Tight End Rankings: Taking Over

[PFCritics]

Hey everyone, not sure if anyone remembers me; I'm the person who wrote the WR, RB, and QB rankings that were posted here a few weeks ago. You guys asked for me to post my TE column when finished, so here it is I'll post the AFC North here since that'll be the main topic of discussion. If you want to see the entire article in it's original context, please click here: http://www.pfcritics.com/news/TightEndRankingsTakingOver.php

AFC North - Poised for a Comeback

Todd Heap has always ranked as one of the top tight ends in the league, but his injuries last year prevented him from playing often. Kellen Winslow was expected to challenge Heap for the division lead the past two years, but his football and non-football injuries have prevented that. So that obviously means that...

1. Todd Heap - Baltimore Ravens - This is no joke everyone: Todd Heap only played in six games last year, yet he led the AFC North in receiving yards with 303 yards. If he played the whole season, he may have helped the Ravens make it to the playoffs. Heap may not get the chance to have 1,000 yards this season though if the Ravens' new wide receivers Derrick Mason and Mark Clayton are used often. Still, I'm sure he will produce over 303 yards for the season and stay atop the division.

2. Steve Heiden - Cleveland Browns - Heiden stepped up last year for the Browns in the absence of Kellen Winslow. Heiden missed three games of the season and had caught 28 passes for 287 yards and 5 TDs. He would have likely finished better than Heap yardage wise if he played the entire season, making his average numbers sounds good for the AFC North. The Browns offensive will continue to look at the tight end position despite Winslow's absence.

3. Heath Miller - Pittsburgh Steelers - Chosen in the first round of the draft, Miller seems like the best tight end taken in the draft. Ben Roethlisberger didn't have a big target at the position last year that he counted on, so Miller will have to work his way into the offense. He could be under rated though, since the Steelers are without WR Plaxico Burress this year and the healthy of RB Duce Staley remains a concern.

4. Matt Schobel - Cincinnati Bengals - Schobel hasn't done anything overwhelming since entering the league, but he hopes to be a part of a Bengals' offense that could turn out to be big. With how often the team throws to Chad Johnson and its other receivers though, Schobel will likely have the same type of season he's had the past few seasons.

5. Aaron Shea - Cleveland Browns - Shea just barely cracks the top five in the division simply for the fact that the Browns like to throw to both of their tight ends, while the other teams in the division only have one receiving option take "seriously". Shea had nearly the same numbers as Heiden did last year anyway, with about 30 less yards and one less touchdown.

The Rest(in order): Daniel Wilcox, Reggie Kelly, Terry Jones, Jerame Tuman, Tony Stewart

[The_Next_Big_Thing]

Frankly, I'd put Aaron Shea at #4 and leave the rest alone.

There aren't 5 TEs worth a damn in FF in the AFC N.

[DesperateDerelict]

Frankly, I'd put Aaron Shea at #4 and leave the rest alone.

There aren't 5 TEs worth a damn in FF in the AFC N.

Actually, outside of Heap (who's breaking down . . . get it? Heap! Breaking Down!)

there are NO viable fantasy tight ends in the AFCN

[HairOnFire]

Kellen Winslow Jr. = Punchline

Steve Heiden = Bengal killer

[PFCritics]

LoL...yeah, Heap is the only fantasy football threat in the division assuming you have one starter for TE on your team.

Without the Browns having Winslow at the moment, the AFC North could be the worst TE division in the NFL.

[Who?]

The AFC North has really no good tight ends other than Heap, but he has been injured and pretty much the only offensive threat on the Ravens team other than Lewis. I'm glad to see Heiden at #2, he is quite a player, I'm more of a Shea fan though to tell you the truth. Schobel will have a decent season this year with the Bengals offense looking good.