Top 12 Fantasy Tight Ends, Defenses, and Possibly Kickers

Antonio Gates is the best TE in football, but which team has the top defensive unit? And exactly how important is a kicker to your fantasy team? 411's Don M. Dumas answers these quesitons and more...

With the first preseason game under our belt, it is time to speed up the fantasy football draft column with the top-12 performers of the final three fantasy positions: tight ends, defenses, and kickers. Let's jump right in with the TEs…

1. Antonio Gates-San Diego Chargers- Gates has no equal in the NFL. Simply put, he cannot be covered. The fact that the Chargers have no legitimate threat at wide receiver ensures that Gates will be the top performing TE in The League in 2007. In fact, he will probably be the only TE with 10+ TD catches.

2. Jeremy Shockey-New York Giants- Although Shockey's yards per catch was the lowest it's ever been, he did tie his career-high with 7 TDs last year. Other than Plaxico Burress, Shockey is Eli's favorite target.

3. Tony Gonzalez-Kansas City Chiefs- Gonzalez was the best TE in the game for many years. His best years are behind him, but he still a force to be reckoned with. The loss of QB Trent Green will hurt his production but--similar to Gates' situation--there is no proven WR on Gonzalez' team. He will catch more balls than any other Chief in 2007.

4. Vernon Davis-San Francisco 49ers- Davis took his lumps during his rookie campaign. Because he was injured for a large part of the 2006 season, he only caught 20 passes. However, 5 of those receptions were for 20 or more yards, and 3 went for scores. You can bet that '07 is Davis' breakthrough season.

5. Kellen Winslow-Cleveland Browns- Lost to season-ending injuries his first two years in The League, Winslow finally got on the field in 2006. All he did was catch 89 passes for 875 yards. Although the QB situation in Cleveland is shaky, Winslow will be the premier target for whoever ends up starting.

6. Todd Heap-Baltimore Ravens- Not the flashiest TE, but Heap gets the job done. McNair loves throwing to his tight end and Heap is as reliable as they come. He will no doubt match his 73 receptions of a year ago, and possibly add to his 6 TDs.

7. Chris Cooley-Washington Redskins- Maybe the most underrated TE in all of football, Cooley is a playmaker. In each of his first three seasons, he has caught no less than 6 TDs, and went over 700 yards twice. Cooley's ability to run after the catch is what separates him from other TEs. Although his team isn't very good, Cooley will be one of the Redskins' few bright spots in 2007.

8. Alge Crumpler-Atlanta Falcons- The loss of Michael Vick will really hurt Crumpler. Although Crumpler is a big, sure-handed target, if Harrington is his QB in 2007 it will be hard for him to match his 8 TDs of '06. With that said, he will still out perform most other NFL TEs.

9. Dallas Clark-Indianapolis Colts- Clark has an advantage over every other TE on this list because of his QB. However, the Colts have too many receivers for Clark to have plays designed specifically for him. Clark still managed to score 4 TDs last season and should get at least that many again.

10. Jason Witten-Dallas Cowboys- Witten can flat out play. It was disappointing the way the ‘Boys didn't get him involved last year; he only caught 1 TD. If Dallas wants to win more games this year they must get Witten involved. I think they will. Expect Witten's number to be closer to his '04 season (87 catches, 980 yards, 6 TDs) than his '06 output.

11. L.J. Smith-Philadelphia Eagles- Smith will have to step up this year in Philly's passing attack with Stallworth now in New England. I expect Smith to quietly catch 60+ passes for 700+ yards and build on his 5 TDs of a year ago.

12. Heath Miller- Pittsburgh Steelers- Miller doesn't get many balls thrown his way, but he does manage to score. In his two years he has 11 TDs, which is pretty good for a TE. Miller is a solid red zone target and he will get the ball in those situations.

Now let's move on to the defenses. Every league gives points for sacks, takeaways, and defensive touchdowns. Most leagues also give kick and punt return touchdowns to the defense as well. This list takes all of this into consideration.

1. Chicago Bears- The Bears led the NFL in takeaways and touchdowns last year. With LB Lance Briggs in camp, DT Tommie Harris healthy, and KR/PR Devin Hester as electrifying as ever, they are definitely the top fantasy unit.

2. Baltimore Ravens- This unit does it all; they get after the QB, they create turnovers, and they score touchdowns. Although the Ravens are aging on the defensive side of the ball, they play extremely well together. The 2007 season will be another strong year for Baltimore.

3. San Diego Chargers- San Diego created only 29 turnovers in '06, but they did lead the NFL in sacks with 61. If they can find away to score a few more defensive touchdowns they will be very tough to beat.

4. New England Patriots- The rich get richer. The addition of Adalius Thomas from Baltimore greatly enhances this squad. They were fourth in The League in takeaways in '06 and will likely do the same in 2007.

5. Minnesota Vikings- In 2006 the Vikings' defense was very good but didn't get much credit. They finished third in takeaways and second in fantasy touchdowns. Of course, their coordinator is now the head guy in Pittsburgh but he left his mark. The unit will be just as tough as a year ago.

6. Green Bay Packers- The Packers finished 8-8 last year not because of Brett Favre but because of their defense. As a team, they got more sacks than better-known defensive units such as the Bears, Patriots, Steelers and Eagles. They also scored 5 touchdowns. The best thing about them is that nobody pays them any attention; you can get great value by drafting them in the late rounds.

7. Philadelphia Eagles- The Eagle finished 13th in takeaways and managed to get 40 sacks. They love to blitz and the addition of Takeo Spikes will make this defense even better.

8. Miami Dolphins- The 27 turnovers created by the Dolphins' defense wasn't off the charts by any means, but their 47 sacks were. They boast the reigning NFL Defensive MVP in Jason Taylor and have now added LB Joey Porter to the squad. Their opponents in 2007 will be in for a brawl.

9. Arizona Cardinals- Talk about getting no respect. The Cardinals defense finished fifth in takeaways in 2006. Their safety Adrian Wilson might the best in the business. If his play rubs off on the rest of the unit the NFC West will be in serious trouble. They are another great value pick in the later rounds.

10. Dallas Cowboys- The defense had a good year in 2006, but it wasn't good enough for new head coach Wade Phillips because he still spent his first round pick on a defensive end. You can bet the house that the ‘Boys will increase their sack total (34) and takeaway total (31) of a year ago.

11. Pittsburgh Steelers- The Steelers are a solid unit year in and year out. If you watched the Hall of Fame game against the Saints, then you have already witnessed what the unit will play like in '07. Head coach Mike Tomlin made the Vikings defense good and the talent is already there in Pittsburgh to do the same.

12. Denver Broncos- The Broncos defense is extremely stingy. Last year they only gave up 2 offensive touchdowns in their first 6 games. They didn't get many sacks last year so they addressed the issue by drafting DE Jarvis Moss from Florida. If CB Dre Bly can play well opposite of Champ Bailey than this team will go places in '07.

Now let us move on to kickers…

WHO CARES ABOUT KICKERS!?! Unless your league gives points for PATs (which many of them do), it doesn't really matter who your kicker is. If your league does give points for PATs, then draft the kicker of a high-scoring offense.

Adam Vinatieri of the Colts, Nate Kaeding of the Chargers, or Shayne Graham of the Bengals are good picks for those leagues.

I will leave you this tidbit of information, though:

Robbie Gould of the Bears and Jeff Wilkins of the Rams tied for the league lead in field goals made in 2006 (32).

Nate Kaeding made the most extra points (58).

Matt Stover of the Ravens had the best field goal percentage (93.3)

Matt Bryant of the Buccaneers made the longest field goal in 2006 (62 yards).

No matter what, don't draft your kicker until the final round. And please, for the love of football, do not keep more than 1 kicker on your roster at any one time.