Updated Dynasty Tight End Rankings – March 2014, 2.0

Click here for complete dynasty tight end rankings, now with Rotoworld rankings included.

Top six remains the same with Jimmy Graham, Rob Gronkowski, Julius Thomas, Jordan Cameron, Vernon Davis and Jordan Reed at the top.
Big risers this update include Vance McDonald of the 49ers. Vernon Davis is now 30 years old and McDonald is the current candidate to replace him; same goes for McDonald’s Rice teammate Luke Willson in Seattle, playing behind now-28-year-old Zach Miller; the last big riser is Atlanta’s Levine Toilolo. With Tony Gonzalez’ retirement (almost) official, Toilolo steps in as the starter in a high-powered offense.
The big drops this update include the previously mentioned Miller; the Eagles Brent Celek, 29, who will be giving more snaps to Zach Ertz; the other big drop includes Jacksonville’s Marcedes Lewis, who could be a decent buy-low candidate if Jacksonville draft’s a quarterback in May.
The new entries to the rankings include Houston’s Ryan Griffin, who immediately looks appealing thanks to Owen Daniels’ release; and the Giants Adrien Robinson who is currently the starter in New York thanks to Brandon Myers signing in Tampa.

Updated Dynasty Tight End Rankings – March 2014

Click here for updated dynasty tight end rankings.

Top five is a consensus now with Jimmy Graham, Rob Gronkowski, Julius Thomas, Jordan Cameron, and Vernon Davis.
A moderate riser this month is Cowboys tight end Gavin Escobar. Jason Witten is a year older and the cap-strapped Cowboys can’t bring in better options in the receiving game.
Fallers this month include Coby Fleener of the Colts. Until the Colts show a willingness to unleash the passing game, no tight end in that Indy offense is a safe bet. Another drop is Brandon Bostick of the Packers. Jermichael Finley could still come back but until the team officially anoints Bostick the heir apparent, he can’t be considered a sure thing.

The Eagles re-signed Riley Cooper, thereby salvaging any dynasty value he had. However, he didn’t clear 50 catches or 900 yards so temper your expectations.
Linebacker D’Qwell Jackson was cut by the Browns, freeing him to sign with any team. Jackson is coming off a season with 139 tackles and seven passes defended so he can still bring it wherever he ends up.
The Vikings were not looking at tight ends at the recent combine so Kyle Rudolph should have a clear path to breakout status in 2014. He also has Norv Turner as his offensive coordinator after Turner turned Jordan Cameron into an All-Pro in Cleveland last season.
Expect Jamaal Charles to get less carries next year but still be at the top of dynasty rankings. Acquiring Knile Davis, especially if you’re a Charles owner, isn’t a bad idea.
Cowboys receiver Dez Bryant is expected to get the ‘Megatron’ treatment under new offensive coordinator Scott Linehan. Expect Bryant to challenge Johnson for top dynasty receiver in 2014.

Click here for updated tight end dynasty rankings.

No big shakes in the top five – Jimmy Graham, Rob Gronkowski, Julius Thomas, Jordan Cameron, and Vernon Davis are all there. These rankings should hold barring significant injury news on Gronk.
The big risers this month include Tim Wright from Tampa Bay, Delanie Walker from Tennessee, Brandon Bostick from Green Bay, and Mychal Rivera from Oakland. With the exception of Walker, all are young and are expected to see even more action in 2014. Bostick would be the guy that most leagues shouldn’t know about quite yet so get him if you can.
The big drops include Jared Cook of the Rams, Antonio Gates from San Diego, Brandon Pettigrew, who is set to be a free agent, Fred Davis, also set to be a free agent, and the ‘retiring’ Tony Gonzalez. Cook just fell off a cliff after a promising season opener. The Rams are expected to add even more weapons, diminishing Cook’s role. Brandon Pettigrew has had all the opportunity in the world with Detroit’s high-octane attack but hasn’t produced. Chances are low he’ll suddenly break out on another team. Fred Davis hasn’t produce since his breakout year three years ago. Now rankings are taking in to account Tony Gonzalez’ retirement. But I won’t believe it until I see it. If you can snag Gonzalez for a late round pick in your draft, or something equivalent, do it.

Click here for updated dynasty tight end rankings.

We have a new top five with Jimmy Graham, Rob Gronkowski (injuries aside), new #3 Julius Thomas, Jordan Cameron, and Vernon Davis rounding it out.
Next up on the list is now second-year Washington tight end Jordan Reed, making a big leap from ninth to sixth. Other big risers include fellow second-year tight end Ladarius Green (from 16th to 11th) who will, presumably, take on a bigger role in San Diego next year. Also be on the lookout for Philadelphia’s Zach Ertz (from 22nd to 16th) who had three of his four biggest yardage games in the last five games of the season. Ertz has more talent than any other tight end on the Eagles roster and should be utilized more.
Dropping this time is Packers tight end Jermichael Finley from 14th to 18th due to the questions about his health and where he’ll end up next season. Other drops include the Giants Brandon Myers, who possibly had the most disappointing fantasy season in the tight end category, and Washington’s Fred Davis who was unseated by the previously mentioned Reed. Neither one shows bounce-back potential in 2014.

While the Cleveland running game appears to be a wreck in the wake of the Trent Richardson trade, the passing game had no problems. Brian Hoyer had 321 yards and three touchdowns (with three interceptions) on the day. Hoyer will be a hot waiver wire pickup. At the moment, I couldn’t imagine the Browns sticking with Hoyer past this year (hello Kelly Holcomb) but stranger things have happened.
On the receiving end for Cleveland, receiver Josh Gordon led the way with 10 catches for 146 yards with tight end Jordan Cameron hauling in three touchdowns.
Just avoid the Cleveland running game. Please.
On the Vikings side, quarterback Christian Ponder had a good day on the ground with two touchdowns and 46 yards. Through the air, he averaged 5.4 YPA, had one interception and was sacked six times. Yikes.
Vikings rookie receiver Cordarrelle Patterson had his best receiving game so far with 49 yards. He’ll only get better as the season progresses if you can snag him.