Ranking the Top 20 Tight Ends in Fantasy Football

After the unbelievable statistical seasons turned in a year ago by Rob Gronkowski of the New England Patriots and Jimmy Graham of the New Orleans Saints, the tight end position has increased in value in fantasy football leagues, with the once unthinkable occurrence of a tight end being selected in the first round now becoming commonplace.

Whether it's one of those elite options or a player with a lower asking price, every fantasy squad needs a tight end, and to assist you in selecting yours, here's a look at the top 20 tight ends for point-per-reception fantasy football leagues in 2012.

1. Jimmy Graham, New Orleans Saints

Jimmy Graham of the New Orleans Saints led all tight ends with 99 receptions in 2011, and with Robert Meachem now in San Diego, there's a very real possibility that the third-year pro could become the first player at his position to catch 100 passes since Dallas Clark in 2009.

2. Rob Gronkowski, New England Patriots

After racking up over 1,300 receiving yards and scoring an NFL-record 17 touchdowns in 2011, Rob Gronkowski of the New England Patriots has ascended to the pinnacle of his position.

However, those record-setting scoring numbers are going to be difficult to duplicate given all the other options at quarterback Tom Brady's disposal in New England, making "Gronk" something of a risky pick considering his lofty sticker price.

3. Aaron Hernandez, New England Patriots

You know we've entered uncharted waters at the tight end position in fantasy football when two of the top three options play for the same team.

Playing in the shadow of Rob Gronkowski didn't stop Aaron Hernandez of the New England Patriots from posting solid numbers all his own last year. The 22-year-old's 79 catches for 910 yards and seven scores was good enough to place him third at his position in fantasy points last season.

Hernandez's athleticism allows the Patriots to line the third-year pro up all over the field, with his versatility creating matchup nightmares for opposing defenses. But as Hernandez recently told The New Britain Herald, both he and the Patriots still have some work to do to get ready for opening day.

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“We look pretty good, but we have a long way to go,” Hernandez said last week. “But every team has a long way to go right now to reach that ultimate goal. But we have to keep fighting and improve day by day.”

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4. Antonio Gates, San Diego Chargers

After spending several seasons as fantasy football's top option at the tight end position, injuries have cost Antonio Gates nine games over the past two seasons.

However, the 32-year-old is reportedly healthier entering this season than he has been in some time. Gates recently told CBS Sports that he's "enjoying the game and embracing (his) health.”

5. Tony Gonzalez, Atlanta Flacons

At 36-years-old, Tony Gonzalez is the elder statesman of this list, but the future Hall of Famer has been the model of both productivity and durability throughout his illustrious career.

The 12-time Pro Bowler has missed all of two games in 15 seasons, and Gonzalez hasn't finished lower than sixth in fantasy points among tight ends in this century.

6. Vernon Davis, San Francisco 49ers

For the first time since 2008, San Francisco 49ers tight end Vernon Davis failed to place among the top-five fantasy options at his position last season.

However, the seventh-year veteran has emerged as Alex Smith's most reliable receiving option and is a solid option for fantasy owners that wait a bit before selecting a tight end.

7. Brandon Pettigrew, Detroit Lions

One of the main beneficiaries of quarterback Matthew Stafford's 5,000 passing yards last year was fourth-year tight end Brandon Pettigrew, who set career highs across the board with 83 catches for 777 yards and five touchdowns.

Pettigrew was the second-most targeted tight end in the National Football League last year, and with the Detroit running game in disarray, there's little reason to think that will change in 2012.

8. Jason Witten, Dallas Cowboys

A few short days ago Jason Witten was arguably a top-five fantasy option at the tight end position entering this season.

However, that was then, and this is now.

Witten suffered a laceration to his spleen in the Dallas Cowboys preseason opener Monday, and as head coach Jason Garrett recently told the Associated Press via The Boston Herald, the team isn't taking any chances with the 10th-year pro.

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“It’s a very serious injury and we’re really taking this thing day by day,” Garrett said. “He has to be very still and idle for the next week to 10 days, so you won’t see him out here on the practice field. He won’t play in the game this week or next week. We’ve just got to make sure he heals as well as possible, as quickly as possible.”

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If Witten doesn't recover quickly, then surgery may become necessary, and that possibility crowds Witten's fantasy prospects for the upcoming season.

9. Fred Davis, Washington Redskins

Before missing the last four games of the 2011 season due to a suspension, Fred Davis of the Washington Redskins appeared to be set to join the elite options at his position, tying for fifth in fantasy points per game a year ago.

However, Davis and new quarterback Robert Griffin haven't "clicked" in training camp as much as some had hoped, and that's enough cause for concern to drop Davis a couple spots.

10. Jermichael Finley, Green Bay Packers

Green Bay Packers tight end Jermichael Finley has all the physical tools to be an elite NFL player and plays for one of the most prolific offenses in the league.

However, the fifth-year veteran is also maddeningly inconsistent and prone to fits of the dropsies, and that's enough to make Finley, at best, a lower-end starting fantasy option.

11. Owen Daniels, Houston Texans

It's been a few years since Owen Daniels was a relevant fantasy player, as injuries have cost the seventh-year pro 14 games over the past three seasons.

With that said, Daniels is effectively the number two option in the Houston passing attack, and if the 29-year-old can stay on the field, there's a good chance he'll post his first top-10 fantasy finish since 2008.

12. Jacob Tamme, Denver Broncos

Tight end Jacob Tamme joined quarterback Peyton Manning in departing the Indianapolis Colts for the Denver Broncos in the offseason.

Manning has historically looked to his tight end quite a bit, and Tamme has shown the ability to be productive in the past.

That includes making almost 70 catches for over 600 yards in 2010, when the fifth-year pro started eight games.

13. Brent Celek, Philadelphia Eagles

Philadelphia Eagles tight end Brent Celek quietly put together a decent 2011 season, reeling in 62 passes for 811 yards and five touchdowns while finishing 11th at his position in fantasy points for the year.

It's unlikely we'll see a return to Celek's 75+ catch, 971 yards, eight touchdowns heyday from 2009 with Michael Vick under center in Philly, but as Philadelphia Magazine recently pointed out, it's in the Eagles' best interests to get Celek more involved in the offense.

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7.5 – Brent Celek’s average yards after the catch last season, which ranked first among all [Philadelphia] tight ends. Celek also averaged 13.1 yards per catch in 2011, a career-high. And after dropping 12 balls in 2009, he’s dropped five in each of the past two seasons.

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14. Jermaine Gresham, Cincinnati Bengals

Jermaine Gresham's production increased across the board in his second NFL season, and as the second option in the Cincinnati Bengals aerial attack there's ample reason to think that Gresham's numbers will once again increase in 2012.

15. Greg Olsen, Carolina Panthers

Carolina Panthers tight end Greg Olsen had a relatively quiet 2011 season, finishing 16th in fantasy points at his position.

However, the sixth-year pro did manage a very respectable 12 yards a catch last season, and fantasy owners looking for a solid backup or bye-week option could do much worse.

16. Kyle Rudolph, Minnesota Vikings

Kyle Rudolph's 26 receptions for 249 yards and three touchdowns as a rookie last year certainly aren't eye-popping numbers, but Rudolph has been one of the stars on Minnesota's training camp and has emerged as a trendy "sleeper" pick at the tight end position this season.

17. Dustin Keller, New York Jets

It can be hard to get excited about of the New York Jets' pass-catchers from a fantasy football perspective, but the fact remains that Keller very quietly put together a top-10 fantasy campaign in 2011 on the heels of 65 receptions for 815 yards and five touchdowns.

18. Jared Cook, Tennessee Titans

Although Jared Cook of the Tennessee Titans started only five games last season, the fourth-year pro carved out a larger role for himself in the Titans offense as the season progressed, including two 100-yard receiving games over the last three weeks of the 2011 campaign.

Cook's 15.5 yards per catch last year was tops in the NFL among tight ends with more than 40 receptions, and as Pete Prisco of CBS Sports recently opined, Cook could be on the verge of a breakout season.

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Jared Cook has the ability to be a premier pass-catching tight end. But he has to put it all together. Cook, now in his fourth season, had a career-high 49 catches last season. But it's the 15.5 per-catch average that is so impressive. He also had an 80-yard touchdown catch. That shows his athletic ability. I look for a huge year from Cook, who impressed on the day I watched him practice.

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19. Coby Fleener, Indianapolis Colts

Rookie tight end Coby Fleener joins former Stanford teammate Andrew Luck as newcomers to the Indianapolis Colts this season, and as Luck acclimates to the National Football League, it's not unreasonable to assume he'll target his old college buddy quite a bit.

20. Heath Miller, Pittsburgh Steelers

The fact that the Pittsburgh Steelers often utilize tight end Heath Miller as a blocker severely hinders his fantasy upside.

However, the eighth-year pro does have two top-10 fantasy seasons on his resume, so the 29-year-old has demonstrated the ability to produce when afforded the opportunity.