The injury bug has bit the NFL hard through the first two weeks, leaving fantasy managers looking everywhere for players to try and fill the voids. Never fear, we will make it through this together to week three and beyond. I have the week 3 tight end rankings for fantasy football at your service.
Fantasy Football Week 3 Tight End Rankings
Tier 1:
1.Brock Bowers vs. Carolina Panthers
2.Kyle Pitts vs. Kansas City Chiefs
3.George Kittle vs. Los Angeles Rams
Brock Bowers has officially entered the tier one and THE TE1 discussion. Bowers ranks top five in most key opportunity metrics. Plus, the top three in key tight end productivity like yards, receptions, and of course the all-important fantasy points per game. Bowers will likely find his home in tier one for the majority of this season as he has become Gardner Minshews favorite target.
Brock Bowers leads all #NFL Tight Ends in:
– Targets (17)
– Catches (15)
– Yards (156)
– plays of 20+ yards (3)Bowers is legit. #RaiderNation pic.twitter.com/8ZStDPyxMm
— Vincenzo Sciacqua (@RaiderVince89) September 16, 2024
The Chiefs have struggled against tight ends and Kyle Pitts gets the opportunity to exploit this matchup. Beyond the huge Isaiah Likely game in week one, the Chiefs also allowed Mike Gesicki a seven-reception and 91-yard performance this past week. Pitts only has six receptions with 46 yards and a touchdown, so managers continue to struggle with life with Pitts as their top tight end option. Perhaps this game can give them some confidence.
Tier 2:
4.Travis Kelce vs. Atlanta Falcons
5.Trey McBride vs. Detroit Lions
7.Mark Andrews vs. Dallas Cowboys
8.Sam LaPorta vs. Arizona Cardinals
8.Dalton Kincaid vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
Travis Kelce lands just outside the top tier because he is still Travis Kelce, but the first two games have been very lackluster. Everyone was ready for a potential decline in productivity, but most managers felt they’d get at least another year or two from him. It will be interesting to see if the lackluster production continues or if we see Kelce come back around, even just a bit. However, Kelces four receptions for 39 yards to start the season is eye-popping, for all the wrong reasons.
Beyond Kelce, not much to add to the second tier, as these are all tight ends who should be playing better than they are for the most part. Andrews, LaPorta, and Kincaid have all failed to meet expectations of managers. The early investments are not seeing early returns. The Cardinals, Lions, and Jaguars have all been top-ten teams against fantasy tight ends in the early going. This likely lines up at least one of McBride, LaPorta, or Kincaid for a tough weekly result, again.
Two things had to be true for Dalton Kincaid, who is clearly a good TE, to reach his fantasy ADP. Through two games, it doesn’t look like either of them are true. pic.twitter.com/iya6zZA38u
— Matt Harmon (@MattHarmon_BYB) September 17, 2024
Tier 3:
9.Luke Schoonmaker vs. Baltimore Ravens
10.Jonnu Smith vs. Seattle Seahawks
11.Dalton Schultz vs. Minnesota Vikings
12.Pat Freiermuth vs. Los Angeles Chargers
With no Jake Ferguson, Schoonmaker stepped up in a big way in week two. He made six receptions for 43 yards on only 40% of snaps played. The Ravens have given up at least six fantasy points to three tight ends in the first two weeks. While six points isn’t matchup-altering for fantasy managers it puts a tight end on the fringes of being a top-12 tight end. In an offense like the Cowboys and in a matchup that could be conducive to significant offensive output, Schoonmaker could be an impact tight end for fantasy again in week three.
I debated Mike Gesicki in this tier for my week 3 tight end rankings as well after his showing last week. However, this would be too dependent on Tee Higgins missing week three. So Jonnu Smith it is against a Seahawks team that just allowed 18 fantasy points to Hunter Henry. We will be getting our first look at Skylar Thompson as the Dolphins starting quarterback. This will more likely impact the wide receivers and provide an opportunity for a security blanket like tight end Jonnu Smith.
Main Image: Reggie Hildred – USA Today Sports
