All scores are based on ESPN’s standard scoring.
Today: The Tight Ends
The Franchise Guys
Worth your first-round pick, guaranteed to be your best player, and can lead you to the postseason even with a subpar supporting cast.
1. Jimmy Graham
Okay, so he actually lines up in the slot the majority of the time, but he’s still listed as a tight end. He’s Drew Brees’ favorite target and led all tight ends last season with 211 points. Plus, dunking is cool.
2. Rob Gronkowski (if healthy)
Has a problem staying healthy, but when he is, he’s right up there with Graham.
The Playoff Guys
Good enough to give you a fighting chance for the championship.
3. Julius Thomas
Peyton Manning is his quarterback. Next.
4. Vernon Davis
156 points last year — second best among tight ends.
5. Jordan Cameron
Nearly a thousand yards and seven touchdowns last season.
6. Jason Witten
Give it up for Romo’s longtime BFF.
7. Dennis Pitta
I know, I know, I know. Joe Flacco is boring as shit. But Pitta is healthy and is one of Flacco’s only reliable, comfortable targets.
8. Martellus Bennett
One of the most underrated catches from last season.
9. Jordan Reed
A bit of a gamble, but a healthy RGIII should help him build off his first season that saw him play in just nine games.
10. Greg Olsen
Not much of a blocker, but that’s just fine for fantasy football purposes. In his last two seasons — both in Carolina — Olsen has racked up 11 touchdowns and over 1,600 receiving yards.
11. Kyle Rudolph
Please let it be Bridgewater throwing passes to him.
12. Charles Clay
113 points last season down in Miamia.
The Reserves
Your backups…
13. Antonio Gates
Barely surpassed 100 points last season, but he isn’t getting any younger.
14. Delanie Walker
87 points last season, needs some help from the quarterback position.
15. Heath Miller
A pretty awful season last year — he never broke double digit points in a game.
16. Zach Ertz
Someone we think will probably be good — it helps that he plays in Chip Kelly’s offense — but hasn’t proven it yet.
17. Jared Cook
Scored 24 points in week 1, then proceeded to only break double digits one more time.
18. Ladarius Green
With Gates aging, this might be Green’s year.
19. Coby Fleener
52 catches, 608 yards, and four touchdowns in a solid rookie season.
20. Tyler Eifert
He’s got more ability than Jermaine Gresham and should surpass him this season.
21. Eric Ebron
The Lions throw the ball a lot. This dude is big and fast.
22. Dwayne Allen
Only played in one game last year, but, in 2012, he posted over 500 receiving yards.
23. Austin Seferian-Jenkins
He’s incredibly athletic, and he’s 6-foot-6 and 276 pounds. Oozes potential.
24. Owen Daniels
Spent 2013 injured pretty much the entire year.
25. Jermichael Finley
If someone signs him.
26. Jermaine Gresham
Will likely be surpassed on the depth chart this season, but is still a threat in the red zone.
27. Jace Amaro
Another one of those incredibly athletic tight ends that can line up anywhere. The problem is, who is going to be throwing the ball to him?
28. Garrett Graham
Finished third on the Texans in receptions.
29. Andrew Quarless
If Aaron Rodgers is your quarterback, you always have a chance to put up some points.
30. Ryan Griffin
Just 19 catches last season.
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