Two weeks of the NFL season have wrapped, and the tight end landscape looks a little...off. Some of the typically elite performers have fallen behind some of the more low-key prospects. But don't worry, we're going to navigate the bumpy terrain together in this week's tight end rankings.
Target Monsters
Through two weeks, Zach Ertz has been the most heavily targeted tight end by far, and I expect that to continue this week with Alshon Jeffrey and Mike Wallace out of the lineup. And Carson Wentz is back! Ertz has the potential for monster numbers against the Colts.
Jared Cook is tied for the 2nd-most targets among tight ends. Oakland's offense has been a turd factory to start the season, but Cook has come out smelling like roses in both games. Those targets give him the most fantasy points at the position.
Cleveland tight end David Njoku has been incredibly consistent these first two games, notching 7 targets in each. That hasn't added up to much fantasy production yet, but if a few more of those looks come in the red zone, watch out.
Jordan Reed is absolutely dominating the middle of the field for Washington with 16 total targets. Until he gets injured (and he surely will), Reed is Alex Smith's primary passing target.
Snap Count Studs
I have to mention Ertz again here, as he's been on the field for 72% of the Eagles' offensive snaps. That's more than any other tight end. And that's why (SPOILER ALERT!) he's ranked ahead of Gronk this week.
Jack Doyle isn't too far behind with a 68% snap share. Eric Ebron may be the flashier tight end in Indy, but Doyle is a stabilizing presence for the Colts' offense. UPDATE: Doyle has been ruled out for Sunday's game with a hip injury.
Rams' tight end Tyler Higbee has seen the field more than Kyle Rudolph, Trey Burton, and Jimmy Graham. But don't be fooled by his snap share, Higbee is basically an extra O-lineman for Los Angeles who gets very little passing work.
Trey Burton has seen a respectable 59% of Chicago's offensive snaps, but until Mitch Trubisky can deliver the ball to him consistently, he should be faded in lineups.
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| Rank | Player | Team | Opponent |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Zach Ertz | PHI | IND |
| 2 | Rob Gronkowski | NE | @DET |
| 3 | Travis Kelce | KC | SF |
| 4 | Jared Cook | OAK | @MIA |
| 5 | Jordan Reed | WAS | GB |
| 6 | George Kittle | SF | @KC |
| 7 | Jimmy Graham | GB | @WAS |
| 8 | Jesse James | PIT | @TB |
| 9 | O.J. Howard | TB | PIT |
| 10 | David Njoku | CLE | NYJ |
| 11 | Eric Ebron | DET | @PHI |
| 12 | Evan Engram | NYG | @HOU |
| 13 | Kyle Rudolph | MIN | BUF |
| 14 | Austin Sefarian-Jenkins | JAC | TEN |
| 15 | Trey Burton | CHI | @ARI |
| 16 | Vance McDonald | PIT | @TB |
| 17 | Ricky Seals-Jones | ARI | CHI |
| 18 | Will Dissly | SEA | DAL |
| 19 | Austin Hooper | ATL | NO |
| 20 | Garrett Celek | SF | @KC |
| 21 | Tyler Eifert | CIN | @CAR |
| 22 | Antonio Gates | LAC | @LAR |
| 23 | Cameron Brate | TB | PIT |
| 24 | Nick Vannett | SEA | DAL |
| 25 | Mark Andrews | BAL | DEN |
| 26 | Jake Butt | DEN | @BAL |
| 27 | Jonnu Smith | TEN | @JAC |
| 28 | Ryan Griffin | HOU | NYG |
| 29 | Charles Clay | BUF | @MIN |
| 30 | Nick Boyle | BAL | DEN |
