​Fantasy: Who will finish as the No. 1 TE in 2016?

Any question about a fantasy leader at the tight end position can be answered in five letters: Gronk.

We're not here to debate whether Rob Gronkowski is the best tight end in the NFL, that would be a waste of all of our time and it's summer, there are better things to do. Instead, let's take a look at the tight ends who have a shot at stealing the crown if Gronk goes down with an injury.

One last reminder, this series isn't a ranking of where players will finish in 2016. There's a difference between the players who will be quality fantasy starters and those who have an opportunity to be No. 1 when the season ends.

• Quarterbacks
• Running Backs
• Wide Receivers
• Tight Ends

Tight Ends

Rob Gronkowski

Gronk has comfortably finished as the top fantasy tight end three of the last five years. The other two seasons were injury-shortened campaigns, including 2012, when he was limited to 11 games and still came in second. If he doesn't miss time, he's a lock for the No. 1 spot.

Jordan Reed

Reed finally stayed healthy long enough to have a breakout season in 2015. He has the elite talent to end up in first place, but he'll need to avoid the injuries that have sidelined him in the past, including a history of concussions.

Greg Olsen

Olsen was Cam Newton's favorite target last season, unfortunately the return of Kelvin Benjamin and the emergence of Devin Funchess could cut into his target total moving forward.

Travis Kelce

Kelce was one of nine tight ends to crack the 100-target mark last season, with 103 passes thrown his way. While he has Gronk-like abilities, in order to rise to the level of the current fantasy king, Kelce would need an injury to Jeremy Maclin.

Gary Barnidge

Barnidge is being severely undervalued this season, after posting 1,043 yards and nine touchdowns in 2015. If Josh Gordon remains suspended, Barnidge should be the team's top receiving option once again.

Coby Fleener

Fleener finds himself in an ideal situation, catching passes from Drew Brees. If Brees made a 34-year-old Ben Watson fantasy relevant, he might be able to turn Fleener into a star.

Delanie Walker

Until one of the Titans' young receivers steps up, Walker will continue to be Marcus Mariota's favorite target.

Ladarius Green

Green will also be joining an elite passing offense in 2016, as he takes over for the retired Heath Miller in Pittsburgh. Green has the untapped potential fantasy owners drool over, the kind that could allow him to make a major leap this season.

Martellus Bennett

If Gronk goes down with an injury, which is basically the basis of this entire article, no one would benefit more than Bennett. While not on the same level as his all-world teammate, Bennett is a top-five talent, who is more than capable of filling in 80-90 percent of what Gronkowski gives the Patriots.

Tyler Eifert

Eifert, who led all tight ends with 13 scores in 2015, looked poised for another big campaign after receivers Marvin Jones and Mohamed Sanu left in free agency. Unfortunately, ankle surgery is likely to sideline him early in the season.

Zach Ertz

Hopefully new head coach Doug Pederson will find ways to get Ertz involved near the goal line. The fourth-year tight end has consistently disappeared in the red zone, posting touchdown totals of four, three, and two in his first three seasons.

Dwayne Allen

Allen is another player who is a mystery box at tight end this year. He no longer has to share time with Coby Fleener, and has Andrew Luck returning from injury. Allen has the potential for a season similar to Eifert's 13-touchdown campaign a year ago.

Julius Thomas

Thomas was a contender for the No. 1 spot during his Denver days, but the Jaguars offense doesn't have 2013 Peyton Manning at the helm. If Thomas is going to have a chance to occupy the No. 1 spot, he'll need to consistently siphon touchdowns from Allen Robinson and Allen Hurns.

Antonio Gates

Gates might be one of the slowest players on the field most weeks, but it doesn't matter. His chemistry with Philip Rivers, especially in the end zone, will help him maintain his status as a fantasy starter.

Zach Miller

Miller looked like a TE1 down the the stretch last season. He'll have a chance to replicate those numbers as the Bears' starter this year, assuming he can avoid the injuries that have plagued him in the past.

Eric Ebron

Ebron has flashed his receiving skills, but has yet to put it all together in the NFL. Calvin Johnson's departure will provide Ebron with an opportunity to prove he was worth the top-10 pick the Lions used on him.

Jason Witten

Much like Gates, Witten keeps getting the job done despite his declining speed. The return of his good buddy Tony Romo should help, too.