TE Ranks – 2015 NFL Season

Top 20 TE Ranks for 2015:

PPR scoring format:
Rush/Receiving TDs score 6 points.
Rush/Receiving yards score 1 point for every 10 yards.
Receptions score 1 point.
All Turnovers score -1 points.

Updates will be made through August as new info arises.

1 – Rob Gronkowski

– New England Patriots

2014: Tgts: 131, Rec: 82, Rec Yds: 1,124, Rec TDs: 12, FL: 0

2015 Status – No Change

Gronk is still the most dominant player at any position and ranks as the clear #1.

Currently, his QB Tom Brady is facing a 4 game suspension which may somewhat affect his production during this time, but regardless of who is under center, Gronk is the featured weapon in this offense, regardless of scheme.

2 – Jimmy Graham

– Seattle Seahawks

2014: Tgts: 125, Rec: 85, Rec Yds: 889, Rec TDs: 10, FL: 2
(with New Orleans)

2015 Status – Slight Downgrade

Graham goes from a pass-first scenario to PFF’s highest graded rush offense. Graham will be the top aerial red zone target for QB Russell Wilson, who will have his first tier 1 receiving weapon in his career.

His usage may not hit last season’s numbers but Graham should be a lock for double-digit TDs.

Don’t over think this Pete.

3 – Travis Kelce

– Kansas City Chiefs

2014: Tgts: 87, Rec: 67, Rec Yds: 862, Rec TDs: 5, FL: 3

2015 Status – Upgrade

Kelce could have the biggest leap of any TEs this season with his current scenario. Anthony Fasano is no longer in the way of his snaps and is just one of two legit aerial weapons the Chiefs have other than new addition WR Jeremy Maclin.

4 – Greg Olsen

– Carolina Panthers

2014: Tgts: 123, Rec: 84, Rec Yds: 1,008, Rec TDs: 6, FL: 0

2015 Status – Slight Downgrade

Olsen topped career highs in targets, receptions, and yards so his stat line from last season seems more like a ceiling at best, especially with with 2nd round rookie WR Devin Funchess starting as the Panthers’ WR2.

Funchess is a big receiver that could siphon red zone looks from Olsen.

5 – Martellus Bennett

– Chicago Bears

2014: Tgts: 128, Rec: 90, Rec Yds: 916, Rec TDs: 6, FL: 0

2015 Status – Slight Downgrade.

Bennett ranked the 4th highest PPR TE last season but that stat line seems more like a career high ceiling now.

Chicago added 1st round rookie WR Kevin White to replace the departed Brandon Marshall (NYJ), as well as the new addition of Eddie Royal.

Bennett’s stat line should drop from last season with a more crowded receiver scenario.

6 – Zach Ertz

– Philadelphia Eagles

2014: Tgts: 89, Rec: 58, Rec Yds: 702, Rec TDs: 3, FL: 1

2015 Status – Upgrade

Ertz plays behind outstanding in-line blocking TE Brent Celek. Celek saw 827 snaps compared to the 603 Ertz got last season.

Ertz snap count should increase this season but will probably be largely dependent on scheme and game situations.

Even with the departure of WR Jeremy Maclin (KC), this doesn’t change the pecking order that much with Philly drafting 1st round rookie WR Nelson Agholor (a Maclin clone).

7 – Jordan Cameron

– Miami Dolphins

2014: Tgts: 48, Rec: 24, Rec Yds: 424, Rec TDs: 2, FL: 0
(with Cleveland)

2015 Status – Upgrade

Cameron’s scenario greatly improves in every way compared to the train-wreck in Cleveland last season. Cameron is an upgrade at the position over the departed Charles Clay (BUF) and would be an ideal fit for QB Ryan Tannehill.

Cameron’s issue is the injury-prone flag as he has never completed a full campaign in his four year career.

8 – Jason Witten

– Dallas Cowboys

2014: Tgts: 90, Rec: 64, Rec Yds: 703, Rec TDs: 5, FL: 0

2015 Status – No Change

Witten ranked 9th in PPR TE scoring last season. The long time vet will resume his role as the #2 aerial weapon in Dallas’ offense.

When the Dallas running game does take a step back from last season’s output, Witten should be primed for increased targets.

9 – Julius Thomas

– Jacksonville Jaguars

2014: Tgts: 62, Rec: 43, Rec Yds: 489, Rec TDs: 12, FL: 0
(with Denver)

2015 Status – Downgrade

Thomas goes from Peyton Manning’s 2nd highest scoring offense to Blake Bortles’ lowest scoring offense. Expect Thomas’ stat line from last year to fall off a cliff.

10 – Delanie Walker

– Tennessee Titans

2014: Tgts: 106, Rec: 63, Rec Yds: 890, Rec TDs: 4, FL: 0

2015 Status – No Change

Walker ranked 8th in PPR TE scoring last season. Rookie QB Marcus Mariota would be wise to lean on Walker as much as possible as Walker was the 5th highest targeted TE and his usage should not dip.

11 – Owen Daniels

– Denver Broncos

2014: Tgts: 79, Rec: 48, Rec Yds: 527, Rec TDs: 4, FL: 0
(with Baltimore)

2015 Status – Slight Upgrade

Daniels rejoins coach Kubiak but could potentially split time with blocking TE Virgil Green, making Daniels snap counts unpredictable based on scheme and game flow.

12 – Kyle Rudolph

– Minnesota Vikings

2014: Tgts: 34, Rec: 24, Rec Yds: 221, Rec TDs: 2, FL: 0

2015 Status – Upgrade

Rudolph does have an improved and solid offensive scenario to return to this season. Rudolph could turn into a nice red zone threat for QB Teddy Bridgewater, but Rudolph’s injury-prone status is similar to Miami’s Jordan Cameron.

13 – Josh Hill

– New Orleans Saints

2014: Tgts: 20, Rec: 14, Rec Yds: 176, Rec TDs: 5, FL: 0

2015 Status – Upgrade

With top receiving threats TE Jimmy Graham (SEA) and WR Kenny Stills (MIA) both gone, QB Drew Brees will have to target someone other than Brandin Cooks and C.J. Spiller.

Hill is still raw and may not be trusted by Brees or the coaching staff and will likely split time with TE Ben Watson.

14 – Dwayne Allen

– Indianapolis Colts

2014: Tgts: 50, Rec: 29, Rec Yds: 395, Rec TDs: 8, FL: 0

2015 Status – Slight Downgrade

Allen’s blocking abilities will keep him on the field, but largely in that capacity. The Colt’s field the deepest WR corps in the league, with T.Y. Hilton, Andre Johnson, Donte Moncrief, and 1st round rookie Philip Dorsett, all likely seeing more targets than Allen will.

The big loser here will be TE Coby Fleener as his snap count will fall off a cliff with the Colts’ going with more 3/4-wide schemes.

15 – Antonio Gates

– San Diego Chargers

2014: Tgts: 98, Rec: 69, Rec Yds: 821, Rec TDs: 12, FL: 0

2015 Status – Downgrade

Gates’ was the 3rd highest scoring PPR TE last season but will miss the first 4 games due to suspension.

Factoring the suspension based on last year’s stats, Gates would have finished in 9th place.

TE Ladarius Green will have an opportunity to start the first quarter of the season. Gates’ will return in week 5 as QB Philip Rivers’ favorite red zone target.

16 – Jordan Reed

– Washington Redskins

2014: Tgts: 65, Rec: 50, Rec Yds: 465, Rec TDs: 0, FL: 1

2015 Status – Slight Upgrade

The injury-prone Reed is coming off another injury marred season missing 5 games. Even if he can stay healthy, he should share time with TE Niles Paul.

17 – Austin Seferian-Jenkins

– Tampa Bay Buccaneers

2014: Tgts: 38, Rec: 21, Rec Yds: 221, Rec TDs: 2, FL: 0

2015 Status – Upgrade

ASJ missed 7 games to injury last season but returns healthy, with an improved offensive situation. ASJ could have breakout potential with rookie QB Jameis Winston as a matchup nightmare in the red zone.

18 – Ladarius Green

– San Diego Chargers

2014: Tgts: 25, Rec: 19, Rec Yds: 226, Rec TDs: 0, FL: 0

2015 Status – Upgrade

Green will start the first 4 games in place of suspended Antonio Gates and will have an opportunity to either prove he can be a play maker in this league or not. Coming into his fourth season, it’s about time to find out.

19 – Tyler Eifert

– Cincinnati Bengals

2014: Tgts: 3, Rec: 3, Rec Yds: 37, Rec TDs: 0, FL: 0

2015 Status – Upgrade

Eifert missed 15 games last season to injury. Eifert will start now that Jermaine Gresham has been released.

20 – Vernon Davis

– San Francisco 49ers

2014: Tgts: 50, Rec: 26, Rec Yds: 245, Rec TDs: 2, FL: 0

2015 Status – Upgrade

Davis gets a bump here since it possibly cannot get any worse than last season. Expect Davis to be schemed for a tad more.