| Tight End Rankings |
| Rank |
Team |
Player |
Rec Yds |
Receptions |
Total TDs |
| 11 |
 |
Dallas Clark |
367 |
30 |
4 |
|
Indy always seems to be saying they want to get Clark more involved in the passing game. In last year's playoffs, they finally followed through on that pledge, as Clark caught 21 passes for 317 yards in their four-game Super Bowl run. Maybe it was a sign of things to come for Clark.
|
| 12 |
 |
David Martin |
198 |
21 |
2 |
|
Maybe you've never heard of Martin. He's a pass-catching tight end who spent the last six seasons as the back-up in Green Bay. Before that, Martin was a wide receiver at the University of Tennessee, so you now he has receiving skills. Now the starter in Miami, Martin's new head coach, Cam Cameron, was most recently the offensive coordinator in San Diego. Cameron's tight end there was Antonio Gates. The Dolphins new QB, Trent Green, was most recently the quarterback in Kansas City. Green's tight end there was Tony Gonzalez. It all adds up to a potential breaout year for Martin. |
| 13 |
 |
Ben Watson |
643 |
49 |
3 |
Watson is a pass-catching tight end who runs like a wide receiver. Watson's main role in New Engald has been to stretch the field deep. But now, the Patriots have a couple of deep threats at receiver in Randy Moss and Donte' Stallworth. QB Tom Brady might not be looking Watson's way as often as he did last season.
|
| 14 |
 |
Daniel Graham |
235 |
21 |
2 |
Graham spent the past five seasons in New England, where his primary role was as a blocker. But Graham signed with the Broncos because they promised him a bigger role in the passing game. Denver offensive coordinator Mike Heimerdinger said this summer that he expects Graham to catch about 50 passes this season.
|
| 15 |
 |
L.J. Smith |
611 |
50 |
5 |
|
In our SI TEEN Fantasy Football Guide, we ranked Smith as the ninth-best tight end. But since then, his troublesome back has been acting up. If Smith and QB Donovan McNabb are both 100 percent, he should be more productive than he was last season. But more likely, Smith will struggle with injuries often this year. |
| 16 |
 |
Heath Miller |
393 |
34 |
5 |
|
Miller was a forgotten man in Pittsburgh last season. After racking up 101 receiving yards in the season opener, he never topped 35 receiving yards in any game. But having QB Ben Rosthlieberger back healthy should help Miller. And new offensive coordinator Bruce Arians has been hinting that he wants Miller to be more involved as a pass-catcher. The Steelers even plan on lining Miller up as a slot receiver at times.
|
| 17 |
 |
Owen Daniels |
352 | 34 | 5 |
|
Daniels, a fourth-round pick in 2006, emerged as a solid tight end his rookie year. And adjusting to the NFL as a pass-catching rookie tight end isn't an easy feat. With no clear-cut No. 2 receiver in Houston, Daniels should often be QB Matt Schaub's second option after star WR Andre Johnson.
|
| 18 |
 |
Ben Troupe |
150 |
13 |
2 |
|
As a pass-catcher, Troupe is one of the most physically giften tight ends in the NFL. But after 55 catches in 2005, he never got it going last year. He and QB Vince Young just had no chemistry. Maybe with top receiver Drew Bennett leaving for St. Louis as a free agent, Young will start looking Troupe's way more often. |
| 19 |
 |
Marcedes Lewis |
126 |
13 |
1 |
|
A high ankle sprain suffered in the preseason all but ruined Lewis's rookie year. But he has great hands. And new Jaguars offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter loved to go to his tight ends in the passing game when he ran the offense at Arizona State University. Lewis is a high-risk pick because he's unproven at the NFL level. But the Jags' 2006 first-round pick could be a pleasant surprise this year.
|
| 20 |
 |
Donald Lee |
150 |
10 |
0 |
|
Lee has all but officially taken the starting job from Bubba Franks in Green Bay. Lee has good receiving skills, and the Packers are another team that lack a proven second receiver to play opposite Donald Driver. QB Brett Favre could look Lee's way often.
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