen, Chi - I was really high on Olsen this year and he’s been a top 10 TE so far this year, but the last 3 weeks he’s been virtually non-existent (5 catches, 23 yards, 0 TDs) which is killer for anyone who started him and was relying on him. I might move him up depending on the last 2 weeks of the season. I do like Cutler and for as horrible as he’s been this year, he can only get better. You would think anyways, right?
- Kevin Boss, NYG - He’s a nice fantasy backup, but that’s about it. In 13 games this year, he’s caught 3 or less balls 10 times. That’s unacceptable for any TE I’m going to have on my roster. Unless he comes up HUGE, the rest of the way, he’ll stay out of the top 15 for 2010.
- Kellen Winslow, TB - Right now, Kellen Winslow is actually ranked 6th in fantasy points for TEs which was quite the shock to me. He’s a guy that’s flown under my radar and will be moving up my list the next few months. He’s clicked well with Freeman and that should continue in 2010.
- Ben Watson, NE - Since starting the year off with 6 catches, 77 yards, and 2 TDs, Watson teased fantasy owners once again with an otherwise disappointing 2009 campaign. He can’t be trusted and is only listed here because he’s the Patriots option at TE. He’s not a guy I’ll be targeting next year.
- Brandon Pettigrew, Det - Pettigrew had 2 great games in weeks 9 and 11 before getting hurt in week 12. He’ll be a guy I’ll move into the top 15 as long as he’s able to heal over the next few months. I like his size and athleticism and was happy to see him clicking with Stafford before going down.
If you missed the 2010 TE Preview video, click here.
