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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Ed Dickson, TE, Ravens. Bye: 8.
Ed Dickson had an OK second season with 54 receptions for 528 yards and five touchdowns. A fifth of that production came at Seattle in Week 10 (10-79-2) and then Dickson followed that up with a 2-21 line versus Cincinnati. He’s really inconsistent.
Projected 2012 Fantasy Stats: 60 catches. 620 yards. 5 total TDs.
Projected 2012 Fantasy Points: 92.
Projected 2012 PPR Fantasy Points: 152.
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Scott Chandler, TE, Bills. Bye: 8. 
AUG. 11 UPDATE: Scott Chandler caught two balls for 32 yards in the preseason opener. He’s worth noting for two reasons. First, he was targeted four times, which is more than any other Bill, save for Steve Johnson. And second, both of his grabs were really impressive, as he extended his arms way over his head and secured the ball despite taking a hit each time. Chandler’s a decent backup tight end.
Scott Chandler scored four touchdowns in the first three weeks of the 2011 season, but finished with only six scores total. He’s just a low-end fantasy TE2.
Projected 2012 Fantasy Stats: 50 catches. 560 yards. 6 total TDs.
Projected 2012 Fantasy Points: 92.
Projected 2012 PPR Fantasy Points: 142.
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Jacob Tamme, TE, Broncos. Bye: 7.
AUG. 27 UPDATE: Everyone seems to be drafting Jacob Tamme, but Peyton Manning has been throwing to Joel Dreessen more often this preseason. Both tight ends will cancel each other out, meaning neither will be a dependable fantasy starter.
AUG. 19 UPDATE: Jacob Tamme is being overdrafted in fantasy leagues. Peyton Manning seems to be spreading the ball around evenly to Tamme and Joel Dreessen. Tamme had just one more target than Dreessen against the Seahawks, with both snagging two receptions.
Jacob Tamme registered 67 catches for 631 yards and four touchdowns when Dallas Clark went down in 2010. There’s no reason to think that he wouldn’t be able to post similar numbers if Peyton Manning is close to 75-80 percent.
Projected 2012 Fantasy Stats: 65 catches. 600 yards. 5 total TDs.
Projected 2012 Fantasy Points: 90.
Projected 2012 PPR Fantasy Points: 155.
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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. A sign of things to come? Perhaps. Pitta has some TE2 upside, but that’s about it.
Projected 2012 Fantasy Stats: 49 catches. 520 yards. 6 total TDs.
Projected 2012 Fantasy Points: 88.
Projected 2012 PPR Fantasy Points: 137.
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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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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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Anthony Fasano, TE, Dolphins. Bye: 7.
Anthony Fasano tied for the team lead in targets (Davone Bess) from Matt Moore in the preseason opener. New head coach Joe Philbin wants to incorporate the tight end more into the offense, so Fasano could have his best statistical season yet. He might be a decent TE2.
Projected 2012 Fantasy Stats: 40 catches. 560 yards. 5 total TDs.
Projected 2012 Fantasy Points: 86.
Projected 2012 PPR Fantasy Points: 128.
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Brandon Myers, TE, Raiders. Bye: 5.
Brandon Myers saw nine targets versus Detroit. Myers caught five of those balls for 41 yards. I wouldn’t advise drafting him quite yet, but he’s worth monitoring as an injury replacement or a bye-week filler.
Projected 2012 Fantasy Stats: 50 catches. 580 yards. 4 total TDs.
Projected 2012 Fantasy Points: 82.
Projected 2012 PPR Fantasy Points: 132.
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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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Evan Moore, TE, Seahawks. Bye: 11.
Evan Moore signed with the Seahawks to replace Kellen Winslow.
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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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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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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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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Todd Heap, TE, Cardinals. Bye: 10.
Even if Todd Heap could stay healthy, he doesn’t produce nearly as much as he once used to.
Projected 2012 Fantasy Stats: 29 catches. 330 yards. 1 total TD.
Projected 2012 Fantasy Points: 39.
Projected 2012 PPR Fantasy Points: 68.
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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: 14 catches. 160 yards. 0 total TDs.
Projected 2012 Fantasy Points: 16.
Projected 2012 PPR Fantasy Points: 30.
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. 11
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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