Gates No Longer Top Fantasy TE

June 11, 2008 at 7:46 am | Article by Paul Hickey |

Folks, it’s time to come to grips with the fact that 2008 is the year where there is not enough differential between Antonio Gates and the other members of fantasy football’s top tier of tight ends, to warrant taking him in rounds three, four or five of fantasy drafts. We’re hearing that his toe injury that he suffered back in January is still giving him plenty of problems, and that he may miss the start of training camp.

This, along with the fact that guys like Kellen Winslow and Jason Witten have strutted their stuff over the past couple of seasons, has caused us to bump Gates down in our tight end rankings across the board. Witten and Winslow should be taken in front of Gates in all formats.

Gates will not only miss the start of training camp, but there’s no guarantee that this toe injury won’t be a nagging thing for the entire season. He hasn’t even begun running yet, and he had surgery 12 weeks ago. You’ll hear reports that he’ll be ready for the regular season opener against the Panthers on September 7, but that doesn’t mean he won’t be rusty, and it doesn’t mean he’ll regain his old form quickly. Now, I’m not saying that he’s not a top tier tight end, I’m just saying that he’s for sure no longer far and away the best one, or even one of the top two.

In addition the major concern I have with his injury, it’s also very clear that QB Philip Rivers has finally developed a great chemistry with this wide receivers, especially veteran Chris Chambers, and developing stud Vincent Jackson. One reason why Gates has been featured in recent years has been due to the lack of capable talent at the WR position. Now that the Chargers have it, expect Gates’ reception totals to decrease.

He was less consistent than ever in 2007, catching three or less passes in five of his last nine games, including four 1-catch performances. Gates is still good, but he has more concerns than ever, and he’s not the same guy he was in 2004 and 2005.

No-Offseason.com Video Content: Resident expert Paul Hickey analyzes the Gates’ chances at fantasy stardom in 2008 after toe surgery.

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