Fantasy Tight Ends

Top 25 Tight Ends

1. Jimmy Graham – This former college basketball player brings something that most players can’t match… superior height, strength, and athleticism. He broke out in 2011, and I don’t see him slowing down in 2012. In fact, I see him improving on those numbers. He and Colston are the primary targets for Drew Brees.

2. Rob Gronkowski – Gronk was the best TE last year, but that had to do with his 17 TD’s. He won’t match that total again. The Pats added weapons (Lloyd being the biggest one) and there are too many mouths to feed for him to repeat 2011. He is still very elite and worth targeting early.

3. Antonio Gates – This guy used to be THE freak athlete TE that nobody can stop, but these types of players are becoming the norm. I still love his situation though in San Diego. He is the top target in a great passing offense and will see many endzone looks. His injury history gives some risk though.

4. Jermichael Finley – Another elite athlete playing tight end for a special passing offense. There are a lot of options in Green Bay so his targets have a limit, but his upside doesn’t. He is a great redzone option and a TD machine. Needs to improve on his drops however.

5. Fred Davis – There isn’t a limit to what Davis can accomplish. He has all the tools but hasn’t put it together yet. With an upgrade at QB this season, he could finally break out. He is arguably the best target now on the team outside of newly acquired Pierre Garcon.

6. Jason Witten – This guy has been Romo’s go to target for years. His consistency is something to depend on. This season should be no different. With Robinson gone, Witten will be one of the best targets on the Cowboys (along with Dez and Miles).

7. Vernon Davis – There is only one reason this guy is seventh on this list. The 49ers went out and grabbed three new receivers that will all take away from his targets. Davis is still a great option, but won’t be as productive anymore.

8. Owen Daniels – A total sleeper this season, Daniels is primed to become elite once more. He is fully recovered from an injury that hampered him a season ago, and TD vulture Dreessen is gone. He is the best option besides Johnson on the Texans.

9. Aaron Hernandez – The other half of the Patriots dynamic tight end core. He is a great athlete that is a tough matchup for any defense. Like I said with Gronk, there are so many options there now, so his TD count may not be great.

10. Jacob Tamme – A change of scenery for this guy, but a familiar QB situation. Peyton Manning made great use out of him and Clark in Indy, and it should be no different in Denver. I really love this guy in PPR leagues.

11. Jermaine Gresham – Second year QB Andy Dalton will use Gresham much more this season. Outside of AJ Green, he is the top passing option and has redzone potential. Expect a huge year from this young specimen.

12. Brandon Pettigrew – We all know about his QB’s great season last year, but Brandon only caught 5 of Stafford’s 41 TD passes. For him to become elite, he has to improve that number. Without a clear-cut option after Calvin Johnson, Pettigrew has the tools to step into that second fiddle role.

13. Tony Gonzalez – Does the old vet have anything left? With Jones truly emerging opposite White, Gonzalez may take another step back this year. He’s still worth a draft pick, but don’t reach for him anymore.

14. Brent Celek – If Vick can stay healthy, the Eagles will have an amazing passing game. With Jackson and Maclin on the outside, Celek will have free reign over the middle of the field. He hasn’t had one big year yet, so maybe he will in 2012.

15. Jared Cook – Cook’s last few games will go down in fantasy lore. He may have helped lead teams to the promise land if they had the faith to start him. If Britt keeps sabotaging his career off the field, Cook may become the lead man in the passing game. That means good things for his owners.

16. Greg Olsen – He has great hands and plays for a QB that can put up big numbers. And outside of Steve Smith, who else does Newton have to throw to?

17. Coby Fleener – A very promising rookie who will team up with his college QB. If playing in a keeper league, grab this guy sooner rather than later. He should produce pretty well this season too. After all, he will immediately become a top option, even though it may be for a struggling team.

18. Dustin Keller – Always a decent fantasy option, plus he could see an uptick in targets this season. Outside of Holmes, he is the only mainstay.

19. Kellen Winslow – A new home might be a good thing for this talented, yet underachieving prospect. In Seattle, he may become one of the top options for a talented new quarterback.

20. Dallas Clark – Winslow’s replacement was once elite with Indianapolis, but that was with Manning instead of Freeman. He will have a role, just don’t know how big.

21. Kyle Rudolph – Love this guy’s upside and could blossom with a quarterback who is young as well. They don’t have tons of great receiving options so he could play a major role.

22. Lance Kendricks – Another young target, valuable even more in keeper leagues. Some predict he may break out this season and step into his potential. I am a bit more skeptical but he’s worth a shot late.

23. Heath Miller – An old vet that will benefit from a newly minted pass-first offense in Pittsburgh. He has chemistry with Big Ben.

24. Ed Dickson – Is known for a big game now and again, but not a consistent force. With a lack of talent in the WR department there in Baltimore, maybe he can develop that consistently this season.

25. Scott Chandler – Tough call for this last spot between him and Tony Moeaki. Chandler is a good TD option and doesn’t have an injury risk attached. Maybe he can become a mainstay in 2012.

Andrew