Fantasy Football 2014: TE Rankings after Week 3 Preseason

Witten is a proven veteran option for fantasy owners and continues to be a part of Tony Romo’s passing attack in Dallas.  Last season, he found the end zone more often, but didn’t rack up the yards he normally puts up which could signal the start of his decline from the top levels of fantasy tight ends.  The Cowboys have a good passing game, but Terrance Williams and Dez Bryant will probably draw more targets and ultimately limit Witten’s upside.  He’s still a starting tight end, but his name recognition has him going a little high in many drafts in my opinion.. TE. Dallas Cowboys. Jason Witten. 9. player. 123

Carolina Panthers. Greg Olsen. 10. player. 87. The argument for Olsen is that the Panthers don’t have much else to throw to and Cam Newton has an established rapport with the veteran tight end.  The downside is that his ceiling isn’t all that high and the Pathers offense may not be that good.  He’s a relatively safe pick, but one with limited upside.  If you can, try to balance him with a high-upside pick as another TE.. TE

Ertz has huge upside in the Eagles up-tempo, high-volume attack. He has run with the first team offense this preseason and has eight catches for 110 yards and a touchdown. While he still has to compete for looks with several options including fellow-TE Brent Celek, I think Ertz will get enough looks to be an intriguing low-end TE1 who has plenty of upside but isn’t quite as much of a sure thing as the other TE1 options.. TE. Philadelphia Eagles. Zach Ertz. 11. player. 54

player. 35. After leaving San Francisco, Walker had a quietly successful season in Tennessee even with turbulence at the QB position.  Coach Ken Whisenhunt has a TE-friendly scheme, and Walker is a nice low-risk TE2 in most formats.  He isn’t someone you want to count on every single week in standard leagues, but as a fill-in or an insurance policy he definitely has some value.. TE. Tennessee Titans. Delanie Walker. 12

player. 55. Miller looks to be fully recovered from his knee surgery and is a trusted target for Ben Roethlisgberger.  Miller is going very late in drafts, but he could have an expanded role since the Steelers are looking for someone to step up as another receiving option in addition to Antonio Brown.  Miller isn’t going to be elite, but if things go his way he could definitely be a top-ten option at the position.. TE. Pittsburgh Steelers. Heath Miller. 13

Ladarius Green. 14. player. 13. Green is pure upside but there’s a lot of risk in grabbing him as your starter so I’d wait and stash him if you can.  He flashed his breakout potential last year and looks ready to contribute, but he’ll still have to overtake Antonio Gates to get the targets to be a reliable fantasy option.  He struggles with blocking and pass protection and is a pure receiving TE, which could keep him on the sidelines for much of the season.  If he can get on the field, though, and get some catches, he could be a top 5 tight end by the start of next season.. TE. San Diego Chargers

59. Clay was the seventh-highest scoring fantasy TE last season edging out Greg Olsen and finishing just behind Jordan Cameron.  Clay was a regular part of Ryan Tannehill’s progression and got some goal line work at both tight end as well as playing a bit of H-back. He isn’t going to blow up and become an elite option, but he’s a solid fill-in or backup especially in PPR leagues since he does fill a needed role in the Dolphins offensive scheme.  If you swing for the fences with your first TE but take some risk, he’s a nice backup who is relatively safe.. TE. Miami Dolphins. Charles Clay. 15. player