Dynasty fantasy football rankings involve recency effect to a degree, but it’s a matter of appraising value within a player’s career arc. When is the best time to have that player on your roster, and when are they better trade targets? Who can you buy low and sell high? When it comes to tight ends, the position is as versatile and integral as ever — let’s dive into my 2021 dynasty TE rankings and evaluate the most desirable wide receiver assets.
2021 Dynasty Tight End Rankings | 6-10
10) Mike Gesicki, Miami Dolphins
Despite his great height and length, Gesicki truly is just a massive slot receiver. He is much more of a finesse player and does his best work detached from the formation. Well, that is great for fantasy production.
Gesicki averaged well over 13 yards per catch, one of the best in the league, and clearly has little problem getting deep downfield. He is also set up to catch touchdowns in his career and has shown a good relationship on the field with Tua Tagovailoa already. The Dolphins will likely add a wide receiver of note, but they also should improve their offensive line this offseason. Miami’s offense should be improved overall.
9) Hunter Henry, Los Angeles Chargers
Henry is a free agent, so ranking him was rather difficult, not knowing where he will be playing next year. Surely the Chargers would love to bring Henry back; he worked well with Justin Herbert. Yet, if Henry does change teams, it will be with a new organization that covets what he can do.
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Henry doesn’t stand out in one particular area, but he also is strong in all aspects of tight end play. Picture what Henry might do in New England’s offense as the top target.
8) Evan Engram, New York Giants
Inconsistencies and injuries have made Engram somewhat of a tease during his time with the Giants. But his talent is undeniable, and we must remember that tight end is a position that takes time to develop fully.
The Giants TE has rare speed for the position, which often shows up on tape. Engram’s 6.8 targets per game ranked fifth among all tight ends last year, and he could be primed to increase next season. Engram also could change teams.
7) Noah Fant, Denver Broncos
Fant is several months older than his college teammate, T.J. Hockenson. However, at just 23 years old, Fant is just at the tip of the iceberg with what he can do in this league. He has great straight-line speed and has quickly developed as a route runner at the NFL level.
When he gets the ball in stride, Fant has the rare ability to run away from defensive backs and take a short pass for a long score. Fant has a lot of great fantasy production in front of him, no matter who Denver’s quarterback is.
6) Dallas Goedert, Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles have massive salary cap issues, which should mean the end of Zach Ertz’s time in Philadelphia.
Even last year, Goedert averaged the fifth-most receiving yards per game of all the NFL’s tight ends. He did only play in 11 games, though. Goedert was impressive early in his career behind Ertz and primed to explode now. In fact, he is a great bet to lead the Eagles in receptions in 2021 and could rise in these dynasty TE rankings.
2021 Dynasty Tight End Rankings | 1-5
5) T.J. Hockenson Detroit Lions
Hockenson is the youngest tight end on this dynasty TE rankings list and is getting better and better at a rapid rate.
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He caught six touchdowns and was targeted frequently near the goal line, but there is an extensive change in Detroit, and it is uncertain how this new coaching staff will view Hockenson. The Lions wide receiver group could be much different, and Jared Goff has a good history of throwing to his tight ends.
4) Darren Waller, Las Vegas Raiders
Much like the Kittle/Kelce debate, the biggest reason Waller couldn’t beat out Andrews for the third spot is age. Waller is four years older than Andrews. His 75 receiving yards per game made Waller one of only three tight ends in 2020 with more than 51 per game. Only Kelce received more targets per game, and only Kelce and Robert Tonyan caught more touchdowns than Waller at the tight end position.
A former wide receiver with tremendous height, length, agility, and speed for his size, Waller is the queen on the chessboard, and Jon Gruden is amongst the best in the league at scheming up his tight ends.
3) Mark Andrews, Baltimore Ravens
Andrews really burst onto the scene last year, but somewhat predictably, Baltimore’s entire passing game came back to Earth in 2020. Still, there is a lot to like here with Andrews on this list of dynasty tight end rankings, including his talent and situation.
The Ravens need to be less reliant on Andrews and get more production from their outside receivers. Still, it is clear that Lamar Jackson is most comfortable throwing in the middle of the field, and he has a great on-the-field relationship with Andrews. While Andrews did catch seven touchdowns last year, expect him to eclipse that in 2021.
2) Travis Kelce, Kansas City Chiefs
As alluded to above, age is a concern with Kelce. In fact, he is the oldest player on this dynasty rankings list by a wide margin. He also happens to be the most productive. Kelce had the most receiving yards per game of any tight end and 15 yards more per game than Kittle. Only Stefon Diggs finished the season with more receiving yards than Kelce, which is amazing.
The Chiefs do a remarkable job of getting Kelce into space and in a position to run after the catch, which he does very well. Great tight ends usually drift away slowly and rarely fall off a cliff late in their career. However, Kelce is nowhere close to that point.
1) George Kittle, San Francisco 49ers
Kittle vs. Travis Kelce is really a 1A/1B situation for these dynasty TE rankings, and obviously, Kelce did much more for his fantasy managers in 2020 than Kittle. Kittle appeared in just half of San Francisco’s games this year. Yet, Kittle is also four years younger. Kittle’s 79 yards per game was second behind only Kelce. He is exceptional after the catch with his bruising style and ability to run over defensive backs, but Kittle also has great long speed.
Not only is Kittle the NFL’s best all-around tight end, but he also might be the most valuable offensive skill position player overall in the entire league. It is also quite possible that San Francisco has a new starting quarterback next year, and you would have to think that they would only be in the market for a clear upgrade over Jimmy Garoppolo if they were to make a move.
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