Fantasy Football Top 30 TE's 2019

whats up everyone! after a brief break from the football grind, i am back! #weddingszn. below you will find my way-to0-early rankings of the top 30 tight ends for the upcoming 2019 season. the tape has been studied, projections have been made and im happy with how it stands for now. this list will be revised another 2 times before the start of the season in september. as always, My rankings are based off of 0.5 ppr formats,

Tier 1: 3rd Round Pick Worthy

1. Travis Kelce (KC)

Kelce is a no-brainer TE1 for fantasy football. Not only has he cemented a pivotal role in the Chiefs offense, he has a proven track record over the years of putting up elite numbers. This year I expect no difference. Even with WR Tyreek Hill  avoiding a suspension for off-field issues. Kelce will still be a cog in arguably the hottest offense in the NFL.

2. George Kittle (SF)

Kittle burst onto the scene in San Fran last year and put together a dominant fantasy performance. After all the injuries San Fran’s offense had to endure, Kittle was the bright spot in that offense. Kittle works primarily underneath. In fact, he was #1 in YAC yards out of TE's. He has exceptional speed + burst for a TE. Kittle was also the #1 target in SF last year. With a healthier offense, I am expecting higher efficiency/TD opportunities for this San Fran offense this year. I wouldn’t be mad if you wanted to make an edgy pick and take Kittle over Kelce.

Tier 2: TE Studs

3. Zach Ertz (PHI)

You will notice that consistency is what separates the elite TE’s from everyone else. Ertz is one of those guys. A steady TE year in and out, he is a high volume TE for the Eagles and should continue to be that guy. His noticeable short coming from the two guys above is the fact that he is in a run first offense and the Eagles have actively acquired receiving pieces to give Wentz more options

4. Evan Engram (NYG)

Likely the most physically gifted TE in the league. Engram has been utilized in Shurmur’s Giants offense primarily in the medium levels of field. Engram excels in bursting defensive seams downfield. Engram has a real opportunity to take on a primary target role in this run first offense. Now that OBJ is gone, that leaves for ~120 targets to be had.  His upside is certainly limited by the lack of offensive talent and a rookie QB. But the volume opportunity gives him a safe floor.

Tier 3: The Steady Team

5. Jared Cook (NO)

Finished as TE5 last year in Oakland. His move to the highly effective Saints offense is a major upgrade for him. This will also be Bree’s best TE option since prime Jimmy Graham. Remember what they did together? Jared Cook’s upside comes from more scoring opportunities in an efficient offense and the benefit from WR Michael Thomas a lot of coverage. While I have no doubt in my mind that Cook will be very efficient this year, his volume could become an issue. The Saints were in the bottom half of league in pass attempts 2018 as they commit to the run more.

6. Austin Hooper (ATL)
Hooper is being overlooked this season so far in mock drafts despite finishing as the TE6 last season. This was in an offense where he was the #4 target. Hooper is a part of a Matt Ryan, high powered Falcons offense. While his upside is limited by target opportunities, the efficiency shall remain the same.

7. Eric Ebron (IND)

Finished as the TE4 in 2018. He lead all TEs in touchdowns last season (13). Unfortunately TD’s are historically a volatile stat and it’s difficult to assume that Ebron can continue these totals for the next season. The Colts also went ahead and signed former Panther, Devin Funchess to be their WR2 in Indianapolis. This could limit his target share this season. Temper expectations going forward.

8. O.J Howard (TB)

Finished as a TE13 last year on an abysmal Tampa Bay squad. O.J Howard is a deep threat tight end threat that should only be more dangerous with an aggressive, pass oriented coach. Which is exactly what they brought in during the offseason: Bruce Arians taking over. O.J Howard ranked 2nd  in target distance last season out of TE’s. I like Howard’s chances to slide into the top 12 with additional scoring upside this year. He will also be entering his third season in the NFL, typically when TE’s find their stride and begin to have their most productive years.

9. Vance McDonald (PIT)

Finished as the TE10 in 2018. No more Antonio Brown leaves ~170 targets in Pittsburgh to be had.  The Steelers lead league in pass attempts last year at over 40 per game. It’s hard to imagine they throw that often again this year. Because of this, I am expecting Vance to see a similar role. Historically Vance has been a streaky TE. He has the tendency of having a couple real productive games but then puts up several measly 4-6pt games in a row. 7 of his games last year he failed to exceed 30 yards receiving. However, his biggest upside for 2019 comes from having a higher floor due to target volume increase he will see on the season.

TIER 4: Fringe Starters

10. David Njoku (CLE)

Njoku is a physically talented TE for the Browns. Njoku has opportunity to improve on his scoring efficiency. However, it’s going to be hard to predict his offensive target share in lieu of the influx of offensive talent GM John Dorsey has brought in this year. To me, the offensive pecking order appears to be OBJ, Landry, Chubb, Hunt (pending suspension). Where does Njoku fall in this list. He could very well climb up this list if we see that Cleveland has carved out a consistent role for him in the preseason.

11.   Hunter Henry (LAC)

Year in and out is considered a top 5 TE option. Yet he always gets hurt. Henry has yet to put together a productive fantasy season after dealing with injuries in his first 3 seasons .Given his current 5th round ADP, Henry is a liability for your fantasy team. While Henry has shown that he can be a very skilled TE, a 5th round price tag on him is far too steep. Especially when you consider that the RB talent takes a significant dip in expected volume after round 5. If he happens to fall in your draft to a few rounds later, he is a solid pick up. The Chargers boast a very fantasy friendly offense.

12.   Trey Burton (CHI)

Burton sprung onto the scene in 2017 for the Eagles and was promptly traded to the Bears. Burton ended up finishing as the TE7 in 2018. I anticipate Burton to dip this year as a byproduct of the Chicago's WR not producing as much as teams were hoping for last year. This  gave Burton consistent targets and redzone looks. Overall, I am down on the Bears this year, not buying Burton to repeat mid-TE1 numbers again.

13.   Mark Andrews (BAL)

The Ravens TE finished 4th in fantasy points per target  last year. In a limited fashion he finished as the TE18 but many people, like myself feel Andrews is projected to take the starting job in Baltimore. Andrews is also sneaky fast for a 6'5 260 lb TE. Last year he earned a respectable 9% target share and was efficient with his opportunities. All of this points towards Andrews having an opportunity to increase his target share and overall volume due to lack of offensive receiving options in Baltimore.

14.   Jordan Reed (WAS)

Jordan Reed finds himself in a make or break season, at 29 years old he finished as TE15 last season. Reed was once considered an emerging elite TE. Injuries throughout career stifled that opportunity. For the first time since his breakout season in 2013, Reed had a relatively healthy season last year, which is what many thought the only thing stopping him from being an elite TE. Reed is not a burner at TE by any means be he still has excellent short area speed and agility. Reed primarily sees his work underneath and uses his athleticism to get his yards after the catch. George Kittle is the guy Jordan Reed was imagined what he could have been. Was able to attract a 20% target share last year, 4th highest out of al TE's. If this offense can run more efficiently this season (I have my doubts) Reed has an opportunity to creep into TE1 territory. Redskins will need to utilize him better on post and dig routes to maximize what he does best and also target him in the redzone. Criminally under-utilized last year. Will Jay Gruden put together a fantasy relevant season in what appears to be a make-or-break year for the head coach?

15.   Jimmy Graham (GB)

Graham finished as the TE14 in 2018. Since his prime years in New Orleans, Graham has lost a significant step in his speed. He is no longer the type of TE to be a speedy, seam threat that he once was. However, last season he was poorly utilized in Mike McCarthy’s offense. I expect LaFleurs new offense to scheme him up better and provide additional scoring upside with his 6'6 frame in redzone.

16.   Kyle Rudolph (MIN)

Not particularly athletic, but he provides a large frame 6'6 260lbs gives him plenty of snaps as a viable blocking-receiver option. He primarily works in the short areas of the field. However Vikings have plenty of other receiving options which limits his upside on a consistent basis.

17.   Greg Olsen (CAR)

Olsen has been Cam Newtons trusty target since he entered the league. Olsen possess fantastic football IQ and is a maximum effort player week-to-week. His hands are also great and can be relied upon. But since the 2016 season where he finished #3. Olsen's age has caught up to him, along with the piling up of injuries. Olsen is now 34 and Panthers' fellow TE Ian Thomas played well as a rookie in his absence. I anticipate for Ian Thomas to have a role carved out for himself in this offense that will ultimately eat into Olsens fantasy production.

18.   Noah Fant (DEN)

Fant is one of the highly touted rookie TE's this year that has drawn comparisons to George Kittle. While I believe Fant offers upside, he finds himself in a lackluster Broncos offense that doesn't leave much to be desired. I assume Fant to finish as the #3 target in this offense, behind Sanders & Sutton. If one of their WR’s goes down, I really like Fant to become more of a consistent contributor to this offense.


19.   Delanie Walker (TEN)

Delanie Walker struggled in 2018 due to injuries and was majorly disappointing after putting up a TE6 year in 2017. Like Olsen, Walker will be entering his 35th year and has a young TE behind him in Jonnu Smith, who was able to get a lot of work and growth in his absence last season. He also finds himself on a run-heavy team with several WR’s around him that will demand targets. 


Tier 5

20.   Ian Thomas (CAR)

In the last 6 games played, Ian Thomas finished as a TE11, good for TE1 status. He's a strong, stocky TE who has solid burst for his size. Thomas was a reliable safety valve for Newton when he wasn't defaulting to McCaffrey every other play. His upside is certainly limited by usage, but another injury to Olsen again, and Ian Thomas could creep back into TE1 territory again.

21.   Chris Herndon (NYJ)

In his rookie season for the Jets, Herndon was utilized on the 5th deepest routes in the NFL out of TE's. He is an adequate seam buster. However, his ability to create separation is lackluster. The upside with Herndon is he was able to get adequate time as a rookie last year. He is on a Jets team that will likely commit to a run first offense through Bell and push safeties deep with Robby Anderson out wide. This leaves Herndon and Crowder to work the shallow/medium levels of the field.

Tier 6: Honorable Mentions

22. Jack Doyle (IND)
23. Tyler Eifert (CIN)
24. T.J Hockenson (DET)
25. Gerald Everett (LAR)
26. Dallas Goedert (PHI)
27. Jonnu Smith (TEN)
28. CJ Uzomah (CIN)
29. Charles Clay (ARI)
30. Blake Jarwin (DAL)
31. Jason Witten (DAL)