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These 2017 Fantasy Football Tight End Rankings will be updated often throughout the summer, so make sure you check back from time to time. Also, be sure to check out my other 2017 Fantasy Football articles, which will include sleepers, busts, tons of 2017 Fantasy Football mock drafts and other material. Follow me @walterfootball for updates. |
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2017 Fantasy Football Rankings - Tight Ends (Sept. 6):
Top 10 | 11-20 | 21-45
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Rob Gronkowski, TE, Patriots. Bye: 9. 
AUG. 24 UPDATE: Rob Gronkowski has emulated parts of Tom Brady’s diet, according to Mike Reiss, ESPN. Brady has a legendary diet that has allowed him to remain one of the top players in the NFL despite turning 40 this month. It sounds like Gronkowski is going to follow suit, or at least attempt to. Gronkowski is cutting out beer (during the season, at least) and coffee. Perhaps this will keep him healthy this season.
Rob Gronkowski had a season to forget. He missed the first couple of weeks with a back injury, and then was lost at the end of the year because he had to undergo back surgery. Gronkowski was dominant when healthy – 25 catches, 540 yards, three touchdowns in five full games – but a back issue is nothing to shrug off. Gronkowski is a very risky fantasy option, but he has the obvious, immense upside.
Projected 2017 Fantasy Stats: 75 catches. 1,020 yards. 10 total TDs.
Projected 2017 Fantasy Points: 162.
Projected 2017 PPR Fantasy Points: 237.
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Travis Kelce, TE, Chiefs. Bye: 10.
Travis Kelce makes bone-headed plays from time to time, and he drops lots of passes, but he’s extremely talented. He’s a perennial top-five fantasy tight end, but it would be nice if his touchdown totals (5, 5, 4 in 2014-16) were higher. That would happen if the Chiefs develop Patrick Mahomes quickly, but Alex Smith will be the starter in 2017.
Projected 2017 Fantasy Stats: 82 catches. 1,110 yards. 5 total TDs.
Projected 2017 Fantasy Points: 141.
Projected 2017 PPR Fantasy Points: 223.
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Tyler Eifert, TE, Bengals. Bye: 6. 
JULY 24 UPDATE: All indications are that Tyler Eifert will be ready for training camp. This is quite the surprise, as earlier reports said that Eifert could miss a few games. The Bengals need all the help they can get after losing their two best offensive linemen.
MAY 24 UPDATE: Tyler Eifert told the media that he isn’t sure if he’ll be ready for training camp. Eifert is coming off back surgery, which is pretty scary. Eifert’s durability is definitely a huge question mark, as he has missed 26 games over the past three seasons. There’s no guarantee he’ll be ready for Week 1, and even if he is, he may not be 100 percent.
Tyler Eifert missed the first half of the season. He returned at full strength in Week 8, but suffered a back injury that required surgery. That makes him an obvious injury risk, but Eifert said he’ll be ready to go by training camp. Eifert is a top-five (or perhaps even top-three) tight end if he can stay healthy.
Projected 2017 Fantasy Stats: 78 catches. 860 yards. 8 total TDs.
Projected 2017 Fantasy Points: 134.
Projected 2017 PPR Fantasy Points: 212.
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Greg Olsen, TE, Panthers. Bye: 11.
Greg Olsen became the first tight end to ever accumulate 1,000-plus yards in three consecutive seasons. There’s no reason why it couldn’t be four. Olsen’s touchdown total dropped from seven to three in 2016, but that can be attributed to Cam Newton’s injury. Olsen remains a top-five fantasy tight end, though there’s some concern with Christian McCaffrey taking targets away from him.
Projected 2017 Fantasy Stats: 68 catches. 970 yards. 6 total TDs.
Projected 2017 Fantasy Points: 133.
Projected 2017 PPR Fantasy Points: 201.
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Martellus Bennett, TE, Packers. Bye: 8.
AUG. 21 UPDATE: Martellus Bennett was targeted twice on his only drive at Washington, and he was the recipient of Aaron Rodgers’ touchdown. One is the smallest sample size, but it makes sense that Bennett will be a huge red-zone target for Rodgers this year. It was nice that we could see that they at least have some sort of a rapport.
Martellus Bennett caught 55 passes for 701 yards and seven touchdowns in 2016, despite not being 100 percent all year. Bennett signed with the Packers, and he’ll be a terrific intermediate target for Aaron Rodgers.
Projected 2017 Fantasy Stats: 70 catches. 840 yards. 8 total TDs.
Projected 2017 Fantasy Points: 132.
Projected 2017 PPR Fantasy Points: 202.
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Jimmy Graham, TE, Seahawks. Bye: 6.
Jimmy Graham was just the second skill-position player ever to have a great season coming off a torn patellar tendon. The first was Robert Brooks, and he regressed rapidly following that year, so will the same thing happen to Graham? Perhaps, but if not, he’ll continue to serve a potent fantasy TE1.
Projected 2017 Fantasy Stats: 68 catches. 910 yards. 6 total TDs.
Projected 2017 Fantasy Points: 127.
Projected 2017 PPR Fantasy Points: 195.
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Jordan Reed, TE, Redskins. Bye: 5.
AUG. 2 UPDATE: Jordan Reed has no timetable for a return after seeing a doctor, according to Jay Gruden. Reed’s toe was supposed to be just a day-to-day thing, but it sounds like Reed might be out for a while. Perhaps he’ll return by Week 1, but he’s much more riskier now with his 4.12 ADP.
Jordan Reed would be a top-five fantasy tight end if he could stay healthy, but that hasn’t been the case. He’s never played all 16 games, missing 18 contests in his four NFL seasons. Reed is definitely a TE1, but you need a strong insurance option if you draft him.
Projected 2017 Fantasy Stats: 70 catches. 780 yards. 7 total TDs.
Projected 2017 Fantasy Points: 125.
Projected 2017 PPR Fantasy Points: 195.
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Zach Ertz, TE, Eagles. Bye: 10. 
AUG. 25 UPDATE: Zach Ertz finished the 2016 campaign on a strong note, and it appears as though he’s going to pick up where he left off. Ertz caught all three of his targets for 44 yards in the dress rehearsal. This included an impressive diving catch on his final drive. Ertz provides outstanding fantasy value at tight end.
AUG. 15 UPDATE: Zach Ertz is someone I forgot to mention in my Jordan Matthews reaction (posted below.) Ertz will see more targets in the wake of the Matthews trade, so he needs to be bumped up in the rankings.
JUNE 14 UPDATE: Zach Ertz has been Carson Wentz’s top target at OTAs, according to Jeff McLane, Philadelphia Inquirer. Wentz and Ertz developed a great rapport at the end of the 2016 season, with Ertz catching an average of eight passes per game over the final five weeks. Ertz is bound for a great 2017 campaign.
Zach Ertz doesn’t catch many touchdowns – just nine over the past three years – but he racks up tons of receptions; he’s hauled in 75 and 78 balls the past two years. He developed a great rapport with Carson Wentz in the second half of the season, so his 2017 outlook is very bright.
Projected 2017 Fantasy Stats: 83 catches. 940 yards. 5 total TDs.
Projected 2017 Fantasy Points: 124.
Projected 2017 PPR Fantasy Points: 207.
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Kyle Rudolph, TE, Vikings. Bye: 9.
JUNE 19 UPDATE: Mike Zimmer told the media that Kyle Rudolph put a lot of work into his blocking this offseason. I heard at the Super Bowl that Rudolph was pissed about not being voted into the Pro Bowl. Rudolph is working harder than ever before to prove the doubters wrong, and it seems like he’ll have a big year as a result.
Sam “Captain Checkdown” Bradford turned Kyle Rudolph into a star this past season. Rudolph caught 83 of Bradford’s weak-armed passes for 840 yards and seven touchdowns. Rudolph has had issues staying healthy throughout his career – as has Bradford – so I would sell high in this situation. I wouldn’t necessarily call Rudolph a bust, but the odds are against him in 2017.
Projected 2017 Fantasy Stats: 81 catches. 840 yards. 6 total TDs.
Projected 2017 Fantasy Points: 120.
Projected 2017 PPR Fantasy Points: 201.
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Delanie Walker, TE, Titans. Bye: 8.
Delanie Walker has been terrific for the Titans the past three seasons, but he turns 33 in August and may regress. He could still catch half-a-dozen touchdowns, however, and should be a borderline TE1.
Projected 2017 Fantasy Stats: 64 catches. 780 yards. 6 total TDs.
Projected 2017 Fantasy Points: 114.
Projected 2017 PPR Fantasy Points: 178.
2017 Fantasy Football Rankings - Tight Ends (Sept. 6):
Top 10 | 11-20 | 21-45
More 2017 Fantasy Football Articles:
Fantasy Football Rankings
2017 Fantasy Football Rankings:
2017 Fantasy Football Rankings: Quarterbacks - 9/6 (Walt)
Chet Gresham's Fantasy Football Quarterback Rankings - 8/28 (Chet)
2017 Fantasy Football Rankings: Running Backs - 9/6 (Walt)
Chet Gresham's Fantasy Football Running Back Rankings - 8/28 (Chet)
2017 Fantasy Football Rankings: Wide Receivers - 9/6 (Walt)
Chet Gresham's Fantasy Football Wide Receiver Rankings - 8/28 (Chet)
2017 Fantasy Football Rankings: Tight Ends - 9/6 (Walt)
Chet Gresham's Fantasy Football Tight End Rankings - 8/28 (Chet)
2017 Fantasy Football Rankings: Kickers - 8/18 (Walt)
2017 Fantasy Football Rankings: Defenses - 8/18 (Walt)
Fantasy Football Rookie Rankings - 5/12 (Walt)
Fantasy Football Rookie Rankings: Dynasty - 5/12 (Walt)
Fantasy Football Rookie Rankings: Dynasty - 5/12 (Chet)
2017 Fantasy Football Mock Drafts:
2017 Fantasy Football Mock Draft: PPR - 9/1 (Walt)
2017 Fantasy Football Mock Draft: Standard - 8/31 (Walt)
2017 Fantasy Football Mock Draft: 2-QB, PPR - 8/25 (Chet)
2017 Fantasy Football Mock Draft: PPR - 8/24 (Walt)
2017 Fantasy Football Mock Draft: PPR - 8/17 (Walt)
2017 Fantasy Football Mock Draft: Standard - 8/10 (Walt)
2017 Fantasy Football Mock Draft: PPR - 8/3 (Walt)
2017 Fantasy Football Mock Draft: Standard - 7/27 (Walt)
2017 Fantasy Football Mock Draft: PPR - 7/26 (Chet)
2017 Fantasy Football Mock Draft: PPR - 7/20 (Walt)
2017 Fantasy Football Mock Draft: PPR - 7/14 (Chet)
2017 Fantasy Football Mock Draft: Standard - 7/13 (Walt)
2017 Fantasy Football Cheat Sheets:
2017 Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet: Top 250 - 9/6 (Walt)
2017 Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet: Top 250 PPR - 9/6 (Walt)
2017 Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet: Top 250 2-QB - 9/6 (Walt)
2017 Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet: Top 250 Touchdown League - 9/6 (Walt)
2017 Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet: Custom - 9/6 (Walt)
2017 Fantasy Football: Dynasty Rankings - 9/6 (Walt)
2017 Fantasy Football PPR Rankings - 8/16 (Chet)
2017 Fantasy Football Spreadsheets - 9/6 (Walt)
2017 Fantasy Football Articles:
2017 Fantasy Football Stock Report: OTAs, Training Camp - 9/6 (Walt)
2017 Fantasy Football Sleepers - 9/2 (Walt)
2017 Fantasy Football Busts - 9/2 (Walt)
2017 NFL Preseason Game Recaps - 9/1 (Walt)
2017 Fantasy Football Stock Report: Preseason - 9/1 (Walt)
2017 Fantasy Football: Running Backs with the Most Carries - 1/31 (Walt)
NFL Picks - Nov. 22
2025 NFL Mock Draft - Nov. 20
NFL Power Rankings - Nov. 19
Fantasy Football Rankings - Sept. 4
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Injured/injury risk
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Potential bust
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Potential sleeper
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Rank higher in touchdown leagues
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Rank lower in touchdown leagues
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Rank higher in PPR (points per reception) leagues
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Rank lower in PPR leagues
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