2015 Tiered Dynasty Rankings: Tight Ends (TE), Tiers 3 and 4

Today we’re looking at tiers one and two of our tight end dynasty / keeper rankings. This position typically has the largest difference in value between PPR and non-PPR formats, and the rankings here reflect my combined analysis for both formats.

I will only be giving my top 25 tight ends, as it gets pretty thin from there on out as any experienced fantasy player knows. Feel free to reach out to me with any questions or comments @Roto_Dubs.

More rankings: Quarterbacks, Running Backs (Tier 1), Running Backs (Tiers 3, 4), Wide Receivers (Tier 1), Wide Receivers (Tier 2), Wide Receivers (Tiers 3, 4), Wide Receivers (Tiers 5, 6), Tight Ends (Tiers 1, 2), Top 200 (Standard), Top 200 (PPR), Rookie Rankings

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Tiered Dynasty Rankings: Tight End, Tier 3

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.

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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

19) Mychal Rivera, 24, 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 the Raiders are 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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