Week 8 Rankings (2016): Top 20 Tight Ends

by Eric Stashin (aka The Rotoprofessor)

This isn’t the easiest week to maneuver through, with the top options having some of the more difficult matchups for tight ends.  Of course they are the top options for a reason, and they simply aren’t players who we would avoid.  The question comes as to who we trust after them, with six teams on bye weeks.  Let’s take a look:

1. Greg Olsen – Carolina Panthers – vs. Arizona
2. Rob Gronkowski – New England Patriots – at Buffalo
3. Jimmy Graham – Seattle Seahawks – at New Orleans
4. Delanie Walker – Tennessee Titans – vs. Jacksonville
5. Kyle Rudolph – Minnesota Vikings – at Chicago
6. Jack Doyle – Indianapolis Colts – vs. Kansas City
7. Gary Barnidge – Cleveland Browns – vs. New York Jets
8. Tyler Eifert – Cincinnati Bengals – vs. Washington
9. Coby Fleener – New Orleans Saints – vs. Seattle
10. Travis Kelce – Kansas City Chiefs – at Indianapolis
11. Vernon Davis – Washington Redskins – at Cincinnati
12. Cameron Brate – Tampa Bay Buccaneers – vs. Oakland
13. Julius Thomas – Jacksonville Jaguars – at Tennessee
14. Martellus Bennett – New England Patriots – at Buffalo
15. C.J. Fiedorowicz – Houston Texans – vs. Detroit
16. Zach Ertz – Philadelphia Eagles – at Dallas
17. Zach Miller – Chicago Bears – vs. Minnesota
18. Hunter Henry – San Diego Chargers – at Denver
19. Antonio Gates – San Diego Chargers – at Denver
20. Jason Witten – Dallas Cowboys – vs. Philadelphia

Thoughts:

• While Cameron Brate may not be a blow away option, there’s a chance he operates as #2 on the target priority against a weak Raiders’ passing defense (behind Mike Evans).  That puts him on the TE1 spectrum, though it’s a risk that he gets enough opportunities to produce (only 3 targets in each of the past two weeks).
• Jordan Reed, who has been out for the past two weeks with a concussion, still ranks fourth among tight ends with 46 targets.  Considering the favorable matchup, that should mean ample opportunities for Vernon Davis (who has 8 receptions for 129 yards and 1 TD over the past two weeks).  He’s risky, but a viable TE1.
• Tyler Eifert was used sparingly in Week 7, his first game of the season.  His role should increase significantly this week, and that means as much upside as anyone.  It all depends on your alternatives, but consider him a viable starting option.
• We saw what Jack Doyle could do while being utilized as the top tight end in Week 7, turning 10 targets into 9 receptions, 78 yards and 1 TD against the Titans.  With the Colts’ receiving corps banged up and underachieving, there’s a good chance that he continues to see ample opportunities in Week 8.  That makes him one of the better options.
• It has been limited opportunities for Zach Ertz, with just 3 targets in each of the past three games (since missing most of September).  However a matchup with the Cowboys, who have allowed the fifth most points to opposing tight ends per week, should help to unlock his potential.  It’s a bit of a leap of faith, but considering the alternatives he’s a good gamble.
• Hunter Henry is in the concussion protocol and also ceded targets to Antonio Gates (10 targets) in Week 7.  While the upside remains, the potential timeshare pushes both players into TE2 status (assuming they are healthy).