Fantasy football fanatics rarely pay close enough attention to the tight ends during their drafts, and it can be the difference between a great fantasy season or just a good one. No fantasy football tight end is going to make or break your team, but they certainly can make a huge difference during those weeks where they have big weeks. That said, how do you know the fantasy football tight ends that will have big weeks? You read this column! Here are the top five fantasy football choices at the tight end position, along with why they are there.

Jason Witten – Dallas Cowboys - Witten is in prime position to go from one of the best to the best. With Terrell Owens headed off to Buffalo, Witten is certain to get even more touches than he did in 2008. The Cowboys have much fewer options now, and Romo already was inclined to throw the football Witten’s way. This should lead to another 1000 yd season and somewhere around eight touchdowns for Witten in 09.

Tony Gonzalez – Atlanta Falcons – Imagining Tony as a Falcon is nearly impossible and those that have watched him for years in KC surely feel the same way. The Falcons, however, are thrilled and well they should be. Gonzalez is exactly what young Matt Ryan needs to gain even more confidence under center. Ryan is the type of quarterback that will lean heavily on Gonzalez and that means great numbers are headed his way. Gonzalez will put up a 1000 yd season and 5-7 touchdowns to boot.

Antonio Gates – San Diego Chargers- Finally Gates seems to be healthy again. Gates was among the best for years, and then came the injuries. He hurt his ankle, and his hip during 08 and then had surgery on his foot. Phillip Rivers loves to throw to his tight end, and now that tight end is healthy enough to catch the football and run. Gates should rebound in a big way.

Dallas Clark – Indianapolis Colts – Clark is going to feel like the flood gates opened in 09 with superstar Marvin Harrison gone. Harrison has always been Peyton Manning’s number one or two target along with Reggie Wayne. With Harrison gone, expect that Clark will get a good bit of those balls. Dallas already was starting to show signs of exploding with over 800 yds and six Tds in 08, and now he may just shoot straight to the top.

Kellen Winslow – Tampa Bay – Winslow is one of the biggest enigmas in the NFL. With the Browns, he was a huge disappointment in spite of showing flashes of the immense talent that everyone knows he has. Now in Tampa Bay, he will be “the man” in the passing game. That might be just what he needs to step it up and finally take his place among the best tight ends in fantasy football. The biggest concern with him is that he will be hurt yet again.

Honorable mention:

Greg Olsen – Chicago Bears
Chris Cooley – Washington Redskins
Owen Daniels – Houston Texans
John Carlson – Seattle Seahawks