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As NFL training camps kick into full gear, we take a position-by-position look at the RotoBaller PPR fantasy football rankings to help prepare you for draft day. In case you missed it, here are our running back and wide receiver analysis columns.
And that leaves us with the often forgotten, often undervalued tight end position (since QB rankings don't differ from standard to PPR leagues). Rob Gronkowski has helped to usher in a new era for the position, one that has helped produced pass-catching monsters that would make Tony Gonzalez proud. A fantasy position that once seemed top heavy and irrelevant, tight end now has legitimate depth and game changers.
Here are the top twelve PPR tight end rankings as we near the start of the 2017 season.
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2017 PPR Rankings: Tight Ends
1. Travis Kelce, Kansas City Chiefs
Are we finally seeing the passing of the torch? Kelce is on the record for disliking the "Baby Gronk" nickname, but maybe the former third-round draft pick should start to embrace it as he looks to officially dethrone the man who has been the position's #1 fantasy asset for years now. The time is now for Kelce, who has progressed in each of his three years as a pro. His TD numbers have been relatively low for a tight end of his caliber, but 120+ targets is achievable with the Chiefs' release of Jeremy Maclin. One positive that Kelce possesses that Gronk currently doesn't is health, as he has not missed a game in his young NFL career. Whether you have him as the first or second rated TE, his current ADP as a full round after Gronk is too much.
2. Rob Gronkowski, New England Patriots
It's no secret that the position's premier player has had injury problems. Two of his last four seasons have been cut short due to serious injuries, and he hasn't played a full season since 2011. Nonetheless, Gronk is the best in the business when healthy. He's averaged 74.7 yards on 7.6 receptions per game in the last three seasons, and has scored in more than half of them. There's no reason to believe that he won't continue to be Tom Brady's go-to option, specifically in the red zone, just know that you are more likely to get 12-14 games out of Gronk than a full 16.
3. Jordan Reed, Washington Redskins
Another tight end that has been unable to avoid the injury bug, the uber-athletic Reed has started just 23 total games in his first four seasons in the league. He is an elite pass-catcher with a 75.8% catch percentage, but, outside of maybe 2015, has yet to reward fantasy owners over a full season. The Redskins swapped in Terrelle Pryor for DeSean Jackson, which should take away some red zone targets, but Reed's fantasy potential is solely based on his health at this point. He should be considered a TE1 with legit upside for a 1,000+ yard and double digit touchdown season, but be wary.
4. Greg Olsen, Carolina Panthers
On the other side of the spectrum is Olsen, who has been the poster boy of consistency for the tight end position. He's missed just two games in his ten-year career, and has topped the 75 reception and 1,000 yard mark in each of his last three seasons (and 100+ targets in each of the last five). The Panthers look poised to maintain their power football mentality, but Olsen remains the team's top option in the passing game. His ceiling is capped due to the Carolina offense, but he is a top five TE that will produce week in and week out.
5. Jimmy Graham, Seattle Seahawks
If Rob Gronkowski ushered in the new era of tight ends, Jimmy Graham cleared the path. The former college basketball player has already had a heck of a career, and he got back to his Pro Bowl ways in 2016 thanks to 14.6 yards per reception and 6 TDs. He is unlikely to ever replicate what he did in New Orleans while in Seattle, but the evolution of Russell Wilson and the now high-powered Seahawks offense certainly can't hurt. His is a TE1, but his sixth round ADP is probably a little early given the lack of targets when compared to the top guys.
6. Zach Ertz, Philadelphia Eagles
After turning in a second straight 75 reception and 100 target season, there's little doubt that Ertz is a big part of the Philadelphia offense. The additions of Alshon Jeffrey and Torrey Smith are likely to steal some looks, which caps Ertz's ceiling, but the snap count will be there. Likely to act as a safety valve for second-year Carson Wentz, hopefully the red zone targets see an increase. Ertz is a mid-to-low TE1 who should see at least 4-5 targets per game.
7. Delanie Walker, Tennessee Titans
This is an interesting one. Walker is one of the few players at the position to show real consistency over the last few years as he has become one of Marcus Mariota's favorite targets. He has surpassed 100 targets and 800 yards in each of the last three seasons, and finished as 2016's #5 PPR tight end. Coming off a second consecutive Pro Bowl appearance, the veteran out of Central Missouri has the capability to finish top-five again in 2017, but the Titans have added a stable of new options to their emerging passing game. Treat Walker as a TE1 who should see a small downtick in targets from last year.
8. Hunter Henry, Los Angeles Chargers
The guard is undoubtedly changing in LA as Antonio Gates nears the end of his (future) Hall of Fame career. Henry, who entered 2016 as a highly-drafted rookie, showed legit potential in the Chargers offense, scoring in more than half of his games played. He is expected to be the featured tight end in 2017, but let's not pretend that Gates is suddenly going to disappear either. Henry should be highly drafted in any dynasty or keeper league, but he's simply a low-end TE1 in standard PPR leagues due to Gates' presence. His targets should go up in 2017, but don't expect another 8 TDs.
9. Tyler Eifert, Cincinnati Bengals
And just like that, we're back to another injury-prone tight end with potential to break out if he could just stay healthy. Appearing in just 22 games since the start of the 2014 season, Eifert tallied 18 touchdowns in that time with over 8 targets per game. The Bengals could use another reliable target next to A.J. Green, particularly in the red zone, and Eifert certainly could fit the bill. His ADP as TE6 is fair based on upside, but make sure you draft a backup too.
10. Martellus Bennett, Green Bay Packers
Speaking of potential, how about nine-year vet with a knack for finding the end zone joining the best offense in football? It's been a while since Aaron Rodgers has had a big, reliable option over the middle, but Bennett certainly fills that void. He's no stranger to being part of an offense with lots of options in the passing game either, as he lands in Green Bay after a year alongside Gronk in New England. He won't be the top red zone option for the Packers elite offense (that'd be Jordy Nelson), but he's sure to see close to 100 targets with Rodgers under center. He's a mid TE1.
11. C.J. Fiedorowicz, Houston Texans
One of the few truly positive signs to come out of Houston last year, the former third-round pick out of Iowa emerged as the Texans first-choice tight end with 559 yards and 4 scores. The good news for Fiedorowicz is that the Houston offense is virtually unchanged and he should remain one of the go-to options in the passing game, but the bad news for him is also that the Houston offense is virtually unchanged. The QB carousel from 2016 should continue into 2017, and though it's likely to land on first-round pick Deshaun Watson at some point, it's likely be a bumpy road to get there. Fiedorowicz is better than his TE15 ADP, but he'll be hard to trust as a TE1.
12. Kyle Rudolph, Minnesota Vikings
Fantasy's #2 tight end in 2016 (both PPR and standard) will look to build on the best year of his career as one of Sam Bradford's top options in Minnesota. While it's no surprise that Bradford has grown a liking for a tight end, Rudolph's 132 targets, 83 catches, and 840 yards are all career bests. The Vikings did virtually nothing to bolster their passing attack for 2017, so it's not crazy to think about Rudolph replicating similar success this year. Consider him a mid-level TE1 with a high floor.
You can find the remainder of the full RotoBaller PPR fantasy football rankings, which will be updated continuously throughout the preseason.
More 2017 Fantasy Football Rankings
Check out all of RotoBaller's fantasy football rankings. Staff rankings are updated regularly for all positions and include standard formats, PPR scoring, tiered rankings and dynasty leagues.
