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 | |||
---|---|---|---|
Rk | Team | Player | Age |
1. | KC | Travis Kelce | 29 |
2. | PHI | Zach Ertz | 27 |
3. | CLE | David Njoku | 22 |
4. | CHI | Trey Burton | 26 |
5. | IND | Eric Ebron | 25 |
6. | SF | George Kittle | 25 |
7. | TB | O.J. Howard | 23 |
8. | NYG | Evan Engram | 24 |
9. | NE | Rob Gronkowski | 29 |
10. | LAC | Hunter Henry | 23 |
11. | PHI | • Dallas Goedert | 23 |
12. | MIN | Kyle Rudolph | 28 |
13. | OAK | Jared Cook | 31 |
14. | GB | Jimmy Graham | 31 |
15. | CAR | Greg Olsen | 33 |
16. | PIT | Vance McDonald | 28 |
17. | WAS | Jordan Reed | 28 |
18. | IND | Jack Doyle | 28 |
19. | ARI | Ricky Seals-Jones | 23 |
20. | ATL | Austin Hooper | 23 |
21. | CIN | C.J. Uzomah | 25 |
22. | TB | Cameron Brate | 27 |
23. | MIA | • Mike Gesicki | 23 |
24. | BAL | • Hayden Hurst | 25 |
25. | BAL | • Mark Andrews | 22 |
26. | NYJ | • Chris Herndon | 22 |
27. | DET | Michael Roberts | 24 |
28. | LAR | Gerald Everett | 24 |
29. | TEN | Delanie Walker | 34 |
30. | BUF | Charles Clay | 29 |
31. | HOU | • Jordan Akins | 26 |
32. | PIT | Jesse James | 24 |
33. | SEA | Nick Vannett | 25 |
34. | LAR | Tyler Higbee | 25 |
35. | KC | Demetrius Harris | 27 |
36. | NO | Benjamin Watson | 37 |
37. | WAS | Vernon Davis | 34 |
38. | DEN | Jeff Heuerman | 25 |
39. | SEA | Ed Dickson | 31 |
40. | DAL | • Dalton Schultz | 22 |
41. | TEN | Jonnu Smith | 23 |
42. | BAL | Maxx Williams | 24 |
43. | HOU | Ryan Griffin | 28 |
44. | CAR | • Ian Thomas | 23 |
45. | LAC | Virgil Green | 30 |
46. | HOU | • Jordan Thomas | 22 |
47. | CIN | Tyler Kroft | 26 |
48. | DAL | Geoff Swaim | 25 |
49. | NE | Jacob Hollister | 24 |
50. | MIA | Nick O’Leary | 26 |
Next week: wide receivers.
Last week: running backs.
—Ian Allan