The tight end position may not be the most important to a fantasy football team, but it can often mean a squad finishes with a losing or winning season. If you draft any of these tight ends, you may find yourself reaping the benefits.
10. Jimmy Graham – Green Bay Packers
Jimmy Graham is far from what he used to be, and Aaron Rodgers doesn't historically favor his tight ends to his receivers. But Matt LaFleur's playbook does. The new head coach will utilize the 1-2 formation to create mismatches with tight ends. It turns out Graham can do just that.
9. Delanie Walker – Tennessee Titans
The Titans gave Marcus Mariota weapons in 2019. But, their biggest addition comes from Delanie Walker being off the injured reserve. Though in the twilight of his career, the last time we saw him he batted off four straight 800+ yard seasons.
8. Jared Cook – New Orleans Saints
Jared Cook enjoyed the best season of his career on a lowly Raiders team in 2018. Now, he joins Drew Brees on a team with Super Bowl aspirations. Brees will enjoy playing with the sure-handed receiving threat, as Cook could top his Pro Bowl campaign from last year.
7. David Njoku – Cleveland Browns
David Njoku has all the tools to be an elite NFL tight end. He's big, as athletic as can be, is a menace as a mismatch receiving tight end, and will benefit from sharing a field with Baker Mayfield and an elite pair of receivers. He'll push defenses to their limit in 2019.
6. Evan Engram – New York Giants
Evan Engram is the Giants' best vertical threat in a post-Odell Beckham Jr. world. A blazing tight end with the ability to play in the slot, out-wide, or at the Y, Pat Shurmur will move him around as he succeeds in their West Coast scheme.
5. Hunter Henry – Los Angeles Chargers
2018 was supposed to be the year of the Hunter Henry. But a torn ACL before the preseason halted those efforts. Before then, the tight end built a rapport with Philip Rivers. Expect them to pick up where they left off, as Rivers will certainly exploit him as a chain-mover and red zone ace.
4. O.J. Howard – Tampa Bay Buccaneers
It's time for a breakout season from O.J. Howard. In 2018, he nearly did so, before suffering a foot and ankle injury. Built to dominate the league as a receiving tight end, Bruce Arians and Jameis Winston will have fun with a freakish vertical threat over the middle of the field.
3. Zach Ertz – Philadelphia Eagles
Zach Ertz set the NFL's record for receptions by a tight end in 2018 (116). He had his best season as a pro despite inconsistency as the quarterback position. With his pass-throwing best friend Carson Wentz back, Ertz is in-line for another big season.
2. George Kittle – San Francisco 49ers
One of the NFL's truly elite pass-catching tight ends, George Kittle broke the NFL's record for receiving yards at the position in 2018 (1,377). He did so in only his second year of play. With Jimmy Garoppolo tossing him passes in 2019, Kittle's numbers could be even better.
1. Travis Kelce – Kansas City Chiefs
Travis Kelce has been the best tight end in the NFL for some time now, and in fantasy too. Patrick Mahomes likely still views him as the top option; plus, with all the speed on the roster, defenses will be spread thin vertically.
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