Flapjacks Fantasy Football Preview - TEs

#1 - Antonio Gates: '08 - 704 yds 8 tds
Gates was battling with hip/toe injuries all last year and he still finished second among TEs with 8 tds. As long as he's healthy this season, he should be back in double digits. With Rivers maturing each season, expect Gates to once again be the #1 TE.

2009 prediction - 954 yds 10 tds

#2 - Jason Witten: '08 - 952 yds 4 tds

Witten finished #2 in yardage for tight ends last year, but the lack of touchdowns is a concern. The loss of TO should help Witten get more targets, we just have to hope he can find the end zone a little more frequently.

2009 prediction - 920 yds 7 tds

#3 - Tony Gonzalez: '08 - 1,058 yds 10 tds

Tony led at TEs in yards and touchdowns last year, but don't expect a repeat performance. He was on an awful Kansas City team that was always behind, always had to throw the ball, and had only one other option (Bowe). He's now on a team with a great ground game, where throwing is not the first option. Tony will still produce, but not on last years level.

2009 prediction - 880 yds 8 tds

#4 - Dallas Clark: '08 - 848 yds 6 tds

Clark finished with a career high in receptions and receiving yards last year and this came when Peyton was not at 100%. Marvin Harrison is now gone, so expect plenty of balls to come Clarks way.

2009 prediction - 860 yds 8 tds

#5 - Chris Cooley: '08 - 849 yds 1 td

Yes, Cooley only finished with 1 td last year. Pretty ridiculous and it won't happen again. He was second in receptions for tight ends and was targeted 111 times. The yardage will be there for Chris and I find it hard to believe he won't have more than 1 td.

2009 prediction - 820 yds 5 tds

#6 - Owen Daniels: '08 - 862 yds 2 tds

Daniels averaged over 12 yards per catch last season and is a definite down field threat. As long as Schaub stays healthy Daniels will have a monster season. When Schaub missed 4 games, Daniels only managed 7 catches during that span. Keep your fingers crossed that Schaub stays on the field.

2009 prediction - 855 yds 4 tds

#7 - Greg Olsen: '08 - 574 yds 5 tds

Olsen had a decent 2008, especially with the 5 tds. Expect much more from Olsen this year, as the addition of Cutler should really increase his value. Cutler loves finding his TEs as he showed with Scheffler last season. It's not like the Bears have a great WR corp either, so Olsen should see the ball plenty.

2009 prediction - 705 yds 6 tds

#8 - Kellen Winslow: '08 - 428 yds 3 tds

Winslow missed 6 games last year due to a staph infection and ankle sprain. When he's healthy, he can be great. He's averaged 5 catches a game for his career...it's just a matter of keeping him on the field. He seems to have a great relationship with the coaching staff in Tampa and seems very happy and healthy. Keep your fingers crossed.

2009 prediction - 600 yds 6 tds

#9 - Zach Miller: '08 - 778 yds 1 td

Miller is entering his 3rd year, which is when most WRs/TEs make the big step forward. Miller had 778 yards playing for one of the worst teams and worst quarterbacks in football. Things can only get better.

2009 prediction - 820 yds 4 tds

#10 - John Carlson: '08 - 627 yds 5 tds

Carlson produced nicely last year as a rookie. Another year of being in the same system with a healthy Hasslebeck should help things out too. Not sure how the addition of Houshmandzedeh will effect things, but Carlson should be productive nonetheless.

2009 prediction - 700 yds 4 tds

Top 10+ TEs

1. Antonio Gates

2. Jason Witten

3. Tony Gonzalez

4. Dallas Clark

5. Chris Cooley

6. Owen Daniels

7. Greg Olsen

8. Kellen Winslow

9. Zach Miller

10. John Carlson

11. Dustin Keller

12. Jeremy Shockey

13. Kevin Boss

14. Tony Scheffler