Fantasy Fix: Top 10 Tight Ends
Alrighty Fantasy Footballer's, we've talked top 10 quarterbacks, top 20 running backs and top 20 wide receivers. Before we get to the exciting rankings of kickers and defense, it's time to rank the top 10 tight ends.
Tight end is a difficult position to project beyond Jimmy Graham this season. It's also a position to wait on. I usually draft my quarterback in the sixth or seventh round and with the next pick I may go tight end, but usually draft another running back/receiver if there's value that dropped to me. In the past, I've won leagues in which I've streamed tight end most of the season.
With that being said, the tight end position is a little on the thin at the top, but deeper than most think. Here are the Top 10 Tight Ends for the 2013 Fantasy Football Season.
Stats based on receptions, receiving yards, receiving touchdowns, rushing yards and rushing touchdowns in Standard Scoring Leagues.
1. Jimmy Graham, New Orleans Saints: Last year's top-scoring tight end in both standard and PPR leagues is currently being drafted in the second round and there's some that will grab him in the first. Don't be those people. They will be out of the playoff picture on Thanksgiving and dreaming of Jimmy as they take a turkey nap. But, if he's there in the third round, grab him by the giblets and sit him at your fantasy table and send me your thanks givings. Now I need pie. Fantasy Projections: 95/1250/11/0/0
2. Rob Gronkowski, New England Patriots: I went back and forth on where to rank Gronk this year. We know the health issues and he may not play until week 6 or 7. But last season Gronk only played in 11 games and was the number two tight end in football. I've seen him dropping into the seventh or eighth round and if he does in your league draft him. Gronk's late season numbers may lead you to the fantasy promised land. Don't get too excited, the fantasy promised land is in Nebraska. Fantasy Projections: 75/1100/10/0/0
3. Jason Witten, Dallas Cowboys: Has Witten been playing since 1976? This guy can't be stopped. He even played with a lacerated spleen last year and led all tight ends in targets. I choked on a sunflower seed once and missed work for a month. It's hard to write with a sprained uvela. I have a doctor's note. Fantasy Projections: 90/1000/5/0/0
4. Tony Gonzalez, Atlanta Falcons: If Witten was playing in '76, then Gonzalez was playing with Ditka. Gonzo's the Dorian Grey of football. He also continues to produce. Gonzalez hauled in 93 passes last year and while age may be catching up, it will be another vintage year. Fantasy Projections: 80/850/7/0/0
5. Vernon Davis, San Francisco 49ers: Quick, who are the 49ers wideouts besides Boldin? *waiting, checks watch, mixes margarita, takes sip* Davis should be Kap's go to guy. Fantasy Projections: 70/800/6/0/0
6. Greg Olsen, Carolina Panthers: Olsen put up 69 catches and 840 yards last season. He'll have another solid fantasy year. I would have listed him higher, but Cam Newton wanted $10 for every TD he throws to Olsen. I'm on a budget. Fantasy Projections: 65/770/5/0/0
7. Kyle Rudolph, Minnesota Vikings: Rudolph was second to all the other reindeer tight ends last year with nine. Damn! I knew I should have drafted Blitzen. Olsen will have good fantasy numbers if the quarterback from the Land of Misfit QB's can get him the ball. Fantasy Projections: 50/700/5/0/0
8. Jared Cook, St. Louis Rams: Cook is my sleeper pick and the tight end I'm targeting this season. Finally out of Tennessee, Cook will be hauling in passes from Sam Bradford in St. Louis and it should be fantasy gold. And gold is not just a level of metallurgical purity, it's also an allusion to thumbs up rectitude. Fantasy Projections: 50/650/6/0/0
9. Owen Daniels, Houston Texans: Owens is being drafted in the ninth round and that's too early for my tastes. My discerning palate says the 10th or 11th round is much more appetizing. *Burp* Fantasy Projections: 60/700/4/0/0
10. Brandon Myers, New York Giants: Myers is another tight end I'm targeting besides Jared Cook and Kate Upton. If he's there late, I'll grab him. I, however, won't be grabbing Kate Upton as the restraining order says I can't get within 500 yards. Fantasy Projections: 55/600/4/0/0
Check out The Guru's Top 101 Fantasy Football Players, the Top 10 Quarterbacks , the Top 20 Running Backs and the Top 20 Wide Receivers for 2013.
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