Tight Ends

[This article contains a table. Please see hardcopy of magazine or PDF.]

*Rookie (college statistics)

Talking Points

• Tony Gonzalez is still the NFL's best receiving tight end. He may not duplicate last year's numbers, but he'll still deliver more consistently than anyone else on the board.

• The Cowboys are going to run more, and Jason Witten will see tougher coverage with Terrell Owens gone. That's why he's a clear third among the big three at this position.

ON THE RISE

• I love Anthony Fasano. Only Antonio Gates and Gonzalez had more TDs among tight ends last year, and I expect him to do even better this season. Though this is Fasano's fourth year in the league, it's just his second season as Miami's prime target.

• As a rookie last year John Carlson led Seattle receivers in catches, yards and TDs. The club's pass-catching unit will be stronger this season, but he's still an attractive option at a thin position.

• With the turnover in the Giants' receiving corps, Kevin Boss is a trusted hand at TE. He didn't have big reception numbers last year, but no tight end caught a higher percentage of his passes inside the 20.

• Maybe Kellen Winslow has disappointed in years past, but it's not a bad idea to grab a tight end on a team such as the Bucs, whose offense is in transition and whose QB will be looking to his safety valve.