2013 Fantasy Football: Top 10 Tight Ends
Top 10 Tight Ends: 2013 Fantasy Footbal
The tight end position has always been one of the more unique positions in fantasy football.
It is unique for a few reasons. First of all, there are never more than a handful of tight ends in any given year that can match the production of quarterbacks, running backs or wide receivers. Despite that fact, it’s a slot in your weekly lineups that counts just as much as any, so your TE production can make or break your team on game day.
This year, the position is even more interesting thanks to a very loud offseason from some of the top names. Everyone knows about the trials and tribulations of Aaron Hernandez, and fellow New England Patriot Rob Gronkowski is still recovering from what seems like close to 5,000 different surgeries.
Meanwhile, former big names such as Antonio Gates and Jermichael Finley are coming off multiple disappointing seasons. Along with that, some of the promising young names from the past few years have failed to develop thus far.
2013 fantasy football drafters will find some recognizable names in new places – and new draft slots – as well as some rookies with a chance to shine right out of the gate.
There are plenty of different strategies when it comes to drafting a tight end, and with so few no-doubt fantasy studs at the position, many will debate the merits of waiting. Whether you want to grab a big name early or are confident you can wait until later to get similar value, it’s important to know whom to draft where. With that said, here are your top 15 2013 fantasy football tight ends.
Rich Arleo is a fantasy sports expert with Rant Sports. Follow him on Twitter @Rarleo, ‘Like’ him on Facebook and add him to your networks on Google.
10. Antonio Gates, San Diego Chargers
The good news for Gates in 2012 was that he stayed healthy. The bad news was that he didn’t produce…at least until scoring a touchdown in three straight games to end the season. He’s a risk, but few have his potential.
9. Owen Daniels, Houston Texans
Daniels tailed off at the end of the year but still put together enough productive weeks to be a top 10 tight end.
8. Greg Olsen, Carolina Panthers
Serving as one of Cam Newton’s favorite targets, Olsen had a huge year in PPR leagues. He didn’t rack up a ton of yardage or scores, but there are few tight ends that see as many targets.
7. Kyle Rudolph, Minnesota Vikings
Rudolph was a beast in the red zone and owners will hope for more consistency and catches to go along with his scoring this year.
6. Dennis Pitta, Baltimore Ravens
Pitta burst onto the scene in 2012 and became a top 10 tight end. He had plenty of disappointing games, but also had more big games than most.
5. Vernon Davis, San Francisco 49ers
Davis had a very disappointing season but came alive in the playoffs and seemed to develop a rapport with Colin Kaepernick. Because of that and the lack of top-tier potential among tight ends, Davis ranks this high.
4. Tony Gonzalez, Atlanta Falcons
On what was supposed to a retirement tour, Gonzalez had yet another fantastic season for fantasy owners. After his Falcons were eliminated from the playoffs, however, Gonzo had a bad taste in his mouth and decided to return for the 2013 season. He is up there in age but that didn’t stop him last year.
3. Jason Witten, Dallas Cowboys
One of the more consistent tight ends of the last few seasons, Witten was again a top five scorer at his position despite struggling through the start of the season with a spleen injury. Tony Romo throws to him a ton, just not much in the red zone, which is his one downfall. He is a monster in PPR leagues but his lack of touchdowns can hurt.
2. Rob Gronkowski, New England Patriots
The multiple surgeries are an obvious concern, as are the five games he missed last season. Nonetheless, with no Aaron Hernandez and the high expectations doctors have about his recovery, few tight ends will match his production when healthy so he is still the second best option here.
1. Jimmy Graham, New Orleans Saints
The only true ‘no doubt’ option at the tight end position this year, Graham can match the production of many WR1s and is Drew Brees’ top target in the red zone. Having Graham can give you a huge advantage over your opponents.
Top 10 Tight Ends: 2013 Fantasy Footbal
The tight end position has always been one of the more unique positions in fantasy football.
It is unique for a few reasons. First of all, there are never more than a handful of tight ends in any given year that can match the production of quarterbacks, running backs or wide receivers. Despite that fact, it’s a slot in your weekly lineups that counts just as much as any, so your TE production can make or break your team on game day.
This year, the position is even more interesting thanks to a very loud offseason from some of the top names. Everyone knows about the trials and tribulations of Aaron Hernandez, and fellow New England Patriot Rob Gronkowski is still recovering from what seems like close to 5,000 different surgeries.
Meanwhile, former big names such as Antonio Gates and Jermichael Finley are coming off multiple disappointing seasons. Along with that, some of the promising young names from the past few years have failed to develop thus far.
2013 fantasy football drafters will find some recognizable names in new places – and new draft slots – as well as some rookies with a chance to shine right out of the gate.
There are plenty of different strategies when it comes to drafting a tight end, and with so few no-doubt fantasy studs at the position, many will debate the merits of waiting. Whether you want to grab a big name early or are confident you can wait until later to get similar value, it’s important to know whom to draft where. With that said, here are your top 15 2013 fantasy football tight ends.
Rich Arleo is a fantasy sports expert with Rant Sports. Follow him on Twitter @Rarleo, ‘Like’ him on Facebook and add him to your networks on Google.
10. Antonio Gates, San Diego Chargers
The good news for Gates in 2012 was that he stayed healthy. The bad news was that he didn’t produce…at least until scoring a touchdown in three straight games to end the season. He’s a risk, but few have his potential.
9. Owen Daniels, Houston Texans
Daniels tailed off at the end of the year but still put together enough productive weeks to be a top 10 tight end.
8. Greg Olsen, Carolina Panthers
Serving as one of Cam Newton’s favorite targets, Olsen had a huge year in PPR leagues. He didn’t rack up a ton of yardage or scores, but there are few tight ends that see as many targets.
7. Kyle Rudolph, Minnesota Vikings
Rudolph was a beast in the red zone and owners will hope for more consistency and catches to go along with his scoring this year.
6. Dennis Pitta, Baltimore Ravens
Pitta burst onto the scene in 2012 and became a top 10 tight end. He had plenty of disappointing games, but also had more big games than most.
5. Vernon Davis, San Francisco 49ers
Davis had a very disappointing season but came alive in the playoffs and seemed to develop a rapport with Colin Kaepernick. Because of that and the lack of top-tier potential among tight ends, Davis ranks this high.
4. Tony Gonzalez, Atlanta Falcons
On what was supposed to a retirement tour, Gonzalez had yet another fantastic season for fantasy owners. After his Falcons were eliminated from the playoffs, however, Gonzo had a bad taste in his mouth and decided to return for the 2013 season. He is up there in age but that didn’t stop him last year.
3. Jason Witten, Dallas Cowboys
One of the more consistent tight ends of the last few seasons, Witten was again a top five scorer at his position despite struggling through the start of the season with a spleen injury. Tony Romo throws to him a ton, just not much in the red zone, which is his one downfall. He is a monster in PPR leagues but his lack of touchdowns can hurt.
2. Rob Gronkowski, New England Patriots
The multiple surgeries are an obvious concern, as are the five games he missed last season. Nonetheless, with no Aaron Hernandez and the high expectations doctors have about his recovery, few tight ends will match his production when healthy so he is still the second best option here.
1. Jimmy Graham, New Orleans Saints
The only true ‘no doubt’ option at the tight end position this year, Graham can match the production of many WR1s and is Drew Brees’ top target in the red zone. Having Graham can give you a huge advantage over your opponents.
