1.) Jason Witten (TE) – Dallas Cowboys
In 2007, Witten finished second amongst National Football League tight ends with career highs in receptions (96) and receiving yards (1,145). He also added a career-high seven touchdown grabs. Witten is a determined pass-catcher that isn’t afraid to play smashmouth football, and opposing secondaries know it. Last season, Witten caught six or more passes 10 times and notched 100-plus receiving yards on four occasions. In my mind, he has officially taken the crown from tight end king Antonio Gates, so to expect anything less than a stellar year from Witten would be foolish on your part. Draft the 6-foot-5, 265-pound bruiser with confidence, because Dallas quarterback Tony Romo loves him and won’t hesitate to throw his way 15-20 times a game if he has to.

2.) Antonio Gates (TE) – San Diego Chargers
Unfortunately for Gates, the surgery he had on his toe in late February will likely keep him off the practice field for most of training camp. However, word out of San Diego is that Gates is adamant about playing in the season opener against the Carolina Panthers. There is no doubt that Gates will slip in drafts this season due to his ailing toe, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t use an early draft pick on the 6-foot-4, 260-pound superstar. In four consecutive seasons, Gates has recorded 900-plus receiving yards and at least nine touchdown grabs. Although Gates’ reception totals have been down over his last two campaigns, his presence in the red zone is still legendary. Plus, with quarterback Philip Rivers feeling better, a healthy LaDainian Tomlinson and wide receiver Chris Chambers in the mix, Gates’ presence on the field and on fantasy rosters should loom larger than ever.

3.) Kellen Winslow, Jr. (TE) – Cleveland Browns
Last season was the second consecutive year that the University of Miami product participated in all 16 contests. In addition, he recorded career highs in receiving yards (1,106) and touchdowns (five). He finished third amongst NFL tight ends in catches (82) and first in yards per catch (13.5). He’s a tightly wound force that plays in one of the NFL’s most exuberant offenses, especially with the recent addition of former New England Patriots wide receiver Donte’ Stallworth. If Cleveland quarterback Derek Anderson can continue the dominance he showcased last season, it’s not out of the question that Winslow could takeover as the games best tight end, he has all the tools.

4.) Tony Gonzalez (TE) – Kansas City Chiefs
Over his last nine seasons, Gonzalez has notched 800-plus yards eight times, which includes three seasons with 1,150-plus yards and six seasons with six or more touchdowns. Last year, he led the league in receptions (99) and receiving yards (1,172). He also added five touchdown grabs on the year. Gonzalez is one of the most consistent tight ends to ever grace the field. He encompasses brute strength and a vast array of pass catching attributes that has morphed him into an on-field force. Plus, the return of running back Larry Johnson and the emergence of developing second-year wide receiver Dwayne Bowe should only add to his already immense value.

5.) Dallas Clark (TE) – Indianapolis Colts
Clark led all NFL tight ends last year with a career-high 11 touchdowns, a total that was nearly three times the amount (four) he recorded in 2006. Quarterback Peyton Manning loves the 6-foot-3, 252-pound mixture of power and speed, which is evident by Clark recording career highs in receptions (58), receiving yards (616) and touchdowns last year. Plus, with wide receivers Reggie Wayne and Marvin Harrison in toe and the versatile services of running back Joseph Addai on the menu in Indianapolis, the stage is set just right for Clark to shine again in 2008.

6.) Todd Heap (TE) – Baltimore Ravens
Keep in mind that Heap will slip in this year’s draft due to the hamstring injury he suffered last season being fresh on the mind of skeptical owners. In six games last year, Heap caught 23 passes for 239 yards (10.4 yards per catch) and one touchdown. However, prior to last season, Heap notched two straight campaigns with 70-plus receptions, 750-plus yards and six or more touchdowns. Not to mention, he registered 68 receptions in 2002 for 836 yards (12.3 yards per catch) and six touchdowns. When healthy, the Arizona State alum is one of the best tight ends in the game. He is powerful, determined and smart enough to deceive any secondary. Going into 2008, the only uncertainty about Heap is if Troy Smith, Joe Flacco or Kyle Boller will be throwing the rock his way. He says he’s healthy and ready to roll, draft him with confidence; he could turn out to be a pleasant surprise.

7.) Chris Cooley (TE) – Washington Redskins
Last season, Cooley set career highs in receiving yards (786) and touchdowns (eight). Since his 2004 rookie season, he has averaged 57.75 receptions, 652 receiving yards and 6.75 touchdowns per year. In addition, his supreme durability is highlighted by the fact that he has never missed a game over his four years in the NFL. Remember, Cooley is Washington’s only real red zone threat, so expect him to be targeted early and often if quarterback Jason Campbell can lead them downfield on a regular basis. Cooley has proved to be a consistently nasty tight end, so expect this season to coincide with that trend, because his upside and on-field tenacity make him one of the safest bets in the world of fantasy.

8.) Jeremy Shockey (TE) – New Orleans Saints
If Shockey can stay healthy under the watchful eye of the Louisiana Superdome, his 2008 season could be monstrous. In five out of his six NFL seasons, Shockey has been a lock for 55-plus receptions and 600-plus yards. He has also notched six or more touchdowns in three out of his six NFL campaigns. The addition of Shockey to a team quarterbacked by Drew Brees could result in some insurmountable numbers for the fiery tight end. Not to mention, wide receiver Robert Meachem is healthy and wide receiver Marques Colston is a coverage magnet. However, his true value resides on his health, if he has that; the rest will be fun to watch.

9.) Heath Miller (TE) – Pittsburgh Steelers
It’s a proven fact that Miller doesn’t catch very many passes compared to the cast mentioned above, but he does catch touchdowns. Since his 2005 rookie campaign, Miller has caught five or more touchdowns each year, highlighted by a career-high seven touchdowns last year that tied him with Witten for fourth amongst tight ends. Although he also set career highs in receptions (47) and receiving yards (566) last year, the presence of wide receiver Hines Ward and developing wide receiver Santonio Holmes severely limits Miller’s true impact. Miller should slip to the later rounds of your draft.

10.) Owen Daniels (TE) – Houston Texans
Owens finished last season sixth amongst NFL tight ends in receptions (63) and receiving yards (768). This season, the Texans should have a healthy Andre Johnson and a matured Jacoby Jones running deep routes, which will hopefully open up the middle even more for the 6-foot-3, 247-pound Daniels. His developing talent is evident when you consider that he hauled in five or more passes seven times last season. In 2008, expect him to expand a bit on the three touchdowns he notched in 2007 with a slight increase in receptions and receiving yards. Owens is one of the NFL’s brightest young tight ends; it’s time for fantasy owners to catch on.

Home Cooking

Benjamin Watson (TE) – New England Patriots
I feel that if the Patriots wanted to, they could make Watson a star, especially with wide receivers Randy Moss and Wes Welker drawing coverage from all angles. Last season, he caught 36 passes for 389 yards (10.8 yards per catch) and six touchdowns. He caught five of his six touchdowns within the first five games of the season. Although he isn’t a force like Witten or Gates, Watson can easily provide an owner that lost out on the top-10 with a solid option capable of making big plays. You never know how head coach Bill Belichick will operate, so the possibility of seeing Watson shine brighter than ever this year could definitely be on the witty coach’s docket of surprises.

Rob McCarthy has played fantasy sports since the days of tediously transferring his daily points from the Boston Herald to a tattered notepad every morning. He has been featured on Yahoo! Sports, FOX Sports and currently scribes for KFFL.com. In addition, Rob is an avid fan of all Boston sports.