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These 2016 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 2016 Fantasy Football articles, which will include sleepers, busts, tons of 2016 Fantasy Football mock drafts and other material. Follow me @walterfootball for updates. |
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2016 Fantasy Football Rankings - Tight Ends (Sept. 7):
Top 10 | 11-20 | 21-45
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Rob Gronkowski, TE, Patriots. Bye: 9.
AUG. 25 UPDATE: Rob Gronkowski returned to practice Tuesday. As expected, Gronkowski is just fine. I took him in the middle of the second round of a recent fantasy mock draft, where he provided tremendous value.
AUG. 23 UPDATE: Rob Gronkowski hasn’t practiced since pulling up lame a week ago. It’s probably nothing to worry about, but it’s still worth mentioning. I’m not moving Gronkowski down my rankings just yet.
Rob Gronkowski had durability issues previously in his career, but he has played in 30 of 32 games in the past two seasons, catching 23 total touchdowns in the process. He’s an obvious first-round pick despite Tom Brady’s four-game suspension.
Projected 2016 Fantasy Stats: 79 catches. 1,170 yards. 13 total TDs.
Projected 2016 Fantasy Points: 195.
Projected 2016 PPR Fantasy Points: 274.
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Jordan Reed, TE, Redskins. Bye: 9.
Jordan Reed was a sleeper of mine last year because he was eating healthier and stretching more, which I thought could improve his durability. That turned out to be the case, and we finally got to see what Reed could be capable of when healthy. Reed is unquestionably the top fantasy tight end not named Rob Gronkowski.
Projected 2016 Fantasy Stats: 85 catches. 960 yards. 11 total TDs.
Projected 2016 Fantasy Points: 162.
Projected 2016 PPR Fantasy Points: 247.
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Greg Olsen, TE, Panthers. Bye: 7.
Greg Olsen is coming off his best year yet, catching 77 passes for 1,104 yards and seven touchdowns. Olsen turned 31 this offseason, and Cam Newton will have more targets to throw to, so I wouldn’t exactly want to pounce on Olsen at his inflated ADP. However, if he slips a bit for whatever reason, I’ll be more than happy to draft him.
Projected 2016 Fantasy Stats: 74 catches. 1,040 yards. 6 total TDs.
Projected 2016 Fantasy Points: 140.
Projected 2016 PPR Fantasy Points: 214.
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Travis Kelce, TE, Chiefs. Bye: 5.
Travis Kelce signed a big extension this offseason after catching 72 passes for 875 yards and five touchdowns. Kelce was inconsistent and dropped too many passes, but those are issues he can correct. The sky is the limit for him, and he’ll continue to rack up receptions as long as he has a noodle-armed quarterback throwing to him.
Projected 2016 Fantasy Stats: 77 catches. 930 yards. 6 total TDs.
Projected 2016 Fantasy Points: 129.
Projected 2016 PPR Fantasy Points: 206.
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Delanie Walker, TE, Titans. Bye: 13.
It didn’t matter who the quarterback was; Delanie Walker posted monstrous numbers each week despite Marcus Mariota being in and out of the lineup. Walker turns 32 in August, so he could begin to slow down, but he should still be a TE1.
Projected 2016 Fantasy Stats: 72 catches. 880 yards. 6 total TDs.
Projected 2016 Fantasy Points: 124.
Projected 2016 PPR Fantasy Points: 196.
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Zach Ertz, TE, Eagles. Bye: 4. 
Zach Ertz’s 2015 campaign mirrored his 2014 season. He began slowly, but caught fire at the very end when it was too late. Ertz’s reception and yardage totals are fine, but he has scored just five times in the past two years. Touchdowns can be fluky, but it’s troubling that Ertz hasn’t found the end zone more than four times in any season thus far.
Projected 2016 Fantasy Stats: 79 catches. 930 yards. 5 total TDs.
Projected 2016 Fantasy Points: 123.
Projected 2016 PPR Fantasy Points: 202.
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Gary Barnidge, TE, Browns. Bye: 13.
Gary Barnidge has been a pedestrian journeyman throughout his career, so it was absolutely shocking to see him have a breakout 2015 campaign. Barnidge caught 79 passes for 1,043 yards and nine touchdowns. Is he a one-year wonder? It’s certainly possible, and I’d like to take a chance on someone more proven, but Barnidge should be considered a lower TE1 regardless.
Projected 2016 Fantasy Stats: 65 catches. 800 yards. 7 total TDs.
Projected 2016 Fantasy Points: 122.
Projected 2016 PPR Fantasy Points: 187.
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Julius Thomas, TE, Jaguars. Bye: 5. 
JUNE 26 UPDATE: Julius Thomas has reportedly been unstoppable in OTAs this offseason. In fact, beat writer Hays Carylon believes Thomas will score double-digit touchdowns – a far cry from his disappointing 2015 campaign. Thomas was banged up and ineffective, but it appears as though he has gotten over his injuries.
JUNE 21 UPDATE: Gus Bradley told the media that Julius Thomas is having a great offseason. Thomas was horrible last year, but it sounds like he’s ready to bounce back. Unfortunately, he’s not undervalued enough at his 9.09 ADP.
Julius Thomas was a predictable disappointment, as there is an extensive history of free agents leaving great teams and struggling after taking the money and signing with lesser franchises. However, Thomas is a nice buy-low candidate, as he has enjoyed a strong offseason.
Projected 2016 Fantasy Stats: 65 catches. 740 yards. 8 total TDs.
Projected 2016 Fantasy Points: 122.
Projected 2016 PPR Fantasy Points: 187.
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Coby Fleener, TE, Saints. Bye: 5.
Coby Fleener had a couple of big games in 2015, but otherwise did nothing. That wasn’t a surprise, as Andrew Luck’s injury took an obvious toll. Fleener would’ve been a decent buy-low option, but now he’ll be getting a ton of hype because he’s with the Saints.
Projected 2016 Fantasy Stats: 65 catches. 790 yards. 7 total TDs.
Projected 2016 Fantasy Points: 121.
Projected 2016 PPR Fantasy Points: 186.
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Zach Miller, TE, Bears. Bye: 9.
Zach Miller passed an ineffective Martellus Bennett on the depth chart and emerged as a potent weapon for Jay Cutler. It’s difficult to envision Miller not building on his impressive 2015 campaign. He logged 34 catches for 439 yards and five touchdowns despite not really playing until Week 9.
Projected 2016 Fantasy Stats: 67 catches. 770 yards. 7 total TDs.
Projected 2016 Fantasy Points: 119.
Projected 2016 PPR Fantasy Points: 186.
2016 Fantasy Football Rankings - Tight Ends (Sept. 7):
Top 10 | 11-20 | 21-45
More 2016 Fantasy Football Articles:
Fantasy Football Rankings
2016 Fantasy Football Rankings:
2016 Fantasy Football Rankings: Quarterbacks - 9/7 (Walt)
Chet Gresham's Fantasy Football Quarterback Rankings - 8/30 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football Rankings: Running Backs - 9/7 (Walt)
Chet Gresham's Fantasy Football Running Back Rankings - 8/30 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football Rankings: Wide Receivers - 9/7 (Walt)
Chet Gresham's Fantasy Football Wide Receiver Rankings - 8/30 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football Rankings: Tight Ends - 9/7 (Walt)
Chet Gresham's Fantasy Football Tight End Rankings - 8/30 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football Rankings: Defenses - 6/15 (Walt)
2016 Fantasy Football Rankings: Kickers - 6/15 (Walt)
Fantasy Football Rookie Rankings - 5/13 (Walt)
Fantasy Football Rookie Rankings: Dynasty - 5/13 (Walt)
Fantasy Football Rookie Rankings: Dynasty - 5/27 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football Mock Drafts:
2016 Fantasy Football Mock Draft: PPR - 9/1 (Walt)
2016 Fantasy Football Mock Draft Video - 8/31 (Walt)
2016 Fantasy Football Mock Draft: Real Draft - 8/29 (Walt)
2016 Fantasy Football Mock Draft: Standard - 8/25 (Walt)
2016 Fantasy Football Mock Draft: 2-QB - 8/25 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football Mock Draft Video - 8/24 (Walt)
2016 Fantasy Football Mock Draft: PPR - 8/18 (Walt)
2016 Fantasy Football Mock Draft Video - 8/13 (Walt)
2016 Fantasy Football Mock Draft: Standard - 8/11 (Walt)
2016 Fantasy Football Mock Draft: Standard - 8/4 (Walt)
2016 Fantasy Football Mock Draft Video - 8/4 (Walt)
2016 Fantasy Football Mock Draft: PPR - 8/2 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football Mock Draft: PPR - 7/28 (Walt)
2016 Fantasy Football Mock Draft - 7/21 (Walt)
2016 Fantasy Football: MFL 10 Draft - 5/13 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football Cheat Sheets:
2016 Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet: Top 250 - 9/7 (Walt)
2016 Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet: Top 250 PPR - 9/7 (Walt)
2016 Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet: Top 250 2-QB - 9/7 (Walt)
2016 Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet: Top 250 Touchdown League - 9/7 (Walt)
2016 Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet: Custom - 9/7 (Walt)
2016 Fantasy Football: Dynasty Rankings - 9/7 (Walt)
2016 Fantasy Football PPR Rankings - 8/26 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football Spreadsheets - 9/7 (Walt)
2016 Fantasy Football Articles:
2016 Fantasy Football Stock Report: Training Camp - 9/7 (Walt)
2016 Fantasy Football Mock Draft Simulator - 9/7 (Walt)
2016 Fantasy Football Sleepers - 9/4 (Walt)
2016 NFL Preseason Recap, Fantasy Football Notes - 9/2 (Walt)
2016 Fantasy Football Preseason Stock - 9/2 (Walt)
2016 Fantasy Football Preseason Quarterback Targets - 9/2 (Walt)
2016 Fantasy Football Waiver-Wire Targets - 8/31 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football Busts - 8/31 (Walt)
Fantasy Football Auction Advice - 8/24 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football Round-by-Round Strategy Guide - 8/18 (Walt)
2016 Fantasy Football Daily Fantasy Preseason Week 2 Streaming Options - 8/18 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football Draft Queue: Wide Receivers and Tight Ends - 8/17 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football Draft Queue: Quarterbacks and Running Backs - 8/16 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football Training Camp Notes - 8/10 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football Wide Receivers to Avoid - 8/6 (Walt)
2016 Fantasy Football Running Backs to Avoid - 8/5 (Walt)
2016 Fantasy Football Notes - 7/26 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football Late-Round Wide Receiver Targets - 7/21 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football Late-Round Running Back Targets - 7/19 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football ADP Values - 7/14 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football: C.J. Anderson Profile - 7/7 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football Favorite MFL Players - 6/29 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football: 2016 NFL Draft Fallout: Chip Kelly - 6/23 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football: Marvin Jones Profile - 6/22 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football: Devin Funchess Profile - 6/15 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football 2-QB Draft - 6/9 (Chet)
Fantasy Football Beginner's Guide - 6/7 (Walt)
2016 Fantasy Football: Running Back Drafting and ADP - 6/3 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football: Quarterback Drafting and ADP - 6/1 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football: Eli Manning Profile - 5/25 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football: Jordan Matthews Profile - 5/24 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football Rookie Dynasty Draft Wrap-up - 5/18 (Walt)
2016 Fantasy Football: 2016 NFL Draft Fallout - 5/11 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football: MFL 10 Quarterback Values - 4/30 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football: MFL 10 Wide Receiver Values - 4/28 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football: Tight End Strength of Schedule - 4/25 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football: Wide Receiver Strength of Schedule - 4/21 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football: Running Back Strength of Schedule - 4/20 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football: Quarterback Strength of Schedule - 4/19 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football: MFL 10 - 2/19 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football Sleepers: Philip Rivers - 2/16 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football: Quarterback ADP vs. Reality - 2/12 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football Fallout: Marshawn Lynch Retires - 2/11 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football Fallout: Calvin Johnson Retires - 2/9 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football Forecast: Dynasty - 1/21 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football Forecast: Tight Ends - 1/19 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football Forecast: Wide Receivers - 1/14 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football Forecast: Running Backs - 1/13 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football Forecast: Quarterbacks - 1/12 (Chet)
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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