This is part of the 2014 fantasy football preview. A look at the top quarterbacks, running backs, wide receivers, kickers and defenses can be found via the links on each position.
The 2014 fantasy football season is just months away and owners continue to prepare for this year’s drafts. One position that can be a problem at times is tight end. There is a certain number of top-flight tight ends that must be taken early while others can be selected much later on. The likes of Jimmy Graham and Julius Thomas are going to be gone before the third or fourth round is over and Graham will likely be taken in the first round. Here is a look at the top 20 tight ends for fantasy football heading into the upcoming season.
- Jimmy Graham- The clear No. 1 tight end going into the 2014 season had 86 catches for 1,215 yards and 16 touchdowns last season. He may be having some contract issues going into the season but that doesn’t mean his production is going to go down. Another season with 85-90 catches should be expected.
- Julius Thomas- A breakout star in 2013, Thomas finished with 65 catches and 12 touchdowns for the Broncos. Peyton Manning loves throwing to his tight ends and that means Thomas is going to get a lot of attention again this season. There are some different weapons in Denver but Thomas should still get his 55-60 catches.
- Vernon Davis- It may have looked like a down year for Davis in 2013 with just 52 catches but for fantasy purposes, it appears that Davis is rising back up the boards. He seems to have a solid connection with Colin Kaepernick and while he didn’t help fantasy players with his no catch day in the fantasy title game last season, Davis is someone owners want on their roster.
- Rob Gronkowski- Injuries have always been the biggest problem for Gronkowski as he played in just seven games last season. If he was going to be completely healthy going into the season, he may have gone up a spot or two. He is dominant when he is on the field though and should be counted on for at least 70-75 catches if he plays in 14-16 games.
- Jordan Cameron- If there was a sleeper in the top five, Cameron would be it. He is hidden in Cleveland and had 80 catches last season. With some wide receiver issues going on with the Browns, Cameron’s role is only going to increase this coming season. Look for a year with 85-90 catches from the emerging tight end.
- Greg Olsen- Another tight end who has marginal wide receivers around him is Olsen in Carolina. He caught 73 passes last season and with no more Steve Smith, Cam Newton is going to be looking for Olsen even more. There would be no one shocked if he finishes with 80-85 catches during the 2014 season.
- Jason Witten- He may be getting older but Witten is still a solid fantasy tight end. 73 catches and eight touchdowns last season for Tony Romo’s security blanket. While Dallas has many weapons including Dez Bryant, it appears that Romo likes throwing to Witten more at times. He could end up getting close to his 2013 totals again this year.
- Dennis Pitta- Injuries slowed down Pitta in 2013, playing in just four games and having 20 catches. The key is noticing that Pitta averaged five catches a game. Joe Flacco believes in what Pitta can do. Here is a tight end that could surprise a few people this season with his catch total. Don’t sleep on Pitta in the draft.
- Kyle Rudolph- 30 catches in eight games last season for Rudolph doesn’t seem like a ton but the key is the quarterback position with the Vikings and the new coaching staff. Norv Turner loves throwing to the tight end. Whoever is quarterbacking in Minnesota is going to be looking for Rudolph a lot and he can be had later in the draft.
- Jordan Reed- Reed was proving to be a solid tight end pick for fantasy players before injuries derailed his season early. There are new weapons in Washington so Reed may not average the five catches a game he did last season but is still in line to get 65-70 catches for the Redskins which would work for fantasy owners.
- Zach Ertz- Ertz fought for playing time last season and had just 36 catches. This year though, it appears the Eagles are going to let Ertz loose and that means big things for fantasy owners. He could find himself with 55-60 catches and even more depending on what Philadelphia wants to do with him. A true sleeper late in a draft.
- Martellus Bennett- The 2013 season was solid for Bennett in Chicago with 65 catches for 759 yards. There are so many different receivers for Jay Cutler to throw to though that Bennett can get lost in the shuffle sometimes. Can he match what he did last season? Yes he can, which makes him either a late starter or perfect bye week replacement.
- Eric Ebron- It may seem a bit low to have Ebron but this is based on how much Matthew Stafford looks for the rookie early on this season. The Lions didn’t spend the No. 10 overall pick in the draft on someone not worth using. Ebron should be drafted but temper expectations some on what he does during his rookie season.
- Tyler Eifert- It was a fairly quiet year for Eifert in 2013 with 39 catches in 15 games. However, it appears that Eifert is going to have a bigger role in the Bengals offense this season and fantasy owners should note that. This is someone worth targeting late in the draft who could be on track for a huge season.
- Charles Clay- Clay appears to be building some chemistry with Ryan Tannehill in Miami and that is shown by his 69 catches last season. He may not be a starting tight end on an every week basis for fantasy but he is someone that must be targeted for a bench spot or free agent pickup during bye weeks.
- Heath Miller- The veteran had 58 catches for the Steelers last season and never seemed to be a consistent player for fantasy purposes. If he remains healthy this coming year, Miller is going to see a lot of passes his way for Pittsburgh with the changes the team has made with their receivers. He is a nice candidate to start in a deeper league.
- Ladarius Green- An off the radar pick would be Green, who had 17 catches last season for the Chargers. San Diego coach Mike McCoy has already said he wishes he used Green more last year and that means he is going to be a key part of the offense in 2014. Drafting Green may not the best decision but picking him up early in the year could turn into a steal.
- Delanie Walker- 60 catches in 15 games for Walker last season and he had some huge games for fantasy players. He is going to be a big part of the offense again this year for the Titans and may be worth a roster spot in a flex position depending on the matchups as the 2014 season wears on.
- Coby Fleener- A key target for Andrew Luck, Fleener had 52 catches last season. The Colts are planning to use their tight ends a lot in 2014 between Fleener and Dwayne Allen but it appears Indianapolis is going to use Fleener more blocking. The stats may not be there this season but an injury to Allen would change things in a big way.
- Antonio Gates- The 2013 season was quite solid for Gates with 77 catches and four touchdowns. The key is that the Chargers appear ready to give Ladarius Green some more playing time. If that occurs, Gates will see his value fall. There are better tight ends worth drafting before Gates so it would be best to leave him on the waiver wire.