SteemSports Presenter: Scott Frank,@scottybuckets
It's time to rank the best Tight Ends for Fantasy Football this season! TE’s can make the difference between having a winning or losing weekend and their values has exploded in the pass happy NFL over the last 10 years.
1. Rob Gronkowski - The Gronk is 100% healthy for the first time in years! He only played in 8 games last year and was hurt on and off the entire season. He had his worst statistical season of his career, although he was great during a healthy four game stretch where he caught 21 passes and 3 TDs. Gronk is fully recovered from his back surgery in December and looks fantastic at Patriots camp. He did restructure his contract that incentives him to play and perform all season. With the addition of Brandin Cooks at WR, the field will open up even more for Gronk. He is ready for a massive year and will be the first TE off of my board.
2. Travis Kelce - The Kansas City Chiefs success in 2016 was partially due to the huge year that Kelce had. He had a phenomenal 85 catches for over 1,100 yards. I would have him at #1 on my board if only his end zone statistics were different. Unfortunately, he had only 8 targets all season that were inside the opponent's 10 yard line. He simply doesn't get fed the ball near the goal line. Head Coach Andy Reid and QB Alex Smith play it so safe inside the 20 that it hurts Kelce’s Fantasy Value. That being said, if he can get into the end zone more frequently, then he can be the best Fantasy TE of 2017.
3. Jimmy Graham - 2016 was a great year for Graham after bouncing back from a patellar tendon injury in 2015. That same injury has ended several other football players careers but not Graham. In fact, he played in all 16 games. His 65 catches, over 950 yard receiving and 6 TDs produced 12.1 Fantasy Football Points per game last year. His outlook for 2017 should be even better. The Seattle Seahawks will look for Wilson and Graham to continue their success this season. At the age of 30, he should still be poised for a great Fantasy Season.
4. Tyler Eifert - “Potential” is the key word here for 2017. Can he stay healthy, finally for a full season? The Cincinnati Bengal have one hell of a talent in Eifert. But they need him to stay on the field. After some frustrating injuries, the Bengals plan on using him more as a WR than a TE this year. His athleticism and ability to stretch the field will allow him to have some HUGE games this year. With AJ Green lined up on the other side, Andy Dalton should look for Eifert early and often. Big things are in store for Tyler Eifert this year. Let's hope he is fully healed and able to play all season long.
5. Jordan Reed - The success of Reed this year will be due in part to the contract status of QB Kirk Cousins. Reed will be Cousins #1 target, especially in the first half of the season as the Redskins get their two new WRs, rookie Josh Doctson and free agent Terrelle Pryor comfortable with the offense. If you play Daily Fantasy like Fanduel or DraftKings, there should be great value with Reed in the first few weeks. Barring any preseason injuries, I will 100% have Reed on my team week 1. Last year Reed was healthy in 10 games for the Redskins. He averaged 16.7 Fantasy Points. Those numbers would be good enough to sneak in the top 10 for WRs and near the top for TEs if he could have held that for the entire season.
6. Greg Olsen - He has been one of the most consistent and successful TEs for his entire career. The Chicago Bears drafted him several years ago in an unprecedented high pick for a TE. He had a phenomenal career from the U of Miami and was foolishly traded to Carolina from the Bears because he “didn't fit the system” of their new offensive coordinator. Since that took place a few years ago, the Bears offensive has struggled and Olsen has been one of the best TEs in the NFL. He has caught at least 73 passes in the last 4 years and has been Cam Newton’s favorite target. This year the offense gains Christian McCaffrey in the backfield who will also be spending plenty of time in the slot. This will open up the middle even more for Olsen. I am super excited to see him help the Panthers have one of the most potent offenses in the league this year.
7. Delanie Walker - After an incredible 2015 campaign, Walker followed that up with 65 catches, 800 yards and 7 Touchdowns in 2016. He has been a bright star on a Tennessee team as they have worked with young QB, Marcus Mariota, and sub par backups due to injury. I see big improvement from the QB position this year and the Titans ad first round draft pick, Corey Davis, at WR that will open up the field. Davis is the best WR in years that can jump into the starting lineup in week 1 and produce. Walker might be a steal if he falls to far in your draft.
8. Zach Ertz - The Philadelphia Eagles are thrilled to have Ertz back for Carson Wentz to target this year. He had a great year last season with 13.1 Fantasy Points Per Game and the Eagles offense add Alshon Jeffery and Torrey Smith to open up the field. If Wentz can progress from last season, this offense should be dynamic and Ertz will have a huge year. He has great value if you can hold off on drafting a TE to early.
9. Martellus Bennett - Aaron Rodgers and Jordy Nelson are thrilled to have Bennett in Green Bay. After playing a big role for the Chicago Bears, Bennett found himself in New England last year. He got into the end zone 7 times as he had 55 catches and over 700 yards. His personality is the concern here. He has a ton of talent and surely will like to stick it to the Bears, but can he take a back seat in Green Bay. I think he can. I have a lot of faith that him and Rodgers will make it work and I will be using him in week one in the Daily Fantasy Leagues.
10. Kyle Rudolph - Kyle had more targets last year than any other TE and had 29 red zone targets. Those are incredible numbers. But I'm not sold on Sam Bradford or the Vikings running game. If the targets continue, then he is one of the most valuable player in the NFL. But I don't see that happening. I think last year was a blimp on the radar and I see him falling way back this year.
11. Eric Ebron
12. Jason Witten
13. Coby Fleener
14. Jack Doyle
15. Hunter Henry
16. CJ Fiedorowicz
17. Julius Thomas
18. Austin Hooper
19. Antonio Gates
20. Charles Clay
21. Jesse James
22. Jared Cook
23. David Njoku
24. Dennis Pita
25. OJ Howard
26. Cameron Brate
27. Evan Engram
28. Vance McDonald
29. Zach Miller
30. Dwayne Allen
31. Vernon Davis
32. Ladarius Green
Tell us who you love at TE. Who is overrated and who is underrated! Cheers!