Ranking The TEs

More player rankings, this time a bit shorter, but still a very important position.

U means Upside...D for Decline...I means Injury concern...R means close to Retire

1. Antonio Gates, San Diego Chargers (U) --- Gates has become the best in the league. He uses his size and jumping ability to make a variety of catches. Gates was hampered by injuries a bit last year, and that took away some of his speed. If healthy, he will become dominant again.
2. Jason Witten, Dallas Cowboys (U) --- Witten emerged as a great in Jason Garrett's system. Witten has great speed to get open, and also possesses great hands. Can make all the catches, and has finally emerged as a better blocker.
3. Dallas Clark, Indianapolis Colts --- Clark put up the best numbers of his career last season, despite missing one game with an injury. He has become a safety net for Peyton Manning, and is versatile enough to be split out at wide receiver as well. A very underrated player.
4. Kellen Winslow Jr, Cleveland Browns (U/I) --- Played his second full season in a row, but the concern has to be there still. Winslow has developed into a speedy TE with great hands, and was a major part in the Browns offensive overhaul. Winslow could be a great for many years.
5. Tony Gonzalez, Kansas City Chiefs (D/R) --- Is getting up in years, but may be the best TE to ever play the game. Has great blocking skills to go with his great hands. Gonzalez is also a leader on and off the field. Has not slowed down at all despite his age.
6. Chris Cooley, Washington Redskins (U) --- Is the best H-back in the league, and is a perfect fit in the West Coast Offence. Cooley has improved his catching abilities, and has always been a steady blocker. Could get even better with age.
7. Ben Watson, New England Patriots (U/I) --- Coming off an injury-plagued season, Watson looks to continue his development. But, at 27, how much time does he have left? Is one of the fastest TEs in the league, and could excel with Tom Brady slinging the ball to him.
8. L.J. Smith, Philadelphia Eagles (I) --- Is one of the best around when he is healthy. Has turned into a safety net for Donovan McNabb, but has been troubled by injuries. However, the Eagles believed in him enough to make him their Franchise player, and that has to mean something.
9. Todd Heap, Baltimore Ravens (I) --- Had an off year last season, but struggled with injuries that caused him to miss 10 games. Heap is still a great talent, but needs better QB play to move back into the top 5 TEs in the league.
10. Owen Daniels, Houston Texans (U) --- Greatly improved in his first full season as a starter, and could become even better with consistant QB play. Is bigger, but makes up for his lack of speed with his agility.
11. Jeremy Shockey, New York Giants (I) --- Struggles more with his attitude than his health, but both have been an issue as of late. When he is on his game, Shockey is among the best in the league. He is extremely talented, and makes every catch.
12. Vernon Davis, San Francisco 49ers (U/I) --- Davis has yet to live up to his massive potential, but came along a little bit last year. Will become more of a threat with better QB play, but has tremendous athletic ability and that can't be ignored.
13. Heath Miller, Pittsburgh Steelers (U) --- Has tremendous upside as he continues to develop alongside QB Ben Roethlisberger. Miller is a great blocker who also has excellent speed to get to the seam. Miller had his best season stats-wise, and looks to improve even more this year.
14. Tony Scheffler, Denver Broncos (U) --- Scheffler has great skills, but has to fight fore playing time. Has developed a nice rapport with Jay Cutler, but has to work on his blocking to become a full-time starter.
15. Donald Lee, Green Bay Packers --- Exploded last year in his first as a starter, and looks to get even better this year. Lee needs to move away from Brett Favre, but everyone on the Packers does. Lee has great skills and could develop into a solid starter.
16. Greg Olsen, Chicago Bears (U) --- Didn't live up to his first-round status last year, but didn't get much of a chance. Is expected to get more playing time this year, but until the Bears decide on a QB, Olsen will likely struggle. Could be great in the future.
17. Zach Miller, Oakland Raiders (U) --- Played much better than Olsen last year, but he had more oppourtunities. Miller could be a great talent, but his development hinges on that of JaMarcus Russell. Was, and will be, a starter for years to come.
18. Fred Davis (rookie), Washington Redskins (U)--- The best rookie TE to come out this year, but could struggle to get playing time. Davis is more of a pass-catcher, which is similar to that of Chris Cooley, who is the starter. Davis could develop into a great complement over time.
19. Dustin Keller (rookie), New York Jets --- Could move into the starting position right away, but will have to fight off Chris Baker. Keller is on the smaller side, but has great measureables. Will have to work on his blocking skills, but will be a star in the future.
20. Alge Crumpler, Tennessee Titans --- Was one of the best in the league before injuries and the lack of good QB play have slowed his career. Could be a big help in the development of Vince Young, but this could lower his numbers big time.
21. Chris Baker, New York Jets
22. Bo Scaife, Tennessee Titans (U)
23. Leonard Pope, Arizona Cardinals (U)
24. Marcus Pollard, New England Patriots (D/R)
25. David Martin, Miami Dolphins
26. Kevin Boss, New York Giants (U)
27. Jeff King, Carolina Panthers (U)
28. Mercedes Lewis, Jacksonville Jaguars (U)
29. Jim Kleinsasser, Minnesota Vikings (D)
30. Randy McMichael, St Louis Rams