2013 Fantasy Football Tight End Rankings by Tier: Level Three

We reviewed the elite options and the second wave of fantasy football tight ends. Now we explore the third tier, which features borderline fantasy starters.

You’re rolling the dice a little more if you opt for this group, but it would allow you to focus on other positions earlier in your fantasy draft. Several of them have new homes, which adds to their uncertainty.


Martellus Bennett, Chicago Bears

Bennett caught 55 passes for 626 yards and five touchdowns for the New York Giants last year. Going from Eli Manning to Jay Cutler is a downgrade, but on a team with few options in the passing game, he should see his share of targets. His 6’6″, 265-pound frame will be particularly attractive in the red zone.


Jared Cook, St. Louis Rams

Cook has averaged 641 yards and 3.5 touchdowns over the past two seasons despite missing three games last year and being subjected to poor quarterback play. Sam Bradford isn’t the second coming of Kurt Warner, but he is definitely an upgrade over Jake Locker.

Cook is 6’5″ and 248 pounds with 4.49 speed. There is definitely breakout potential with Cook.

Fred Davis, Washington Redskins

Davis had 24 catches for 325 yards before an Achilles injury ended his season. He averaged just 26 yards in the first four games, but he was starting to jell with Robert Griffin III, averaging 65 yards in the next four games. Given the weapons RGIII has to work with, Davis should remain one of the top targets as long as he’s healthy. He’s better suited as a TE2, but he has TE1 upside.


Jermichael Finley, Green Bay Packers

Finley has the physical tools to be a great tight end, but he just hasn’t lived up to the expectations.

Early on it was injuries that held him back, but Finley hasn’t missed a game in the past two years.  His hands have been the bigger issue. With all of the weapons at Aaron Rodgers’ disposal, he can’t afford for that to be an issue.

Finley has averaged 717 yards and five touchdowns over the past two seasons. He’s donating money to One Fund Boston for every drop, which could motivate him to be a little more focused.


Dustin Keller, Miami Dolphins

Keller was limited to eight games last year, but his numbers extrapolated to 56 catches for 634 yards and four touchdowns for a full season despite the circus atmosphere with the New York Jets. It won’t take much to get better quarterback play from Ryan Tannehill. Prior to last year he averaged 639.8 yards and 3.8 scores.


Brandon Myers, New York Giants

Myers caught 79 passes for 806 yards and four touchdowns for the Oakland Raiders last year. The Giants have had a revolving door at tight end the past few years, but they all have been solid fantasy contributors. Myers should keep it going.



Also, check out LestersLegends.com to help prepare you for fantasy football season.