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While Rob Gronkowski eases back into the New England Patriot's offense and Jordan Reed owners are wondering why they drafted him so early; has the tight end position become one of the deepest for finding starting value? This week's PPR rankings have about 20 guys that I would feel alright adding into my lineup if I waited on draft day at the position. Lets see where your tight end falls for week three:
Rank
|
Player
|
Team
|
Opponent
|
1
|
Jordan Reed
|
WSH
|
at NYG
|
2
|
Delanie Walker
|
TEN
|
vs OAK
|
3
|
Dennis Pitta
|
BAL
|
at JAC
|
4
|
Greg Olson
|
CAR
|
vs MIN
|
5
|
Eric Ebron
|
DET
|
at GB
|
6
|
Jason Witten
|
DAL
|
vs CHI
|
7
|
Jacob Tamme
|
ATL
|
at NO
|
8
|
Antonio Gates
|
SD
|
at IND
|
9
|
Travis Kelce
|
CHI
|
vs NYJ
|
10
|
Coby Fleener
|
NO
|
vs ATL
|
11
|
Dwayne Allen
|
IND
|
vs SD
|
12
|
Julius Thomas
|
JAC
|
vs BAL
|
13
|
Kyle Rudolph
|
MIN
|
at CAR
|
14
|
Gary Barnidge
|
CLE
|
at MIA
|
15
|
Jared Cook
|
GB
|
vs DET
|
16
|
Clive Walford
|
OAK
|
at TEN
|
17
|
Jack Doyle
|
IND
|
vs SD
|
18
|
Jesse James
|
PIT
|
at PHI
|
19
|
Virgil Green
|
DEN
|
at CIN
|
20
|
Jordan Cameron
|
MIA
|
vs CLE
|
21
|
Hunter Henry
|
SD
|
at IND
|
22
|
Trey Burton
|
PHI
|
vs PIT
|
23
|
Charles Clay
|
BUF
|
vs AZ
|
24
|
Jimmy Graham
|
SEA
|
vs SF
|
25
|
Austin Seferian-Jenkins
|
TB
|
vs LA
|
26
|
Austin Hooper
|
ATL
|
at NO
|
27
|
Zach Miller
|
CHI
|
at DAL
|
28
|
Vance McDonald
|
SF
|
at SEA
|
29
|
Richard Rodgers
|
GB
|
vs DET
|
30
|
Will Tye
|
NYG
|
at WSH
|
Dennis Pitta, Ravens at Jaguars
A popular waiver wire add this week, can fantasy owners add Pitta to their starting tight end spot with confidence? Yes, and barring injury he can be an every week starter. While healthy, Pitta has always finished above the league average for expected points scored per target for tight ends. Pitta’s 12 targets last week for 9 catches and 102 yards along with the lack of weapons for quarterback Joe Flacco have him in a position fantasy owners can put their trust in.
Jacob Tamme, Falcons at Saints
Worthy of a stream this week, Tamme has seen eight targets in each of the last two games and is locked in as the Falcon’s main pass catching TE. With Julio Jones (calf) and Mohamed Sanu (ankle) banged up, Matt Ryan (the number one fantasy quarterback) should be able to rely on his tight end to move the chains. The matchup in New Orleans on Monday night sets up Tamme to see 75% of the snaps in what should be a high scoring game. He is the definition of a high floor and should be started in all types of fantasy leagues.
Coby Fleener, Saints vs Falcons
Remember this guy? The Cinderella of drafts at the tight end position, Fleener, may be ready to boom while his stock has plummeted to that of a bust. Fantasy owners need to have one more week of patience. Last season’s 8th overall fantasy tight end, Ben Watson, didn’t break out in the Saints offense until week six, at home.. against Atlanta. This year’s Falcons team comes into the Superdome having already given up touchdowns to Austin Seferian-Jenkins and Clive Walford. If Fleener is unable to produce this week then there should be no reason to roster him any longer with a brutal schedule in October and November looming.
Kyle Rudolph, Vikings at Panthers
Outside of Matt Asiata, Rudolph is currently the only other red-zone threat in Minnesota. He should be started if your lineup is looking to roll-the-dice on a high upside touchdown at the tight end position. Owners should be cautioned though. Even without Adrian Peterson, the Vikings are not going to throw the ball more than any of the offenses for tight ends ranked above Rudolph. Thankfully for fantasy owners, the Panthers defense’s only weakness appears to be guarding the tight end position. They allowed a Vance McDonald score last week and Trevor Siemian missed a throw to Virgil Green for a touchdown in week 1.