With the 4th of my 7 part NFL series, I will give you my top 20 tight ends today. Tight end is a very unique position in today's NFL, as they are now a huge part of the offense in both blocking and receiving. Some are mainly blocking oriented, some are receiver oriented, and some can do both. Anyway, tight ends can really improve an offense immensely.
1. Antonio Gates, Chargers: Gates has been a premier TE in the game for a few years now, and he shows why every Sunday. His combination of size and athleticism make him very hard to cover and tackle, and therefore he records many TD's.
2. Jason Witten, Cowboys: Witten is a physical TE who puts up receiver-like numbers. His size helps him plow through defenders and his toughness does the rest.
3. Kellen Winslow, Browns: Winslow had a breakout year last season with Derek Anderson at the helm. He posted career bests in yards and TD's. He is also a pretty good blocker. kellen is also a soldier.
4. Dallas Clark, Colts: As usual, Clark had another solid year with the Colts, and caught 11 touchdown passes. He seems to do everything a TE is suppose to do well.
5.Tony Gonzalez, Chiefs: What can you say about Gonzo? He has achieved everything a tight end can hope for and still is playing at a high level today, even though he will enter his 12th season in two months.
6. Todd Heap, Ravens: Heap could probably be the definition of "solid." Even though he was out for a lot of the season last year, he was on pace for another good season.
7. Chris Cooley, Redskins: Cooley has a well-rounded game and has real good numbers for only being in the league for four years.
8. Heath Miller, Steelers: Miller is a young, physical tight end who can block well, and also be solid on the receiving end.
9. Tony Scheffler, Broncos: Tony has exceeded expectations in his first two years with the Broncos. Yes, he was supposed to be a decent pass catching TE, but he has flourished into a really good young talent.
10. Owen Daniels, Texans: Average sized tight end that has played much better than average in his first two seasons with Houston. I think we'll be poised for an even bigger season this year as the Texans make a run at their first playoff appearance in their history.
11. Ben Watson, Patriots: Watson doesn't have the best numbers due to Randy Moss and Wes Welker, but he is a tight end that can get it done when given the opportunity. He has some decent speed as well.
12. Jeremy Shockey, Giants: Shockey has always been a tough player who could throw a good block. His receiving skills are solid as well, but we will see how he comes off his injury.
13. Daniel Graham, Broncos: Graham is possibly the best, if not the best, blocking TE in the league. He fits well in Denver as he poses as an extra blocker for Denver running backs in the zone blocking system. He can also catch a few passes.
14. Vernon Davis, 49ers: Davis, like Gates, is an extremely athletic end and has improved in both seasons in the NFL, which is saying something when you don't have a decent QB throwing to you.
15.Greg Olsen, Bears: Olsen was a good performer for the Bears as a rook last season, and should get a bigger role this year, as he will be the Bears best pass catcher.
16.Zach Miller, Raiders: Miller was strong at the end of the year last season and I expect it to carry over to this season. If JaMarcus Russell can get him the ball, things for the Raiders O will improve all around.
17.L.J. Smith, Eagles: Smith has some good talent, and if he can become a better pass catcher, Smith could be a top 10 TE by the end of the season.
18. Marcedes Lewis, Jaguars: Lewis has good size and is able spread the D, and I think he could play a bigger role this year as the Jags try and make a run at the Super Bowl.
19. Kevin Boss, Giants: Boss has good upside and filled in for Jeremy Shockey very well last season when Shockey was injured. He also came up big in the Giants Super Bowl victory.
20. Alge Crumpler, Titans: Crumpler is a very dependable TE, who has good blocking size and is a decent receiver.
1. Antonio Gates, Chargers: Gates has been a premier TE in the game for a few years now, and he shows why every Sunday. His combination of size and athleticism make him very hard to cover and tackle, and therefore he records many TD's.
2. Jason Witten, Cowboys: Witten is a physical TE who puts up receiver-like numbers. His size helps him plow through defenders and his toughness does the rest.
3. Kellen Winslow, Browns: Winslow had a breakout year last season with Derek Anderson at the helm. He posted career bests in yards and TD's. He is also a pretty good blocker. kellen is also a soldier.
4. Dallas Clark, Colts: As usual, Clark had another solid year with the Colts, and caught 11 touchdown passes. He seems to do everything a TE is suppose to do well.
5.Tony Gonzalez, Chiefs: What can you say about Gonzo? He has achieved everything a tight end can hope for and still is playing at a high level today, even though he will enter his 12th season in two months.
6. Todd Heap, Ravens: Heap could probably be the definition of "solid." Even though he was out for a lot of the season last year, he was on pace for another good season.
7. Chris Cooley, Redskins: Cooley has a well-rounded game and has real good numbers for only being in the league for four years.
8. Heath Miller, Steelers: Miller is a young, physical tight end who can block well, and also be solid on the receiving end.
9. Tony Scheffler, Broncos: Tony has exceeded expectations in his first two years with the Broncos. Yes, he was supposed to be a decent pass catching TE, but he has flourished into a really good young talent.
10. Owen Daniels, Texans: Average sized tight end that has played much better than average in his first two seasons with Houston. I think we'll be poised for an even bigger season this year as the Texans make a run at their first playoff appearance in their history.
11. Ben Watson, Patriots: Watson doesn't have the best numbers due to Randy Moss and Wes Welker, but he is a tight end that can get it done when given the opportunity. He has some decent speed as well.
12. Jeremy Shockey, Giants: Shockey has always been a tough player who could throw a good block. His receiving skills are solid as well, but we will see how he comes off his injury.
13. Daniel Graham, Broncos: Graham is possibly the best, if not the best, blocking TE in the league. He fits well in Denver as he poses as an extra blocker for Denver running backs in the zone blocking system. He can also catch a few passes.
14. Vernon Davis, 49ers: Davis, like Gates, is an extremely athletic end and has improved in both seasons in the NFL, which is saying something when you don't have a decent QB throwing to you.
15.Greg Olsen, Bears: Olsen was a good performer for the Bears as a rook last season, and should get a bigger role this year, as he will be the Bears best pass catcher.
16.Zach Miller, Raiders: Miller was strong at the end of the year last season and I expect it to carry over to this season. If JaMarcus Russell can get him the ball, things for the Raiders O will improve all around.
17.L.J. Smith, Eagles: Smith has some good talent, and if he can become a better pass catcher, Smith could be a top 10 TE by the end of the season.
18. Marcedes Lewis, Jaguars: Lewis has good size and is able spread the D, and I think he could play a bigger role this year as the Jags try and make a run at the Super Bowl.
19. Kevin Boss, Giants: Boss has good upside and filled in for Jeremy Shockey very well last season when Shockey was injured. He also came up big in the Giants Super Bowl victory.
20. Alge Crumpler, Titans: Crumpler is a very dependable TE, who has good blocking size and is a decent receiver.
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