2014 Fantasy Football Tight End Ranks

            Our final fantasy football position preview is here with a look at tight ends.

 



Tier 1 = Don’t Call Me a Tight End

J.Graham, NO

            Tight end is deep in terms of dudes who are capable of delivering top-10 production, but Jimmy Graham is the only surefire stud. Sort of like owning Mike Piazza in a fantasy baseball league in the 1990s, Graham’s production is vastly superior to everyone else at his position. His yardage total was almost 300 more than any other tight end, and he led THE NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE in touchdown receptions. In fantasy, those numbers led to him generating 85 points more than any other tight end.

            With all that said, how high could Graham reasonably go in fantasy leagues? I wouldn’t take him over any runningback from my top two tiers, but as early as six he would be in the discussion. Graham is the highest rated non-runningback on my draft board, not Calvin Johnson.

Tier 2 = The Best Normal Guys

J.Thomas, DEN

V.Davis, SF

J.Cameron, CLE

            With Graham off the board, these are the next best things. Julius Thomas came out of nowhere to be a dynamic red zone target for Peyton Manning, and with Eric Decker leaving for New York, could see even more passes headed his way. Vernon was a boom or bust player in 2013, with 25% of his catches resulting in touchdowns. He stands to benefit with a healthy Michael Crabtree leading a revamped wide receiver core for the 49ers. Jordan Cameron has the highest ceiling in this group, but the loss of Josh Gordon makes him the key player defenses will key on. We’re not sure Cleveland’s quarterbacks are equipped to handle that.

Tier 3 = Best Per-Game Production…Emphasis On “Per-Game”

R.Gronkowski, NE

            I’m pretty lazy, so I’m going to copy and paste what I wrote about Gronkowski last year and then briefly comment on it.

If healthy, there isn’t a safer bet for 15 touchdown receptions in THE NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE than Rob Gronkowski. The problem is his bones are made of Swiss cheese. If you nail your first four picks, and one of them isn’t Jimmy Graham, I fully endorse drafting Gronk. Even if he doesn’t make his debut until Week 6, he can still win your fantasy league for you. If he isn’t healthy for the fantasy playoffs, there’s always next year.

           Go figure, that all still applies. I’d probably bump the round I’m willing to gamble on him to the sixth though.

Tier 4 = Steady Producers

J.Witten, DAL

G.Olsen, CAR

J.Reed, WAS

M.Bennett, CHI

D.Pitta, BAL

            These guys won’t win many weeks for you, but they aren’t going to lose many either. Jordan Reed is the biggest reach in this group, but before getting hurt last year he was delivering Tier-2 production after getting inserted into the starting lineup.

Tier 5 = If You Draft Gronk, Draft One of These Guys Too

Z.Ertz, PHI

L.Green, SD

C.Clary, MIA

T.Eifert, CIN

H.Miller, PIT

C.Fleener, IND

E.Ebron, DET

K.Rudolph, MIN

A.Gates, SD

            This group contains the widest range of floors and ceilings at the tight end position. Ideally, I’d like to see a few of these guys go undrafted and then pick one up if they have a big first week.

Tier 6 = Bye Week Waiver Wire Subs

D.Walker, TEN

D.Allen, IND

J.Finley, GB

T.Wright, TB

M.Lewis, JAC

O.Daniels, BAL

            Even if you’re bonkers and play in a 16-team league, you wouldn’t want any of these guys starting. Maybe you’ll get lucky and they’ll score a touchdown when your starter has the week off.

Conclusion = Tight end is the simplest position in fantasy this year. If I find myself in the back half of the first round and I have the chance to draft Jimmy Graham, I’m pulling the trigger. Otherwise, I’m drafting the best available player in the sixth or seventh.

To read about quarterbacks, click here

To read about runningbacks, click here
To read about wide receivers, click here