Fantasy Football Position Breakdown: Tight Ends
- Jake Hunter
- Aug 7, 2021
- 4 min read
In this final edition of "Fantasy Football Position Breakdown" for the 2021 fantasy football season, I am taking a look at the the Tight Ends.
The Consensus Top 15 Players
This consensus Top 15 was assembled by aggregating the average ranking of the players across numerous major fantasy football outlets.
1. Travis Kelce
2. Darren Waller
3. George Kittle
4. Mark Andrews
5. TJ Hockenson
6. Kyle Pitts
7. Dallas Goedert
8. Noah Fant
9. Logan Thomas
10. Robert Tonyan
11. Mike Gesicki
12. Irv Smith
13. Tyler Higbee
14. Jonnu Smith
15. Rob Gronkowski
Position Breakdown
Just a few thoughts as I dove into the position rankings.
Travis Kelce is far and away the #1 choice here. I don't personally think he's the best tight end in the league, but his tremendous pass-catching skills combined with his role in the Chiefs' dynamic passing attack give him an immense floor with an astronomic ceiling. He's always Patrick Mahomes' first choice for checkdown throws and red zone targets, giving him a significant share of extra receptions and touchdowns throughout the season. It's possible that someone else could out-produce him, but I wouldn't bet on it. He's the clear #1.
I don't understand why Mark Andrew and Kyle Pitts are as high as they each are. Andrews is admittedly the top target for Lamar Jackson, but I think his huge 2019-20 season is the outlier as opposed to last year's disappointing campaign. The Ravens' passing attack is just too weak to count on Andrews producing at a high level in my opinion. With Pitts, my thoughts are largely driven by the history of rookie tight ends in the league struggling in their first year. He's a rare talent at the position, so I understand the impulse to rank him where he is, but I'm skeptical that he'll be able to perform at such a high level with an aging Matt Ryan throwing him the ball.
There is a huge drop-off after the first three consensus players. I would consider drafting a tight end pretty early if it means that you get one of those top 3.
Dallas Goedert is an impostor in the top 10.
The value in this class is in that top 3, then there's a drop-off, then the value slowly tapers for the remainder of the top 15. Honestly, if you can't get Kittle, Waller, or Kelce, I would probably recommend that you start stocking up on other positions for a bit. Guys like Rob Gronkowski and Jonnu Smith will be solid if unspectacular options in later rounds.
Stock Check
Evaluating which players are getting too much hype and which players might surprise a bit this year.
Overvalued: Dallas Goedert and Mark Andrews
I already mentioned both of them above, but I just don't see these guys producing at the levels they're ranked at right now. Their quarterback play and overall offensive scheme will hold both of them back, and I think you'll get a lot of single digit performances from these two. Touchdowns are so important to both players' production, and their quarterbacks are too shaky throwing the ball to count on precision in the red zone.
The Value Pick In the Top 15: Tyler Higbee
Much like Cooper Kupp, who I highlighted in my article yesterday, I think Higbee really sees an uptick in production with a competent QB slinging the ball around in LA. He's flashed productivity in the past, and I think coach Sean McVay's scheme will give Higbee plenty of cheap yards as defenses scramble to defend the wide receivers on the perimeter. There are a ton of options at this position that could yield solid value, but I feel the most confident about sustained production from Higbee.
Tiers of Value
As I'm drafting this fall, this is the way I tend to think of the TEs worth drafting.
"Can't-Miss Elite Player" Tier
This is a tier of one at this position, though I really like the other two guys in the top 3 as well. He would be a perfectly acceptable pick in the second or third round, which is rare at this position.
Travis Kelce
"Probably Elite" Tier
These two guys are awesome, but they have some obstacles that Kelce doesn't have (primarily QB play). Still, they're the cream of the crop at this position and could challenge Kelce for TE1 in fantasy.
George Kittle
Darren Waller
"Great Options Beyond the Best" Tier
These players could make a run at the top 3, but they're a few steps down in terms of their value because of either a sub-elite track record or disadvantaged roles in their offensive schemes.
TJ Hockenson
Tyler Higbee
Noah Fant
Robert Tonyan
Logan Thomas
Mark Andrews
Kyle Pitts
Whoever is featured between Jonnu Smith and Hunter Henry
"Filler Player" Tier
Players in this tier will have some solid games, but they will definitely have plenty of meh games. They probably won't be in the running for top 5, but possibly could sneak into the back end of the top 10. Ideally, you would have a guy above this tier as your starter.
Irv Smith
Mike Gesicki
Dallas Goedert
Evan Engram
Rob Gronkowski
OJ Howard
"Barely Rosterable" Tier
Don't start these guys unless you have to. And don't even pick up anyone who would fall outside of this tier.
The second option between Hunter Henry and Jonnu Smith
Cole Kmet
Eric Ebron
Austin Hooper
Jared Cook
Chris Herndon
Jack Doyle
Adam Trautman
Final Advice Regarding This Position Group
Draft Kelce if he's available in the 4th round or later, and maybe pick him sooner. As soon as Kelce's gone (if you don't get him), be ready to nab Waller or Kittle unless you have a phenomenal guy at a more critical position (WR, QB, and RB are all more critical in my opinion). If those two are gone before you can get to them, be patient. There's quite a bit of parity beyond those three, and you'd be better off accumulating players from a deeper position (like RB or QB). You need to get one of the guys in my top two tiers, though, so don't get too lazy. You don't want to be significantly overmatched at the TE spot, because it's still a slot that has to be filled every week. Try to feel out your draft, but I would advise you to be proactive and not get caught sleeping on those top three guys. They truthfully will have a significant impact on breaking the tie between fairly even teams in your league.
Thanks for reading!
That's a lot of Iowa tight ends in the top 15 👀👀👀