These 2012 Fantasy Football Tight Ends 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 2012 Fantasy Football articles, which will include sleepers, busts, tons of 2012 Fantasy Football mock drafts and other material. Follow me @walterfootball for updates.
2012 Fantasy Football Rankings - Tight Ends (Sept. 2):
Top 10 | 11-20 | 21-45
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Kyle Rudolph, TE, Vikings. Bye: 11.
I don’t understand why the Vikings overpaid for John Carlson. He’s just not that good, and he’s going to take away targets from Kyle Rudolph. Still, the second-year tight end is going to be a decent reserve fantasy player in 2012.
Projected 2012 Fantasy Stats: 54 catches. 590 yards. 5 total TDs.
Projected 2012 Fantasy Points: 89.
Projected 2012 PPR Fantasy Points: 143.
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Joel Dreessen, TE, Broncos. Bye: 7.
Joel Dreessen had TE2 fantasy value for the brief period of time between the Broncos signing him and then adding Jacob Tamme. He’ll catch a decent amount of touchdowns, but won’t be good for much else unless Tamme gets hurt.
Projected 2012 Fantasy Stats: 41 catches. 510 yards. 6 total TDs.
Projected 2012 Fantasy Points: 87.
Projected 2012 PPR Fantasy Points: 128.
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Scott Chandler, TE, Bills. Bye: 8.
Scott Chandler scored four touchdowns in the past three weeks of the 2011 season, but finished with only six scores total. He’s just a mediocre fantasy TE2.
Projected 2012 Fantasy Stats: 45 catches. 480 yards. 6 total TDs.
Projected 2012 Fantasy Points: 84.
Projected 2012 PPR Fantasy Points: 129.
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Ben Watson, TE, Browns. Bye: 10.
Ben Watson saw his reception totals drop from 68 in 2010 to 37 in 2011. A late-season concussion forced Watson to miss a few games. His 2012 production should be somewhere in between the past two years. Either way, he’s not a startable fantasy tight end.
Projected 2012 Fantasy Stats: 58 catches. 640 yards. 3 total TDs.
Projected 2012 Fantasy Points: 82.
Projected 2012 PPR Fantasy Points: 140.
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Dallas Clark, TE, Buccaneers. Bye: 5.
Dallas Clark is done. Peyton Manning didn’t even want him, so there’s no reason to draft him.
Projected 2012 Fantasy Stats: 55 catches. 600 yards. 3 total TDs.
Projected 2012 Fantasy Points: 78.
Projected 2012 PPR Fantasy Points: 133.
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Martellus Bennett, TE, Giants. Bye: 11.
Martellus Bennett was signed to a 1-year contract to be New York’s starting tight end. The Giants prefer blockers – which is why they didn’t consider Coby Fleener – so Bennett will spend a lot of his time doing that. He could have some fantasy value though as an end-zone target.
Projected 2012 Fantasy Stats: 42 catches. 560 yards. 5 total TDs.
Projected 2012 Fantasy Points: 86.
Projected 2012 PPR Fantasy Points: 128.
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Evan Moore, TE, Browns. Bye: 10.
Evan Moore, Cleveland’s pass-catching tight end, could emerge as a high-end TE2 if Brandon Weeden proves himself as a solid starting quarterback. It’s unknown how good Weeden will be, however, so Moore is better left going undrafted.
Projected 2012 Fantasy Stats: 40 catches. 500 yards. 4 total TDs.
Projected 2012 Fantasy Points: 74.
Projected 2012 PPR Fantasy Points: 114.
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Kellen Winslow Jr., TE, Seahawks. Bye: 11.
Believe it or not, Kellen Winslow Jr. has played in 16 games in three consecutive seasons despite knee concerns. Winslow is wearing down, however, and is no longer the explosive play-maker he once was. Plus, he’ll have to share targets with Zach Miller. I’d look for another tight end.
Projected 2012 Fantasy Stats: 51 catches. 550 yards. 3 total TDs.
Projected 2012 Fantasy Points: 73.
Projected 2012 PPR Fantasy Points: 124.
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Marcedes Lewis, TE, Jaguars. Bye: 6. 
Marcedes Lewis devastated his fantasy owners last year, as he failed to find the end zone after scoring 10 times in 2010. This was not a coincidence; Lewis, a perennial underachiever, was happy with his new, big contract. It also didn’t help that Blaine Gabbert was throwing the ball to him.
Projected 2012 Fantasy Stats: 46 catches. 550 yards. 3 total TDs.
Projected 2012 Fantasy Points: 73.
Projected 2012 PPR Fantasy Points: 119.
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Dennis Pitta, TE, Ravens. Bye: 8.
Dennis Pitta scored four times last year (including the playoffs), but it’s worth noting that all of those touchdowns came in Week 12 or later. He’s not much of a fantasy option though.
Projected 2012 Fantasy Stats: 47 catches. 480 yards. 4 total TDs.
Projected 2012 Fantasy Points: 72.
Projected 2012 PPR Fantasy Points: 119.
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Tony Scheffler, TE, Lions. Bye: 5.
Tony Scheffler scored six times last year, which means there’s some appeal in touchdown-only leagues. Otherwise, stay away.
Projected 2012 Fantasy Stats: 34 catches. 410 yards. 5 total TDs.
Projected 2012 Fantasy Points: 71.
Projected 2012 PPR Fantasy Points: 105.
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Kellen Davis, TE, Bears. Bye: 6.
Mike Martz is gone, so the Bears will actually use a tight end. Kellen Davis isn’t very talented, however, so there’s not much here from a fantasy perspective.
Projected 2012 Fantasy Stats: 40 catches. 450 yards. 4 total TDs.
Projected 2012 Fantasy Points: 69.
Projected 2012 PPR Fantasy Points: 109.
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Lance Kendricks, TE, Rams. Bye: 9.
Ugh. I expected so much out of Lance Kendricks last year. Unfortunately, he couldn’t stop dropping passes, and then Sam Bradford played hurt for most of the season. Kendricks is a talented tight end, but he needs to get it together mentally. I wouldn’t bet on it happening just yet.
Projected 2012 Fantasy Stats: 40 catches. 500 yards. 3 total TDs.
Projected 2012 Fantasy Points: 68.
Projected 2012 PPR Fantasy Points: 108.
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Anthony Fasano, TE, Dolphins. Bye: 7.
Anthony Fasano is fantastic blocker, but the only value he provides in the fantasy department is the occasional touchdown that he catches.
Projected 2012 Fantasy Stats: 30 catches. 430 yards. 4 total TDs.
Projected 2012 Fantasy Points: 67.
Projected 2012 PPR Fantasy Points: 97.
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Dwayne Allen, TE, Colts. Bye: 4.
Andrew Luck loves sticking the ball to his tight ends (not that there’s anything wrong with that). Dwayne Allen, however, will focus more on blocking.
Projected 2012 Fantasy Stats: 35 catches. 420 yards. 4 total TDs.
Projected 2012 Fantasy Points: 66.
Projected 2012 PPR Fantasy Points: 101.
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Chris Cooley, TE, Redskins. Bye: 10. 
Chris Cooley has missed 21 games in the past three years. You can’t count on him, so he shouldn’t be drafted, especially Fred Davis emerging as a force.
Projected 2012 Fantasy Stats: 48 catches. 530 yards. 2 total TDs.
Projected 2012 Fantasy Points: 65.
Projected 2012 PPR Fantasy Points: 113.
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Zach Miller, TE, Seahawks. Bye: 11.
Zach Miller was a huge fantasy bust last year, catching just 25 balls for 233 yards and no touchdowns. The problem was that he was forced to block way too much to offset an overmatched offensive front. The line hasn’t really been fixed, so don’t expect Miller to rebound.
Projected 2012 Fantasy Stats: 40 catches. 460 yards. 3 total TDs.
Projected 2012 Fantasy Points: 64.
Projected 2012 PPR Fantasy Points: 104.
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Tony Moeaki, TE, Chiefs. Bye: 7.
Tony Moeaki is coming off a torn ACL, so don’t expect much this year. He’ll be at full strength in 2013.
Projected 2012 Fantasy Stats: 39 catches. 430 yards. 3 total TDs.
Projected 2012 Fantasy Points: 61.
Projected 2012 PPR Fantasy Points: 100.
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Rob Housler, TE, Cardinals. Bye: 10.
There’s a good chance Rob Housler will take over Arizona’s starting tight end job. Even still, he won’t be much of a fantasy option.
Projected 2012 Fantasy Stats: 36 catches. 390 yards. 3 total TDs.
Projected 2012 Fantasy Points: 57.
Projected 2012 PPR Fantasy Points: 93.
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Orson Charles, TE, Bengals. Bye: 8.
Orson Charles is a talented tight end, but has work-ethic issues. I would put off drafting him until he shows that he gives a damn about his NFL career.
Projected 2012 Fantasy Stats: 33 catches. 390 yards. 3 total TDs.
Projected 2012 Fantasy Points: 57.
Projected 2012 PPR Fantasy Points: 90.
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John Carlson, TE, Vikings. Bye: 11.
I have no idea what the Vikings were thinking when they signed John Carlson to a 5-year, $25 million contract. He missed all of 2011 with a shoulder injury and just never lived up to the hype. Even worse, he’ll take targets away from Kyle Rudolph.
Projected 2012 Fantasy Stats: 34 catches. 380 yards. 3 total TDs.
Projected 2012 Fantasy Points: 56.
Projected 2012 PPR Fantasy Points: 90.
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Michael Egnew, TE, Dolphins. Bye: 7.
Michael Egnew was drafted to be the pass-catching tight end on Miami’s roster. However, tight ends from Missouri’s system have a dubious track record in the NFL.
Projected 2012 Fantasy Stats: 28 catches. 320 yards. 2 total TDs.
Projected 2012 Fantasy Points: 44.
Projected 2012 PPR Fantasy Points: 72.
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Kevin Boss, TE, Chiefs. Bye: 7.
Kevin Boss was brought in so the Chiefs could run a two-tight end offense, much like the Patriots. That’s not a bad plan, but Tony Moeaki and Kevin Boss are not Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez. Boss will focus more on blocking, so he’s not much of a fantasy option.
Projected 2012 Fantasy Stats: 26 catches. 330 yards. 3 total TDs.
Projected 2012 Fantasy Points: 51.
Projected 2012 PPR Fantasy Points: 77.
- Todd Heap, TE, Cardinals. Bye: 10.
Even if Todd Heap could stay, he doesn’t produce as much as he once used to in order to warrant a fantasy roster spot for him.
Projected 2012 Fantasy Stats: 29 catches. 330 yards. 1 total TD.
Projected 2012 Fantasy Points: 39.
Projected 2012 PPR Fantasy Points: 68.
2012 Fantasy Football Rankings - Tight Ends (Sept. 2):
Top 10 | 11-20 | 21-45
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More 2012 Fantasy Football Articles:
2012 Fantasy Football: Home
2012 Fantasy Football Rankings:
2012 Fantasy Football Rankings: Quarterbacks - 9/2 (Walt)
2012 Fantasy Football Rankings: Running Backs - 9/3 (Walt)
2012 Fantasy Football Rankings: Wide Receivers - 9/2 (Walt)
2012 Fantasy Football Rankings: Tight Ends - 9/2 (Walt)
2012 Fantasy Football Rankings: Kickers - 6/2 (Walt)
2012 Fantasy Football Rankings: Defenses - 6/3 (Walt)
2012 Fantasy Football Downloadable Spreadsheets - 9/2 (Walt)
2012 Fantasy Football Auction Values - 7/28 (Walt)
2012 Fantasy Football Rookie Rankings (Re-Draft) - 5/6 (Walt)
2012 Fantasy Football Rookie Rankings (Dynasty) - 5/6 (Walt)
2012 Fantasy Football Playoff Rankings - 1/2 (Walt)
Week 17 Fantasy Football Rankings - 12/27 (Walt)
Week 17 Fantasy Football Injury Reports - 12/27 (Walt)
Week 17 Fantasy Football Start Em, Sit Em - 12/27 (Walt)
Week 16 Fantasy Football Start Em, Sit Em - 12/20 (Walt)
WalterFootball.com $1,000 Contest on FanDuel.com - 11/4
2012 Fantasy Football Cheat Sheets:
2012 Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet: Traditional Scoring - 9/4 (Walt)
2012 Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet: PPR Scoring - 9/4 (Walt)
2012 Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet: Touchdown Scoring - 9/4 (Walt)
2012 Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet: 2-QB Format - 9/4 (Walt)
2012 Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet: Traditional Scoring PRINTABLE - 9/4 (Walt)
2012 Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet: PPR Scoring PRINTABLE - 9/4 (Walt)
2012 Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet: Touchdown Scoring PRINTABLE - 9/4 (Walt)
2012 Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet: 2-QB Format PRINTABLE - 9/4 (Walt)
2012 Fantasy Football Mock Drafts:
2012 Fantasy Football PPR Mock Draft - 8/23 (Walt)
2012 Fantasy Football Mock Draft - 8/16 (Walt)
2012 Fantasy Football Forum 2-QB PPR Mock Draft - 8/9 (Walt)
2012 Fantasy Football Auction Mock Draft - 8/2 (Walt)
2012 Fantasy Football Forum PPR Mock Draft - 7/27 (Walt)
2012 Fantasy Football Forum 2-QB Mock Draft - 7/17 (Walt)
2012 Fantasy Football Forum Standard 14-Team Mock Draft - 7/12 (Walt)
2012 Fantasy Football Forum PPR Mock Draft - 7/6 (Walt)
2012 Fantasy Football Forum Touchdown-Format Mock Draft - 7/4 (Walt)
2012 Fantasy Football Forum Standard Mock Draft - 7/3 (Walt)
2012 Fantasy Football Forum PPR Mock Draft - 6/22 (Walt)
2012 Fantasy Football Forum Mock Draft - 6/14 (Walt)
The Four-Man PPR Fantasy Mock Draft - 5/18 (Walt)
2012 Fantasy Football Articles:
2012 Fantasy Football Stock: Training Camp, OTAs - 9/3 (Walt)
2012 Fantasy Football Preseason Stock - 8/31 (Walt)
2012 NFL Preseason Recap, Fantasy Football Notes - 8/31 (Walt)
2012 Fantasy Football: Quarterback Targets - 8/31 (Walt)
2012 Fantasy Football: 20 Sleepers - 8/28 (Walt)
2012 Fantasy Football: Round-by-Round Strategy - 8/21 (Walt)
2012 Fantasy Football Busts - 6/5 (Walt)
2012 Fantasy Football Sleepers (Early-Middle Rounds) - 6/5 (Walt)
2012 Fantasy Football All-Value Team - 5/26 (Walt)
2012 Fantasy Football Stock Report: Quarterbacks - 5/8 (Walt)
2012 Fantasy Football Stock Report: Running Backs - 5/8 (Walt)
2012 Fantasy Football Stock Report: Wide Receivers - 5/8 (Walt)
2012 Fantasy Football Stock Report: Quarterbacks, Tight Ends - 4/3 (Walt)
2012 Fantasy Football Stock Report: Running Backs - 4/3 (Walt)
2012 Fantasy Football Stock Report: Wide Receivers - 4/3 (Walt)
2012 Fantasy Football: First-Round Bust History - 2/17 (Walt)
Running Backs with Most Carries - 2/17 (Walt)
NFL Picks - Dec. 15
2025 NFL Mock Draft - Dec. 11
NFL Power Rankings - Dec. 9
2026 NFL Mock Draft - Nov. 29
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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