Antonio Gates, TE, San Diego Chargers

July 1, 2010 @ 11:00:00

By Cory J. Bonini
Edited by Tim Heaney

Antonio Gates | San Diego Chargers | 6-foot-4, 260 pounds | 8th year

2010 Projected NFL/Fantasy Football Statistics

Rec		Rec Yds		Rec TD
Lo	Hi	Lo	Hi	Lo	Hi
72	82	1009	1109	9	11

Pros: Playing through injuries, Gates hasn't missed a regular-season game since 2005. He has caught at least 60 passes in every season as the full-time starter (2004), averaging 75.8 per year as, and Gates has consistently found the end zone in this time (9.5 per year). Philips Rivers provides Gates stable play at the quarterback position, as the latter offers the former a great downfield and jump-ball target. If wide receiver Vincent Jackson indeed holds out into the regular season, beyond his three-game suspension, Gates will be the clear-cut primary target in the offense. He caught at least four passes in 12 games in '09. Gates is in the final year of his contract, too.

Cons: Gates (foot) is currently battling a plantar fasciitis injury, although he says it isn't serious. It is unknown if he'll be ready for training camp. Gates scored four of his eight touchdowns last year in just two games and went on a six-game scoring drought.  

Fantasy tip: As long as his foot holds up throughout training camp, Gates should be your top target at the position. He is going, on average, in the late fourth round. Some owners prefer Indianapolis Colts tight end Dallas Clark, but Gates has less downside.  

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Cory J. Bonini

Cory J. Bonini is a senior editor at KFFL. In late 2002, Bonini joined the KFFL staff as a research analyst. He vaulted himself into one of the industry's leading fantasy analysts.

Bonini has been involved in fantasy sports since 1996. A member of the Fantasy Sports Trade Association as well as Fantasy Sports Writers Association, he has been featured in print, on the radio and is also a published writer on scores of sites. Bonini co-hosted Big Lead Sports on SiriusXM Fantasy Sports Radio from 2011 to 2012.

Bonini was recognized with the 2010 Best Article in Print Award from the FSWA and was a finalist for the same award in 2011. In '11, he finished first overall in the FSWA NFL experts challenge that featured 60 of the industry's best competitors.

Follow him on Twitter @CoryKFFL

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