2022 Fantasy Football Tight End Rankings & Tiers — McFarland

• Albert Okwuegbunam falls out of the Top 12 after playing deep into another preseason game while other Broncos’ starters rested.

• Irv Smith Jr. returns to practice after an early-August thumb surgery, keeping his status inside the Top 12 alive.

• Brevin Jordan is rising up the ranks after playing nearly every passing down snap with the Houston starters in two preseason games.

• Evan Engram might have one last chance to reach 75% route participation based on his preseason work in Jacksonville.

• Click here for the rest of PFF's fantasy rankings.

Ranking players by position is integral to fantasy football preparation, but grouping them into tiers is crucial to identifying the value you might be leaving on the draft board.

For example, if you're on the clock and looking at several wide receivers in the same tier, it could make sense to wait until the next round — someone equally as worthy will probably be available with your next pick.

Tiers can also help group players with similar expectations based on upside and floor. Most importantly, we don't want to pay more than the next drafter for a similar player.

There are seven primary criteria used to create tight-end tiers:

• Target pedigree: Recent adjusted target shares and targets per route run
• Performance peripherals: Yards per route run, deep targets (20-plus yards), yards after the catch and explosive target rate (15-plus-yard receptions)
• Offense quality: Projected team wins (winning teams typically score more and passing YPA correlates strongly to wins)
• Passing volume: Projected team pass attempts per game (excludes overtime)
• Quarterback quality: Team QB1 ADP (combined with passing volume to offset quarterbacks with a higher ADP due to rushing ability)
• Target competition: Number of teammates with a significant ADP (wide receivers with a top-36 ADP plus tight ends with a top-12 ADP)
• Player average draft position (ADP): Positional rank based on FFPC best ball slim data from Fantasy Mojo

The first two criteria focus on the player’s ability to generate and create production from targets, while the following four data points analyze the team environment. ADP is a final check against the current market sentiment that helps us extract maximum value from our selections.

The ultimate options are receivers who demand targets at all levels of the field and make plays after the catch on winning pass-heavy teams. After that, every tier is some variation of strengths vs. weaknesses in the profile.

For example, a talented tight end on a run-balanced offense with a high projected win total and low target competition is better than the same situation with multiple teammates challenging for opportunities. On the other hand, two talented pass-catching options can co-exist in a quality pass-happy attack.

The first table is a quick view of the complete tiers and rankings, and a more detailed heat map is included below as we break down each tier.

Last Updated: August 25, 2022

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Tier 1 Tight Ends

TIER 1A – TALENT AND OPPORTUNITY AND A QUARTERBACK, OH MY!

Travis Kelce posted his sixth consecutive 1,000-plus yard season with 1,125 yards in addition to nine touchdowns and finished as the TE2 in 2021. Historically, he has been a cheat code, scoring like a WR1 rather than a TE1. He should remain the focal point of the Kansas City Chiefs‘ offense with Tyreek Hill now in Miami.

The 33-year-old saw his lowest target share (19%), TPRR (21%) and YPRR (1.84) figures since 2015. However, we have seen great tight ends continue to post strong fantasy finishes at later ages than running backs and receivers. Kelce should post another 130-plus target season and has the upside for more.

He comes off the board in the middle of Round 2 on Underdog and as a mid-Round 1 pick over at the FFPC, where tight ends get 1.5 points per reception.

Mark Andrews has always demanded targets when on the field, but he ran a route on just 45%, 58% and 71% of pass plays in his first three NFL seasons. In 2021, that number surged to 84% (elite), and his No. 1 fantasy finish followed. His 33% target share in the end zone is legendary, and his explosive target rate is a problem for defenses and opposing fantasy managers. Andrews is one of the few tight ends who can score from anywhere.

The Baltimore Ravens‘ dropback rate climbed from 50% in 2020 to 63% in 2021. However, the team battled multiple running back injuries, and its defensive secondary was also compromised. We can expect a figure between 2020 and 2021 next season — especially after moving Marquise Brown in a draft-day trade — but the Ravens' offensive efficiency could improve.

He is an excellent option in Round 2 of drafts, and Lamar Jackson is available in Round 5 if you want the stack.

TIER 1B – MOST LIKELY TO CATAPULT INTO TIER 1A