Fantasy Football Player Rankings & Projections
2008 Tight End Preseason Preview
Jason Witten
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Witten is your classic warrior tight
end playing in a high-octane offense. The combination means
big fantasy numbers for Witten in 2008. |
1. Jason Witten - Dallas - 2008 Preview:
Gates slipping a bit statistically over the last two years coupled
with his off season surgery has given Jason Witten the #1 overall
spot at tight end. It is not like his stats don't warrant it with,
96 catches for 1,145 yards and 7 touchdowns says it all. He has
become Tony Romo's favorite target and is the perfect inside compliment
to Terrel Owens on the outside. Witten will get plenty of end zones
looks with the Cowboys high-powered offense and his touchdowns could
increase from his average 7 touchdown's in 2007.
2007 Statistics:
96 Rec - 1,145 Yds - 7 TD's.
2008 Projection:
90 Rec - 1,079 Yds - 8 TD's.
2. Kellen Winslow - Cleveland - 2008 Preview:
The only thing holding Winslow back from making a claim at the #1
tight ranking is his 5 touchdowns. It is just not enough bang to
put him over the above two, even if he has more talent. There is
some concern with the overall Cleveland offense only because they
came out of nowhere in 2007 lead by Derek Anderson. We believe Anderson
is for real and the Cleveland offense should still be dangerous
in 2008 and the Braylon Edwards-Kellen Winslow combo should put
up big numbers.
2007 Statistics:
82 Rec - 1,106 Yds - 5 TD's.
2008 Projection: 86
Rec - 1,165 Yds - 6 TD's.
3. Antonio Gates - San Diego - 2008 Preview:
As stated above the combination of Gates slipping statistics over
the last 2 seasons and his off season foot surgery has cost Gates
his long-held #1 tight end ranking. He holds at #2 because first,
he is expected to recover from the injury in time for preseason,
second, his stats didn't slip that much and finally, his red zone
numbers are still the best among all tight ends (except h-back/tight
end Dallas Clark) and in fantasy land that is almost everything.
Expect the Charger offense to improve in 2008, but also expect more
production from the wide receivers which helps Gates by getting
him open more often and hurts by getting him less looks. Nagging
preseason injuries drops him below Winslow and out of this years
elite.
2007 Statistics:
75 Rec - 984 Yds - 9 TD's.
2008 Projection: 73
Rec - 923 Yds - 8 TD's.
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4. Tony Gonzales - Kansas City - 2008 Preview:
Gonzo proved some of his critics wrong and had a huge 2007 season
nearly topping the century mark in receptions. He has had one single
flaw in his fantasy game and that is his lack of red zone production.
He has just 17 touchdowns over the last 4 seasons and even with
his 99 receptions in 2007 he caught just 5 touchdowns. In 2008 the
Chiefs offense should take a small step up in production, though
young quarterback Brodie Croyle is a big question mark, and expect
Gonzales to be the key receiving component. With that said, expect
a decline in his stats closer to his 2006 season.
2007 Statistics:
99 Rec - 1,172 Yds - 5 TD's.
2008 Projection: 85
Rec - 942 Yds - 5 TD's.
5. Chris Cooley - Redskins - 2008 Preview:
Cooley is definitely one of the most underrated tight ends in fantasy
football. He has 3 straight years at above 700 yards and has averaged
7 touchdowns per season over that time. Jason Campbell is an up
and coming quarterback and he should take another step in 2008,
improving the entire Redskin offense. The Redskins have added draft
picks Devin Thomas and Malcolm Kelly to the receiving corps as well
as tight Fred Davis, all 2nd-round-picks, so while the Redskin offense
production should increase, Cooley is likely to get less looks.
2007 Statistics:
66 Rec - 786 Yds - 8 TD's.
2008 Projection: 61
Rec - 704 Yds - 7 TD's.
6. Dallas Clark - Indianapolis - 2008 Preview:
Clark is a bit of a wild card coming into 2008, on one hand he plays
for one of the biggest offensives in football and he came through
with a NFL tight end lead 11 touchdowns in 2007. On the other hand
there are a lot of mouths to feed in the Colts offense and his 2007
catch and yard totals don't compare to the top 4, in addition, his
58 catches for 616 yards were both career highs for Clark. He is
just coming into his 4th season and you have to like that he just
had his best season and that should give the hope that 2007 was
the norm for Clark and he should do it again in '08.
2007 Statistics:
58 Rec - 616 Yds - 11 TD's.
2008 Projection: 56
Rec - 615 Yds - 10 TD's.
7. Todd Heap - Ravens - 2008 Preview:
Injuries ruined heap's 2007 season after he has posted back-to-back
70 catch seasons. When he is healthy, he is among the best tight
ends in football, even when the Ravens have nobody to throw to him.
In 2008 the Ravens will depend on Kyle Boller or rookie Joe Flacco
to guide the offense, neither of which sounds good to fantasy owners,
but as we stated, he usually plays well when healthy doubt the quarterback.
2007 Statistics:
23 Rec - 239 Yds - 1 TD.
2008 Projection: 66
Rec - 679 Yds - 5 TD's.
