Pretty soon, you will be able to see our 2010 player profiles for detailed analysis and projections, but here's the low-down on tight ends in 2010. OA is the current overall RotoCommunity ranking at the position. DG = Dave Gawron, PM = Pat Mayo, RS = Richard Schortenmeyer III, and AV = average.

Dave Gawron's text is in black, Pat Mayo's in blue.

!!! Tier rankings updated 9/4/10, but write-ups are from original posting !!! 

STRATEGY

Those who waited for players like Brent Celek and Vernon Davis were rewarded handsomely in 2009. We advise waiting for Jermichael Finley, Owen Daniels, and Zach Miller in 2010. In many leagues, you can take two and use one at the FLEX position sometimes.

Tight end is fairly deep this season, but if you decide to address the position early, make sure you take someone with a track record. Tight ends can develop into busts fairly quickly -- just ask any 2009 Witten owners. There's some good value later in the draft, but you could end up playing Russian roulette with unproven talent.

TIER 1 (elite)

The only problem with these players is that it's a deep position, so you can wait and still get good value.

Outside of injuries, you really can't match the consistency of Clark or Gates. Davis is the real gamble here. He put it all together in 2009, but is that going to last? I think he will. If you're a player that doesn't want assume too much risk, steer clear of the 49ers' big man. 

TIER 2 (star)

Witten should get more end zone looks this year, and Celek should be fine with Kolb. We like these three, but there are still solid options later.

Everyone seems to be forgetting that Witten was downright brutal last year. Now that the Cowboys have added another elite passing threat in Dez Bryant, I actually expect less from Witten. He'll still be very valuable in PPR formats, but make a note to let someone else draft the former Volunteer. An 8 rank may seem like I'm way down on Tony G, but I'm really not. Always a PPR stalwart, the future Hall-of-Famer just doesn't inspire me anymore. It's really no reason to downgrade him, but I don't think there's a way he finishes a top three guy when all is said and done. Since some waiver wire guys will emerge as valuable commodities as the season moves forward, I would rather take a gamble on Celek, Finley and Daniels. All three have much higher upside and all three could finish in the top-3. For much love about Brent Celek, check out my sleepers column.     

TIER 3 (solid)

Finley could bump up a tier, but right now, he has other Packers to fight with for targets and could be a bit inconsistent. Cooley should lose targets to Davis. Daniels is an injury risk. Miller is probably the best value here, with a real NFL QB passing to him. Shiancoe is inconsistent, and Winslow is a huge injury risk.

I can say enough good things about Finley, but I will issue this one concern. He's still young, and with the bevy of options the Packers sport at the skills positions, he could be wildly inconsistent from week to week. He has Vernon Davis upside, but he may still be a year away from being truly elite. If you can get him at a discount, the risk becomes worth it. I like the Cooler mainly because I don't know who else on the 'Skins is going to catch passes. Upgrade him above Finley in PPR formats. Daniels should be ranked higher, but I always worry about knee problems. He's got all the skill and is in the right offense to excel. Many may forget that he was the number one TE before succumbing to injury in week 8. He's a great upside flier for the right price. 

Miller is a tease every year. The addition of Jason Campbell has that sleeper chatter back on the tip of everyone's tongue. I've referred to Miller as "unownable" in the past, and I'm not budging on that stance. I agree he has the talent, just let someone else deal with the headache. I won't be owning Sciancoe or Winslow on any of my teams, I recommend you follow suit.

TIER 4 (not as solid)

These are all decent back-ups. Keller has many other receivers to fight for targets with. Olsen may or may not adapt to the Martz offense. Miller, Carlson, and Boss should all be pretty inconsistent.

Poor Olsen. He just doesn't fit into that Martz offense. Maybe he learns to adjust, but I wouldn't count on it. If you're taking a flier from this tier, make it Keller or Miller. Both are the best receiver on their respective teams.

TIER 5 (iffy)

Shockey and Heap are good fantasy TE2s because they'll out-perform their ADP when healthy. Just count on missed time. We need to see exactly how Scheffler, Hernandez, and Gresham are worked into their respective offenses this year.

I'd like to think that the Lions acquired Iron Schef for a reason, but who really knows what goes through the mind of Lions' management. Gresham may not produce this year, but he has top-5 talent. Look him up as a back up in deeper leagues. 

TIER 6 (not good)

There's nothing much to see here. Cook could be a decent player in dynasty leagues. Then again, you never know with tight ends, so maybe not. Davis could steal time from Cooley, and Scaife could have good games here and there, but nothing here is very exciting.

No one here inspires. If anything were to happen to Chris Cooley, Fred Davis immediately becomes a top-10 TE. Pettigrew has the most talent of this group, but is coming off knee surgery and now has to share time with Scheffler. He's still a great pick in keeper leagues, but don't expect 2010 to be his year. 

ALSO

Our 2010 Fantasy Football Draft Kit can help you win your league this year, so check out the whole kit. And don't forget, we will promptly answer any questions you may have about your team, line-up, waiver wire, and trades in our FORUM. It just takes a minute to REGISTER a username and password for our site (allowing you to download draft kit files and post reviews, comments, blogs, and forum topics).