RADIO
Fantasy football players are always looking for new challenges. Unique scoring formats can provide the nifty twist they may be seeking. That is exactly what you will find in the Fantasy Football Players Championship (FFPC). Tight end premium scoring, where the TEs are awarded 1.5 points per reception, is the distinctive and compelling norm.
Other formats employ premium scoring for tight ends, such as the nationally popular Scott Fish Bowl, which is also a superflex league. If you are new to TE premium scoring, or an experienced competitor looking for an edge, we have the latest rankings for you to consult, and we will be updating them throughout the preseason. Here is our first installment of TE premium rankings for those who participate in the FFPC and other similar leagues.
Our ranks are PPR based and align with one QB leagues. The analysis can help you in all TE premium formats, even superflex TE premium leagues, where you should adjust these rankings accordingly. Our TE premium Top 200 follows the analysis.
Editor's Note: Our incredible team of writers won two writing awards and received 12 award nominations by the Fantasy Sports Writers Association. A big congrats to our very own Byron Lindeque (Golf) and Jordan McAbee (NASCAR) for both winning Writer Of The Year awards! Be sure to follow RotoBaller's analysis and advice all year long, and win more. Win More With RotoBaller!
Tight End Premium - Fantasy Football Rankings Analysis
Tight end is the thinnest position in fantasy football, and pushing the position further up the draft board forces you to go after the very best ones early on. Mark Andrews surpassed Travis Kelce as the No. 1 TE in fantasy football last season, outscoring him by nearly 40 PPR points. Kelce can close the gap this season because Tyreek Hill is gone from Kansas City, but the Ravens are going to exhibit a TE-heavy attack and Andrews is the leader of the group. Both of them are ideal picks as the top TE off the board, no matter which way you go.
I have Andrews and Kelce ranked eighth and ninth overall respectively, as I slightly prefer the very elite three to four players at running back and wide receiver when you have to start two to three of those every week. Sure, you can conceivably flex a second tight end, but that would require taking two in the first few rounds and is not advisable.
If you want to be aggressive and take one of the top two TEs in the top 5, that is not being overaggressive. In most leagues of every format, Kelce is being drafted before Andrews. If Kelce goes before Andrews, I would not wait long to take Andrews thereafter. Baltimore is trying to rework its offense to model it more after Jackson’s MVP season of 2019. That year he had 36 TD passes, and Andrews had a career-high 10 TD catches.
Andrews may regress a bit from last year in receptions and yardage, and he can still equal Kelce’s production. I won’t vehemently debate with anyone who takes Kelce first. His overall track record of high-level play is stronger.
After The Top Two Tight Ends Are Gone
I have Kyle Pitts ranked No. 14 overall because he is still developing as a pro and has a shaky QB situation, but he should also be the No. 1 pass-catcher for Atlanta and Pitts has the talent to clearly finish as the third-best fantasy tight end this season. Darren Waller is three spots behind Pitts, and George Kittle is at No. 20 overall because regular health concerns are the only factor keeping him from being ranked third.
There is a certain top five at the position that should be targeted in the first two rounds or so. Once those five are off the board, there is a drop-off to the next tier of good, but not truly top-shelf players at the position.
Dalton Schultz should play a larger role in the Dallas offense this season. I have him as the No. 6 tight end, five spots ahead of T.J. Hockenson and Dallas Goedert. The Eagles TE should provide a healthy statistical return this season. The pressure is on Jalen Hurts to improve as a passer this year, and Goedert is a proven target who he has experience working with.
If you don’t get one of the top five tight ends in a TE premium format, I would feel very comfortable with Schultz, Hockenson, or Goedert as one of the three alternative selections.
Quality Selections Outside The Top Eight Tight Ends
While I would recommend targeting one of the top-eight ranked TEs to have the most comfortable starting options, there are some other quality choices to consider thereafter. Zach Ertz is not far behind the top 8, and while there is a drop-off after that to Dawson Knox at 44, he should still be a significant contributor in one of the league’s best passing games. Then we have another drop-off to Pat Freiermuth at 52. He had a strong rookie season though, at a position where many players don’t make a fantasy impact in their first NFL campaigns.
Cole Kmet and Irv Smith Jr., ranked at 54 and 56 overall, appear to be on the verge of breakthrough seasons, but once we get outside of the top 10, you have to take some leaps of faith with less proven performers. Or you have to target the likes of Mike Gesicki (59) and Hunter Henry (60), who are respectable types but don’t offer enough upside. Beyond that, we are looking for sleeper and value plays.
I do like Austin Hooper (69) to re-emerge as a quality fantasy TE, as the Titans need to replace lost targets from the departure of A.J. Brown, and he can be a frequent target for Ryan Tannehill on key passing downs. Logan Thomas (96) could be a flex option in TE premium formats when he is healthy again. Evan Engram (111) will look to recapture his better form in Jacksonville. Adam Trautman (135) was expected to break out last year, but he may become fantasy relevant a year later. He is now an afterthought to most drafters.
You do have to go with the flow and adjust on the run in all drafts, but in a TE premium league, you should try to get one of the top five to 10 players at the position. Be prepared to dedicate a pick in the first four rounds or so to nabbing a TE, and wait on a quarterback in a one-QB format.
A wide receiver can also be deep, so you should attempt to ideally come out of the first five rounds with at least two WRs, two RBs, and a TE. That is a solid “shell” of a plan, although the twists and turns of any draft can make you deviate from that approach.
The King’s Top 200 Fantasy Football Rankings
| Rank | Name | Team | Position |
| 1 | Jonathan Taylor | IND | RB |
| 2 | Austin Ekeler | LAC | RB |
| 3 | Cooper Kupp | LAR | WR |
| 4 | Justin Jefferson | MIN | WR |
| 5 | Ja'Marr Chase | CIN | WR |
| 6 | Dalvin Cook | MIN | RB |
| 7 | Najee Harris | PIT | RB |
| 8 | Mark Andrews | BAL | TE |
| 9 | Travis Kelce | KC | TE |
| 10 | Derrick Henry | TEN | RB |
| 11 | Christian McCaffrey | CAR | RB |
| 12 | Joe Mixon | CIN | RB |
| 13 | Davante Adams | LV | WR |
| 14 | Kyle Pitts | ATL | TE |
| 15 | Stefon Diggs | BUF | WR |
| 16 | Darren Waller | LV | TE |
| 17 | Leonard Fournette | TB | RB |
| 18 | Deebo Samuel | SF | WR |
| 19 | George Kittle | SF | TE |
| 20 | Nick Chubb | CLE | RB |
| 21 | Aaron Jones | GB | RB |
| 22 | D'Andre Swift | DET | RB |
| 23 | CeeDee Lamb | DAL | WR |
| 24 | Dalton Schultz | DAL | TE |
| 25 | Tyreek Hill | MIA | WR |
| 26 | A.J. Brown | PHI | WR |
| 27 | Saquon Barkley | NYG | RB |
| 28 | James Conner | ARI | RB |
| 29 | T.J. Hockenson | DET | TE |
| 30 | Dallas Goedert | PHI | TE |
| 31 | Mike Evans | TB | WR |
| 32 | Alvin Kamara | NO | RB |
| 33 | Javonte Williams | DEN | RB |
| 34 | Zach Ertz | ARI | TE |
| 35 | Diontae Johnson | PIT | WR |
| 36 | Keenan Allen | LAC | WR |
| 37 | Tee Higgins | CIN | WR |
| 38 | Josh Allen | BUF | QB |
| 39 | Ezekiel Elliott | DAL | RB |
| 40 | Jaylen Waddle | MIA | WR |
| 41 | DJ Moore | CAR | WR |
| 42 | Allen Robinson II | LAR | WR |
| 43 | David Montgomery | CHI | RB |
| 44 | Dawson Knox | BUF | TE |
| 45 | Justin Herbert | LAC | QB |
| 46 | Patrick Mahomes II | KC | QB |
| 47 | Breece Hall | NYJ | RB |
| 48 | Michael Pittman Jr. | IND | WR |
| 49 | Travis Etienne Jr. | JAC | RB |
| 50 | Gabriel Davis | BUF | WR |
| 51 | Pat Freiermuth | PIT | TE |
| 52 | Courtland Sutton | DEN | WR |
| 53 | Cole Kmet | CHI | TE |
| 54 | DK Metcalf | SEA | WR |
| 55 | Irv Smith Jr. | MIN | TE |
| 56 | Cam Akers | LAR | RB |
| 57 | Terry McLaurin | WAS | WR |
| 58 | Mike Gesicki | MIA | TE |
| 59 | Hunter Henry | NE | TE |
| 60 | Elijah Mitchell | SF | RB |
| 61 | JuJu Smith-Schuster | KC | WR |
| 62 | Mike Williams | LAC | WR |
| 63 | Antonio Gibson | WAS | RB |
| 64 | Jalen Hurts | PHI | QB |
| 65 | Kyler Murray | ARI | QB |
| 66 | Darnell Mooney | CHI | WR |
| 67 | Jerry Jeudy | DEN | WR |
| 68 | Austin Hooper | TEN | TE |
| 69 | Brandin Cooks | HOU | WR |
| 70 | Damien Harris | NE | RB |
| 71 | Cordarrelle Patterson | ATL | RB |
| 72 | Rashaad Penny | SEA | RB |
| 73 | J.K. Dobbins | BAL | RB |
| 74 | Marquise Brown | ARI | WR |
| 75 | Lamar Jackson | BAL | QB |
| 76 | Dak Prescott | DAL | QB |
| 77 | Kareem Hunt | CLE | RB |
| 78 | Noah Fant | SEA | TE |
| 79 | Chase Edmonds | MIA | RB |
| 80 | Hunter Renfrow | LV | WR |
| 81 | Josh Jacobs | LV | RB |
| 82 | Russell Wilson | DEN | QB |
| 83 | Amari Cooper | CLE | WR |
| 84 | DeVonta Smith | PHI | WR |
| 85 | Adam Thielen | MIN | WR |
| 86 | Albert Okwuegbunam | DEN | TE |
| 87 | DeAndre Hopkins | ARI | WR |
| 88 | James Cook | BUF | RB |
| 89 | Drake London | ATL | WR |
| 90 | Miles Sanders | PHI | RB |
| 91 | Clyde Edwards-Helaire | KC | RB |
| 92 | Joe Burrow | CIN | QB |
| 93 | Tom Brady | TB | QB |
| 94 | Amon-Ra St. Brown | DET | WR |
| 95 | Logan Thomas | WAS | TE |
| 96 | Tyler Lockett | SEA | WR |
| 97 | Robert Woods | TEN | WR |
| 98 | Chris Godwin | TB | WR |
| 99 | Allen Lazard | GB | WR |
| 100 | Ken Walker III | SEA | RB |
| 101 | Cameron Brate | TB | TE |
| 102 | Devin Singletary | BUF | RB |
| 103 | AJ Dillon | GB | RB |
| 104 | Matthew Stafford | LAR | QB |
| 105 | Russell Gage | TB | WR |
| 106 | Chris Olave | NO | WR |
| 107 | David Njoku | CLE | TE |
| 108 | Aaron Rodgers | GB | QB |
| 109 | Rashod Bateman | BAL | WR |
| 110 | Evan Engram | JAC | TE |
| 111 | Ronald Jones | KC | RB |
| 112 | Derek Carr | LV | QB |
| 113 | Melvin Gordon III | DEN | RB |
| 114 | Hayden Hurst | CIN | TE |
| 115 | Elijah Moore | NYJ | WR |
| 116 | C.J. Uzomah | NYJ | TE |
| 117 | Michael Thomas | NO | WR |
| 118 | Treylon Burks | TEN | WR |
| 119 | Alec Pierce | IND | WR |
| 120 | Christian Kirk | JAC | WR |
| 121 | Marlon Mack | HOU | RB |
| 122 | Jonnu Smith | NE | TE |
| 123 | Brian Robinson Jr. | WAS | RB |
| 124 | Trey Lance | SF | QB |
| 125 | Tyler Higbee | LAR | TE |
| 126 | Tyrion Davis-Price | SF | RB |
| 127 | Rhamondre Stevenson | NE | RB |
| 128 | Brandon Aiyuk | SF | WR |
| 129 | Robert Tonyan | GB | TE |
| 130 | Rondale Moore | ARI | WR |
| 131 | Tony Pollard | DAL | RB |
| 132 | Michael Gallup | DAL | WR |
| 133 | Christian Watson | GB | WR |
| 134 | Adam Trautman | NO | TE |
| 135 | Kirk Cousins | MIN | QB |
| 136 | Gus Edwards | BAL | RB |
| 137 | Brevin Jordan | HOU | TE |
| 138 | Dameon Pierce | HOU | RB |
| 139 | Tua Tagovailoa | MIA | QB |
| 140 | Jalen Tolbert | DAL | WR |
| 141 | Marquez Valdes-Scantling | KC | WR |
| 142 | Gerald Everett | LAC | TE |
| 143 | Skyy Moore | KC | WR |
| 144 | Tyler Allgeier | ATL | RB |
| 145 | Tommy Tremble | CAR | TE |
| 146 | Darrell Henderson Jr. | LAR | RB |
| 147 | Justin Fields | CHI | QB |
| 148 | Zamir White | LV | RB |
| 149 | Mo Alie-Cox | IND | TE |
| 150 | Jamison Crowder | BUF | WR |
| 151 | Matt Ryan | IND | QB |
| 152 | Mark Ingram II | NO | RB |
| 153 | Kenneth Gainwell | PHI | RB |
| 154 | Rachaad White | TB | RB |
| 155 | Nyheim Hines | IND | RB |
| 156 | Raheem Mostert | MIA | RB |
| 157 | Jarvis Landry | NO | WR |
| 158 | Garrett Wilson | NYJ | WR |
| 159 | DJ Chark Jr. | DET | WR |
| 160 | Cade Otton | TB | TE |
| 161 | J.D. McKissic | WAS | RB |
| 162 | Jamaal Williams | DET | RB |
| 163 | Michael Carter | NYJ | RB |
| 164 | Jameis Winston | NO | QB |
| 165 | O.J. Howard | BUF | TE |
| 166 | Alexander Mattison | MIN | RB |
| 167 | Deshaun Watson | CLE | QB |
| 168 | Kadarius Toney | NYG | WR |
| 169 | D'Onta Foreman | CAR | RB |
| 170 | Jakobi Meyers | NE | WR |
| 171 | Trey McBride | ARI | TE |
| 172 | Dan Arnold | JAC | TE |
| 173 | Chuba Hubbard | CAR | RB |
| 174 | Robbie Anderson | CAR | WR |
| 175 | Chase Claypool | PIT | WR |
| 176 | DeVante Parker | NE | WR |
| 177 | Mac Jones | NE | QB |
| 178 | Ricky Seals-Jones | NYG | TE |
| 179 | Donald Parham Jr. | LAC | TE |
| 180 | Zach Wilson | NYJ | QB |
| 181 | Ryan Tannehill | TEN | QB |
| 182 | Velus Jones Jr. | CHI | WR |
| 183 | Nico Collins | HOU | WR |
| 184 | Davis Mills | HOU | QB |
| 185 | Jahan Dotson | WAS | WR |
| 186 | Jameson Williams | DET | WR |
| 187 | Kenny Golladay | NYG | WR |
| 188 | Jelani Woods | IND | TE |
| 189 | Tyler Boyd | CIN | WR |
| 190 | Boston Scott | PHI | RB |
| 191 | Donovan Peoples-Jones | CLE | WR |
| 192 | James White | NE | RB |
| 193 | Sony Michel | MIA | RB |
| 194 | Curtis Samuel | WAS | WR |
| 195 | Will Dissly | SEA | TE |
| 196 | Baker Mayfield | CAR | QB |
| 197 | Rex Burkhead | HOU | RB |
| 198 | Khalil Herbert | CHI | RB |
| 199 | Darrel Williams | ARI | RB |
| 200 | Daniel Bellinger | NYG | TE |
Download Our Free News & Alerts Mobile App
Like what you see? Download our updated fantasy football app for iPhone and Android with 24x7 player news, injury alerts, rankings, starts/sits & more. All free!
Win More With RotoBaller
Be sure to also check out all of our other daily fantasy football articles and analysis to help you set those winning lineups, including this new RotoBaller YouTube video:More Fantasy Football Analysis
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.
