Tight Ends
ON THE RISE
HEATH MILLER,Steelers
With Jerome Bettis retired and Antwaan Randle El gone as a free agent, Millerwill play a larger role in the offense, especially in the red zone.
TODD HEAP,Ravens
Coming off career highs in catches and yards, he'll benefit from Baltimore'supgraded passing attack.
ALEX SMITH,Buccaneers
His 41 catches were tops among rookie TEs last year; he'll likely start aheadof Anthony Becht this season.
ON THEDECLINE
DANIEL GRAHAM,Patriots
The tight end pass-catching duties in New England are shifting to the emergingBen Watson.
STEVE HEIDEN,Browns
With Kellen Winslow back, catches will be few and far between for Cleveland'ssecond TE.
MARCUS POLLARD,Lions
Don't expect much out of the former top-tier tight end while he's playing inMike Martz's system.
SLEEPERS
BRYAN FLETCHER,Colts
Caught multiple passes in nine games after starting the season as Indy's thirdTE; worth a late pick.
CHRIS BAKER,Jets
New offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer was instrumental in thedevelopment of Antonio Gates.
ANTHONY FASANO,Cowboys
Ex--Notre Dame star reminds some of alltime Bill Parcells favorite Mark Bavaro.Look for lots of two-TE sets with Jason Witten.
  | SI PLAYER RANKINGS FOR 2006 | GAMES | CATCHES | REC. | YARDS | YARDS | 100-YARD | TDS | BYE |
1. | Antonio Gates, Chargers | 15 | 89 | 1,101 | 12.4 | 73.4 | 4 | 10 | 3 |
2. | Tony Gonzalez, Chiefs | 16 | 78 | 905 | 11.6 | 56.6 | 0 | 2 | 3 |
3. | Todd Heap, Ravens | 16 | 75 | 855 | 11.4 | 53.4 | 1 | 7 | 7 |
4. | Jeremy Shockey, Giants | 15 | 65 | 891 | 13.7 | 59.4 | 4 | 7 | 4 |
5. | Chris Cooley, Redskins | 16 | 71 | 774 | 10.9 | 48.4 | 0 | 7 | 8 |
6. | Dallas Clark, Colts | 15 | 37 | 488 | 13.2 | 32.5 | 1 | 4 | 6 |
7. | L.J. Smith, Eagles | 16 | 61 | 682 | 11.2 | 42.6 | 1 | 3 | 9 |
8. | Jason Witten, Cowboys | 16 | 66 | 757 | 11.5 | 47.3 | 0 | 6 | 3 |
9. | Alge Crumpler, Falcons | 16 | 65 | 877 | 13.5 | 54.8 | 1 | 5 | 5 |
10. | Heath Miller, Steelers | 16 | 39 | 459 | 11.8 | 28.7 | 0 | 6 | 4 |
11. | Vernon Davis,† 49ers * | 11 | 51 | 871 | 17.1 | 79.2 | 4 | 6 | 7 |
12. | Jerramy Stevens, Seahawks | 16 | 45 | 554 | 12.3 | 34.6 | 0 | 5 | 5 |
13. | Randy McMichael, Dolphins | 16 | 60 | 582 | 9.7 | 36.4 | 0 | 5 | 8 |
14. | Kellen Winslow,‡ Browns | 2 | 5 | 50 | 10.0 | 25.0 | 0 | 0 | 6 |
15. | Alex Smith, Buccaneers | 16 | 41 | 367 | 9 | 22.9 | 0 | 2 | 4 |
16. | Ben Watson, Patriots | 15 | 29 | 441 | 15.2 | 29.4 | 0 | 4 | 6 |
17. | Erron Kinney, Titans | 14 | 55 | 543 | 9.9 | 38.8 | 0 | 2 | 7 |
18. | Chris Baker, Jets | 8 | 18 | 269 | 14.9 | 33.6 | 1 | 1 | 9 |
19. | Ben Troupe, Titans | 15 | 55 | 530 | 9.6 | 35.3 | 1 | 4 | 7 |
20. | Jeb Putzier, Texans * | 16 | 37 | 481 | 13 | 30.1 | 0 | 0 | 5 |
21. | Zachary Hilton, Saints | 15 | 35 | 396 | 11.3 | 26.4 | 0 | 1 | 7 |
22. | Bryan Fletcher, Colts | 16 | 18 | 202 | 11.2 | 12.6 | 0 | 3 | 6 |
23. | Bubba Franks, Packers | 10 | 25 | 207 | 8.3 | 20.7 | 0 | 1 | 6 |
24. | Daniel Graham, Patriots | 11 | 16 | 235 | 14.7 | 21.4 | 0 | 3 | 6 |
25. | Joe Klopfenstein,† Rams * | 13 | 33 | 468 | 14.2 | 36.0 | 0 | 4 | 7 |
26. | Anthony Fasano,† Cowboys * | 12 | 47 | 576 | 12.3 | 48.0 | 0 | 2 | 3 |
27. | Kris Mangum, Panthers | 14 | 23 | 202 | 8.8 | 14.4 | 0 | 2 | 9 |
28. | Marcedes Lewis,† Jaguars * | 12 | 58 | 741 | 12.8 | 61.8 | 3 | 10 | 6 |
29. | Aaron Shea, Chargers * | 12 | 18 | 153 | 8.5 | 12.8 | 0 | 1 | 3 |
30. | Ernie Conwell, Saints | 8 | 13 | 165 | 12.7 | 20.6 | 0 | 1 | 7 |
31. | Steve Heiden, Browns | 15 | 43 | 401 | 9.3 | 26.7 | 1 | 3 | 6 |
32. | Jermaine Wiggins, Vikings | 16 | 69 | 568 | 8.2 | 35.5 | 0 | 1 | 6 |
*New team for2006 season † College stats ‡ 2004 stats
PHOTO
BOB ROSATO
PHOTO
CHRIS BERNACCHI/SPORTPICS