Top 10 NFL Tight End Rankings (2013)

By: Matt Harmon
July 26, 2013

1)    Rob Gronkowski, TE, New England Patriots
  • Gronk’s injuries are certainly a massive concern, but when he is healthy there is no doubting that he is the best tight end in the league. It is not discussed enough, but he is a very capable blocker to go with a special receiving skill set. He is pretty much impossible to cover given that he is super fast at 6' 6", 265. However, it all comes back to the injuries. Who knows when he will be back on the field, and even then, when will we see the Gronk we know and love?

2)    Jimmy Graham, TE, New Orleans Saints
  • Graham had a bit of a drop problem last season, but that likely derived from a wrist injury. Graham still presents one of the more difficult matchups for defensive players. He is a massive target and watching defensive backs draped all over him trying to bring him down is almost laughable. I would bet money that Graham has another dominant season with Drew Brees and Sean Payton teamed up again. 

3)    Jason Witten, TE, Dallas Cowboys
  • Witten is still a dominant presence on the football field for the Cowboys. He is an incredibly reliable target for Tony Romo to look to in the middle of the field. Witten catches just about everything and possesses great run after the catch ability. He is also one of the top blockers at the position. Witten is aging but his game does not rely much on speed and athleticism, so I imagine he will still be playing at a high level for several years.

4)    Vernon Davis, TE, San Francisco 49ers
  • Davis’ numbers fell a bit this year, especially when Colin Kaepernick took over. But, I contend his skills still justify his spot in the top five of his position. Everyone knows about his trademark speed and athleticism (he ran a 4.38 in the forty yard dash and put on a clinic at the 2006 combine), but not many realize that his is actually an outstanding blocker as well. As Davis and Kaepernick become more familiar with each other I bet Davis’ receiving impact grows, especially now that he is getting work as a wide receiver in minicamps. 

5)    Tony Gonzalez, TE, Atlanta Falcons
  • It is amazing, but Gonzalez is still getting it done. At 36 he pulled in 93 balls for 930 yards and eight touchdowns in 2012. It looked like Gonzalez was going to retire at the end of last year, but he changed the course and will remain on the team for one last ride. No doubt Gonzalez is craving a Super Bowl ring to end his career, and his role in that quest will be vital to the Falcons. 

6)    Heath Miller, TE, Pittsburgh Steelers
  • Heath Miller had perhaps his best season last year. Ben Roethlisberger has always looked for Miller in the clutch and the red zone, but last year he took the lead role in the passing game. Unfortunately during this breakthrough season Miller tore his ACL, MCL and PCL in December. It has been widely reported that coaches have no idea when Heath Miller will be able to play and it is looking likely that Miller is going to begin the season on the PUP list. What a shame.

7)    Antonio Gates, TE, San Diego Chargers
  • Gates looked like a shell of his former self last season. Lower body injuries seem to have sapped him of his former explosiveness, and at 33 it seems that he will not be improving anytime soon. Ultimately, I really question if Gates should even be ranked this high. However, I cannot seem to get past the fact that he was regarded as the best tight end in the game for many years. Perhaps I am being nostalgic, and I will not mind differing opinions on this ranking. 

8)    Kyle Rudolph, TE, Minnesota Vikings
  • Rudolph really took off this past season, scoring nine touchdowns and gettting many of those in bunches. While his production was not always consistent you have to blame that more on Christian Ponder’s struggles than on Rudolph’s skills. As a capable blocker and a massive target, Rudolph could ascend higher up these rankings as a dominant two-way tight end. Even with the additions at receiver to take the place of Percy Harvin, it should be Rudolph who fills the void of number one target.

9)    Greg Olsen, TE, Carolina Panthers
  • I have long been a big fan of Olsen and have always found him to be an underrated player. You saw how Jay Cutler struggled when he was traded from Chicago and Cam Newton greatly benefits from his presence over the middle. While he is about worthless as a blocker, his speed and receiving skill set is on par with some of the best in the league. With everyone talking about there aren’t enough weapons for Newton to throw to, I expect Olsen to take another statistical leap this year.

10) Jermichael Finley, TE, Green Bay Packers
  • Finley should be much, much higher on this list. His talentis great enough to be at the top of this list, but his hands are an incredible problem and he seems to lack the focus to be great. Could this be the year he puts it all together? Possibly. He is in another contract year, and there is a small void in production with the loss of Greg Jennings. On this team and with Rodgers at the helm, Finley should have his best season yet. Then again, I will not be surprised if he throws forth another dud. 

Comment Form is loading comments...