The tight end position has gotten stronger over the last month. At the start of the season, it seemed like there were three franchise-type tight ends. Now the quality extends further into the rest of the top 10.
The three tight ends that people were most excited about in the offseason are all off the modest starts. Travis Kelce, George Kittle and Zach Ertz combined have caught only one touchdown. But they’re all catching plenty of passes, and I’m sure they’ll start getting into the end zone. With Kansas City likely to put up 40-45 touchdown passes, Kelce could be in the running for double-digit touchdowns.
Two other tight ends look like they belong in that top tier: Evan Engram and Austin Hooper. They both catch tons of passes, and they’re both younger guys (24 and 25 years old).
Mark Andrews is lighting it up for Baltimore. He looks like a younger version of Kelce. I have some concerns about how effective the Ravens will be passing the ball, but Andrews looks like he’s going to be a difference-making tight end for a lot of years.
Will Dissly is the most unlikely tight end in the top 10. At one point, he was a defensive lineman in college, and the Seahawks drafted him thinking he’d be a blocking tight end. But he’s emerging as the No. 2 receiving option in that offense. He’s operated at a 1,000-yard pace over his last four games, with 4 TDs.
The Lions used a top-10 draft pick on T.J. Hockenson, and he looks like he’s for real – should be a very good pro for a lot of years.
On Hard Knocks this summer, Darren Waller was identified as a breakout player for the Raiders, and those forecasts have come true. Right now he’s on pace to break the single-season record for catches by a tight end. At 27, Waller is older than all but two of the tight ends in the top 15, and he’s also had problems with substance abuse. He seems to have those issues under control, but there’s more potential with him that he’ll be hit at some point by a league suspension.
These dynasty rankings assume PPR scoring, with teams allowed to keep players indefinitely. I hit one position each weekend. It was running backs last week (and you can get back to those using the “past issues” tool on the right side of the page.) We’ll be back to wide receivers next week.
| DYNASTY TIGHT ENDS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Rk | Tm | Player | Age |
| 1. | KC | Travis Kelce | 30 |
| 2. | NYG | Evan Engram | 25 |
| 3. | SF | George Kittle | 25 |
| 4. | PHI | Zach Ertz | 28 |
| 5. | ATL | Austin Hooper | 24 |
| 6. | BAL | Mark Andrews | 23 |
| 7. | SEA | Will Dissly | 23 |
| 8. | DET | • T.J. Hockenson | 22 |
| 9. | OAK | Darren Waller | 27 |
| 10. | CLE | David Njoku | 23 |
| 11. | NYJ | Chris Herndon | 23 |
| 12. | DEN | • Noah Fant | 21 |
| 13. | LAC | Hunter Henry | 24 |
| 14. | PHI | Dallas Goedert | 24 |
| 15. | MIN | • Irv Smith | 21 |
| 16. | IND | Eric Ebron | 26 |
| 17. | LAR | Gerald Everett | 25 |
| 18. | GB | Jimmy Graham | 32 |
| 19. | PIT | Vance McDonald | 29 |
| 20. | TB | O.J. Howard | 24 |
| 21. | CAR | Greg Olsen | 34 |
| 22. | TEN | Delanie Walker | 35 |
| 23. | BUF | • Dawson Knox | 22 |
| 24. | CIN | Tyler Eifert | 29 |
| 25. | TB | Cameron Brate | 28 |
| 26. | MIA | Mike Gesicki | 24 |
| 27. | IND | Jack Doyle | 29 |
| 28. | CHI | Trey Burton | 27 |
| 29. | MIN | Kyle Rudolph | 29 |
| 30. | NO | Jared Cook | 32 |
| 31. | GB | • Jace Sternberger | 23 |
| 32. | DAL | Jason Witten | 37 |
| 33. | HOU | Jordan Akins | 27 |
| 34. | WAS | Jordan Reed | 29 |
| 35. | LAR | Tyler Higbee | 26 |
| 36. | NE | Benjamin Watson | 38 |
| 37. | IND | Mo Alie-Cox | 26 |
| 38. | DAL | Blake Jarwin | 25 |
| 39. | CAR | Ian Thomas | 24 |
| 40. | CLE | Ricky Seals-Jones | 24 |
| 41. | JAC | James O'Shaughnessy | 27 |
| 42. | JAC | • Josh Oliver | 22 |
| 43. | CHI | Adam Shaheen | 25 |
| 44. | BAL | Nick Boyle | 26 |
| 45. | DET | Logan Thomas | 28 |
| 46. | NE | Rob Gronkowski (retired) | 30 |
| 47. | ARI | Maxx Williams | 25 |
| 48. | CIN | C.J. Uzomah | 26 |
| 49. | TB | Tanner Hudson | 24 |
| 50. | HOU | Jordan Thomas | 23 |
—Ian Allan