by Eric Stashin (aka The Rotoprofessor)

The evolution of some tight ends around the league continued in Week 14, as players like Travis Kelce, Tyler Eifert and Zach Ertz continue to step up and produce.  Considering the players who have been lost (i.e. Rob Gronkowski), it’s certainly a welcome sight.  How do they rank for Week 15?  Let’s take a look:

1. Tyler Eifert – Cincinnati Bengals – vs. Pittsburgh
2. Greg Olsen – Carolina Panthers – at Washington
3. Travis Kelce – Kansas City Chiefs – vs. Tennessee
4. Zach Ertz – Philadelphia Eagles – at Baltimore
5. Jordan Reed – Washington Redskins – vs. Carolina
6. Kyle Rudolph – Minnesota Vikings – vs. Indianapolis
7. Cameron Brate – Tampa Bay Buccaneers – at Dallas
8. Delanie Walker – Tennessee Titans – at Kansas City
9. Jimmy Graham – Seattle Seahawks – vs. Los Angeles
10. Ladarius Green – Pittsburgh Steelers – at Cincinnati
11. Antonio Gates – San Diego Chargers – vs. Oakland
12. Charles Clay – Buffalo Bills – vs. Cleveland
13. C.J. Fiedorowicz – Houston Texans – vs. Jacksonville
14. Eric Ebron – Detroit Lions – at New York Giants
15. Jermaine Gresham – Arizona Cardinals – vs. New Orleans
16. Dennis Pitta – Baltimore Ravens – vs. Philadelphia
17. Martellus Bennett – New England Patriots – at Denver
18. Jason Witten – Dallas Cowboys – vs. Tampa Bay
19. Coby Fleener – New Orleans Saints – at Arizona
20. Daniel Brown – Chicago Bears – vs. Green Bay

Thoughts:

• Jeremy Maclin returned, but Travis Kelce remained the focus of the offense as he posted his fourth straight 100+ yard performance.  He hasn’t been finding the end zone and the matchup isn’t the best (Tennessee has allowed the fewest yards to opposing tight ends over the past four weeks), but it’s impossible not to consider him among the best options in the league.
• Zach Ertz has now been targeted 10+ times in three of the past four games, including 10 catches for 113 yards in Week 14 against the Redskins.  Look for him to continue to be utilized as a safety valve against the Ravens, and that’s going to keep him slotted among the best options around.
• There’s a lot to be said about opportunity when it comes to tight ends, and Kyle Rudolph has averaged 10 targets per game over the past three games.  That’s not something that can be overlooked, especially against a defense that’s allowed among the most yards to opposing tight ends this season (882 entering Week 15).
• A healthy Jordan Reed would be among the best options in the league, but he was clearly still hampered by his shoulder injury in Week 14.  Hopefully he’s healthier and ready to produce, especially in what’s an extremely favorable matchup.  It all depends on your alternative and the news as the week progresses, but it’ll be hard not to utilize him.
• Charles Clay isn’t a sexy option, but he converted 6 targets into 3 receptions, 52 yards and 1 TD in Week 14 and draws a Cleveland defense that’s allowed 11 TD to opposing tight ends this season.  It all depends on the alternatives, but he’ll be worth the gamble as a low-end TE1.

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Make sure to check out all of our Week 15 rankings: