Chiefs superstar Travis Kelce is in a class of his own and after the top three players in the position, you might be better off in terms of value waiting to take your TE or even stream them during the season.
1. Travis Kelce, KC
1416 receiving yards, 11 TDs, 260.2 points.
Kelce was such an outlier at TE last year, he would’ve been ranked fourth in points at RB or WR and outscored the TE8 and TE9 combined.
2. Darren Waller, LV
1196 receiving yards, 9 TDs, 225.1 points.
Actually had more targets and receptions than Kelce and should remain the Raiders’ top receiving option.
3. George Kittle, SF
634 receiving yards, 2 TDs, 101.1 points.
After two elite seasons, Kittle suffered through an injury-plagued 2020 but is a good bet to regain form.
4. T.J. Hockenson, DET
723 receiving yards, 6 TDs, 141.8 points.
Looks like he could be the Lions’ top target in the passing game after taking big step up in Year 2.
5. Kyle Pitts, ATL
2021 rookie
Will Pitts, the highest-drafted tight end ever, be one of the few to have a breakthrough rookie season?
6. Mark Andrews, BAL
701 receiving yards, 7 TDs, 141.1 points.
Between his huge target share and usage rate at the goal line, Andrews is lined up for another top-five season.
7. Logan Thomas, WAS
670 receiving yards, 6 TDs, 140.6 points.
A late bloomer at 30 years old, the converted QB was third in targets and receptions among TEs last year.
8. Noah Fant, DEN
673 receiving yards, 3 TDs, 118.3 points.
Has incredible talent and potential, but also faces several roadblocks (QB situation, WR depth, lack of TDs)
9. Dallas Goedert, PHI
524 receiving yards, 3 TDs, 93.4 points.
When he was healthy in 2020, Goedert had a 19% target share and is likely to get the same attention this year.
10. Mike Gesicki, MIA
703 receiving yards, 6 TDs, 132.8 points.
Another example of a player being a TE in name only, Gesicki lined up in the slot on 70% of his snaps in 2020.
11. Tyler Higbee, LAR
521 receiving yards, 5 TDs, 106.2 points.
Is now the undisputed top TE for the Rams and in the five games Everett was out in 2019, Higbee was TE1 overall.
12. Robert Tonyan, GB
586 receiving yards, 11 TDs, 150.6 points.
Is a big candidate for regression after scoring a mind-boggling 11 TDs on just 52 catches and 59 targets.
13. Jonnu Smith, NE
448 receiving yards, 8 TDs, 119.7 points.
Moves to New England after doubling his career TD output last season, also scoring his first top-10 TE finish.
14. Rob Gronkowski, TB
623 receiving yards, 7 TDs, 126.8 points.
After a year off, Gronk returned to play his first full season since 2011, but was very hit-or-miss.
15. Hunter Henry, NE
613 receiving yards, 4 TDs, 115.3 points.
Had career highs in receptions and targets last year with the Chargers, but is already dealing with a shoulder injury.
16. Jared Cook, LAC
504 receiving yards, 7 TDs, 108.9 points.
Entering his 13th season, the Chargers will look for him to take over the departed Hunter Henry.
17. Eric Ebron, PIT
558 receiving yards, 5 TDs, 113.8 points.
Had the second-most targets of his career last year, his first in Pittsburgh, and has a high upside for 2021.
18. Austin Hooper, CLE
435 receiving yards, 4 TDs, 90.5 points.
His numbers took a big step back in his first season in Cleveland and it’s hard to see a big improvement.
19. Cole Kmet, CHI
243 receiving yards, 2 TDs, 48 points.
Jimmy Graham is still around, but last year’s second-rounder should see an increased role in 2021.
20. Blake Jarwin, DAL
12 receiving yards, 1.7 points.
Poised for a solid role in a top offence, but is coming off a torn ACL in Week 1 of last season.
21. Evan Engram, NYG
654 receiving yards, 1 TD, 109.5 points.
In typical Engram fashion he was looking quite good in the pre-season before suffering a calf injury, casting doubt on early season availability.
22. Irv Smith Jr., MIN
365 receiving yards, 5 TDs, 83.5 points.
What was supposed to be a potential breakout season will begin with Smith on the shelf following knee surgery.
23. Adam Trautman, NO
171 receiving yards, 1 TD, 30.6 points.
After being pinned as a potential sleeper candidate, the size of Trautman’s role has come into question this pre-season.
24. Anthony Firkser, TEN
387 receiving yards, 1 TD, 64.2 points.
It’s a small sample, but worth noting in the game Jonnu Smith missed, Firkser put up a line of 8-113-1.
25. Zach Ertz, PHI
335 receiving yards, 1 TD, 59.5 points.
He’s still in Philly, for now, but if he’s traded to a team like Buffalo, Ertz has potential as a TE1 option.
THE BEST OF THE REST
Gerald Everett, SEA
417 receiving yards, 1 TD, 72.4 points.
O.J Howard, TB
146 receiving yards, 2 TDs, 32.1 points.
Jordan Akins, HOU
403 receiving yards, 1 TD, 65.2 points.
Jimmy Graham, CHI
456 receiving yards, 8 TDs, 118.6 points.
Hayden Hurst, ATL
571 receiving yards, 6 TDs, 121.1 points.
Dan Arnold, CAR
438 receiving yards, 4 TDs, 81.3 points.
Dalton Schultz, DAL
615 receiving yards, 4 TDs, 115 points.