X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Draft Rankings
Draft Simulator
Enter League Settings
Value Picks
Compare Any Players
News and Alerts

2017 Rankings Analysis - Tight Ends in PPR Leagues

Just because the 2016 season was a downer for tight ends it does not mean that 2017 is destined to be a repeat.

There are several wild cards at tight end because there is a bumper crop of young up-and-comers just entering their primes who showed flashes of great promise this past season. This coupled with the hope that some injury-prone veterans stay healthy and that the consistent crop of the tight end corps keep up the good work could translate into a banner year for tight ends in fantasy football.

Our preseason rankings at RotoBaller will continue to shift as free agents move on and rookies find homes. For the time being, here are my top 12 tight ends in points-per-reception leagues entering the 2017 season:

Editor's Note: Access RotoBaller’s trusted fantasy football rankings for PPR, Standard, Dynasty, Super Flex, and Best Ball formats. Get tiered cheat sheets, expert analysis, and player outlooks to dominate your draft from every angle.

 

1. Rob Gronkowski, New England Patriots

When everything is right with Gronkowski, there is no tight end in fantasy football more valuable. No tight end evens comes close to his zip code. The problem is everything is never right with him, at least physically. Gronkowski has been missed 24 games over the past five years and has left fantasy owners high and dry more often than a stat website that blows up every NFL football Sunday at 3:00 pm. If you want to play it safe, you can pass on Gronkowski and go with the second or third-ranked TE on this list. But if you want the best guy at the position and you think you can milk 13-15 games out of him, then you have to go with Gronk.

 

2. Travis Kelce, Kansas City Chiefs

Alex Smith does not do wide receivers any favors due to his lack of arm strength, but he is the perfect quarterback for tight ends like Kelce. Kelce topped all tight ends in 2016 with 1,125 yards and was second at the position with 85 receptions. It is hard to place him No. 1 when he has scored 14 touchdowns in three seasons and a healthy Gronkowski could possibly match that in one season, yet Kelce’s productivity in the other major fantasy categories lands him this coveted rule as numero dos (and No. 1 if/when Gronk gets hurt again).

 

3. Greg Olsen, Carolina Panthers

Olsen and Kelce were the only tight ends to break the 1,000-yard barrier in 2016 in what was a down year at the position. Olsen has been a model of consistency as he has finished in the top six in receptions among tight ends each of the past five seasons. He has also not missed a game over his last nine seasons and has a string of three consecutive 1,000-yard years. Olsen has only averaged five touchdowns per year and will be 32 when the new season starts, but the goods totally outweigh the bads and that is why he is ranked here.

 

4. Jordan Reed, Washington Redskins

Reed had 66 catches in a dozen games last season, but a concussion and a shoulder injury stopped him better than any defense did. We do not know if he can actually stay healthy for 14-16 games, nor do we know if Kirk Cousins will be the QB throwing to him. What we do know is Reed is one of the top tight ends in fantasy football when he suits up. As long as Kirk Cousins remains in Washington, it should be a high-volume passing attack. The loss of his two main wideouts only boosts Reed's value.

 

5. Jimmy Graham, Seattle Seahawks

Have we seen the best of Graham?  He has Russell Wilson instead of Drew Brees as his QB, he is now 30 years old and seems a step slower, plus he plays half of his games outside in Seattle’s rainy weather rather in the friendly offensive confines of the Superdome. His fantasy numbers may be capped at 70 receptions for 950 yards, but if that is the best he can do it probably still keeps him as a top-5 TE in PPR leagues.

 

6. Zach Ertz, Philadelphia Eagles

Ertz was a fantasy non-factor during the first half of last season thanks to a rib injury and building chemistry with rookie quarterback Carson Wentz. The second half of the season was a different story, with Ertz handing his fantasy owners 443 yards and three touchdown catches over the last five weeks of the season, typically the most important weeks in fantasy leagues. He had 78 receptions in 2016, but he could have 85-90 in 2017 and be the central figure in Philly’s passing attack if everything breaks right for him (like newly-acquired Alshon Jeffery injuring himself like he usually does).

 

7. Tyler Eifert, Cincinnati Bengals

Eifert has more trouble staying on the field than President Trump has staying off Twitter. Eifert has missed 27 games over his first four seasons, so unless he has milk and multi-vitamins going through an IV into his body, he will probably miss a couple games this upcoming season. That being said, you cannot ignore the 13 touchdowns he scored in 2015 and that he has been Andy Dalton’s second-favorite target behind A.J. Green the last couple years.

 

8. Delanie Walker, Tennessee Titans

Walker racked up over 1,000 yards in 2015 and posted 65 catches for 800 yards in 2016, so Father Time does not seem to be slowing him down even though he is in his 30s. Even if the Titans finally acquire a No. 1 receiver after years of terrible draft choices and free-agent signings, Walker will still be on the received end of plenty of Marcus Mariota’s short tosses.

 

9. Eric Ebron, Detroit Lions

Ebron has just as many tools in his toolbox as your average HGTV handyman, and this past year he finally strung some solid weeks together to set career-highs with 61 receptions for 711 yards. He is only going to be 24 years old at season’s start and has the ability to catch 80 passes, but he is going to have to stay healthy (he has never suited up for all 16 games in a season yet) and is going to have to score more touchdowns (one TD in 2016).

 

10. Hunter Henry, Los Angeles Chargers

Henry tied Brate for the lead in touchdown grabs among tight ends with eight last season. We all know how Philip Rivers favors throwing to his tight ends on third down and near the red zone with the way he peppered Antonio Gates with passes over the past decade. Hopefully Henry becomes Rivers’ top tight end target in 2017 as Gates slowly gets phased out of the offense.

 

11. Kyle Rudolph, Minnesota Vikings

Rudolph had the best year of his six-year career with 83 receptions for 840 yards and seven touchdowns in 2016. This was thanks in large part to him being targeted an ungodly 132 times. Quarterback Sam Bradford and Rudolph meshed perfectly in Minnesota’s dink-n-dunk offense, but you would think Rudolph won’t be targeted and connected with as much in 2017.

 

12. Cameron Brate, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Brate blew up for 57 receptions, 660 yards and eight touchdowns in 2016 after fantasy owners initially ignored him because they assumed All-World wideout Mike Evans would catch 99 percent of Jameis Winston’s passes. Brate is not dynamic downfield, but he has a nose for the end zone and could catch 60-70 passes this upcoming season unless new acquisition DeSean Jackson takes some targets away from him. That shouldn't be a problem in the red zone, as Jackson doesn't do much damage there.


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.




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Draft Rankings
Draft Simulator
Enter League Settings
Value Picks
Compare Any Players
News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

PGA

J.T. Poston Returns to John Deere Classic Looking for Another High Finish
Josh Naylor

Back in Action on Tuesday
Yordan Alvarez

Suffers Setback
Thriston Lawrence

a Decent Fit For John Deere Classic
Tom Kim

Not Finding Much to be Happy About Ahead of John Deere Classic
Nolan Arenado

Dealing with Finger Sprain
ANA

Mikael Granlund Moves to Anaheim on Three-Year Deal
Jacob Wilson

Scratched With Hamstring Soreness
NJ

Jake Allen Signs Five-Year Extension With Devils
VAN

Brock Boeser Remains in Vancouver on Seven-Year Deal
Conor Garland

Signs New Six-Year Deal with Canucks
Thatcher Demko

Signs Three-Year Extension with Canucks
Brandon Woodruff

Ready for Season Debut
Martin Fehérváry

Martin Fehervary Agrees to Seven-Year Extension with Capitals
Garrett Mitchell

Out for the Rest of the Season
MLB

Brewers-Mets Postponed on Tuesday
MLB

Tigers-Nationals Postponed on Tuesday
Zach Neto

Returns to Tuesday's Lineup
Milwaukee Bucks

Gary Harris Inks Deal With Bucks
MLB

Padres-Phillies Postponed on Tuesday
Charlotte Hornets

Mason Plumlee Heading Back to Charlotte
Si Woo Kim

is a Prohibitive Fade at John Deere Classic
Hunter Goodman

Back Behind the Dish on Tuesday
Jakob Poeltl

Agrees to a Contract Extension With Raptors
Ben Griffin

is the Appropriate Favorite at TPC Deere Run
Jason Day

is a Fine Play With Limited Upside at John Deere Classic
Vasilije Micić

Vasilije Micic Dealt to Bucks on Tuesday
Daniel Suarez

and Trackhouse Racing Parting Ways After 2025 Season
Luke Clanton

Looks to Have Another Strong Week at TPC Deere Run
Pat Connaughton

Traded to Hornets
Atlanta Hawks

Luke Kennard Lands in Atlanta
Breece Hall

Aiming to Prove He is "Still One of the Best in the League"
T.J. Watt

Steelers Not Planning to Trade T.J. Watt
Sacramento Kings

Dennis Schroder Set to Join Sacramento
Bo Bichette

Out Again on Tuesday
Trent Grisham

Likely Heading to Injured List
Boston Celtics

Luke Kornet Agrees to Contract With San Antonio
Jonas Valančiūnas

Nuggets Trade for Center Jonas Valanciunas
Royce Lewis

Twins Activate Royce Lewis
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

Signs Massive Extension With Oklahoma City
Corbin Carroll

Eyeing Return Before All-Star Break
New York Knicks

Knicks Pick Up Guerschon Yabusele
Yordan Alvarez

Could Return Early Next Week
NFL

Negotiations on 18-Game Season Not Expected Until Next Year
Indiana Pacers

Myles Turner Leaves Indiana, Signs With Milwaukee
Kerry Carpenter

Shelved with Hamstring Issue
Tyler Boyd

Steelers Have Talked With Tyler Boyd
Milwaukee Bucks

Damian Lillard Waived By Milwaukee
Darren Waller

Coming Out of Retirement to Play for Dolphins
Alexander Romanov

Islanders Retain Alexander Romanov on $50 Million Contract
Andrei Kuzmenko

Signs Up for One More Year with Kings
Morgan Geekie

Signs Long-Term Extension with Bruins
Ivan Provorov

Stays in Columbus on Seven-Year Deal
Alex Pietrangelo

Stepping Away From Golden Knights for Health Reasons
Matias Maccelli

Maple Leafs Bring in Matias Maccelli
Evan Bouchard

Inks $42 Million Contract with Oilers
Vladimir Tarasenko

Wild Acquire Vladimir Tarasenko From Detroit
Patrick Kane

Signs New One-Year Deal with Red Wings
Brad Marchand

Lands Six-Year Extension
Aaron Ekblad

Remains a Panther on Eight-Year Deal
Mitchell Marner

Heads to Vegas
Randy Arozarena

Homers Twice, Plates Four Monday
Shea Langeliers

Hits Three-Run Homer In Return From Injured List Monday
Wilyer Abreu

Belts Grand Slam and Hits Inside-the-Park Home Run
Philadelphia 76ers

Trendon Watford Lands in Philadelphia
New York Knicks

Jordan Clarkson Expected to Sign With Knicks
Zack Wheeler

Tosses Eight Shutout Innings, Punches Out 10
Santi Aldama

Remains with Grizzlies
Atlanta Hawks

Nickeil Alexander-Walker Lands in Atlanta
Jalen Ramsey

Could Move Around in Pittsburgh
Los Angeles Clippers

Brook Lopez Strikes Deal With Clippers
Jonnu Smith

to be Used in Hybrid Role
Terry McLaurin

Commanders, Terry McLaurin Not Close on Contract Extension
Chicago Bulls

Tre Jones Remaining in Chicago
Michael Mayer

Raiders Not Interested in Trading Michael Mayer
Houston Rockets

Dorian Finney-Smith Signing With Rockets
Atlanta Hawks

Caris LeVert Joining Pistons
Aldrich Potgieter

Wins Rocket Mortgage Classic
Thorbjorn Olesen

Finishes Tied for 41st at Rocket Mortgage Classic
Denny McCarthy

Finishes Tied For 12th at Travelers Championship
Chris Kirk

Finishes Tied For Second at Rocket Mortgage Classic
Michael Kim

Finishes Tied for 26th at Rocket Mortgage Classic
Max Homa

Misses Cut at Rocket Mortgage Classic
Lucas Glover

Finishes Tied For Ninth at Travelers Championship
PGA

Nico Echavarria Finishes Tied For Sixth at Rocket Mortgage Classic
Pittsburgh Steelers

Rumors Still Swirling Around Potential T.J. Watt Trade
Ilia Topuria

Becomes The New Lightweight Champion
Charles Oliveira

Knocked Out At UFC 317
Kai Kara-France

Alexandre Pantoja Submits Kai Kara-France
Kai Kara-France

Submitted At UFC 317
Joshua Van

Extends His Win Streak
Tyler Boyd

Interested in Playing for Steelers
Miami Dolphins

Dolphins Now Looking to Acquire a Tight End
Brandon Royval

Drops Decision
L'Jarius Sneed

Says he's Healthy
Renato Moicano

Loses Back-To-Back Fights
Beneil Dariush

Gets Back In The Win Column
Felipe Lima

Suffers His First UFC Loss
Payton Talbott

Bounces Back
Minkah Fitzpatrick

Heading Back to Miami
Jonnu Smith

Shipped to Pittsburgh
Alex Bowman

Competitive Run Ends With Third-Place Finish at Atlanta
Erik Jones

Secures A Top-Five Finish After Adversity In Atlanta
Tyler Reddick

Collects A New Career-Best Finish At Atlanta
Jalen Ramsey

Steelers Acquiring Jalen Ramsey
Jonas Brodin

Expected to Miss Start of Next Season
TB

Conor Sheary Placed on Waivers for Contract Termination
Dante Fabbro

Stays with Blue Jackets on Four-Year Deal
Chase Elliott

Ends Winless Skid With Atlanta Victory
Brad Keselowski

Falls Short of Atlanta Victory
NFL

NFL Won't Hold Supplemental Draft This Year
Damon Arnette

Getting Second Chance With Texans
Deommodore Lenoir

Arrested for Obstruction of Justice
Carson Hocevar

Recovers From Big One to Finish 10th at Atlanta
William Byron

Caught up in Atlanta Big One but Retains Points Lead
Denny Hamlin

Top In-Season Challenge Seed Denny Hamlin Eliminated in Lap 70 Crash
Ty Dillon

Bottom Seed Ty Dillon Upsets Denny Hamlin to Advance in In-Season Challenge
Marvin Harrison Jr.

Expected to Make Second-Year Jump
Jalin Hyatt

Looking to Flip the Script in 2025
Kyle Larson

Don't Expect Kyle Larson to Win First Drafting Track Race on Saturday
Christopher Bell

Unlikely to Complete Atlanta Sweep
Brad Keselowski

Seeks Another Clutch Win for Hail-Mary Playoff Bid
Chris Buescher

Unlikely to Lead Enough to Have Much DFS Value
Alex Bowman

Qualifies Best Among Non-Fords but Unlikely to Contend at Atlanta
Ryan Preece

Will Probably Run Better Than Usual at Atlanta
Austin Dillon

Consistently Mediocre at Atlanta
Ty Gibbs

Slightly Faster Lately but Unlikely to be a Factor at Atlanta
Erik Jones

a Low-Key Strong DFS Option
Noah Gragson

Could Have DFS Value as One of the Lowest-Qualifying Fords
Riley Herbst

Unlikely to Replicate February Atlanta Finish
Charles Oliveira

Can Become A Two-Time Lightweight Champion
Ilia Topuria

A Favorite At UFC 317
Kai Kara-France

Can Become The New Flyweight Champion
Alexandre Pantoja

Set For Fourth Title Defense At UFC 317
Joshua Van

Looks To Extend His Win Streak
Brandon Royval

Looks For His Third Win In A Row
Renato Moicano

Returns At UFC 317
Beneil Dariush

An Underdog At UFC 317
Payton Talbott

Looks To Bounce Back
Felipe Lima

Set To Open Up UFC 317 Main Card
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF