Fantasy Football: Strong picks for top 4 TE's

By Chad Garner

Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

The tight end position has been oftentimes overlooked, but not here. If you can land one of the top tight end targets in the draft -- but don't reach in straight drafts -- it's just like having another top-of-the-line wide receiver, production-wise, on your club. These top pick tight ends can even win you a week if they blow up for multiple scores and over 100 yards receiving. 

While the tight end class if pretty deep, it does feature four outstanding players that head the class and guys that are can't miss pass-catchers.

If you get one of the top four, your championship chances go up that much more. Take a look at the Fan Fanatic Sports top 20 at the tight end position.

TOP 20

1. Tony Gonzalez -- Falcons

Eventual Hall of Famer Gonzalez finally got his wish to play for a contender when he was traded to Atlanta from Kansas City. Gonzalez is an absolute beast in the passing game, averaging 89 catches, 1,043 yards and 7 touchdowns in the last three years. Last year, he was the lone bright spot for the Chiefs with 1,058 yards, 96 receptions and 10 TDs. Gonzalez might not catch as many passes this season with the Falcons because of how many weapons they have, but there's not questioning that second-year QB Matt Ryan will now another go-to target in Gonzalez. He might be 33 and that might scare owners away, thinking he's going to decline, but Touchdown Tony just keeps getting better. He's the safest TE pick you can make.

2. Jason Witten -- Cowboys

Dallas QB just loves throwing the ball to Witten, even forcing it in when there's no room to fit a quarter. But that connection has shown chemistry and in fantasy football, that equals production and confidence. Witten had a down year with 81 catches for 952 yards and 4 TDs -- still a highly-productive year in my book. Remember Romo missed time last year and Witten was bruised and battered, so with better health expect the numbers to rise. But without Terrell Owens on the outside to take pressure off of Witten being double-covered, could Witten be a marked man this season? He's so talented, but I'm a little concerned that Dallas' wideouts won't be good enough to keep the heat off of Witten. I'd still draft him high, however.

3. Antonio Gates -- Chargers

Gates is sooooo good, but his numbers dipped last year (60 receptions, 704 yards, 8 TDs), and that should be a minor concern. Notice I said, minor, because even if Gates puts up those numbers again, you can't be upset at all. Gates, who scored nine touchdowns in 2006 and 07, is still a can't-miss TE on draft day. Plus the Chargers just love slinging the ball with Phillip Rivers, and we know he's got mojo with Gates. Fantasy bonus!!!

4. Dallas Clark -- Colts

Speaking of another TE that's got chemistry with his QB, that's Clark. The 6-foot-3, 252-pounder former first-round pick had a monster year in 2008 with 77 catches for 848 yards and 6 TDs. He found the end zone 11 times in 207. Besides WR Reggie Wayne, Clark is a constant threat to score, especially in the red zone. And with Marvin Harrison now gone, expect Clark to get even more looks, considering Peyton Manning has the utmost confidence in his tight end. Clark is the fourth and final top-tier TE to get on draft day.

5. Kellen Winslow -- Buccaneers

Winslow is a soldier, well, that's what he says. He's show flashes of brilliance (1,106 yards, 5 TDs in 2007 with the Browns), but Winslow just needs to shut his pie hole and play ball because he gushes with untapped potential. My question is: Why did the Browns trade him away if he's so good? Anyway, Winslow gets a new address and new start with Tampa Bay. The Bucs have issues as QB, but Winslow is a great check-down guy, and he could haul in over 80 passes if those QBs just get him the darn ball. Winslow has the talent, but the Bucs do not. He might just have to get his numbers during garbage time. Fantasy owners don't care, either, they only care about the points.

6. Greg Olsen -- Bears

Olsen has to be thankful that he's now got a quarterback that he knows will fire around the rock like a high schooler toying with middle school players. Jay Cutler is not at the helm and he's as reckless with the ball as Brett Favre, but we all know Cutler loves to throw the fastball and often. Olsen could be in for a gigantic year, considering he had a decent season in 2008(574 yards, 5 TDs) with Kyle Orton playing don't-make-a-mistake-football. Olsen should be on your rader, he could be a nice pick that produces big time in his third year in the NFL.

7. Chris Cooley -- Redskins

Cooly had a great year with 83 catches and 849 yards, but it was also lousy considering he only caught one TD pass. What? Yes, one TD. That's just not acceptable. Isn't this the same Cooley that had 8 TDs in 2007 and 6 in 2006? Yup, same guy. Don't think Cooley is in store for another one-TD season, he's just too talented not to score at least 5 times. But what should bother everyone is the QB in Jason Campbell. If he shows improvement, the Washington offense shouldn't have a problem with scoring points, and that means more fantasy production across the board.

8. Owen Daniels -- Texans

Isn't it amazing that some owners still don't know who Daniels is? I know he plays for the Texans and there's not too much to write home away with them, but this guy is good. While he's not flashy, he's still worthy of a starting spot on a roster, he's no fantasy backup in my book. Daniels had 70 catches for 862 yards and 2 TDs last year. We'd like to see the TDs rise (he had 5 in 2006), but he's still a guy that people will sleep on on draft day. Don't be that guy!

9. John Carlson -- Seahawks

It was a down season for Seattle, but don't blame Carlson for it. The rookie had 55 catches for 627 yards and 5 TDs, pretty impressive for the Notre Dame product. Carlson prospered since Seattle's WR corp was banged up, so temper expectations slightly with improved health for the weapons on the outside. 

10. Jeremy Shockey -- Saints

J-Shock missed four games with various leg injuries, but he still managed to haul in 50 passes for 483 yards, but he didn't score. In New Orleans' offense, the balls do fly around but everyone enjoys a piece of the piece. In fantasy world, that means no one really has unbelievable stats. Shockey, when healthy, is still a threat, but he's not option No. 1 or even No. 2 in the Saints offense. But if he can rise up in the red zone, Shockey can make owners smile with 5-plus TDs. He'll come cheap on draft day, and the payout might be well worth it.

11. Visanthe Shiancoe -- Vikings

12. Zach Miller -- Raiders

13. Dustin Keller -- Jets

14. Heath Miller -- Steelers

15. Tony Scheffler -- Broncos

16. Bo Scaife -- Titans

17. Vernon Davis -- 49ers

18. Kevin Boss -- Giants

19. Brent Celek -- Eagles

20. Todd Heap -- Ravens

WATCH OUT FOR

Greg Olsen -- Bears

Chris Cooley -- Redskins

Owen Daniels -- Texans

Vernon Davis -- 49ers

BE WARY OF

Anthony Fassano -- Dolphins

Randy McMichael -- Rams

Benjamin Watson -- Patriots

Brent Celek -- Eagles

WORTH A FLYER

Todd Heap -- Ravens

Brandon Pittigrew -- Lions

Martellus Bennett -- Cowboys

Chase Coffman -- Bengals

(Coming tomorrow: Kicker rankings by Jim Ingram)

Pats bolster D with Burgess

By Jim Ingram

Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

Hello Derrick Burgess, and welcome to your best shot for a Super Bowl Ring. The Pats got exactly what they need yesterday when they traded "undisclosed draft picks" for DE Derrick Burgess of the Oakland Raiders. Will he play defensive end? No, he most likely will not. He will, however, be a good pass rusher from the outside linebacker position and add depth to the front 7.

While he doesn't add youth to the defense, he does add the experience and versatility that Bill Belichick loves from any player on his roster. It should also help that he's going to be heavily motivated and rejuvenated playing for a winning organization and the Super Bowl favorite New England Patriots. Burgess has spent the past four seasons in futility out in Oakland and returns to a winning franchise for the first time since leaving the Eagles in 2005.

Now don't get me wrong. He's not going to be amazing, but he is a better option at this point than both Pierre Woods, Shawn Crable or Tully Banta-Cain. I like Woods, but he's not a starter in my mind. I am intrigued by Crable, but needs to stay healthy and really doesn't have any experience. Tully Banta-Cain should be worried about being cut at this point with the addition of Burgess. Burgess does add proven pass rushing ability to a position they sorely need it from. Adalius Thomas is still a very good player as long as he's healthy.

This move does make me feel better about the defense though. The defensive secondary doesn't bother me so much because I think the front 7 will be very good and allow the secondary to mask some of their weaknesses. I guess we'll start to see next week when they Pats open up the preseason.

Pedroia's plunking could be just the spark

By Jorge Bannister
Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

Unknot those panties about at least one thing, Red Sox Nation. Dustin Pedroia getting hit on the shoulder in the eighth inning by Mark Melancon was not intentional. Trust me.

The New York Yankees were already up, 13-4. It doesn’t matter that Pedroia had hit a home run earlier in the game. The Yankees were up, 13-4. It doesn’t matter that Melancon threw a pitch over Pedroia’s head. The Yankees were up, 13-4. Note that Melancon struggled after Pedroia, too, throwing a 57 foot fastball to Victor Martinez. And, please, don’t forget, the Yankees were up, 13-4.

I can understand Pedroia’s reaction to the whole situation. He hit a homer earlier in the game and a pitch earlier in the at-bat flew high over his head. He then got plunked high on his left bicep.

I give major credit to Jorge Posada for walking Pedroia down the first-base line to keep him in check. The view inside the Red Sox dugout didn’t look too friendly when NESN scanned — especially the sour look on Kevin Youkilis’ face. (Or, maybe he was just upset he was pulled for a defensive replacement late in the game. He was, after all, playing left field.)

Let’s remember one thing, though. Say it with me, now, “The Yankees were up, 13-4.”

I was surrounded by Red Sox fans when the incident happened, and someone said, “It’ll be interesting to see who the Sox hit.”

Really? Because, home-plate umpire Derryl Cousins had warned both dugouts immediately after the hit by pitch.

No way was anyone going to get tossed in a 13-4 game and risk Terry Francona getting tossed and, subsequently, fined by Major League Baseball.

Obviously, Josh Beckett is going to handle things tonight. The only question is, who is he going to hit?

Derek Jeter seems logical. He’s the same spark-plug for that team that Pedroia is for the Red Sox. However, even with warnings handed out, A.J. Burnett would certainly hit someone in return. No way would he let someone hit the captain without retaliating, right?

This is when things will get interesting.

The Red Sox need a spark — badly.

Question is, can Chad Fairchild — tonight's home-plate umpire — justify throwing out Beckett after the inevitable hit by pitch? If so, Tito would certainly get tossed, too.

That would certainly be just the spark the Red Sox need.