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Hot on the heels of my wide receiver rankings, I’ve moved onto the tight ends. In recent seasons, there has been a fairly steep dropoff in talent after the first six or seven guys. But this year I’d be comfortable drafting most of this list of players if I don’t decide to go QB early.
Based on current ADPs found at fantasyfootballcalculator.com, you will need to go as early as Round 2 if you want either of the two elite players at the position, with Travis Kelce currently going at 2.08 in 12-team leagues and George Kittle at 2.12. After that, we only see eight other tight ends going in the first 10 rounds—and only 20 off the board in a 15-round draft scenario. Meaning, there’s loads of scope for either going tight end very late, or even streaming the best option on a weekly basis.
Note: I’ve based these rankings on full PPR scoring.
2020 Redraft TE Rankings
| Rank | Name | Team | Bye | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | Name | Team | Bye | Comments |
| 1 | George Kittle | SF | 11 | Barely anything between Kittle and Kelce but Kittle has the opportunity for more targets this year |
| 2 | Travis Kelce | KC | 10 | More weapons in the Chiefs' offense means less looks for Kelce than for Kittle |
| 3 | Zach Ertz | PHI | 9 | Will still lead the Eagles in targets in 2020 |
| 4 | Darren Waller | LV | 6 | Like Ertz will lead the Raiders offense in targets and see positive touchdown regression after only 3 in 2019 |
| 5 | Mark Andrews | BAL | 8 | A total stud but if the ravens remain the dominant rushing team it limits his potential |
| 6 | Evan Engram | NYG | 11 | All about his health but if he plays 16 games he can put up receiver numbers in the Giants offense |
| 7 | Hayden Hurst | BAL | 8 | Projecting a big role for Hurst in the league's most pass-happy offense |
| 8 | Hunter Henry | LAC | 10 | Finished as the TE9 in just 12 games last year. Stock takes a hit without Rivers but still a stud option |
| 9 | Jared Cook | NO | 6 | Aging but reliable outlet for Drew Brees in the Saints offense |
| 10 | Mike Gesicki | MIA | 11 | So few passing options in the Dolphins offense, Gesicki sees 100 targets and breaks the top 10 this year |
| 11 | T.J. Hockenson | DET | 5 | Second year leap for Hockensen who takes on a bigger role in the Lions offense |
| 12 | Rob Gronkowski | TB | 13 | Will be highly touchdown dependent but his quarterback knows him so well |
| 13 | Tyler Higbee | LAR | 9 | Was the end of 2019 an aberration? With Cooks gone, Higbee could see the third most targets in LA this year |
| 14 | Noah Fant | DEN | 8 | Every young quarterback needs a tight end outlet. Expect Fant's touched to increase in year 2 |
| 15 | Blake Jarwin | DAL | 10 | Witten's move to Vegas opens the door for 75 targets in the Cowboys' offense for Jarwin |
| 16 | Dallas Goedert | PHI | 9 | A healthier receiver group means Goedert sees fewer looks in 2020 |
| 17 | Jack Doyle | IND | 7 | Rivers loves targeting his tight ends, but Doyle will compete with Trey Burton for snaps |
| 18 | Jonnu Smith | TEN | 7 | Saw an increase in workload after Tannehill came in and expect that to grow in 2020 |
| 19 | Austin Hooper | CLE | 9 | Stefanski's offense favours mutliple tight ends and Hooper will see reduced targets than he saw in Atlanta |
| 20 | Irv Smith | MIN | 7 | High potential upside if Smith can break the timeshare with Kyle Rudolph in Minnesota |
| 21 | Eric Ebron | PIT | 8 | Huge red zone potential for Ebron playing with Big Ben in Pittsburgh |
| 22 | Chris Herndon | NYJ | 11 | Health a big factor but a clear path to being a factor in the Jets' passing game |
| 23 | Ian Thomas | CAR | 13 | Can Thomas step up with Olsen in Seattle and become fantasy relevant? |
| 24 | Greg Olsen | SEA | 6 | Battling a host of other tight ends in Seattle but should be a good fit with Wilson in his 1 year cameo with the Seahawks |
| 25 | Dawson Knox | BUF | 11 | A poor catch rate in 2019 but should see more targets and has TE2 potential |