2014 Projected Rankings By Position: Tight Ends

It's never too early to look towards the next Fantasy Football season. Here is part four of my 2014 Pre-Draft Rankings by position. Here we'll look at the Tight Ends:

Top 10

1. Jimmy Graham

2. Julius Thomas

3. Vernon Davis

4. Jason Witten

5. Jordan Cameron

6. Greg Olsen 

7. Jordan Reed

8. Martellus Bennett

9. Charles Clay

10. Antonio Gates

•Perhaps the biggest separation between best and second best players at any given position occur at tight end. Graham is clearly the best tight end in the NFL and will continue to dominate next season. 

•Julius Thomas had a great break out year and will be the second tight end off draft boards next season. 

•Jordan Reed was very good when he was healthy and I expect him to build on a strong rookie campaign next year when he comes back healthy. A healthy RGIII will help him as well. 

•Antonio Gates sneaks into the top ten because he's Antonio Gates. His production increased this year under a rejuvenated Philip Rivers, but it's clear the athleticism is starting to drift. 

Just Missed

Coby Fleener

Delanie Walker 

Heath Miller

•Fleener and Andrew Luck have good chemistry together and I expect another solid season next year. He could end up cracking the top ten.  

Sleepers

Tim Wright

Rob Housler

Ladarius Green

•Wright is another rookie who was solid but will improve with experience. Him and fellow sophomore quarterback Mike Glennon should both increase their production in 2014. 

•Rob Housler is the classic case of a lot of talent but can't stay healthy. He's shown glimpses of what could be this season and if he's fully healthy in 2014, watch out. 

•Ladarius Green is the heir to the tight end throne in San Diego. An athletic freak, Green can catch any ball and is currently stuck behind one of the all time greats in Antonio Gates. If he's given the opportunity, Green could be a huge steal. 

Notable Omissions

Rob Gronkowski

Jermichael Finley

Tony Gonzalez

•The biggest name left of this list is Rob Gronkowski. An injury plagued 2013, and an offseason of rehab ahead mean that no one really knows when (if?) Gronk will be back in 2014. 

•As with Gronkowski, Jermichael Finley suffered what could be a career ending injury in 2013. Who knows if he will be back next year. 

•Tony Gonzalez is the GOAT at tight end. It's very likely that he will retire this year and hang up the cleats. There's a slim chance he comes back though, and if he does he'll be right back in the top ten.