Fantasy Football: Breaking Down the Top Ten Tight Ends

(Photo Credit: John Paulsen, 4for4)

Pro Football 366 has broken down the top ten quarterbacks, running backs, and wide receivers. Naturally, the top ten tight ends would follow.

I have a huge SPOILER ALERT to start things off: If you couldn’t tell by the picture, Jimmy Graham is my number one ranked tight end. Not only is he the number one ranked tight end right now, but Graham finished 55 points better than the next tight end (Vernon Davis) in an ESPN standard league.

The main problem with the tight end position is that there is only one Jimmy Graham. If your not picking in the middle of the second round, you probably won’t have the chance to draft him. So you need to find a guy that can just be reliable every week. If you play in a standard league, eight points from a tight end is a solid week. Six tight ends averaged 7.9 (basically 8) points a game or better last season. One of those guys, Tony Gonzalez, retired. The tight end position is thin and they are often drafted too early. I’d recommend setting some rules to your draft strategy. Don’t pick a tight end in the first four rounds unless its Graham or Thomas. And don’t be afraid to pick a guy a round early later in the draft.

With all that being said, lets jump into the top ten tight ends.

Check out the rest of our TE Rankings.
Check out our 2014 Fantasy Draft Kit for more information on drafting and rankings.

1. Jimmy Graham, NO

Graham is missing OTAs and plans to holdout longer until he reaches a deal with New Orleans. New Orleans used the franchise tag on Graham which has opened up the debate of whether he should be considered a WR or a TE. In the end, Graham was considered a tight end. Graham is the best TE in the game by a long shot and he is a top ten receiving option. The only thing that could hurt Graham’s value is if he continues to hold out. For now, Graham is still a second round selection.

2. Julius Thomas, DEN

Thomas had a huge breakout year in a very crowded Denver receiving group. Expect Thomas to build on last season has he continues to earn the trust of Peyton Manning. Also, the loss of Eric Decker will open up more targets in Denver’s offense. I fully expect Julius Thomas to absorb some of those loose targets. Thomas is currently being drafted in the middle of the third round.

3. Vernon Davis, SF

Davis, like Graham, is currently holding out. Davis believes he deserves more money. Davis’s excellent season last year was largely due to the fact that Michael Crabtree injured for most of the year. When Crabtree came back, we saw Davis’s targets diminish. I don’t see why Davis would hold out during the season so for now, he stays ranked number 3. I will say this, lack of offseason preparation could hurt Vernon Davis once the season starts back up. Davis is a mid to late fifth round pick this season, which I see as a steep price to pay.

4. Jordan Cameron, CLE

Cameron put up excellent numbers in the revolving QB door that is the Cleveland Browns. Even though the starter for Cleveland isn’t clear yet, it can’t be worse than what Cameron dealt with last season. There’s no reason he shouldn’t continue improving. Cameron could also be without Josh Gordon for the whole season. That will open up more targets for Cameron who will look to become the top option for Brian Hoyer or Johnny Manziel. I think Cameron is worth a sixth round pick but ESPN has him ranked as a tenth round pick. I’d expect Cameron to go as early as seven and as late as nine.

5. Rob Gronkowski, NE

Gronk looked excellent in the games he actually played fully in during last season. I worry though that injuries will continue to keep him off the field. Gronk may be the biggest risk in the draft. His upside is huge (Brady’s favorite WR, one of the best TEs in the league, scores a lot of TDs) but the risk of another season ending injury is very high for Gronk. This is why I don’t have Gronkowski going until the end of the sixth round. However, if Gronk is your TE target, it’s likely going to cost you a fourth or fifth round pick.

6. Jason Witten, DAL

Witten’s getting older so there’s been a slight drop in his production. Last season, Witten saw his lowest targets (111) since 2006. I think last season’s numbers (73 receptions, 851 yards, and 8 touchdowns) will be very similar to how Witten will produce this season. That will make Witten a reliable option to start at TE on your fantasy team. Witten will probably be drafted in the later seventh or eighth round in most fantasy drafts.

7. Greg Olsen, CAR

Olsen is now the best receiving option Carolina has. Steve Smith and Brandon LaFell were targeted on a combined 41% of passing plays. With both of them leaving during the offseason, I expect Olsen’s targets to increase this season which should increase his production. Since Cam Newton is missing a significant amount of offseason work, Olsen will be his most trusted receiver. I’d expect Olsen to go somewhere in the eighth or ninth round.

8. Charles Clay, MIA

Clay quietly put together a good season last year. What worries me most is his inconsistency but I think there’s good chance he begins to grow out of that this season. He did prove himself to be a good safety net for QB Ryan Tannehill. He managed to find himself in the top 10 TEs last season, even though he was a fullback heading into the year. A full offseason of preparation at TE should only benefit Clay. ESPN doesn’t have Clay getting drafted, but I gave him a tenth round grade. Clay could easily be a steal in your draft this year.

9. Martellus Bennett, CHI

Bennett is a good player in a very crowded offense. He has to compete with Forte, Marshall, and Jeffery for touches. Still, Bennett is a good player and good players perform. Don’t expect a huge season from Bennett but I think you could expect a solid TE starter. Bennett, like Clay, is also not a top ten tight end on ESPN; but he is the tenth ranked TE on NFL.com. I think Bennett is a steal in the eleventh or twelfth round, especially if you find yourself without a TE.

10. Kyle Rudolph, MIN

Rudolph is an interesting player from a fantasy perspective. After having a great year in 2012, where he scored nine touchdowns, Rudolph had a mediocre year until an injury cut his season in half. With that being said, if he played the whole year, he probably would’ve seen over 100 targets. Norv Turner, who was the offensive coordinator for Cleveland last season, used target Jordan Cameron a ton. I expect Norv Turner to do the same this year with Rudolph and the Vikings.

What would your top ten be? Comment below with your top ten or any remarks OR you can tweet @ProFootball336 or @Matt_D17