Fantasy Football 2019 Tier Tight End Rankings
By Bill Pivetz
This set of tight ends have been reliable for most of their careers. They very rarely let you down.
Man, how the mighty have fallen. Graham was once a first-round pick in most fantasy leagues just a few years ago. Now, he’s barely getting drafted. He scored 10 touchdowns in his last season with Seattle. In his first with Green Bray, Graham scored two with 55 catches and 636 yards.
Now that the Packers receiving corps is a bit weaker than in year’s past, I expect to see an increase in production from Graham. With Aaron Rodgers bouncing back from his 25-touchdown season, there will be better chemistry between the two stars.
Reed is another tight end with great talent that has trouble staying on the field. He hasn’t played in all 16 games once in his career. Yet, he is continuously drafted as a TE1 for his potential but I don’t see why.
He had one great year in 2015, catching 87 passes for 952 yards and 11 touchdowns. Since then, Reed has 147 receptions, 1,455 yards and 10 touchdowns.
But, after the top seven or eight names, you are likely going to be mixing and matching tight ends. Why not have Reed as one of those options? He can post TE1-like numbers when healthy.
While dealing with injuries over the last two seasons, Olsen has combined for 44 catches, 482 yards and five touchdowns. With a full season expected this year, I don’t see him being better than that over 16 games.
The Panthers offense runs through McCaffrey but with the receivers being on the weaker side, Olsen will still have an impact.
The Colts were effective when running two-tight end sets. Both Doyle and Eric Ebron were matchup nightmares for opposing defenses. Even though Ebron is getting more love, Doyle was getting more targets when they were on the field together.
Doyle is recovering from kidney surgery while dealing with a hip injury. He is expected to be ready for Week 1. He is going to go undervalued on draft day and is worth a late-round pick.
Rudolph has had up-and-down fantasy production recently. He’s either scoring like a top-12 or top-30 option. With the Vikings likely changing to a run-first offense, Rudolph’s numbers will likely diminish.
Plus, they have rookie Irv Smith waiting on the bench.
The Ravens are rife with tight ends but I think Andrews separates himself from the pack and becomes the starter. He was one of my sleeper picks last month (here) and that doesn’t change. Lamar Jackson will need someone to rely on as he’s trying to get out of trouble. Why not Andrews?
Walker is recovering from surgery to repair a fractured and dislocated ankle and is expected to be ready for Week 1. He’s played in 76 games for the Titans over the previous five seasons.
Walker will have to compete with Corey Davis, A.J. Brown, and Adam Humphries for targets. Though, Marcus Mariota struggled without Walker on the field. Walker may be the go-to option for the quarterback.
Hooper posted his best season last year, catching 71 passes for 660 yards and four touchdowns. Based on NFL.com scoring, he finished sixth in fantasy scoring.
Playing for a pass-first offense like the Falcons bodes well for his fantasy value. I don’t expect Matt Ryan to throw over 600 times again this season and Calvin Ridley is getting more confident.
He’s a good player but not a consistent option.
Burton was able to break out of the shadow of Zach Ertz in Philadelphia and be a top-10 tight end. He caught 54 passes for 569 yards and six touchdowns.
The Bears wide receivers dealt with injuries themselves last season and are expected to be ready for Week 1. Burton had offseason sports hernia surgery and his status is unknown for Week 1.
Burton won’t score like Travis Kelce but, because of the lack of consistency at the position, could finish as a top-12 tight end.