These 2016 Fantasy Football Tight Ends Rankings will be updated often throughout the spring and 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.
2016 Fantasy Football Rankings - Tight Ends (Sept. 7):
Top 10 | 11-20 | 21-45
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Crockett Gillmore, TE, Ravens. Bye: 8.
The Ravens spent a second-round pick on Maxx Williams, but Crockett Gillmore stepped up as the primary tight end, catching 33 passes for 412 yards and four touchdowns in 10 games before landing on injured reserve with a back injury.
Projected 2016 Fantasy Stats: 45 catches. 540 yards. 3 total TDs.
Projected 2016 Fantasy Points: 84.
Projected 2016 PPR Fantasy Points: 129.
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Will Tye, TE, Giants. Bye: 8.
JULY 10 UPDATE: Will Tye has enjoyed a terrific offseason, “catching everything,” according to John Schmeelk, Giants.com. Tye played well last year and appears as though he could be even better in 2015. If you want a backup tight end with upside, take a chance on Tye in the late rounds.
Will Tye was solid in relief of an injured Larry Donnell, catching 42 passes for 464 yards and three touchdowns. We’ll see if Tye has passed Donnell on the depth chart. He’ll be a borderline TE2 if he does.
Projected 2016 Fantasy Stats: 49 catches. 540 yards. 5 total TDs.
Projected 2016 Fantasy Points: 84.
Projected 2016 PPR Fantasy Points: 133.
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Vance McDonald, TE, 49ers. Bye: 8.
AUG. 21 UPDATE: Vance McDonald appears to be Blaine Gabbert’s favorite receiver. McDonald caught three of his four passes in the second preseason game for 38 yards. He’s a decent TE2, but there are players with better upside.
AUG. 4 UPDATE: Vance McDonald is listed as the 49ers’ No. 3 tight end. San Francisco is about to discover how stupid Chip Kelly is. McDonald is the team’s best player at the position, so this development makes no sense. Philadelphians are quite used to stuff like this.
JUNE 21 UPDATE: Blaine Gabbert and the 49ers’ tight ends coach spent lots of time talking up Vance McDonald. Gabbert won’t have any sort of weapons to throw to, so he figures to target McDonald quite frequently. Gabbert is too scared to go downfield often, so McDonald could become a solid PPR TE2 option.
Vance McDonald barely played prior to November of 2015, but the Vernon Davis trade opened things up for him. McDonald caught 30 passes for 326 yards and three touchdowns, and he had some solid performances, like a 5-61-1 line against the Lions.
Projected 2016 Fantasy Stats: 54 catches. 590 yards. 4 total TDs.
Projected 2016 Fantasy Points: 83.
Projected 2016 PPR Fantasy Points: 137.
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Virgil Green, TE, Broncos. Bye: 11.
Mark Sanchez targeted Virgil Green more than any other player in the preseason opener, for what it’s worth.
Projected 2016 Fantasy Stats: 53 catches. 590 yards. 4 total TDs.
Projected 2016 Fantasy Points: 83.
Projected 2016 PPR Fantasy Points: 136.
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Niles Paul, TE, Redskins. Bye: 9.
Jordan Reed was considered the injury-prone tight end for the Redskins heading into training camp, but it was Niles Paul who dislocated his ankle and missed all of 2015. Paul should be monitored on the waiver wire if Jordan Reed gets hurt, but he’ll take a back seat in the meantime.
Projected 2016 Fantasy Stats: 36 catches. 490 yards. 2 total TDs.
Projected 2016 Fantasy Points: 81.
Projected 2016 PPR Fantasy Points: 117.
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Clive Walford, TE, Raiders. Bye: 10.
Clive Walford, a 2015 third-rounder, showed some potential by posting a 4-46 line in the season finale. However, he’s probably a year away from being relevant in fantasy.
Projected 2016 Fantasy Stats: 47 catches. 570 yards. 4 total TDs.
Projected 2016 Fantasy Points: 81.
Projected 2016 PPR Fantasy Points: 128.
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Charles Clay, TE, Bills. Bye: 10. 
It was no surprise to see Charles Clay miss the final three weeks with a back injury. Clay has never been able to stay healthy consistently, so keep that in mind if you draft him. He’s just a TE2 who doesn’t find the end zone often, so there’s no reason to even take a chance unless you’re in a super deep league.
Projected 2016 Fantasy Stats: 56 catches. 600 yards. 3 total TDs.
Projected 2016 Fantasy Points: 78.
Projected 2016 PPR Fantasy Points: 134.
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Jace Amaro, TE, Jets. Bye: 5.
Jace Amaro caught 34 passes as a rookie, but missed all of his sophomore campaign with a torn labrum. He has the potential to break out in 2016, but there are better late-round fliers.
Projected 2016 Fantasy Stats: 51 catches. 530 yards. 4 total TDs.
Projected 2016 Fantasy Points: 77.
Projected 2016 PPR Fantasy Points: 128.
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Cameron Brate, TE, Buccaneers. Bye: 6.
Cameron Brate has become one of Jameis Winston’s favorite targets, according to Jenna Laine, ESPN. Brate appears to have supplanted Austin Seferian-Jenkins as Tampa’s No. 1 tight end.
Projected 2016 Fantasy Stats: 48 catches. 530 yards. 4 total TDs.
Projected 2016 Fantasy Points: 77.
Projected 2016 PPR Fantasy Points: 125.
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Larry Donnell, TE, Giants. Bye: 8.
Larry Donnell missed half the season with a neck injury. Prior to being fired, Tom Coughlin told the media that it wasn’t a long-term issue. Donnell is just a mediocre TE2 at best, but he may not even start over Will Tye.
Projected 2016 Fantasy Stats: 48 catches. 520 yards. 4 total TDs.
Projected 2016 Fantasy Points: 76.
Projected 2016 PPR Fantasy Points: 124.
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Jordan Cameron, TE, Dolphins. Bye: 8.
Jordan Cameron was signed to replace Charles Clay, but he managed just 35 catches for 386 yards and three touchdowns. Cameron has enjoyed just one great season, so it’s fair to wonder if he’ll ever be productive again.
Projected 2013 Fantasy Stats: 45 catches. 500 yards. 4 total TDs.
Projected 2013 Fantasy Points: 74.
Projected 2013 PPR Fantasy Points: 119.
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Hunter Henry, TE, Chargers. Bye: 11.
Hunter Henry was the first tight end selected in the 2016 NFL Draft, but he won’t have much of a role this season unless Antonio Gates sustains an injury. Fortunately for Henry, that’s something that occurs quite often.
Projected 2016 Fantasy Stats: 34 catches. 390 yards. 3 total TDs.
Projected 2016 Fantasy Points: 72.
Projected 2016 PPR Fantasy Points: 106.
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Dennis Pitta, TE, Ravens. Bye: 8.
AUG. 2 UPDATE: Dennis Pitta will be out for a while with a sprained finger. You’ve gotta be kidding me. Pitta is literally made out of glass. It’s impossible to draft him in a 12-team league because he just can’t stay healthy.
JULY 25 UPDATE: Dennis Pitta has avoided the active/PUP list. This is quite the surprise, given what Pitta has been through. Though the injuries might have sapped Pitta’s talent, he’ll at least have an opportunity to claim playing time. I wouldn’t recommend him for fantasy, but he’s worth monitoring at least.
Jeff Heuerman is Denver’s starting tight end in the wake of Owen Daniels’ departure. Heuerman was a third-round pick in 2015, so the talent is there. Unfortunately for Heuerman, he’ll be catching passes from Mark Sanchez.
Projected 2016 Fantasy Stats: 35 catches. 410 yards. 3 total TDs.
Projected 2016 Fantasy Points: 69.
Projected 2016 PPR Fantasy Points: 104.
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Brent Celek, TE, Eagles. Bye: 4.
The Eagles extended Brent Celek to a big contract this offseason, which was odd considering that he’s primarily a blocker. Celek caught 27 passes for 398 yards and three touchdowns in 2015.
Projected 2016 Fantasy Stats: 33 catches. 390 yards. 3 total TDs.
Projected 2016 Fantasy Points: 57.
Projected 2016 PPR Fantasy Points: 90.
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Austin Seferian-Jenkins, TE, Buccaneers. Bye: 6.
JUNE 30 UPDATE: Beat writer Roy Cummings was the latest to pile on Austin Seferian-Jenkins, citing he could lose his job because of his poor attitude. Cummings noted that Seferian-Jenkins is a $10 million talent who has a 10-cent brain. It’s best to avoid Seferian-Jenkins in all 12-team leagues.
JUNE 21 UPDATE: Austin Seferian-Jenkins was asked to leave practice Wednesday because he “did not know what he was doing.” This is definitely a bad omen for Seferian-Jenkins going forward, who was already rumored to be losing a job to Cameron Brate. Seferian-Jenkins is not draftable right now.
Austin Seferian-Jenkins missed nine games in 2015 even though he was listed as questionable almost every single week. Seferian-Jenkins is a mega talent who could produce big numbers if he can stay healthy. That’s a big “if,” however, as Seferian-Jenkins also was out for seven contests as a rookie. He was also dismissed from practice over the summer because he didn’t know what he was doing, per the coaching staff. That’s obviously very troubling, and it’s enough to make me avoid him in fantasy.
Projected 2016 Fantasy Stats: 28 catches. 360 yards. 3 total TDs.
Projected 2016 Fantasy Points: 54.
Projected 2016 PPR Fantasy Points: 82.
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Ladarius Green, TE, Steelers. Bye: 8.
AUG. 31 UPDATE: Ladarius Green has been placed on the PUP list, as he can’t overcome his concussion issues. He’s not draftable.
AUG. 18 UPDATE: Ladarius Green could be headed to injured reserve, says Jeremy Fowler, ESPN. Green’s headaches won’t go away, and it’s telling that the Steelers could consider that over the PUP list. Green is not draftable at the moment.
AUG. 12 UPDATE: Ladarius Green hasn’t been able to practice because he has suffered constant headaches. Uh oh. There have been reports that the Steelers might release Green if this continues. Green is now undraftable in the first 12 rounds (his ADP is 8.06).
Ladarius Green signed a $20 million contract with the Steelers. He’ll replace the retired Heath Miller, and he should be able to post huge numbers. Green is very talented, and this is his first chance to be a starting tight end for a full season.
Projected 2016 Fantasy Stats: 34 catches. 390 yards. 2 total TDs.
Projected 2016 Fantasy Points: 51.
Projected 2016 PPR Fantasy Points: 85.
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Jesse James, TE, Steelers. Bye: 8.
Jesse James is not a bank robber, as Chris Berman would like you to think. He was a fifth-round rookie last year who flashed some potential. Unfortunately for James, Ladarius Green was signed.
Projected 2016 Fantasy Stats: 24 catches. 280 yards. 2 total TDs.
Projected 2016 Fantasy Points: 50.
Projected 2016 PPR Fantasy Points: 74.
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Austin Hooper, TE, Falcons. Bye: 11.
SEPT. 2 UPDATE: Austin Hooper had a miserable preseason finale. He caught just one of his four targets for eight yards. Two of the balls thrown to him were drops that popped into the air for interceptions. It’s bad enough when this happens once, but twice in a single half!? It’s going to be difficult for Hooper to see playing time anytime soon.
JUNE 30 UPDATE: Austin Hooper’s route-running has impressed the coaching staff. This is very significant, as Hooper already had the athleticism. You should generally avoid rookie tight ends in fantasy, but Hooper could end up being an exception.
Unlike Hunter Henry, Austin Hooper will likely be an instant starter. In fact, the Falcons have discussed using him as a major red-zone weapon this year. Hooper’s long-term outlook is also brighter, given that he’ll be with Matt Ryan longer than Hunter Henry will be paired with Philip Rivers.
Projected 2016 Fantasy Stats: 27 catches. 350 yards. 2 total TDs.
Projected 2016 Fantasy Points: 47.
Projected 2016 PPR Fantasy Points: 74.
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Vernon Davis, TE, Redskins. Bye: 9.
Vernon Davis was acquired from the 49ers in the middle of the season. He had a couple of solid outings before he began to drop everything in sight. Unfortunately, Mike Singletary isn’t around to set Davis straight. Davis will continue to suck in Washington.
Projected 2016 Fantasy Stats: 30 catches. 330 yards. 2 total TDs.
Projected 2016 Fantasy Points: 45.
Projected 2016 PPR Fantasy Points: 75.
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Luke Willson, TE, Seahawks. Bye: 5.
Jimmy Graham isn’t expected to play much this season, given that he’s coming off a torn patellar tendon. That’ll open the door for Luke Willson, though he’s still not really on any fantasy radar.
Projected 2016 Fantasy Stats: 26 catches. 330 yards. 2 total TDs.
Projected 2016 Fantasy Points: 45.
Projected 2016 PPR Fantasy Points: 71.
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Jermaine Gresham, TE, Cardinals. Bye: 9.
Carson Palmer said that Jermaine Gresham would become a bigger part of the offense following his 62-yard performance on a Monday night against Baltimore. That, however, turned out to be Gresham’s only game in which he caught more than two passes. He’s a non-factor.
Projected 2016 Fantasy Stats: 25 catches. 290 yards. 2 total TDs.
Projected 2016 Fantasy Points: 41.
Projected 2016 PPR Fantasy Points: 66.
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Marcedes Lewis, TE, Jaguars. Bye: 5.
Marcedes Lewis is no longer a part of Jacksonville’s aerial attack. Blocking doesn’t earn you any points in fantasy.
Projected 2016 Fantasy Stats: 22 catches. 290 yards. 2 total TDs.
Projected 2016 Fantasy Points: 41.
Projected 2016 PPR Fantasy Points: 63.
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Maxx Williams, TE, Ravens. Bye: 8.
Maxx Williams had a solid outing (6 catches, 53 yards) in the season finale, but he’ll have to fight Ben Watson and Crockett Gillmore for targets next season. He’s not a fantasy option unless at least one of them gets hurt.
Projected 2013 Fantasy Stats: 22 catches. 260 yards. 2 total TDs.
Projected 2013 Fantasy Points: 38.
Projected 2013 PPR Fantasy Points: 60.
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Richard Rodgers, TE, Packers. Bye: 4.
Richard Rodgers was the hero of the Detroit game when he inexplicably pulled down Aaron Rodgers’ first Hail Mary of the season. However, Rodgers is slow, so he’s not much of an offensive weapon, especially with Jared Cook on the roster.
Projected 2016 Fantasy Stats: 20 catches. 230 yards. 2 total TDs.
Projected 2016 Fantasy Points: 35.
Projected 2016 PPR Fantasy Points: 55.
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Ben Watson, TE, Ravens. Bye: 8.
Ben Watson tore his Achilles on the first play against the Lions. Watson was signed over from the Saints and was expected to be an impact player for Joe Flacco, but he’ll have to wait until 2017 to do that now.
Projected 2016 Fantasy Stats: 0 catches. 0 yards. 0 total TDs.
Projected 2016 Fantasy Points: 0.
Projected 2016 PPR Fantasy Points: 0.
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 - Nov. 14
2025 NFL Mock Draft - Nov. 13
NFL Power Rankings - Nov. 12
Fantasy Football Rankings - Sept. 4
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Potential sleeper
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