It’s come down to this – the ten best fantasy tight ends in the league.  These are the guys you want on your roster, the guys that you plug in and forget about the position for the rest of the season (except on bye weeks, of course).  So when the fourth or fifth round comes up, instead of picking up that second wideout, or grabbing a mid-tier QB, maybe start thinking about one of these guys.  A good TE can make a lot of difference.  So let’s check out the ten best, after a short recap of 11-30.

30) John Carlson – Seattle Seahawks : My Projection : 22 rec, 232 yds, 1 TD
29) Leonard Pope – Arizona Cardinals : My Projection : 25 rec, 260 yds, 1TD
28) Kevin Boss – New York Giants : My Projection : 28 rec, 285 yds, 1 TD
27) David Martin – Miami Dolphins : My Projection : 36 rec, 326 yds, 1 TD
26) Vinsanthe Shiancoe – Minnesota Vikings : My Projection : 28 rec, 331 yds, 1 TD
25) Ben Utecht – Cincinnati Bengals : My Projection : 33 rec, 331 yds, 1 TD
24) Jeff King – Carolina Panthers : My Projection : 48 rec, 431 yds, 1 TD
23) Marcedes Lewis – Jacksonville Jaguars : My Projection : 25 rec, 397 yds, 2 TDs
22) Dustin Keller – New York Jets : My Projection : 38 rec, 424 yds, 2 TD
21) Eric Johnson – New Orleans Saints : My Projection : 44 rec, 421 yds, 2 TDs
20) Zach Miller – Oakland Raiders : My Projection : 46 rec, 438 yds, 3 TDs
19) Desmond Clark – Chicago Bears : My Projection : 40 rec, 460 yds, 3 TDs
18) Randy McMichael – St. Louis Rams : My Projection : 47 rec, 480 yds, 3 TDs
17) Donald Lee – Green Bay Packers : My Projection : 42 rec, 477 yds, 4 TDs
16) Greg Olsen – Chicago Bears : My Projection: 45 rec, 486 yds, 4 TDs
15) L.J. Smith – Philadelphia Eagles : My Projection: 49 rec, 584 yds, 3 TDs
14) Benjamin Watson – NE Patriots : My Projection : 41 rec, 441 yds, 5 TDs
13) Alge Crumpler – Tennessee Titans : My Projection : 48 rec, 571 yds, 4 TDs
12) Tony Scheffler – Denver Broncos : My Projection : 51 rec, 562 yds, 5 TDs
11) Vernon Davis – San Francisco 49ers : My Projection : 59 rec, 641 yds, 4 TDs

10) Owen Daniels – Houston Texans: I know what you’re thinking.  Owen WHO?  But what if I told you that Daniels was the 9th-ranked fantasy TE last year in standard formats?  And that he was top-15 the year before that?  This guy may have been flying under the radar, but he’s been producing.  And, with everyone on the Texans’ offense finally healthy, Daniels should be as productive as ever.  He might not be as flashy as some of the names ahead of him (or even behind him) on the list, but you can take advantage of that by getting him a round or two later than normal as he falls due to his no-name status.  But if he produces like I think he will, this might be the last year that no one knows who he is.  My Projection: 56 rec, 627 yds, 5 TDs

9) Jeremy Shockey – New York Giants: When Jeremy Shockey shows up to play, he’s one of the most dominating tight ends in the league.  Of course, he’s just as likely to be sidelined with some nagging injury, or be squabbling about his contract with team management.  He can be such a headache that trade rumors abounded all summer – and the talk still hasn’t quieted.  But all that aside, if you draft Shockey, you’re going to get production.  He has elite athleticism for the position, and isn’t afraid to sacrifice his body to make the play.  If the Giants offense plays like it did at the end of the season and in the playoffs, Shockey could have a huge year.  He just has to stay healthy – and in management’s good standing – first.  My Projection: 61 rec, 711 yds, 5 TDs

8) Heath Miller – Pittsburgh Steelers: This might be a bit higher than you’re seeing him on other lists, but I think this could be a big year for Miller.  He’s been solid, if not spectacular, during his three year career, and I think he’s poised for a breakout year.  Already one of Big Ben’s favorite red zone targets (18 TDs in three seasons), look for Miller to step it up between the 20s as Roethlisberger establishes himself as one of the NFL’s elite QBs.  Could be a mid-round steal.  My Projection: 59 rec, 672 yds, 8 TDs

7) Chris Cooley – Washington Redskins: Cooley has been remarkably consistent over the last three years, averaging about 750 yards and 7 TDs.  Those are borderline top-5 TE numbers – and Cooley finished the season as the 5th-ranked TE last year.  I don’t see any reason for those numbers to drop this year, as the quarterback situation finally appears to be stabilizing in the nation’s capital.  A very worthy alternative to the guys at the top of this list – and not as expensive either.  My Projection: 62 rec, 756 yds, 7 TDs

6) Todd Heap – Baltimore Ravens: Injuries kept Heap from claiming his usual position near the top of the league’s fantasy TEs last season, as he played only six games and left many fantasy owners struggling to replace the production they thought they’d  be getting out of their draft pick.  I was one of them.  But, Heap is reportedly healthy and should be good for his customary numbers.  The former Sun Devil should provide an excellent safety blanket for whichever youngster the Ravens settle on as their QB.  My Projection: 68 rec, 822 yds, 6 TDs

5) Dallas Clark – Indianapolis Colts: Anyone involved in the Colts’ passing game is worth having on your roster.  Clark exploded last year to the tune of 11 TDs, tops among NFL TEs.  He became Peyton Manning’s number two option after stalwart Marvin Harrison went down with injuries.  Harrison should be healthy by the time the season starts, but he also has some worrying legal troubles looming over him.  But with or without Harrison in the fold, Clark should again establish himself as a deadly weapon at the TE position.  My Projection: 62 rec, 698 yds, 10 TDs

4) Tony Gonzalez – Kansas City Chiefs: Last year was just another in a long line of highly productive seasons from the man many consider to be among the best of all time.  Almost 100 catches and 1200 yards to go along with 5 TDs.  Those numbers were good for 3rd among TEs.  Although he turned 33 in the offseason, he hasn’t shown any signs of slowing down.  The only thing that prevents him from taking one of the top two or three spots on this list is the dreadful QB situation in KC – Brodie Croyle?  Damon Huard?  Please.  Gonzalez will get his numbers though.  He always does.  My Projection: 88 rec, 968 yds, 6 TDs

3) Kellen Winslow, Jr. – Cleveland Browns: After a couple of injury-plagued seasons to kick off his NFL career, Winslow last year continued his ascent to the upper echelon of NFL tight ends.  As the Cleveland offense exploded, Winslow took his play up a notch and made his first Pro Bowl team.  I fully expect the trend to continue, with Derek Anderson fully entrenched as the starting QB and weapons at the other skill positions.  Look for Winslow to push for another Pro Bowl berth and challenge for the title of best fantasy TE.  My Projection: 85 rec, 1094 yds, 7 TDs

2) Jason Witten – Dallas Cowboys: I was thisclose to putting Witten at the top of this list.  And who knows, he might play himself to that position by season’s end (hey, he did last year).  Either way, there’s not going to be much difference between Witten and the guy ahead of him.  Both are legitimate studs, and are worth thinking about in the fourth round.  Witten is a vital cog in one of the NFL’s best passing offenses and is a big-play machine.  He has an excellent relationship with Tony Romo, and actually caught more balls than the more-heralded T.O.  Witten is a legitimate beast, and I look forward to drafting him – if I can get him, that is.  My Projection: 95 rec, 1144 yds, 8 TDs

1) Antonio Gates – San Diego Chargers: Although I thought long and hard about putting Witten here, at the end of the day, it had to be Gates.  He has been just destroying the league for four seasons now, and I don’t see that stopping this year.  Although Witten outscored him in standard formats last year, it wasn’t by much, and Gates was banged up at the end of the year.  And it really comes down to this: Gates IS the Bolts passing offense, whereas Witten has to compete with T.O. for passes.  Both will get their numbers, but I think Gates’ will be slightly better.  But don’t be afraid to draft either early.  My Projection: 91 rec, 1121 yds, 10 TDs

That should be all you need to know when it comes to drafting tight ends this year.  The guys in the top 10 are the ones you want on your team, but the others have their uses as well.  In today’s NFL, you never know what’s going to happen – injuries, drugs, suspensions, etc. – so you always have to be prepared.  This list will help you.  Don’t forget to check back at RotoHog for our other rankings as well.