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

Tight End PPR Rankings - Tiers and Analysis

RotoBaller's updated tight end rankings and tiers for PPR leagues in 2018. Phil Clark analyzes the TE tiers to help fantasy football owners in upcoming drafts.

The expert rankers at RotoBaller are committed to providing you with the analysis that you need to formulate a plan as you proceed through your drafts - regardless of whether you are participating in Dynasty, Redraft, or Best-Ball leagues. Our rankings also include tiers, in order to supply a more detailed breakdown on which players you should target for your rosters, along with others that you should avoid. We will also deliver updated rankings and positional analysis as the regular season continues its relentless approach.

This breakdown will focus on the tight end position, which presents owners with several elite options, a select group of reliable alternatives, and the possibility of ongoing frustration for some owners throughout the season. This creates a challenging decision-making process during your drafts. Because the top two tiers provide the greatest potential for desirable weekly production, but drafting any of those players requires you to bypass talented backs and receivers with a valuable early round pick. However, there is also risk in waiting too long as your draft progresses through the middle rounds, as it increases the likelihood that you will be dependent on tight ends that are either inconsistent or encumbered by underwhelming snap counts. Worse, you could be forced to watch helplessly as the best remaining options are eliminated during a dreaded positional run between picks. All of which makes it critical that your patience does not result in roster selections which will leave you non-competitive at the position.

Fantasy Football Calculator’s current ADPs reveal that three tight ends are being selected during the first four rounds, while seven more are drafted between Rounds 5-8. This mirrors our rankings, which include nine tight ends inside our top 100. Here is a specific breakdown of our PPR rankings at the position that can be very problematic for owners.

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.

 

Tight End PPR Rankings

Position Tier Overall Tier Position Rank Overall Rank Player Name
1 3 1 22 Rob Gronkowski
1 3 2 26 Travis Kelce
2 4 3 41 Zach Ertz
2 5 4 55 Greg Olsen
2 5 5 64 Delanie Walker
3 6 6 72 Evan Engram
3 6 7 79 Kyle Rudolph
3 6 8 81 Jimmy Graham
4 7 9 96 Jordan Reed
4 7 10 105 Jack Doyle
4 7 11 114 Trey Burton
4 8 12 115 David Njoku
4 8 13 116 George Kittle
5 8 14 122 Eric Ebron
5 8 15 124 Tyler Eifert
5 8 16 125 O.J. Howard
5 8 17 133 Cameron Brate
6 9 18 135 Austin Seferian-Jenkins
6 9 19 137 Jared Cook
6 9 20 140 Charles Clay
6 9 21 145 Benjamin Watson
6 9 22 197 Austin Hooper
7 11 23 203 Mike Gesicki
7 11 24 206 Ricky Seals-Jones
7 12 25 207 Vance McDonald
7 12 26 237 Hayden Hurst
8 12 27 241 Jake Butt
8 12 28 252 Gerald Everett
8 13 29 253 Vernon Davis
8 13 30 254 Luke Willson
8 13 31 286 Adam Shaheen
9 14 32 291 Ed Dickson
9 14 33 299 Tyler Kroft
9 14 34 303 Ryan Griffin
9 14 35 308 Dallas Goedert
9 14 36 309 Stephen Anderson
9 14 37 311 Josh Hill
10 14 38 318 Jesse James
10 14 39 320 Nick Vannett
10 14 40 329 Garrett Celek
10 15 41 345 Tyler Higbee
10 15 42 351 Mark Andrews
10 15 43 355 Jermaine Gresham
10 15 44 360 Jaylen Samuels

 
Tier 1

Rob Gronkowski, Travis Kelce

You should be well-acquainted with Gronkowski's achievements at this point of his eight-year career. After generating 10 touchdowns as a rookie in 2010, he exploded for 17 during his second season. He also finished sixth with 1,327 yards to jump-start a career that has reshaped both the utilization and perception of his position. Gronkowski enters the year with 7,179 yards and 76 touchdowns in his stellar career, even though he has not played in 16 regular season games since 2011. But his potential for absence is offset by the consistency of his exceptional numbers when he is on the field, as he has surpassed 1,000 yards during each of the last four seasons in which he has appeared in 14+ contests.

Amid the ongoing greatness of Gronkowski, Kelce has actually finished at TE1 during the past two seasons by collecting 168 receptions for 2,163 yards. He led all tight ends in targets (123) and receptions (83) in 2017 while utilizing his 21 red zone targets to finish second at his position with a career-high eight touchdowns. He also paced the Chiefs in each of those categories and will remain an essential component in a Kansas City passing attack that has the potential to torture opposing defenses. While Sammy Watkins enters the mixture of weaponry that will compete with Kelce for targets, he will also join Tyreek Hill in running vertical routes that will clear additional space for Kelce to accumulate excellent numbers once again.

 
Tier 2

Zach Ertz, Greg Olsen, Delanie Walker

Ertz has garnered 100+ targets, collected 74+ receptions, and amassed 800+ yards for three consecutive seasons. That includes his 2017 output (74 receptions/824 yards) that supplemented a career-high eight touchdowns and was achieved despite performing with a snap count that was just 13th highest at his position (778/69%). The Eagles deployed a second-round pick on Dallas Goedert, who should capture a reasonable percentage of the 53 targets that were distributed to Trey Burton and Brent Celek last season. But Ertz should still commandeer a massive number of opportunities, while providing owners with a trustworthy point producer.

The 33-year old Olsen had not missed a game since Week 2 of 2007, before a foot fracture limited him to just seven contests, and career worst production last season (17 receptions/191 yards). That also interrupted Olsen’s highly productive three-year stretch in which he averaged 80 receptions and 1,062 yards from 2014-2016. Prior to last season, Olsen had finished either first or second on the Panthers in targets every year since his 2011 arrival - which was also Cam Newton's first year with the team. They should connect with regularity again, as the three-time Pro Bowler delivers production that justifies his Round 5 ADP.

I have targeted Walker frequently throughout the offseason, as the result of his consistent production, and his ongoing importance to what should be a regenerated Tennessee offense. Walker finished at TE4 last season, after reaching 100 targets and 800 yards for the fourth consecutive year. His 807 yards led the Titans, as did his 74 receptions - which tied him for third among all tight ends. Walker also collected the third most targets at his position (111), and the commitment that Tennessee demonstrated by extending his contract in July underscores his continued importance in what will be a more proficient Titan attack.

 
Tier 3

Evan Engram, Kyle Rudolph, Jimmy Graham

Engram outperformed the customary expectations for rookie tight ends in 2017 by finishing at TE5. His 115 targets were second at the position, while elevating him into the top six in receptions (64), and yardage (722). But that target total also paced the Giants, which highlights the concern regarding Engram’s ability to replicate his 2017 success. Odell Beckham Jr. was limited to just four games and 212 snaps, and has returned to capture a significant workload. Saquon Barkley should ignite what was a dormant Giant ground game, while also confiscating a sizable number of touches. But even though Engram's target total will decline, the current landscape of this position makes him a viable target in Round 6 of your drafts.

Rudolph’s 81 targets only placed him 11th among tight ends. However, his 16 red zone targets tied him for fifth, and his eight touchdowns tied him for second, which propelled him to a TE8 finish. Even though Adam Thielen and Stefon Diggs will seize a sizable percentage of opportunities, Rudolph should remain heavily involved in the offense that will be spearheaded by new coordinator John DeFilippo, whose favorable usage of the tight end while guiding Cleveland's offense (2015) resulted in career-best output for Gary Barnidge (79 receptions/1,043 yards,9 touchdowns). Rudolph has not missed a game since 2014, which combines with his stable role to entrench him among the most reliable tight end options.

Graham led all tight ends in red zone targets (29), and touchdowns (10) in 2017. However, his reception total (57) placed him ninth, while he only finished 17th in yardage (520). That output in both categories was the lowest since his 2010 rookie season, and the seven-game sequence from Weeks 10-16 in which he scored six times, but only exceeded 34 yards once, was emblematic of his season. Aaron Rodgers should target Graham in the red zone with sufficient consistency to build a favorable touchdown total. However, the yardage that he will attain is less likely to inspire owners, and the touchdown dependency that they will endure keeps Graham from procuring a higher ranking.

 
Tier 4  

Jordan Reed, Jack Doyle, Trey Burton, George Kittle, David Njoku

Reed currently resides at TE9 in our rankings, and his current ADP makes him the ninth tight end to be selected in Round 8. That is the point in your drafts that Reed’s potential for accumulating fantasy points gradually surpasses the concerns about his ability to remain on the field. After missing 28 games in his first five seasons, all hesitation about investing in Reed is justified. However, his TE3 finish while playing in 14 games during 2015 serves as a reminder of what he can achieve with sustained health.

Burton only played on 26.5% of Philadelphia's offensive snaps in 2017, but still produced a career-high five touchdowns. He also demonstrated enough athleticism for Chicago to entrust him with functioning as Matt Nagy's 'U' tight end, which will provide the opportunity to surpass his previous career bests in receptions (37) and yardage (327). It should also supply owners with a low-end TE1 option, who can be selected in Round 9.

Doyle evaded the statistical collapse that largely enveloped the Colt offense due to the absence of Andrew Luck, as he collected a career-best 108 targets, 80 receptions, and 690 yards. He also attained the second highest percentage of offensive snaps among all tight ends. But significant competition for targets serves as a deterrent toward selecting Doyle earlier in your drafts, as Frank Reich will distribute opportunities to Doyle and Eric Ebron when concocting his game plans.

Kittle endured a cluster of injuries during his rookie season (ankle/hamstring/calf/ chest/hip back/elbow) which played a role in his 54% snap count. Now, he must recover from a separated shoulder, which could discourage potential owners from selecting him. Still, he did tie for the team lead with 16 red zone targets, which was also fifth among all tight ends. He is also a hand-picked draft selection of John Lynch and Kyle Shanahan, and he should receive an expanded target total if he can avoid health issues.

Njoku was selected 29th overall by Cleveland during the 2017 NFL Draft, but the Browns split his usage evenly with Seth DeValve, who actually received a higher snap count (531/49.7% -501/46.9%). Their targets and receptions were also comparable (60/57- 32/33), although the 6’4” Njoku did lead the Browns with 10 red zone targets. His size and athleticism should compel Cleveland to increase his opportunities, and his production appears destined to outperform his 12th round ADP.

 
Tier 5 

Eric Ebron, O.J. Howard, Tyler Eifert, Austin Seferian-Jenkins

Ebron is still just 25 years old and has resurfaced in an environment that appears committed to deploying him in a consistent role. Reich should use the 6'4", 250-pound Ebron in various formations in order to create mismatches. Howard also delivers a combination of size and athleticism that would elevate him higher in our rankings if he would be operating as Tampa Bay’s uncontested TE1. Instead, his production will fluctuate due to the ongoing presence of Cameron Brate.

Eifert’s TE6 finish in 2015 still provides an enticement for owners, but his potential to function as an effective red zone weapon is offset by the 41 games that he has missed due to injury. Seferian-Jenkins generated career-best output in 2017 (50 receptions/357 yards) and could surpass that production while performing as Jacksonville’s unchallenged TE1.      

 
Tier 6 

Jared Cook, Charles Clay, Cameron Brate, Benjamin Watson

Cook finished at TE12 last season, after leading the Raiders in receiving yards (688), and trailing only Michael Crabtree in red zone targets (11). Despite a propensity to disappoint owners during his career, he should exceed the modest expectations of his Round 14 ADP.  Clay has supplied steady but uninspiring numbers during his tenure with Buffalo (TE18/TE16/TE18). But he led the Bills in receiving yards (558), was second in red zone targets (12) and remains one of the few legitimate options in Buffalo’s limited receiving arsenal.

During the past two seasons, Brate has received 33 red zone targets, averaged 625.5 yards, and produced 14 touchdowns. But his situation replicates Howard, as both Buccaneers will deliver inconsistent production. Watson finished at TE11 and TE7 during his last two seasons, will be operating as the clear TE1 for New Orleans, and is my favorite late round sleeper at this position.

 
Tier 7  

Austin Hooper, Mike Gesicki, Ricky Seals-Jones, Vance McDonald

Hooper only scored twice after Week 1, while exceeding 50 yards just once after Atlanta’s opener. Still, he could generate modest improvement over last year’s TE17 finish. Opportunity will not be an issue for Gesicki, as his challenge will be overcoming the hurdles that confront most rookie tight ends.

Seals-Jones could produce numbers that ascend well beyond this tier after accruing three touchdowns, five receptions of 20+ yards, and a 16.8 YPC average on just 132 snaps. McDonald entered Week 14 with five receptions for 79 yards, then overcame injuries to amass 104 yards on eight catches in Weeks 14-16, and 112 yards on 10 receptions during the divisional playoffs. Now, he must now overcome a foot issue.

 
Tier 8 and above  

Anyone who drafted Reed should strongly consider adding Vernon Davis (TE27) to avoid an in-season predicament if Reed is sidelined. Otherwise, the remaining options can be located beyond TE28 in our rankings, and all provide viable late-round options who could boost your scoring if they experience a surge in playing time.

 

More Draft Rankings 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.




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

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
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
George Springer

Exits Early Monday With Neck Injury
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
Hunter Goodman

Likely Headed to Injured List
Chicago Bulls

Tre Jones Remaining in Chicago
Michael Mayer

Raiders Not Interested in Trading Michael Mayer
Houston Rockets

Dorian Finney-Smith Signing With Rockets
Trent Grisham

Exits With Hamstring Tightness
Atlanta Hawks

Caris LeVert Joining Pistons
Milwaukee Bucks

Kevin Porter Jr., Bucks Reach Agreement on a New Contract
Brooklyn Nets

D'Angelo Russell Heading to Dallas
Denver Nuggets

Bruce Brown Jr. Heading Back to Denver
Atlanta Hawks

Clint Capela Returning to Houston
Cameron Johnson

Traded to Denver
Jaren Jackson Jr.

Signs Massive Extension
Michael Porter Jr.

Traded to Brooklyn
Matt Chapman

Could Return for Start of Giants Homestand
Wyatt Langford

Expected to Return on Saturday
Yanquiel Fernández

Yanquiel Fernandez Called Up to Majors
Tyler Mahle

Dealing With Rotator-Cuff Strain
Brooklyn Nets

Ziaire Williams Expected to Return to Nets
Austin Wells

to Miss Next Two Games
Tre Mann

Set to Become an Unrestricted Free Agent
Bo Bichette

Scratched With Sore Knee
Cody Martin

to Enter Free Agency
Los Angeles Clippers

Nicolas Batum Staying with Clippers
Jurickson Profar

to Return on Wednesday
Jordan Clarkson

Jazz Finalize Contract Buyout for Jordan Clarkson
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
Brooklyn Nets

Day'Ron Sharpe Staying with Nets
Colby Thomas

Called Up From Triple-A
Shea Langeliers

A's Reinstate Shea Langeliers From Injured List
Pittsburgh Steelers

Rumors Still Swirling Around Potential T.J. Watt Trade
Bryce Harper

Activated and Starting on Monday
Ilia Topuria

Becomes The New Lightweight Champion
Charles Oliveira

Knocked Out At UFC 317
Jeremy Peña

Jeremy Pena Lands on Injured List With Fractured Ribs
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
Kerry Carpenter

Leaves Game with Apparent Hamstring Injury
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
Joel Hofer

Commits to Blues for Two More Years
Kevin Bahl

Signs Long-Term Extension with Flames
Oneil Cruz

Smacks Two Homers
Jordan Spence

Traded to Ottawa
Petr Mrazek

Heads to Anaheim
John Gibson

Red Wings Acquire John Gibson
Matthew Knies

Inks Six-Year Extension with Maple Leafs
Aaron Judge

Blasts Two Homers, Dealing With Back Issue
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
Ty Dillon

Could Benefit from Kaulig Speed
Dylan Sampson

Being Used as a Receiver
Carson Schwesinger

Figures to be in Full-Time Role in 2025
Cedric Tillman

Should Have Full-Time Role
Bryce Young

Looking More Comfortable, Showing More Intensity
Aaron Rodgers

Roman Wilson Could Fit Nicely With Aaron Rodgers
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
Michael Thorbjornsen

Returns in Detroit at Rocket Classic
Adam Hadwin

Could Struggle Over the Weekend in Detroit
Cam Davis

Hopes Detroit Magic Can Spark Turnaround
Matt Wallace

a Boom-or-Bust Option at Rocket Classic
Joel Dahmen

Not Cutting it Lately
Michael Kim

Searching for Spark at Rocket Classic
Rasmus Hojgaard

a High-Ceiling Play in Rocket Classic
Matt McCarty

a Wild Card Heading into Detroit
Emiliano Grillo

Rolling into the Summer Season
Rickie Fowler

Looking for More Magic at Rocket Classic
Wyndham Clark

Brings High Upside to Detroit Golf Club
Max Greyserman

Could Make Noise at Rocket Classic
Akshay Bhatia

a Strong Value Play at Rocket Classic
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF