2013 fantasy football profiles and projections (TEs 16-30)

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• Quarterbacks
• Running Backs
• Wide Receivers
• Tight Ends
• Kickers
• Defenses
• Linebackers
• Defensive Backs
• Defensive Line

Statistical projections are provided by EA Sports/NFL.com

• Player
• Analysis

Bennett produced on a respectable fantasy level after escaping the shadow of Jason Witten last season, finishing 13th in points among tight ends on the strength of his career-best 626 yards and five touchdowns. He wasn't all that consistent, though, as Bennett reached double-digit points just four times and had a few games where he was all but invisible. Now in Chicago, he will have to break the trend of unproductive tight ends in the Windy City. Fantasy football owners should consider the Texas A&M product a solid No. 2 tight end and worth a look in the late rounds on draft day.

Davis was off to a decent start to the 2012 season, that is until he tore his Achilles' tendon in Week 7 and was forced to miss the remaining nine contests. He'll return to the Redskins after signing a one-year deal with the team during the offseason, though, so Davis should be motivated to produce good numbers in what is a contract year. Barring any setbacks, the Southern California product will be worth a late-round look as a No. 2 fantasy tight end. In fact, he has the potential to be a regular fantasy starter and could emerge into one of the better bargains at his position in 2013.

Sudfeld, a rookie out of Nevada, is suddenly on the fantasy radar in New England. He's running with the first-team offense in the absence of Rob Gronkowski, who continues to deal with the effects of multiple forearm surgeries and a back operation. As long as Gronk is on the sidelines, Sudfeld is going to be worth a late-round flier in most 2013 fantasy drafts. He's a player to watch in the weeks leading up to the regular-season opener.

Dickson didn't make much of a fantasy football impact last season, but he's clearly back on the radar for 2013 due to the hip injury suffered by Dennis Pitta during training camp. While he's not on Pitta's level as a pass catcher, Dickson is going to see plenty of targets from Joe Flacco in an offense that is lacking for playmakers in the passing game. As long as he secures the top spot on the depth chart going into Week 1 as expected, Dickson is going to be worth a late-round look in all fantasy leagues. Consider him a legitimate No. 2 tight end and matchup-based starter across the board.

Miller came into last season as a fantasy afterthought, but he finished fourth in scoring for tight ends on the strength of his 816 yards and eight touchdowns. Unfortunately, he suffered injuries to his ACL, MCL and PCL in Week 16 and is now a major question mark for the start of the 2013 campaign. In fact, Miller could end up on the PUP list -- that would make him all but undraftable in most leagues. Even in a best-case scenario where he's back for Week 1, the veteran out of Virginia will be tough to draft as more than a late-round reserve coming off such a devastating knee ailment.

Like so many members of the Eagles 2012 squad, Celek struggled to produce on a consistent basis last season. That was evidenced in the fact that he finished outside the top 20 in fantasy points among tight ends. There is reason for optimism, however, as new coach Chip Kelly doesn't shy away from featuring his tight ends in his offensive attack. Moreover, Celek has had alternating good and bad seasons since 2009. Based on this trend, 2013 should be a successful campaign. He also has a favorable schedule based on fantasy points, so Celek will be worth a late-round look as a No. 2 option.

Allen surprised fantasy owners last season, beating out Andrew Luck's Stanford pal Coby Fleener from a statistical perspective. At 6-foot-3 and 255 pounds, he is slightly smaller than the current trend of monstrous tight ends. That didn't stop Allen from turning in a respectable rookie fantasy campaign, however. The addition of Pep Hamilton as the Colts' new offensive coordinator bodes well for Allen, as their offense will look to stretch the field a little less and could allow Allen more opportunities to produce on the field. Still, it's tough to draft him as more than a reserve.

Chandler finished a respectable 16th in fantasy points among tight ends last season, but he was tough to trust. In fact, his stat lines that didn't include a touchdown catch were mostly unimpressive. Chandler also suffered a torn ACL late in the campaign, though he is expected to be back in time for the start of the 2013 season (barring setbacks). Regardless, the veteran out of Iowa shouldn't be considered much more than a No. 2 fantasy tight end and matchup-based starter in most leagues. He'll be worth a look in the late rounds, again, assuming he has progressed from his knee ailment.

Fleener failed to live up to his modest fantasy expectations as a rookie, but he should benefit from the addition of Pep Hamilton as the new offensive coordinator in Indianapolis. Expectations should be tempered for any sort of breakout season, though, as the Colts have a wealth of young weapons to spread the ball around to, including fellow tight end Dwayne Allen. Fleener does have all of the physical tools needed to find success, as well as a long-running rapport with his young signal-caller, so good fantasy seasons could be on the horizon. He's still just a late rounder.

A third-year tight end out of Florida Atlantic, Housler posted career bests in receptions (45) and yards (417) last season. While his rise to fantasy stardom isn't imminent at the moment, there is some potential for fantasy owners. Housler will now be catching passes from Carson Palmer, who sure enjoyed throwing to tight end Brandon Myers in Oakland last season. A big target at 6-foot-5 and 250 pounds, Housler has also drawn the praise of new coach Bruce Arians who called him a "big wide receiver." While he won't be drafted in most leagues, Housler is a player to watch in camp.

The first pick of the Bengals in the 2013 NFL Draft, Eifert was considered one of the two best tight ends in the entire class. The talented pass catcher out of Notre Dame is a big target at 6-foot-6 and 251 pounds, making him a potential matchup problem for defenses and a viable red-zone target for Andy Dalton. With that being said, it's going to be tough for Eifert to make much of an impact as a rookie in an offense loaded with weapons -- including fellow tight end Jermaine Gresham. As a result, fantasy owners in seasonal leagues should look elsewhere for a potential No. 2 fantasy option at the position.

Lewis enjoyed a bounce-back season of sorts in 2012, posting better than 50 receptions and 540 yards. That's a far cry from his 2010 totals, though, as he found the end zone 10 times and ranked among the better tight ends in fantasy land. With Jacksonville's quarterback situation questionable at best, not to mention the amount of explosive young talents around him like Cecil Shorts and Justin Blackmon (once he returns from suspension), Lewis will have limited fantasy potential. In fact, owners will be best served drafting someone else with more upside instead of using Lewis in a prominent role.

Walker posted some decent numbers down the stretch last season, scoring a touchdown in two of his final three games while even outscoring Vernon Davis for a stretch in the second half. Now in Tennessee, Walker is likely to be an every-down tight end and anticipates a large role in the team's passing game. Whether or not that comes to fruition remains to be seen, but the veteran out of Central Missouri is now at least slightly on the fantasy football radar as a reserve in some deeper leagues. Just don't expect Walker to emerge into the next Frank Wycheck during his first year in Tennessee.

Ertz, a second-round pick out of Stanford, is a terrific receiver with some nice-long term value in the City of Brotherly Love. Whether he can make an instant fantasy impact is questionable, though, as Brent Celek and James Casey are ahead of him on the depth chart. He'll be worth a late-round look in deeper leagues in a best-case scenario, but Ertz is more of a dynasty-league option in 2013.

A third-year tight end out of USC, Ausberry is the favorite to start for the Raiders with Brandon Myers now in the Big Apple. While he has had little success in the stat sheets at the pro level, he is clearly going to see more targets in the pass attack from new quarterback Matt Flynn. When you also consider the lack of viable options in the offense, and Ausberry could end up see more than his share of chances. While he isn't worth drafting in most leagues, he is someone to watch in the first few weeks of the regular season.

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