These rankings are based on full-PPR scoring and will tend to prioritize ceiling over floor after the first few tiers. Reliable mediocrity may have value in deeper formats, but it won't do a whole lot for fantasy managers in typical redraft leagues
Jack Doyle, for example, would arguably be ranked as a top-20 TE if we were solely discussing mean projections, but between his age, lack of speed and career mark of 9.0 yards per catch, it's hard to imagine a ceiling significantly higher than the level of production one can receive from a weekly streaming approach at tight end. Doyle isn't someone I want to draft, even in the 15th round.
On the other hand, young guys like Chris Herndon and Irv Smith face more competition for playing time, but they at least have shown some of the skills that could lead to big-time production in the right circumstances. Keep the upside factor in mind when browsing through these TE ranks.
Links for other position tiers/rankings:
And now for the tight ends (rankings updated September 2)...
Tier 1
1. Travis Kelce
Kittle would be my pick if we were promised 16 games from both players, with his target share potentially creeping over 25 percent after the 49ers replaced Emmanuel Sanders with Brandon Aiyuk and then saw Deebo Samuel injure his foot. Unfortunately, Kittle's injury history makes me just a tiny bit