With the NFL kicking off on September 9, it’s that time to start prepping for Fantasy Football. Some positions are a little easier to draft for like running backs, quarterbacks, and wide receivers since there is a good amount of players to choose from. But when it comes to the tight end position, you have to be smart when drafting since there are only a select few who will be beneficial to your Fantasy roster.
Travis Kelce – Kansas City Chiefs
With over 1,000 receiving yards in five consecutive seasons and breaking records left and right, it is a no-brainer that Travis Kelce is the top tight end to draft. Especially with Patrick Mahomes throwing him the ball. Kelce leads the position with 612 career receiving receptions along with over 7,000 yards and 88 touchdowns. Each season, he just seems to get better and better.
Darren Waller – Las Vegas Raiders
Darren Waller is probably the best player on the Las Vegas Raiders and is also one of the best tight ends. He would be even better if he had better support on the team, but Waller had a breakout season last year with 107 receiving receptions, nine touchdowns, and 1,196 yards. Even if the Raiders fail to have a winning season, Waller will be putting up plenty of Fantasy points.
George Kittle – San Francisco 49ers
George Kittle missed half of the 2020 season due to an injury in week 8. But before his departure, Kittle went for 634 yards and had 48 receiving receptions. In 2018, he ended the season with 1,377 yards and continued to impress in 2019. If Kittle and the rest of the 49ers can stay healthy, they will be the team to be in the NFC West.
Mark Andrews – Baltimore Ravens
Drafting any player from the Baltimore Ravens is a smart move. Even though they have failed to make it to the Super Bowl in recent seasons, the team still puts up an incredible amount of Fantasy points. Tight end Mark Andrews is a wise addition to any Fantasy roster. In 2020 he went for 770 yards and had seven touchdowns and 66 receiving receptions. On five of those receptions, they were 20 or more air yards and Andrews ended up gaining a total of 152 yards and ending all of those receptions in touchdowns.
Rob Gronkowski – Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Rob Gronkowski came out of retirement to play with former teammate Tom Brady on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. It ended up being a good move since the Bucs went on to win the Super Bowl. Gronk had an impressive season with nine receiving receptions out of 20 passing attempts of 20 or more air yards, which led the league. He also had two touchdowns in the Super Bowl. You can expect him to put up a lot of Fantasy points again this year. And sportsbook apps like FanDuel have the Bucs at +300 to win the NFC Championship.
Hayden Hurst – Atlanta Falcons
Hayden Hurst hit some career highs in 2020. Hurst had 56 receptions out of 88 targets and went for 571 yards and six touchdowns. With Julio Jones off of the Atlanta Falcons roster, you can be sure that Hurst will be a prime target for Matt Ryan.
Robert Tonyan – Green Bay Packers
The Green Bay Packers will be led by Aaron Rodgers, so Robert Tonyan a good draft pick. During last year’s regular season and the playoffs, he had 60 receptions for 668 yards and 12 touchdowns. Tonyan actually was right behind Kelce with the number of touchdowns scored in 2020. When the opponent’s defense ends up focusing on DeVante Adams, Tonyan will be there to put up points for the Packers and your Fantasy team.
Jared Cook – Los Angeles Chargers
Jared Cook has bounced around the league, but one thing remains the same, he can be a nice addition to your Fantasy roster. Recently coming from the New Orleans Saints, Cook is now on the Los Angeles Chargers and will be a target for young and talented quarterback Justin Herbert. He had a quiet 2020, but in 2019 he ended the season with 43 receptions, 705 yards, and nine touchdowns.
Evan Engram – New York Giants
The New York Giants didn’t have a good season in 2020 and neither did Evan Engram with only one touchdown and 654 yards. But with 63 receiving receptions, he could be a promising draft pick. We all know he is a strong tight end that can catch the ball and run. So, it is up to the team to bounce back to help Engram stand out.
Tyler Higbee – Los Angeles Rams
The Los Angeles Rams are expected to have a good team this year, with sportsbooks listing them at +1300 to win the Super Bowl in 2022. Tyler Higbee had 44 receptions and just a little over 500 yards and five touchdowns last season. But with new quarterback Matt Stafford leading the team this year, Higbee is expected to have a better season and rank up a decent amount of Fantasy points.
Noah Fant – Denver Broncos
Noah Fant is a strong offensive player, he just needs a quarterback to lead him, which the Denver Broncos lack. Last season, Fant had 62 receptions, three touchdowns, and 673 yards. If he had a better support system, we could see his full potential. But he is a decent pick to have as your backup tight end.
Logan Thomas – Washington Football Team
Logan Thomas had an impressive 2020 season with 72 receptions, 670 yards, and six touchdowns. With Ryan Fitzpatrick as the team’s quarterback this year, Thomas will be one of his main targets. The team could even head back to the playoffs again this year with DraftKings listing them as +200 to win the NFC East.
Hunter Henry – New England Patriots
Hunter Henry has suffered from his fair share of injuries, but when he is healthy, he is on point. He has put up consistent numbers in the past few seasons, ending 2020 with 60 receptions, 613 yards, and four touchdowns. If you can steal one of the top 10 tight ends, Henry is a good backup to have on your roster.
Zach Ertz – Philadelphia Eagles
Zach Ertz had a rough 2020 with only 36 receptions, 335 yards, and one touchdown. He did however miss six weeks due to an injury. And in 2019, the tight end had 88 receptions, 916 yards, and six touchdowns. So, he is worth drafting. Ertz is best known for scoring the winning touchdown to beat the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LII.
T.J. Hockenson – Detroit Lions
T.J. Hockenson ended 2020 with 67 receptions, 723 yards, and six touchdowns. And with a new quarterback leading the Detroit Lions this year, Hockenson could end this season with even better numbers. No one knows how well new quarterback Jared Goff will do on the Lions, but you can still expect Hockenson to at least put up a decent amount of Fantasy points.
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