HOW TO PICK AN EFFICIENT TEAM (cont.)
Tight ends are valuable weapons on the field, but may not always bring the numbers to your fantasy team. Statistically, TE’s don’t “touch” the ball enough to make big impacts, but a highly skilled tight end who is a prime target WILL be a great addition to your team. Here are our top fantasy football TIGHT END picks!
Check out the rest of our 2021 Fantasy Football Guide articles:
2021 NFL Fantasy Football Guide: https://thewhistleblowersports.com/2021-nfl-fantasy-football-guide/
Top 5 Fantasy Football Quarterbacks: https://thewhistleblowersports.com/top-5-fantasy-football-quarterbacks/
Top 5 Fantasy Football Running Backs: https://thewhistleblowersports.com/top-5-fantasy-football-running-backs/
Top 5 Fantasy Football Wide Receivers: https://thewhistleblowersports.com/top-5-fantasy-football-wide-receivers/
#5 T.J. Hockenson, Detroit Lions
After a disappointing rookie year, Hock-eye had an effective 2020 season. Hockensen averaged 8.6 receptions, 78 yards, and 0.8 TDs while ranking 7th among all TE’s in fantasy points. Of course, 2021 brings a new QB, Jared Goff, to the helm for Detroit. But Hockenson will be the #1 target in a pass-first offense gearing for a high fantasy upside.
#4 Mark Andrews, Baltimore Ravens
Lamar Jackson loves his TE’s and Andrews is a high-value player. Andrews is the master of the seam route, scoring 73% of his touchdowns from a seam or streak route. The Ravens added some firepower in the offseason, drafting Rashod Bateman and signing Sammy Watkins. But Mark Andrews will forever be Lamar’s go-to guy. In 2020, Andrews averaged 6.7 receptions and nearly 78 yards a game. This translates to 19.4 points in a PPR league or 14.6 in a regular league. Andrews also gets bonus points for long TDs, which is his specialty.
#3 Darren Waller, Oakland Raiders
Waller is one of the greatest comeback stories in NFL history. In 2016, the Ravens drafted Waller as a WR. Waller was cut by the Ravens after drug charges, but sobered up and was signed by the Raiders. In 2019, Waller had a breakout season receiving for 1,000 yards, which he repeated in 2020. Last season, Waller averaged 9.3 receptions and 87.2 yards and scored 9 touchdowns. Those numbers average to 19 points per game in PPR and 17 in a standard format. Waller, given his high usage rate and yardage count, secures the #3 spot.
#2 George Kittle, San Francisco 49ers
Kittle is probably the most versatile TE on my Top 5 list. GK catches and runs routes like a receiver, blocks like a lineman, and trucks like a running back. Although injured Kittle missed most of 2020, he is still an elite fantasy scorer who averages numbers like 10.4 receptions and 96.4 yards per game. However, his touchdown ratio lacked due to playing in a low amount of games. Kittle is coming into an interesting year with San Fransico after the 1st round selection of Trey Lance. Lance has a different style of play than current starter Jimmy Garopollo. Lance is more of a run-and-gun style of QB, while Jimmy G is the traditional game manager. But it won’t matter who is QB-ing, Kittle will get you points.
#1 Travis Kelce, Kansas City Chiefs
It’s hard NOT to be a good tight end when Patrick Mahomes is your QB, but Travis Kelce is a GREAT tight end. Since 2018, Kelce has led all tight ends in receiving yards and touchdowns. Kelce nabbed a LIV Super Bowl ring against the 49ers, but suffered a championship defeat against the Buccaners. Meanwhile, Kelce killed it, statistically, averaging 10.8 receptions, 100.6 yards, and 0.7 touchdowns in 2020. It’s hard to imagine Kelce not repeating these numbers. Kelce averaged 27 points per game in a PPR, which is more than Julio Jones and DeAndre Hopkins, elite receivers.
