2008 Fantasy Football Tight End Rankings: From Jason Witten to Jeremy Shockey

It is nearing time for the fantasy football drafts and all fantasy owners are scrambling to get there cheatsheets and player rankings set. The tight end position is one that has emerged in the past year or two. Antonio Gates dominated the position a few years back but Jason Witten and Kellen Winslow have added to the top tier of fantasy tight ends. Here is a look at the top fantasy football tight ends for the 2008 season:

2008 Fantasy Football Tight End Rankings:

1. Jason Witten- Dallas

Jason Witten emerged as the favorite target for Tony Romo last season. Witten seemed to always be open with teams concentrating on stopping Terrell Owens. Look for Witten to have another stellar season and put him on the top of your tight end rankings for your fantasy football cheatsheet.

2. Antonio Gates- San Diego

Antonio Gates gave up his top position in the tight end rankings last season due to inconsistent play and injuries. Expect Gates to bounce back and have a chance to regain top this list for tight end rankings for the coming season. Gates should be a lock for 8 to 10 touchdowns and close to 1000 yards. Draft him as the second tight end selected in your fantasy football drafts.

3. Kellen Winslow- Cleveland

Winslow had a breakout season in 2008 with over 1000 yards receiving and 5 touchdown. Barring injuries, I do not see him slowing down this year. Derek Anderson always looks to get the ball to Winslow. Put him just slightly behind Antonio Gates on your cheatsheet.

4. Tony Gonzalez- Kansas City

Gonzalez is getting old but still is one of the top five tight ends in fantasy football. He caught a surprising 99 balls last year for over 1100 yards. Expect those numbers to dip slightly as age starts to take a toll. Consider Gonzalez as the fourth tight end off the board for your fantasy football draft.

5. Chris Cooley- Washington

Cooley did not put up a big number of catches or yards in 2008 but did get in the end zone 8 times. His overall numbers should improve slightly. He is one of the more consistent tight ends you can draft. Put Cooley 5th on your cheatsheets and take him after you already have your running back and receivers set.

6. Dallas Clark - Indianapolis

Peyton Manning loves throwing to the tight end position in the red zone. Clark caught 11 touchdown passes last season and figures to do more of the same in 2008. Clark will be up and down in performance leagues as his main value will come from getting in the end zone. Do not reach for Clark as there is a separation from the top 4 or 5 tight ends and Clark.

7. Vernon Davis- San Francisco

I have always been high on Vernon Davis and he has not yet performed to his ranking. Expect this to be a breakout year for Davis as Mike Martz plans to split Davis out as a wide receiver on many sets. I will be looking to take Davis as a sleeper on fantasy draft day. Move him up your cheatsheets if he impresses in the pre-season.

8. Todd Heap - Baltimore

Heap was injured for most of last season. Assuming he can stay healthy, Heap is a good risk and this point in the tight end rankings. Heap has been consistent for years and has a great set of hands. Take him in your fantasy football draft around this position and just hope he can stay on the field.

9. Heath Miller- Pittsburgh

Miller has benefited from the Steelers putting the ball in the air more often. Look for Pittsburgh to continue to be a throwing team and for Miller to looks in the red zone. Miller should be a solid tight end at this point on your cheatsheet.

10. Jeremy Shockey- New York Giants

Shockey got injured at the end of last season and was not very good when healthy. He is not happy with the Giants and this could effect his performance in 2008. I would not recommend Shockey before the first 9 or 10 tight ends are off the board. Keep Shockey lower on your player rankings then you have in the past.

Best of the Rest- Tight End Player Rankings 11-20

11. Tony Scheffler- Denver
12. Ben Watson- New England
13. Greg Olsen- Chicago
14. Owen Daniels- Houston
15. Algae Crumpler-Tennessee
16. Donald Lee- Green Bay
17. L. J. Smith- Philadelphia
18. Zach Miller- Oakland
19. Marcedes Lewis- Jacksonville
20. John Carlson- Seattle

Sleeper- Vernon Davis- San Francisco
Best Value- Dallas Clark- Indianapolis
Bust- Jeremy Shockey - New York Giants

There are the 2008 player rankings for the tight end position. Check out my other articles for cheatsheets and rankings of other positions. Good luck in your fantasy football drafts.