Despite more and more athletic receiving TEs entering the league, targets for the position have dropped each of the past three seasons and 2018’s TEs 6-15 had the lowest total points in each spot since 2008. If you don’t gun for one of the top three, you’re better off waiting on a TE.
1. Travis Kelce, KC
1336 receiving yards, 10 TDs, 243.1 points.
Has been the top TE in fantasy for three straight years and had several career bests in 2018.
2. George Kittle, SF
1377 receiving yards, 5 TDs, 214.7 points.
Had a breakout season despite having to deal with a revolving door at QB last year and could get better.
3. Zach Ertz, PHI
1163 receiving yards, 8 TDs, 222.3 points.
Set the single-season record for receptions by a TE and has improved his point every year.
4. Evan Engram, NYG
577 receiving yards, 3 TDs, 103.8 points.
OBJ’s departure opens up a lot of targets for Engram, who excelled when Beckham missed time last season.
6. Hunter Henry, LAC
Did not play in 2018
Is more than a year removed from his torn ACL and was nearly able to return towards the end of last season, assuaging fears he’s less than 100%.
6. O.J. Howard, TB
565 receiving yards, 5 TDs, 103.5 points.
Might not actually be in for the huge season some are expecting, as Bruce Arians offences don’t target the TE as often as you’d hope.
7. Vance McDonald, PIT
610 receiving yards, 4 TDs, 108 points.
With Jesse James gone, he should get more consistent snaps and targets in the Steelers offence.
8. Jared Cook, NO
896 receiving yards, 6 TDs, 159.6 points.
Finally lived up to his potential last year in Oakland, now joins a much better offence.
9. David Njoku, CLE
639 receiving yards, 4 TDs, 115.9 points.
Should build off his strong sophomore season, but the addition of OBJ should take away from his targets.
10. Austin Hooper, ATL
660 receiving yards, 4 TDs, 127.5 points.
He’s a consistent performer in yardage, but has yet to reach six end-zone targets or five TDs in a season.
11. Delanie Walker, TEN
52 receiving yards, 7.2 points.
Back after a broken ankle ended his season in Week 1, Walker had been a top-five TE the previous three seasons.
12. Mark Andrew, BAL
552 receiving yards, 3 TDs, 90.2 points.
His yardage total was actually fifth-best by a rookie TE in a decade and is set for a much bigger role and a possible breakout campaign.
13. Eric Ebron, IND
750 receiving yards, 13 TDs, -8 rushing yards, 189.2 points.
It’s pretty safe to expect some regression from his 13 TDs, considering that he tied for the third-most in season from a TE ever.
14. Trey Burton, CHI
569 receiving yards, 6 TDs, 120.1 points.
Finished as TE8 last season, but the popular sleeper pick often disappointed with four or fewer targets in eight games.
15. Jimmy Graham, GB
636 receiving yards, 2 TDs, 103.1 points.
His first season in Green Bay saw Graham tie his career low in TDs and record his third-lowest yards per game.
16. Kyle Rudolph, MIN
634 receiving yards, 4 TDs, 119.4 points.
He has finished eighth or better among fantasy TEs the past three seasons, but drop in TDs and end-zone targets is concerning.
17. Jordan Reed, WAS
558 receiving yards, 2 TDs, 92.8 points.
When he plays, he’s a great TE option, but Reed has missed 31 in the past six seasons and has never played more than 14 games.
18. T.J. Hockenson, DET
2019 rookie
One of the most-hyped rookie TEs we’ve seen in years, he will have a role in the Lions offence, but freshmen usually take some time to adapt to the NFL.
19. Jack Doyle, IND
245 receiving yards, 2 TDs, 47.5 points.
Was overshadowed by Ebron, but when Doyle was healthy, he was actually the Colts’ best TE target.
20. Darren Waller, OAK
75 receiving yards, 21 rushing yards, 12.6 points.
Could be a decent sleeper candidate if he steps up in the role like Cook did.
21. Greg Olsen, CAR
291 receiving yards, 4 TDs, 66.6 points.
Foot injuries have ruined his past two seasons, but in the previous three he recorded 1,000+ yards.
22. Gerald Everett, LAR
320 receiving yards, 3 TDs, 16 rushing yards, 70.1 points.
Could be a surprising option if the Rams adapt with some two-TE sets this season.
23. Tyler Eifert, CIN
179 receiving yards, 1 TD, 31.4 points.
He’s a potential top-10 TE when healthy, but he never is. Eifert has played in just 45% of games since 2013.
24. Chris Herndon, NYJ
502 receiving yards, 4 TDs, 93.7 points.
He’s suspended for the first four weeks of the season, so he’s not one to draft, but isn’t a bad waiver-wire option when activated.
25. Dallas Goedert, PHI
334 receiving yards, 4 TDs, 73.9 points.
We won’t recommend drafting a handcuff for a TE, but if Ertz gets hurt then Goedert is your guy.
THE NEXT 10
Noah Fant, DEN
2019 rookie
Mike Gesicki, MIA
202 receiving yards, 29.2 points.
Jason Witten, DAL
Did not play in 2018
Cameron Brate, TB
289 receiving yards, 6 TDs, 77.9 points.
C.J. Uzomah, CIN
439 receiving yards, 3 TDs, 83.4 points.
Matt LaCosse, NE
250 receiving yards, 1 TD, 43 points.
Will Dissly, SEA
156 receiving yards, 2 TDs, 31.6 points.
Ricky Seals-Jones, ARI
343 receiving yards, 1 TD, 57.3 points.
Jesse James, DET
423 receiving yards, 2 TDs, 69.3 points.
Ben Watson, NE
400 receiving yards, 2 TDs, 69.5 points.