With Rob Gronkowski, the decision gets a lot harder in a dynasty format. Do you go for the tight end who’s one of the best right now? Or do you opt for a younger option, who isn’t as productive today but will have a much longer career?

Gronkowski is 29, but it’s an old 29. He’s lost some speed and athleticism, and he’s had a lot of injuries. He also doesn’t look like a guy who’ll be sticking around for a bunch of mediocre years – his career could be over sooner rather than later.

So in the dynasty rankings, I think it’s an easy call ranking him well behind Travis Kelce and Zach Ertz. I’m also ranking him behind six other younger tight ends who look like they’re going to be around for a lot more years.

Following rankings assume standard scoring, with franchises allowed to protect players indefinitely.

The focus on these rankings isn’t just on 2018, so I’m including some players who are sidelined with injuries. (I’ve got Hunter Henry 10th and Delanie Walker 29th).

DYNASTY LEAGUE TIGHT ENDS
RkTeamPlayerAge
1.KCTravis Kelce29
2.PHIZach Ertz27
3.CLEDavid Njoku22
4.CHITrey Burton26
5.INDEric Ebron25
6.SFGeorge Kittle25
7.TBO.J. Howard23
8.NYGEvan Engram24
9.NERob Gronkowski29
10.LACHunter Henry23
11.PHI• Dallas Goedert23
12.MINKyle Rudolph28
13.OAKJared Cook31
14.GBJimmy Graham31
15.CARGreg Olsen33
16.PITVance McDonald28
17.WASJordan Reed28
18.INDJack Doyle28
19.ARIRicky Seals-Jones23
20.ATLAustin Hooper23
21.CINC.J. Uzomah25
22.TBCameron Brate27
23.MIA• Mike Gesicki23
24.BAL• Hayden Hurst25
25.BAL• Mark Andrews22
26.NYJ• Chris Herndon22
27.DETMichael Roberts24
28.LARGerald Everett24
29.TENDelanie Walker34
30.BUFCharles Clay29
31.HOU• Jordan Akins26
32.PITJesse James24
33.SEANick Vannett25
34.LARTyler Higbee25
35.KCDemetrius Harris27
36.NOBenjamin Watson37
37.WASVernon Davis34
38.DENJeff Heuerman25
39.SEAEd Dickson31
40.DAL• Dalton Schultz22
41.TENJonnu Smith23
42.BALMaxx Williams24
43.HOURyan Griffin28
44.CAR• Ian Thomas23
45.LACVirgil Green30
46.HOU• Jordan Thomas22
47.CINTyler Kroft26
48.DALGeoff Swaim25
49.NEJacob Hollister24
50.MIANick O’Leary26

Next week: wide receivers.

Last week: running backs.

—Ian Allan