ELITE TE1
1. Rob Gronkowski, NE - Still the gold standard despite a third back surgery this offseason. Highest demonstrated ceiling and only 28 at season’s open. Strong record means worth the risk that he breaks down
STRONG TE1 WITH ROOM TO GROW
2. Travis Kelce, KC - Actually living up to “Baby Gronk” nickname, but needs more consistent targets, especially in red zone
3. Jordan Reed, WAS - Durability seems precarious, but has situation/talent to match Gronk. Possible #1 target in pass-heavy offense.
4. Tyler Eifert, CIN - Common theme - great talent/role, questionable durability. Cincinnati OL woes a concern
SOLID TE1 BUT CLOCK TICKING
5. Martellus Bennett, GB - Living on QB Boardwalk with Rodgers, unknown ceiling if healthy
6. Greg Olsen, CAR - Set up to be #1 receiver, decline coming soon for 32-year old?
7. Jimmy Graham, SEA - Will knee get stronger? Role shrinks with Lockett healthy?
LOW TE1 WITH ROOM TO GROW
8. Eric Ebron, DET - Red zone involvement an issue, but game coming on and good situation
9. Hunter Henry, LAC - Role should increase with Gates in December of career
LOW TE1 LIMITED CEILING
10. Kyle Rudolph, MIN - Good fit with Bradford, could inch up if offensive line improves
11. Cameron Brate, TB - Good fit with Winston, addition of Jackson will open up middle, but take targets
12. Zach Ertz, PHI - Volume play will lose targets with WR additions in Philly
SPECULATIVE TALENT WITH SITUATION QUESTIONS
13. Tyler Higbee, LAR - Could become #1 target, but in very poor pass offense
14. Austin Hooper, ATL - Flashed in rookie year, but crowded passing game
SOLID TE1 CLOCK TICKING FASTER
15. Delanie Walker, TEN - Turns 33 this year, 2015 is the outlier
TALENT TEASE IN GOOD SITUATION
16. Coby Fleener, NO - Perennial underachiever, but lots of targets up for grabs
17. Jared Cook, OAK - Opportunity abounds in Oakland, needs to stay healthy
18. Dwayne Allen, NE - Gets Bennett role if he can stay healthy
19. Ladarius Green, PIT - Strong TE1 upside, but future in doubt
20. Vance McDonald, SF - Hoyer volume/Shanahan could fuel number growth
SOLID TALENT HELD BACK BY SITUATION
21. Charles Clay, BUF - Could benefit from Bills WR shortage
MEDIOCRE TALENT INFLATED BY SITUATION
22. Jack Doyle, IND - Hard to see numbers growing greatly unless Swoope bombs
23. Jesse James, PIT - Stiff, unathletic, but could increase role if Green done
SPECULATIVE TALENT
24. Erik Swoope, IND - Basketball convert showing seam ripping speed in small 2016 role
25. Maxx Williams, BAL - Second-round pick turning 23 soon but can’t stay on field
MEDIOCRE TALENT WITH OPPORTUNITY
26. Dion Sims, CHI - Signed as long-term starter, could move up when Miller moves on
BYE WEEK/INJURY FILLER CLOCK TICKING
27. Zach Miller, CHI - Sims addition limits upside
28. Vernon Davis, WAS - Low TE1 potential if Reed misses time
29. Gary Barnidge, CLE - QB situation destroyed value
30. Antonio Gates, LAC - Targets will decrease with record push over
SPECULATIVE DEEP LEAGUE HOLDS
31. AJ Derby, DEN - Best receiving TE in poor passing game
32. Seth DeValue, CLE - WR-like measureables but durability questions
BYE WEEK/INJURY FILLER CLOCK TICKING
33. Jason Witten, DAL - Hall of famer (?) nearing end of great run
34. Julius Thomas, MIA - Role likely shrinking in new home
35. Dennis Pitta, BAL - 2016 trend arrow pointing down
HOLD AND HOPE
36. Clive Walford, OAK - Waiting behind Cook for now
37. Jace Amaro, TEN - Former 2nd rounder turning 25 in summer barely hanging on roster
38. Austin Seferian-Jenkins, NYJ - Any more strikes left?
39. Stephen Anderson, HOU - H-back with upside, but stuck in terrible pass offense
40. Xavier Grimble, PIT - Flashing talent, but behind James
41. Thomas Duarte, MIA - Jordan Reed type talent, still ways to go
42. Darren Waller, BAL - Converted size/speed WR in crowded TE group
43. Nick Vannett, SEA - Chance for growth behind Graham/Willson
44. Blake Bell, SF - Converted QB role could grow in third year
45. Ben Braunecker, CHI - Gaudy measurables, but behind Sims/Miller/Pruitt
46. Rico Gathers, DAL - Basketball convert with opportunity on horizon
47. Logan Thomas, BUF - Bills intrigued by former QB with stellar athletic profile
BYE WEEK/INJURY FILLER
48. CJ Fiedorowicz, HOU - Sharing with Griffin in poor situation
49. Jermaine Gresham, ARI - Came on in second half, got large deal
50. Ryan Griffin, HOU - Sharing with Fiedorowicz in poor situation
51. Crockett Gillmore, BAL
52. MyCole Pruitt, CHI
53. Will Tye, NYG
54. Trey Burton, PHI
55. Troy Niklas, ARI
56. Luke Willson, SEA
57. Virgil Green, DEN
58. MarQueis Gray, MIA
59. Demetrius Harris, KC
60. James O’Shaughnessy, KC
61. David Morgan, MIN
62. CJ Uzomah, CIN
63. Tyler Kroft, CIN
64. Mychal Rivera, JAX
65. Ross Travis, KC
66. Matt LaCosse, NYG
67. Matt Lengel, NE
68. Lance Kendricks, GB
69. Jerell Adams, NYG
70. Daniel Brown, CHI
71. Darion Griswold, ATL
72. Garrett Celek, SF
73. Richard Rodgers, GB
74. Jeff Heuerman, DEN
75. Darren Fells, DET
76. Josh Hill, NO
77. Neal Sterling, JAX
78. Ben Koyack, JAX
79. Levine Toilolo, ATL
80. Brandon Williams, IND
81. Temarrick Hemingway, LAR
82. Hakeem Valles, ARI
83. Ifeanyi Momah, ARI
84. Ben Watson, BAL
85. Jacob Tamme, FA
86. Cole Wick, DET
87. Henry Krieger-Coble, DEN
88. Niles Paul, WAS
89. Beau Sandland, GB
90. Rob Housler, NE
91. Jake Stoneburner, NO
92. Connor Hamlett, DAL
93. Joshua Perkins, ATL
94. Ed Dickson, CAR
95. Nick O’Leary, BUF
96. Clay Harbor, DET
97. Kivon Cartwright, TB
98. Garrett Griffin, NO
99. Wes Saxton, WAS
100. Ryan Malleck, PIT