Next stop on our NFL Tour is Tight End.  Over the years, Tight End appeared to be the thinnest fantasy position.  It was Shannon Sharpe then everyone else, Ben Coates then everyone else, or Tony Gonzalez then everyone else.  Nowadays things are quite different with Tight Ends morphing into Wide Receivers.  If you miss out on a top Tight End, don't fret; you have about 20 other useful Tight Ends available to draft.  2010 was full of usefulness: Antonio Gates went bananas until injuries de-railed his season, while a rookie Tight End (Rob Gronkowski) scored ten touchdowns.

2011 is scattered with potential breakouts, a strong upper tier of 5 tight ends and contributing veterans.

TE Rankings after the jump compiled by the best of the best: TJ Mahoney (mahoney1213), Evan Levine (eklevine),Scott Kaliska (dukeallstar) and Kenny Stein (Humbled Fan)...

Not surprisingly, Antonio Gates lands number one as 3 of the 4 rankers agreed that Gates would have had a record-breaking season had he stayed healthy. The top 5 players appear on most "expert's" list in some variation.  You could be comfortable with any of the players in the top 12 as your starting tight end (Just keep an eye on Chris Cooley's knee if he becomes your starter).

My 2 cents: If you miss out on the upper tier, don't panic.  Value can be had even below the top 12.  Jared Cook is a popular break-out pick in Tennesee, and Greg Olsen goes from virtually unused in Chicago to a security blanket for Cam Newton in Carolina.  If a Tight End Run starts, don't join in because you think it's the thing to do.  Fill out your team otherwise.

Love it? Hate it? Let us know in the comments.