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Fantasy: 2016 Tight End Primer

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Fantasy Position Primers

Tight Ends

The tight end position is arguably deeper than ever before, but that doesn't mean you should wait to address the position until the later rounds of your fantasy draft. The NFL's elite tight ends produce at a level at or above the game's best wideouts, so securing one of the few top tight ends can give you a large weekly advantage over your opponent.

Below, we run down the list of tight ends you should be familiar with as you prepare for your fantasy draft.

It's important to remember that these primers are not intended to be tiers for drafting. You can view our complete tight end rankings here.

The Undisputed Champion

Rob Gronkowski, Patriots - Simply the best.

Title Contenders

Jordan Reed, Redskins - If Reed can manage to stay healthy for 16 games, he has a shot at toppling Rob Gronkowski from the top of the mountain. On a per-target basis, Reed produces more fantasy points than Gronkowski.

Travis Kelce, Chiefs - Once tabbed as the "next Gronkowski," Kelce hasn't quite lived up to his billing. But the potential remains, and in a perfect storm of a season he could lead all tight ends in scoring.

Steady Veterans

Greg Olsen, Panthers - Olsen enjoyed the best fantasy season of his career in 2015, but there's reason to believe he's due to regress. Kelvin Benjamin will take away some red-zone targets and it's hard to imagine Cam Newton turning in another season as magical as his most recent campaign.

Delanie Walker, Titans - Walker outperformed expectations on a bad Titans team in 2015. The Titans look set to improve, but that doesn't necessarily bode well for Walker, who benefited from being the only reliable offensive weapon on the team. An improved rushing attack likely means fewer passing targets.

Antonio Gates, Chargers - The end will arrive for Gates sometime in the near future, but the Chargers' willingness to allow Ladarius Green to depart in free agency suggests they believe they can get at least one more good season out of their veteran.

More Than a Handcuff

Martellus Bennett, Patriots - Bennett will be second fiddle to Rob Gronkowski with the Patriots but should still see plenty of the field in two-tight-end sets. Recall that both Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez were simultaneous fantasy stars in this offense. Bennett can be a TE1 despite Gronkowski's presence - and would immediately become an elite option if Gronkowski misses time.

Injury Risks

Tyler Eifert, Bengals - Eifert's 13 touchdowns in 2015 were one of the NFL's best. With several receiving weapons departing the Bengals in free agency, Eifert could see even more red-zone targets this year - if he can get back on the field. Offseason ankle surgery may force him to miss games early in the season.

Jimmy Graham, Seahawks - Even before tearing his patellar tendon - one of the worst injuries a football player can suffer - Graham was largely a non-factor with the Seahawks. Owners expecting him to ever approach the fantasy value he once had are likely to be disappointed.

Change of Scenery

Coby Fleener, Saints - Fleener never really made his mark with the Colts. Now he's off to New Orleans, where he will be featured in one of the most bountiful roles in fantasy football: Drew Brees' receiving tight end. Don't expect Jimmy-Graham-in-his-prime numbers, but Fleener could surpass Ben Watson's 74-825-6 line from last year.

Ladarius Green, Steelers - The Steelers made signing Green a priority, possibly because they knew they would be without big-bodied target Martavis Bryant for a year. Green should see an uptick in fantasy production, but will be the third target in this offense at best.

Overlooked?

Julius Thomas, Jaguars - In his first season with the Jaguars, Thomas wasn't close to the fantasy force he once was with the Broncos. Some of that can be attributed to injuries, but not all of it. Allen Robinson and perhaps Allen Hurns, too, are ahead of Thomas in the passing-game pecking order.

Zach Ertz, Eagles - Will Ertz ever put it all together? It seemed like it might happen last year, when Ertz caught a career-high 75 passes, but his touchdown total fell to a career-low of two. It's hard to project how Ertz will fit into new Eagles head coach Doug Pederson's scheme.

One-year Wonder?

Gary Barnidge, Browns - Breakouts don't typically occur for players in their 30s, but that's precisely what happened for Barnidge last year. His 79 catches and nine touchdowns are career highs by miles - and somehow came on a very bad Browns team. Whether Barnidge is a one-hit wonder could depend entirely on how quickly he can develop chemistry with Robert Griffin III.

Still Waiting for a Breakout

Eric Ebron, Lions - Ebron will be asked to take a major leap in his third season to help fill the enormous hole vacated by Calvin Johnson. It's difficult to conclude he's ready to do so after the inconsistency he showed in his first two seasons.

Dwayne Allen, Colts - Allen could finally blossom with Coby Fleener out of Indianapolis, but fantasy owners are forgiven if they doubt it will ever happen.

Austin Seferian-Jenkins, Buccaneers - Ripe with potential, it seems Seferian-Jenkins' attitude might be holding him back more than anything else. There are rumors he might not even make the team's final roster, which would put Cameron Brate in a position to start in Tampa.

Streaming Options

Jason Witten, Cowboys - Witten's string of nine straight seasons without a missed game and with at least 77 catches is incredible. But nothing lasts forever.

Zach Miller, Bears - Honestly, we're still not sure which Zach Miller this is. But he caught five touchdowns in 2015 and now doesn't have to deal with Martellus Bennett, so he's worthy of your consideration.

Kyle Rudolph, Vikings - Rudolph called himself the NFL's best tight end this offseason, but it's because he's a good blocker. You don't get fantasy points for blocking.

Jared Cook, Packers - After years of being way overpaid and way under-performing in St. Louis, Cook somehow ended up in the plum situation of catching passes from Aaron Rodgers. It's not inconceivable he could have a Jermichael Finley-like year.

Charles Clay, Bills - Sammy Watkins is already battling an injury, and the Bills have frighteningly little receiving depth behind him. Clay could be an important part of this offense.

Clive Walford, Raiders - The Raiders reportedly want Walford to take on a bigger role in the offense.

Benjamin Watson, Ravens - Watson signed with the Ravens in free agency and shouldn't see much competition for snaps.

Vance McDonald, 49ers - McDonald is a candidate to benefit from the arrival of Chip Kelly and his up-tempo offense.

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