2006 keeper league rankings -- TE

Here are the 2006 keeper league TE rankings as of the beginning of June. The draft produced some interesting situations, and several rookies could be immediate contributors. If your league requires a starting tight end, you'll want to have someone in the top-8 to rely on every week. If not, then it depends on your scoring system.

TE
1. Antonio Gates -- 26 -- the only question is how high to draft him... if you league requires a starting TE, take him early and don't listen to the critics of Phillip Rivers
2. Jeremy Shockey -- 26 -- as long as the running game in New York stays productive, Shockey will have another great season... he's quickly becoming Eli Manning's favorite target
3. Jason Witten -- 24 -- Is it possible that Terrell Owens will be used as a decoy for Witten in the red zone? They'll both get their catches, but Witten could take the next step in 2006 and become a 1000yd, 10 TD tight end
4. Heath Miller -- 24 -- I really like Miller's chances to score 10+ touchdowns this year, because with the retirement of Jerome Bettis, Big Ben will be looking for a red zone target... draft him to use every week
5. Todd Heap -- 26 -- much like Chad Johnson, it doesn't seem to matter to Heap who is throwing the ball... I'd still like his value better if Steve McNair shows up in Baltimore
6. Tony Gonzalez -- 30 -- he's the #1 receiving option in the KC offense, and with the emergence of Larry Johnson, that could mean many catches and less touchdowns... watch the odometer and bid accordingly
7. Kellen Winslow -- 23 -- all signs point to a healthy return, but he really won't be 100% until the 2007 season... you'll never get him cheaper, so spend money on him now and thank me next year
8. Chris Cooley -- 24 -- great possession guy who carved a niche last year going over the middle and getting yards in the red zone... look for more of the same in 2006
9. Alge Crumpler -- 28 -- his numbers don't figure to improve much unless Mike Vick can spread the ball around more... teams know he looks to Crumpler exclusively in the red zone and on third-and-short situations... that being said, 65 catches and six touchdowns isn't bad
10. L.J. Smith -- 26 -- he could gain back the red zone touchdowns that were lost to Terrell Owens, but I'm trusting him less after he didn't show up big last year when handed the job
11. Vernon Davis -- 22 -- could be the next big thing at TE, but it might take some time... he'll quickly become Alex Smith's favorite target, but you should invest more for the long term
12. Randy McMichael -- 27 -- if he can keep himself in line with the law, and if Culpepper is healthy, and if, and if, and if... he'll give you numbers and headaches, not necessarily in that order
13. Jerramy Stevens -- 27 -- came on strong at the end of 2005, and if he continues that pace into this year, he'll be a top-5 TE... he's my top sleeper to explode this year
14. Dallas Clark -- 27 -- I fell in love with Clark in 2004 and made him my #1 TE sleeper for 2005... I won't make that mistake this year. The Colts throw to several tight ends, and none will make it to 55 catches, but Clark is still the best of the bunch.
15. Ben Troupe -- 24 -- might lose time to Erron Kinney, but considering they combined for 110 catches last season, he'll still get touches... he's the preferred TE in the red zone, so his season numbers will be better than Kinney's
16. Ben Watson -- 25 -- who knows if the starting TE will be Watson, Daniel Graham, Mike Vrabel... but Watson is the best and fastest of the crew... if he emerges as the starter, he's a great #2 TE, borderline #1
17. Joe Klopfenstein -- 22 -- the Rams traded Brandon Manumaleuna, so it's between Klop and Dominique Byrd for the job... Klop will win it and has a legit shot at offensive rookie of the year if he stays healthy
18. Jeb Putzier -- 27 -- for some reason, I've changed my tune on Putz... he'll have job security in an offense with rising stars, so he could be another deep sleeper to breakout
19. Alex Smith -- 24 -- he'll be in a battle with Anthony Becht, but he shouldn't be... Smith is clearly the better player, and if he gets a chance, he could have a nice season
20. Jermaine Wiggins -- 31 -- the years are catching up to him, but he's still averaged 70 catches over the last two seasons... too bad he can't get in the end zone; otherwise, he'd be 12 spots higher
21. Erron Kinney -- 29 -- the Titans seem to like Ben Troupe in the red zone, and he has less mileage, so this could be the year Kinney slips to a true second string end
22. Marcedes Lewis -- 22 -- he's better than Kyle Brady right now, but my opinion doesn't mean anything... if he gets to start, he could surprise
23. Courtney Anderson -- 26 -- Aaron Brooks said to the media that he's excited about throwing to Anderson, but who knows... he really has no competition, so he has to produce something, right?
24. Leonard Pope -- 23 -- the big rookie from Georgia has a chance to become the starting end on opening day, with only the underachieving Eric Edwards in his way... if he gets the job, he's not a bad option because of the firepower of the Arizona offense
25. Doug Jolley -- 27 -- if he holds off Chris Baker, he could have a good season given Chad Pennington's health... seeing that Chad isn't a given, draft at your own risk
26. Daniel Graham -- 28 -- the Pats love him in the red zone, but he didn't do anything else last year... and he probably will catch 25 passes and score five touchdowns, which isn't good for you
27. Bubba Franks -- 28 -- Favre is back, and Franks should be healthy, so look for more of the same: low catch numbers but a bunch of touchdowns
28. Reggie Kelly -- 29 -- if the Bengals are serious about throwing more passes his way, you could have a good backup TE... don't bet on it, though
29. Tony Scheffler -- 23 -- if he performs well in the preseason, he should push Stephen Alexander for the job... he's a big tight end who could fit nicely in the offense
30. Robert Royal -- 27 -- another fantasy backup who probably won't do enough to warrant a starting spot, just like most of the guys ranked between 25-35
31. Zach Hilton -- 26 -- he's a giant man who only has to beat Ernie Conwell to be a starter, but that doesn't automatically mean success... keep an eye on his situation
32. Desmond Clark -- 29 -- I'm not confident in the Bears offense, so I'm not going to draft Clark, and I'm saying you shouldn't either
33. Eric Edwards -- 26 -- Leonard Pope was drafted by the Cardinals, but Edwards is expected to be the starter, at least for the first half of the season... I wouldn't spend a lot on him, but if you draft him, trade him by week 8
34. Dominique Byrd -- 22 -- will probably start as #2 behind Klopfenstein, but could be called into action... with two rookies fighting for a job, the winner will produce well
35. Michael Gaines -- 26 -- this is the year he should begin to take the starting job from Kris Mangum... he's younger and more athletic, and is a good red zone target
36. Anthony Fasano -- 22 -- should start alongside Jason Witten in the Cowboys two-TE set, but he won't offer much offensive production anytime soon
37. Stephen Alexander -- 31 -- still listed as Denver's starter, but his production slipped badly last year and the Broncos might want to see Tony Scheffler's skills
38. Marcus Pollard -- 34 -- the only NFL player from my alma mater (Bradley) is aging, but still offering 40-catch, 500-yd seasons... nobody on the team right now will supplant him this year
39. Bryan Fletcher -- 27 -- he's the best of the three TE behind Dallas Clark, so he should rack up 30-40 catches, and more if Clark is ineffective or injured
40. Kyle Brady -- 34 -- too creaky, but still has the starting job, at least until Marcedes Lewis shows his talent
41. Ernie Conwell -- 34 -- will be the starter until he gets hurt again, at which point Zach Hilton begins his reign in New Orleans
42. Kris Mangum -- 33 -- somebody has to start at tight end in Carolina, and it's either Mangum or Michael Gaines... Mangum is the more reliable of the two, but his age is a concern
43. Chris Baker -- 26 -- together with Doug Jolley, you have one good TE... if your league allows you to combine players together, do it; since most don't, stay away from both
44. Eric Johnson -- 27 -- when the 49ers drafted Vernon Davis in the first round, it killed Johnson's future with the team... he injury prone, but I can't ignore the 82 catches in 2004... see if he's traded, and then watch him carefully
45. Anthony Becht -- 29 -- hasn't missed a game since 2000, but has only scored two TD since November 2003... if he beats Alex Smith, he could make some waves