2021 Fantasy Football Rankings: Tight Ends 21-45

AUG. 13 UPDATE: Jonnu Smith looked good in his debut for the Patriots. He caught a single pass for 16 yards, but that was an impressive play in which he broke out of a tackle to get the first down. Smith was targeted twice, and while that’s a small sample size, it seems as though Cam Newton will rely on him and Hunter Henry throughout the season.

Jonnu Smith worked out privately with Ryan Tannehill leading up to 2020. Despite this, Smith had just 41 catches for 448 yards, though he caught eight touchdowns. That final figure could regress to the mean in 2021, especially with Hunter Henry taking many of the targets.

Projected 2021 Fantasy Stats: 55 catches. 620 yards. 6 total TDs.
Projected 2021 Fantasy Points: 98.
Projected 2021 PPR Fantasy Points: 153.

Juwan Johnson is the new starting tight end for the Saints with Jared Cook no longer on the team. Johnson has plenty of upside. Unfortunately, Drew Brees is no longer New Orleans’ quarterback.

Projected 2021 Fantasy Stats: 52 catches. 570 yards. 5 total TDs.
Projected 2021 Fantasy Points: 97.
Projected 2021 PPR Fantasy Points: 149.

The Browns overpaid for Austin Hooper, as the former Falcon caught 46 passes for 435 yards and four touchdowns in his first year in Cleveland. He should be better in 2021, but not enough to excuse the signing.

Projected 2021 Fantasy Stats: 58 catches. 590 yards. 6 total TDs.
Projected 2021 Fantasy Points: 95.
Projected 2021 PPR Fantasy Points: 153.

It’s tough to trust a rookie tight end not named Kyle Pitts, so I wouldn’t be excited to obtain him in re-draft formats. He’s much better for the long term.

Projected 2021 Fantasy Stats: 45 catches. 540 yards. 5 total TDs.
Projected 2021 Fantasy Points: 94.
Projected 2021 PPR Fantasy Points: 139.

Jared Cook turns 34 this spring, but he’ll serve as a short-term answer at tight end for Justin Herbert. He’s not worth rostering, but you can pick him up and use him in good matchups.

Projected 2021 Fantasy Stats: 42 catches. 550 yards. 6 total TDs.
Projected 2021 Fantasy Points: 91.
Projected 2021 PPR Fantasy Points: 133.

There’s a chance Tyler Kroft could emerge as a viable fantasy option this year. The Jets don’t have much else at the position, and Zach Wilson liked throwing to Kroft this preseason. Kroft caught two passes for 36 yards and a pair of touchdowns against the Packers.

Projected 2021 Fantasy Stats: 44 catches. 480 yards. 5 total TDs.
Projected 2021 Fantasy Points: 88.
Projected 2021 PPR Fantasy Points: 132.

Hunter Henry is gone, so third-round rookie Tre McKitty could take his place. If so, he’ll be a potential TE1 down the road.

Projected 2021 Fantasy Stats: 35 catches. 420 yards. 4 total TDs.
Projected 2021 Fantasy Points: 81.
Projected 2021 PPR Fantasy Points: 116.

Albert Okwuegbunam went undrafted in the 2020 NFL Draft, which was a huge shock. It wasn’t surprising that Albert Okwuegbunam thrived in his first month as a rookie, catching 11 passes in four games. Unfortunately, a torn ACL derailed his season.

Projected 2021 Fantasy Stats: 44 catches. 490 yards. 4 total TDs.
Projected 2021 Fantasy Points: 78.
Projected 2021 PPR Fantasy Points: 122.

Will Dissly caught 24 passes for 251 yards and two touchdowns in 2020. He’ll have to hold off Gerald Everrett for the starting job.

Projected 2021 Fantasy Stats: 34 catches. 380 yards. 3 total TDs.
Projected 2021 Fantasy Points: 76.
Projected 2021 PPR Fantasy Points: 110.

Dan Arnold had a solid year for the Cardinals, catching 31 passes for 438 yards and four touchdowns. He’s now in Carolina, where he won’t face too much competition.

Projected 2021 Fantasy Stats: 38 catches. 510 yards. 4 total TDs.
Projected 2021 Fantasy Points: 75.
Projected 2021 PPR Fantasy Points: 113.

Dawson Knox caught just 24 passes in 12 games last year, as Josh Allen has lots of viable options at his disposal.

Projected 2021 Fantasy Stats: 38 catches. 500 yards. 4 total TDs.
Projected 2021 Fantasy Points: 74.
Projected 2021 PPR Fantasy Points: 112.

Anthony Firkser had some nice games last year when Jonnu Smith missed time. Smith is gone, so it’s Firkser’s time to shine.

Projected 2021 Fantasy Stats: 51 catches. 500 yards. 4 total TDs.
Projected 2021 Fantasy Points: 74.
Projected 2021 PPR Fantasy Points: 125.

Harrison Bryant showed some major potential as a rookie. There’s a chance he could pass Austin Hooper at some point.

Projected 2021 Fantasy Stats: 38 catches. 390 yards. 4 total TDs.
Projected 2021 Fantasy Points: 73.
Projected 2021 PPR Fantasy Points: 111.

Gerald Everett was supposed to be the receiving threat at tight end for the Rams, but Tyler Higbee stole that role from him. Everett is now with the Seahawks, but he’s not guaranteed the starting job.

Projected 2021 Fantasy Stats: 40 catches. 410 yards. 3 total TDs.
Projected 2021 Fantasy Points: 69.
Projected 2021 PPR Fantasy Points: 109.

Drew Sample had some nice games in 2020, catching five or more passes in three contests, including one after Joe Burrow got hurt.

Projected 2021 Fantasy Stats: 46 catches. 400 yards. 3 total TDs.
Projected 2021 Fantasy Points: 68.
Projected 2021 PPR Fantasy Points: 114.

O.J. Howard played just four games in 2020 before tearing his Achilles. He should be ready for the 2021 season.

Projected 2021 Fantasy Stats: 36 catches. 480 yards. 3 total TDs.
Projected 2021 Fantasy Points: 66.
Projected 2021 PPR Fantasy Points: 102.

Jordan Akins has plenty of talent. Deshaun Watson liked to look his way in the end zone, but Watson won’t be around anymore, making Akins worthless in fantasy.

Projected 2021 Fantasy Stats: 44 catches. 460 yards. 3 total TDs.
Projected 2021 Fantasy Points: 64.
Projected 2021 PPR Fantasy Points: 108.

Dalton Schultz had a nice year – 63 catches, 615 yards despite Dak Prescott’s injury – but Blake Jarwin’s return could drop Schultz’s production.

Projected 2021 Fantasy Stats: 42 catches. 460 yards. 3 total TDs.
Projected 2021 Fantasy Points: 64.
Projected 2021 PPR Fantasy Points: 106.

The Bears paid Jimmy Graham top money to see him catch 50 passes for 456 yards. He caught eight touchdowns, but that number will regress to the mean.

Projected 2021 Fantasy Stats: 43 catches. 400 yards. 4 total TDs.
Projected 2021 Fantasy Points: 64.
Projected 2021 PPR Fantasy Points: 107.

Hayden Hurst proved to be a capable replacement for Austin Hooper. He caught 56 passes for 571 yards and six touchdowns, as he finally wasn’t seen as a complete bust for the first time in his career. Unfortunately for Hurst, the Falcons drafted Kyle Pitts.

Projected 2021 Fantasy Stats: 30 catches. 320 yards. 3 total TDs.
Projected 2021 Fantasy Points: 60.
Projected 2021 PPR Fantasy Points: 90.

Eric Ebron drops lots of passes, but he ended up with 56 catches for 558 yards and five touchdowns by the end of the year. The Steelers drafted Pat Freiermuth in the second round, so Ebron’s value has plummeted.

Projected 2021 Fantasy Stats: 30 catches. 310 yards. 3 total TDs.
Projected 2021 Fantasy Points: 59.
Projected 2021 PPR Fantasy Points: 89.

Kyle Rudolph is a declining receiver, but he can still block well. He’ll handle that role with the Giants.

Projected 2021 Fantasy Stats: 34 catches. 360 yards. 3 total TDs.
Projected 2021 Fantasy Points: 54.
Projected 2021 PPR Fantasy Points: 88.

Chris Herndon has never developed into the prospect the Jets thought they were getting with him as a fourth-round pick in the 2018 NFL Draft. He caught six passes in the opener but finished with just 31 receptions.

Projected 2021 Fantasy Stats: 37 catches. 350 yards. 3 total TDs.
Projected 2021 Fantasy Points: 53.
Projected 2021 PPR Fantasy Points: 90.

Jacob Hollister has some upside, so he could potentially unseat Dawson Knox as the Bills’ starting tight end.

Projected 2021 Fantasy Stats: 35 catches. 320 yards. 3 total TDs.
Projected 2021 Fantasy Points: 50.
Projected 2021 PPR Fantasy Points: 85.

Cameron Brate is no longer a viable fantasy option because of all the tight ends on the roster.

Projected 2021 Fantasy Stats: 23 catches. 210 yards. 2 total TDs.
Projected 2021 Fantasy Points: 43.
Projected 2021 PPR Fantasy Points: 66.