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Fantasy Football rankings 2013: Top 10 Tight Ends to start Week 3

By Zachary Thompson

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For fantasy football week 3, there are no suprises in the top tight end spot with New Orleans Saints tight end Jimmy Graham (80) leading the way. Mandatory Credit: Rob Foldy-USA TODAY Sports
For fantasy football week 3, there are no suprises in the top tight end spot with New Orleans Saints tight end Jimmy Graham (80) leading the way. Mandatory Credit: Rob Foldy-USA TODAY Sports /

There’s still a clear number one option in fantasy football for tight ends for at least one more week after Jimmy Graham’s monster performance week 2. There’s been a number of new tight end options emerging this season, and they may soon be joined by Rob Gronkowski who isn’t on this week’s list but is working his way back into fantasy lineups.

Here are the top ten options for week 3 according to an average of my rankings with Leo Howell who also covers fantasy football for Fansided:

1. Jimmy Graham-New Orleans Saints

Graham hauled in ten catches for 179 yards and a touchdown against the Bucs on Sunday. He has a score in each of the first two games and faces the Cardinals who have allowed the seventh-most fantasy points to opposing tight ends this season.

2. Greg Olsen-Carolina Panthers

Sep 15, 2013; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Carolina Panthers tight end Greg Olsen (88) runs with the ball while being tackled by Buffalo Bills outside linebacker Jerry Hughes (55) during the first half at Ralph Wilson Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 15, 2013; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Carolina Panthers tight end Greg Olsen (88) runs with the ball while being tackled by Buffalo Bills outside linebacker Jerry Hughes (55) during the first half at Ralph Wilson Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports /

Olsen and the Panthers face the Giants who have allowed a touchdown to opposing tight ends in both of their first two games and the fifth-most fantasy points to tight ends. Olsen was targeted eight times last week catching seven passes for 84 yards and a touchdown. Look for another solid week this week as he continues to be one of Cam Newton’s favorite receivers.

3. Jason Witten-Dallas Cowboys

Witten had a monster week one catching a pair of touchdowns with eight catches and 70 yards. He struggled last week against the Chiefs with just three catches and 12 yards. He and Tony Romo will look to reconnect as they come back to big D to face the Rams. St. Louis has allowed the sixth-least points to opposing tight ends coming into week 3 but they haven’t played a top option yet.

3. Vernon Davis-San Francisco 49ers

Davis left Sunday Night’s game early and owners need to have a contingency plan in place in case he can’t play this week. If he is good to go, Davis is a nice play against a beatable Colts secondary. Davis had a big week one and will look to return to that form as the ‘Niners come home to face Indy.

5. Tony Gonzalez-Atlanta Falcons

Gonzalez hasn’t gotten off to a great start with a total of seven catches for 69 yards and a score in the first two games of the season. This week he and the Falcons face the Dolphins who have allowed the fifth-most points in the league to opposing tight ends. Gonzalez also figures to get some red zone targets with Roddy White still at less than full strength.

6. Antonio Gates-San Diego Chargers

Sep 15, 2013; Philadelphia, PA, USA; San Diego Chargers tight end Antonio Gates (85) breaks the tackle of Philadelphia Eagles safety Nate Allen (29) during the fourth quarter at Lincoln Financial Field. The Chargers defeated the Eagles 33-30. Mandatory Credit: Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 15, 2013; Philadelphia, PA, USA; San Diego Chargers tight end Antonio Gates (85) breaks the tackle of Philadelphia Eagles safety Nate Allen (29) during the fourth quarter at Lincoln Financial Field. The Chargers defeated the Eagles 33-30. Mandatory Credit: Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports /

Gates continued his turn-back-the-clock start to the season catching eight passes for 124 yards week two against the Eagles. Eddie Royal grabbed three touchdowns while Gates was held out of the end zone. He faces the Titans this week who gave up a pair of TD’s to Houston tight ends last week.

7. Jordan Cameron-Cleveland Browns

Cameron is the only part of the Browns passing game that’s been consistent so far this season with a pair of solid games to open the season despite some shaky QB play. He’s a risky play this week with Josh Gordon returning at wide receiver and Jason Campbell possibly getting the start. He’s still a starter in both my and Leo’s opinion although he’s a low-end option for this week against the Vikings.

8. Brandon Myers-New York Giants

Myers has been targeted nine or more times in the opening two weeks of the season finishing last week with six catches for 74 yards. The Panthers haven’t faced a top tight end yet, but they’ve limited them to a total of 52 yards on six catches through two games. Myers is still a starter since the Giants pass the ball so much, but he’s not an elite option in week 3.

9. Owen Daniels-Houston Texans

Daniels is also a solid start as the Texans take on the Ravens who have allowed more points to opposing tight ends than all but the Buccaneers. Daniels has three touchdowns in the first two weeks while catching seven passes for 91 yards total.

9. Jared Cook-St. Louis Rams

Cook crashed back to earth after a seven-catch, 141-yard, two-touchdown season opener. He only had one catch for 10 yards last week although he was targeted six times. He and the Rams face the Cowboys in Dallas who have allowed over 50 yards to opposing tight ends in their first two games of the season.

Honorable Mention: Martellus Bennett-Chicago Bears, Julius Thomas-Denver Broncos, Fred Davis-Washington Redskins

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