2014 Fantasy Football Rankings: Tight Ends

Now on to tight ends, this one should be shorter than the previous editions as there aren’t as many guys to talk about in this position group. If you’re wondering why I haven’t touched on QBs yet, I wanted to deal with all the skill position groups to use as references for the QB section. Tight end has been a shallow position for a couple of years but with some young talent and a renewed emphasis on players who can contribute in space has brought about a bit of a renaissance at the position. The keys here are generally the same as WR but with the biggest concern being targets because most tight ends are extremely similar on catch rate. So for this positional preview there will be no criteria breakdown and straight to the rankings.

For Your Consideration: The Rankings

Tier 1: Elite

1) Jimmy Graham, New Orleans Saints (144 targets)

Graham has been so much better than any other tight end the last three years that no one else deserves to be ranked in the same tier as him. To put it into perspective, Gronkowski is the next closest and averages 28 points less a year than Graham, even with the gigantic year two years ago.

Tier 2: The Very Good

2) Rob Gronkowski, New England (67 targets, injured)

3) Jordan Cameron, Cleveland Browns (117 targets)

4) Julius Thomas, Denver Broncos (89 targets)

5) Vernon Davis, San Francsico 49ers (84 targets)

6) Greg Olsen, Carolina Panthers (109 targets)

7) Jason Witten, Dallas Cowboys (111 targets)

These are the most consistent of the tight ends behind Graham. Gronk needs to stay healthy but he has the highest upside, Cameron needs consistent QB play and the rest won’t disappoint most weeks during the season.

Tier 3: Good With Questions

8) Kyle Rudolph, Minnesota Vikings (46 targets, out starting week 10 in 2013)

9) Charles Clay, Miami Dolphins (103 targets)

10) Dennis Pitta, Baltimore Ravens (Injured week 1)

11) Martellus Bennett, Chicago Bears (96 targets)

12) Zach Ertz, Philadelphia Eagles (leg Injury)

13) Antonio Gates, San Diego Chargers (116 targets)

14) Dwayne Allen, Indianapolis Colts (hip injury)

15) Jermaine Gresham, Cincinnati Bengals (66 targets)

16) Zach Miller, Seattle Seahawks (56 targets)

17) Tyler Eifert, Cincinnati Bengals (59 targets)

18) Jordan Reed, Washington Redskins (59 targets)

Rudolph, Pitta, Ertz and Allen are all coming off injuries. Clay has QB issues. Bennett hasn’t been super consistent with opportunities and Miller is getting old. We don’t know who the starter in Cincinnati is going to be, nor in Philadelphia. Gates is aging and always seems to have injury issues.

Tier 4: Sleepers Delight

19) Coby Fleener, Indianapolis Colts (88 targets)

20) Andrew Quarless, Green Bay Packers (54 targets)

21) Brent Celek, Philadelphia (50 targets)

22) Jared Cook, St. Louis Rams (83 targets)

23) Scott Chandler, Buffalo Bills (81 targets)

24) Eric Ebron, Detroit Lions (rookie)

25) Anthony Fasano, Kansas City Chiefs (ankle, knee, concussion)

26) Owen Daniels, Baltimore Ravens (fibula IR)

27) Brandon Pettigrew, Detroit Lions (64 targets)

28) Delanie Walker, Tennessee Titans (86 targets)

29) Heath Miller, Pittsburgh Steelers (78 targets)

30) Marcedes Lewis, Jacksonville Jaguars (47 targets)

31) Ladarius Green, San Diego Chargers (30 targets)

32) Adrien Robinson, New York Giants (foot)

Nothing flashy here but some of the young guys provide good lottery tickets for potential top 15 upside.

Tier 5: Confidence Needed

33) Jeff Cumberland, New York Jets (40 targets)

34) Garrett Graham, Houston Texans (88 targets)

35) Jace Amaro, New York Jets (rookie)

36) Lance Kendricks, St. Louis Rams (Non-factor)

37) Ryan Griffin, Houston Texans (Concussions, non-factor)

38) David Ausberry, Oakland Raiders (shoulder IR)

39) Brandon Myers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (73 targets)

40) Austin Seferian-Jenkins, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (rookie)

41) Levine Toilolo, Arizona Cardinals (non-factor)

42) Jermichael Finley, Free Agent (neck IR)

I don’t have any confidence that any of these guys will be a difference maker but there is always the chance you may need them to fill in here or there and information is never a bad thing.

All and all I like this crop and there is some exciting young talent to take chances on but the starters at this position on most fantasy teams should be the old stalwarts in the top two tiers.