While we already published our tiered dynasty / keeper tight end rankings in a few different segments, we thought it was time to update these TE rankings just a little bit as we are approaching the NFL season. This is not an knee jerk overreaction based on preseason news, just some basic accounting for injury news and the opportunities that players may be winning or losing.

So to make things easier for you, we have consolidated the different tight end tiers into one massive article. You can consider this your official tight end dynasty rankings guide to help you formulate your long-term fantasy football strategy. This monster has it all: rookie tight ends, sleepers and breakouts, overvalued players and potential busts, PPR analysis, and more.

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Tier 1 – Dynasty / Keeper Tight End Rankings

1) Rob Gronkowski, 26, NE

Do I really need to justify myself with Gronk at number one? He has 60 touchdowns in 73 career games played, and when healthy is arguably the hardest player to cover in football. I always advise against taking a tight end in the first round, but Gronk will make you consider it for the next few years.

2) Travis Kelce, 25, KC

I like Kelce over the incomparable Jimmy Graham for a couple of reasons. While Graham has pretty much always been a touchdown machine, I think Kelce could match him in that capacity once he gets the amount of targets he deserves. For reference, he was the sixth fantasy tight end and didn’t even play as many snaps as teammate Anthony Fasano. He should be Alex Smith’s top option in the red zone, and I expect his incredible size/speed combo to propel him to fantasy stardom in 2015 and beyond.

3) Jimmy Graham, 28, SEA

Don’t take my Kelce love as a knock on Jimmy Graham. He is still one of the best red zone threats of this generation, and that shouldn’t change now that he’s in Seattle. However, he probably won’t see as many looks from the 5 yard line, as the Seahawks are still an incredibly run-heavy team. He's also dealt with a fairly severe shoulder injury last season, which makes me slightly nervous for his prospects going forward. He’s still a monster, but he’s not going to be the monster people drafted in the first round as recently as a year ago.

4) Zach Ertz, 24, PHI

I know people have been calling for an Ertz breakout for two seasons now, but I really do think the third time is the charm. He began to show his skills in 2014, posting 702 yards on 58 catches in just under 50% of the team’s snaps. Brent Celek can’t keep it up for much longer, and I expect this is the year that Ertz finally busts loose. With Jeremy Maclin now in Kansas City, it could be Ertz who steps up as a reliable option in the red zone for Sam Bradford.

5) Greg Olsen, 30, CAR

G-Reg stays in the top tier because he’s a model of consistency, which is unheard of at the tight end position. In his last three seasons, he’s had 843, 816, and 1,008 yards receiving. He’s had five, six, and six touchdowns. Add in the fact that he's now Cam Newton's best option with Kelvin Benjamin out for the season, and he's even more likely to find pay dirt. Roughly 850 yards and six touchdowns from a tight end? Sign me up.

 

Tier 2 – Dynasty / Keeper Tight End Rankings

6) Austin Seferian-Jenkins, 22, TB

ASJ has all of the tools to be a great fantasy tight end, right down to the blocking skills that will keep him on the field. He didn’t do much to impress as a rookie, but then again most players (particularly tight ends) don’t. Seferian-Jenkins’ immediate impact will rely almost entirely on Jameis Winston, as the Buccaneers look like they’ve settled on him as the tight end of the future. If Winston plays well in 2015, I expect ASJ to become fantasy-relevant. If Winston struggles with the learning curve, we may see another lackluster fantasy season. His rank here is all about future upside. It helps that Winston consistently targeted his tight end in college too.

7) Julius Thomas, 27, JAC

Talk about a change of scenery. “Orange Julius” is orange no more, and will catch passes from Blake Bortles instead of Peyton Manning, hence his rank. He’s got top five tight end talent, but the fact that the Jaguars offense will rarely find the red zone makes Thomas no more than a low-end fantasy starter. He’s also the clear top option in the passing game, which means he’ll draw extra attention. I simply don’t like him in 2015, and I won’t until his situation improves.

8) Martellus Bennett, 28, CHI

Bennett had a career year in 2014, reeling in 90 passes for 916 yards and six touchdowns. While I don’t expect him to repeat those numbers in 2015, there is no reason he can’t come close to them. With Jay Cutler’s favorite red zone weapon (Brandon Marshall) now gone, Bennett might pick up some of the slack as rookie Kevin White establishes himself. If Jay Cutler has a decent year, Bennett might be a top five tight end come December.

9) Jordan Cameron, 26, MIA

Jordan Cameron is the ultimate risk/reward play in 2015. With three concussions so far in his pro career, he could be one vicious hit away from ending his career. However, if he does stay healthy, he has the talent to finish in the top five. He should be an important part of Ryan Tannehill’s arsenal in Miami especially in the red zone. In 2013 he had 917 yards on 80 catches and seven touchdowns in just 15 games, and that’s the kind of production he’s capable of. But you’ve got to ask yourself one question: “Do I feel lucky?”

Well, do ya punk?

10) Charles Clay, 26, BUF

The Buffalo Bills paid a hefty price to get Charles Clay in red and blue, and hopefully that’ll make sure that he is used properly. Clay is an over-the-top monster who can stretch the field and drive defenses crazy, but if he’s not used that way his fantasy output could be disappointing. His situation will also rely heavily on Buffalo’s questionable quarterback play (and questionable is putting it mildly)—if there is nobody to get the ball to him Clay can’t do much. Either way, I’m pretty sure we’ll see him approach 800 yards and five touchdowns.

11) Eric Ebron, 22, DET

Eric Ebron was almost universally drafted far too early last year, as he proved to be utterly useless from a fantasy perspective. He couldn’t do enough to win a starting job from Brandon Pettigrew, and finished with just 248 total yards on 25 receptions and one touchdown. Like Austin Seferian-Jenkins, I’m chalking the lackluster season up to the typical learning curve that rookie tight ends experience. He should be able to supplant Brandon Pettigrew this season and become a great post-hype sleeper. If he can’t do that this season, it won’t take many more years to do it.

12) Kyle Rudolph, 25, MIN

I admit that I was one of the suckers who put faith in Kyle Rudolph last year. Unfortunately, he missed six games due to sports hernia surgery, and failed to impress in those he did play in. He is only three years removed from a nine-touchdown season, and that is where his upside lies. He is a beast in the red zone, and as the Vikings offense improves overall he should have many more opportunities to make a difference. He’s got top ten tight end ceiling in 2015, and if he can break loose a little more in the middle of field he could soar even higher.

 

Tier 3 – Dynasty / Keeper Tight End Rankings

13) Tyler Eifert, 24, CIN

The once hyped Eifert has been a bust so far in his young career. As a rookie he couldn’t unseat Jermaine Gresham from the starting job, and he was lost to a dislocated elbow in Week 1 in 2014. With Gresham no longer in Cincy and what we can only assume is a clean bill of health, Eifert could take a step forward in 2015. He’s got the body to be a playmaker, and a combination of speed and agility that’s uncommon to the tight end position make him a good bet to perform if he holds the starting job. The main obstacle in 2015 is the inconsistency of a certain red-haired menace throwing him the ball.

14) Maxx Williams, 21, BAL

With Dennis Pitta likely never returning to relevancy, the Ravens selected Maxx Williams with their 2^nd round pick in 2015. He’s the definition of a playmaker at tight end, and has the pedigree of an NFL star (his father and grandfather both played in the NFL). Great hands and above-average speed make him a nightmare matchup in the middle of the field, and he should fit in nicely as a weapon for Joe Flacco, who suddenly finds himself without much to work with over the top. There will undoubtedly be a learning curve, but I like Williams chances to prove himself capable in 2015, and develop into a fantasy starter in the very near future.

15) Dwayne Allen, 25, IND

I would love it if Dwayne Allen could play in all 16 games in 2015, because if he can he’s the odds-on favorite to lead all tight ends in TDs. He had eight in just 12 games last year, and as long as red zone specialist Andrew Luck is under center, Allen should continue that kind of production. Many fantasy owners will be wary of Allen due to the presence of Coby Fleener, and while that may limit Allen’s yardage totals, he is still the go-to tight end in the red zone. Assuming his health, he should be a lock for double-digit TDs for years to come.

16) Ladarius Green, 25, SD

After several lackluster seasons, Antonio Gates returned to the fantasy elite in 2014. Unfortunately, this left Ladarius Green with very little work despite obvious talent. Learning behind Gates should be a boon for his career though, and with Gates now suspended for the first four games this year Green has the opportunity to prove his worth. The 6’6” Green is an athletic freak, excelling at jump balls and one-on-ones. I like his chances to prove that he can be an asset to Philip Rivers, which should afford him more snaps even when Gates returns. I’m not calling “breakout”, but it also wouldn’t shock me.

17) Jason Witten, 33, DAL

Jason Witten had the worst statistical season since his rookie year in 2014. The stats, however, don’t tell the whole tale. Witten was still the same effective tight end that he always has been, and he stays on the field because he’s such an effective blocker. The Dallas run game was simply too good for there to be much receiving success for the passing game’s third option, but with DeMarco Murray now in Philadelphia I expect Jason Witten to return to fantasy relevance. The touchdown and yardage totals will definitely improve, and a top ten tight end finish is not out of the question.

18) Josh Hill, 25, NO

Josh Hill’s fantasy prospects rose when Jimmy Graham was traded to Seattle, and his draft stock has been rising ever since.  I’m not entirely sold on him though, as people are ignoring the fact that Benjamin Watson is still very much a threat to Hill’s playing time. Watson is a superior blocker, which should afford him more snaps as the Saints offense shifts to a run-focused attack. Hill certainly has potential going forward, but don’t get suckered into the hype in 2015.

 

Tier 4 – Dynasty / Keeper Tight End Rankings

19) Mychal Rivera, 23, OAK

Mychal Rivera had a pretty decent 2014 thanks to a whopping 95 targets in the Derek Carr-led offense. He had only four touchdowns, and I expect that number to improve in 2015, but I’m not so sure that he’ll see as many targets with the addition of Michael Crabtree and Amari Cooper. The Raiders offense is supposedly better, but I won’t believe it until I see it. Also, the Raiders drafted Clive Walford, which proves that they're not committed to Rivera as their tight end of the future. He’ll probably be top-20 in 2015, but it remains to be seen what his prospects will be going forward.

20) Jordan Reed, 24, WSH

Jordan Reed is probably the ultimate injury risk in the NFL. He had two concussions in 2013 and a torn hamstring (which he later aggravated) in 2014. Niles Paul and Logan Paulsen are also on the Redskins roster, and while Reed is probably the most talented of the three, his inability to stay on the field has given them opportunities in the past. I’m rolling the dice on him playing at least 14 games this year, and he could be a top 15 tight end if he does.

21) Jace Amaro, 23, NYJ

Jace Amaro failed to impress in his rookie season, and ultimately I don’t see him taking any leaps forward in 2015. He’s undoubtedly talented, but there are ultimately too many limitations for him to make an immediate fantasy impact. He should be the third option in the passing game behind Brandon Marshall and Eric Decker, and whether it’s Geno Smith or Ryan Fitzpatrick under center there probably won’t be enough work to go around. His 4.6-40 speed and large frame are a recipe for success, but he needs to drop fewer passes if he’s going to become fantasy relevant.

22) Larry Donnell, 26, NYG

Larry Donnell was an absolute fantasy stud in September last year, peaking with a three-touchdown game in Week 4 against the Redskins. After that he was nothing more than low-level starter in two-TE leagues as defenses caught on to him. They won’t be able to put as much focus on him with the return of Victor Cruz and the emergence of Odell Beckham, Jr., and I think Donnell can return to fantasy relevance. He should receive plenty of end zone looks from Eli Manning, and a double-digit touchdown total is very possible.

23) Coby Fleener, 26, IND

Coby Fleener is more wide receiver than tight end, and as such he should have more receiving yards at the end of the year than Dwayne Allen. However, his noticeable amount of drops and miscues make him the clear number two tight end in the Colts offense, and therefore his ceiling is limited. He had eight touchdowns last year, but a large chunk of his production came in the games that Allen missed. I don’t like him as any more than a TE2 in 2015 and beyond.

24) Delanie Walker, 30, TEN

Delanie Walker has arguably been the best option in the Tennessee passing game over the last season, and will probably hold that position with Marcus Mariota now starting at quarterback. Walker’s ceiling is definitely too low to be a top five tight end, but with (hopefully) improved quarterback play Walker could very well be a top ten tight end. His age is the only thing that keeps him this low in dynasty rankings.

25) Virgil Green, 26, DEN

The tight end in a Peyton Manning-led offense is a virtual lock for fantasy relevance, and Virgil Green has the opportunity to establish himself in that role in 2015. Green is an excellent blocker, which should keep him on the field enough to get the looks necessary for fantasy production. Owen Daniels will get looks early on, but I think that the more-talented Green will become the top option at tight end sooner rather than later. He might not be fantasy-relevant for the first few weeks, but going forward he’s got huge upside.

 

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