NFL Player Power Rankings Week 4: Tight ends

November 18, 2012; Oakland, CA, USA; New Orleans Saints tight end Jimmy Graham (80) tries to break free from Oakland Raiders cornerback Mike Mitchell (34) after making a catch in the fourth quarter at O.co Coliseum. The Saints defeated the Raiders 38-17. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports /

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Sep 21, 2014; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (87) leaps over Miami Dolphins cornerback Cortland Finnegan (24) during the second half at Sun Life Stadium. Chiefs won 34-15. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /

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10. Travis Kelce – Kansas City Chiefs

As an admitted KC fan, I’m probably biased here, but I believe Travis Kelce is the next great NFL TE in the making. After missing all of his rookie year to a knee injury he has emerged as KC’s best weapon in the passing game this year. Kelce is ninth in the NFL in receiving yards for TEs despite playing almost 50 less snaps than all the other TEs in the top ten. He trails only Zach Ertz in YPR and is also PFF’s third highest rated run blocking TE thus far. With KC gradually increasing his work load each week, don’t be surprised if he continues to climb this list as the year goes by.

9. Niles Paul – Washington Redskins

I’ll be honest, I didn’t even know who Niles Paul was until like two weeks ago. So to say that his spot in the top ten of this list is a surprise would be an understatement. Here’s the bottom line, only Jimmy Graham and Greg Olson have more receptions than Paul and he only trails Graham by ONE yard for the league lead for yardage by TEs. Paul’s play has made most forget about the injury to Jordan Reed who many had predicted to break out this season.

8. Jason Witten – Dallas Cowboys

Jason Witten is still one of the top weapons at the tight end position in the NFL. However, if he wants to keep his spot in this top ten he needs to start producing a little more on the field. His ten receptions for 95 yards aren’t bad, but the numbers of the young up and comers behind him will send him tumbling down this list if he doesn’t up his game soon.

7. Rob Gronkowski – New England Patriots

Rob Gronkowski at 100% is probably as big of a physical mismatch for defenses as anyone in the league. The problem is that Gronk hasn’t played at 100% much (if at all) in recent years. He seems to be working his way back into form thus far. His 11 receptions for 116 yards and two TDs show promise, but he’s not quite back to top five caliber yet.

6. Antonio Gates – San Diego Chargers

If you’re one of the many that may have written Antonio Gates off as past his prime and assumed that Ladarius Green was going to steal his production, you appear to be sorely mistaken. Through three games Gates has 14 receptions for 185 yards and three TDs. He’s still Phillip Rivers number one target and one of the best TEs in the game.

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