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2016 NFL Preview: Top 50 Tight Ends

Each day leading up to the official start of the NFL football season, I will be providing you with player rankings, team previews, analysis, predictions, opinions and a whole lot more.

Top 50 NFL Quarterbacks

Top 50 NFL Running Backs

What I look for in a tight end:

Hands- A lot of tight ends work the seams and the middle of the field, so having strong hands are key to prevent an aggressive linebacker looking to lay a big hit and pry the ball loose.

Route Running- Being able to run the seam to stretch the field and open up the short passing game. Getting open in the red zone on play-action and running after the catch when receiving a pass in the flats or crossing over the middle.

Blocking– Sealing outside linebackers and driving defensive ends off the ball, playing with leverage, understanding angles and having the athleticism to get out on the second level in the screen game.

  1. Rob Gronkowski (NE) 9.1
  2. Greg Olsen (Car) 8.1
  3. Jason Witten (Dal) 7.7
  4. Travis Kelce (KC) 7.7
  5. Tyler Eifert (Cin) 7.7
  6. Delanie Walker (Ten) 7.6
  7. Jordan Reed (Was) 7.6
  8. Jimmy Graham (Sea) 7.5
  9. Zach Ertz (Phi) 7.5
  10. Martellus Bennett (NE) 7.5
  11. Antonio Gates (SD) 7.5
  12. Maxx Williams (Bal) 7.5
  13. Charles Clay (Buf) 7.5
  14. Ladarius Green (Pit) 7.4
  15. Julius Thomas (Jax) 7.4
  16. Gary Barnidge (Cle) 7.4
  17. Dwayne Allen (Ind) 7.4
  18. Coby Fleener (TB) 7.3
  19. Jordan Cameron (Mia) 7.3
  20. Crockett Gilmore (Bal) 7.3
  21. Brent Celek (Phi) 7.3
  22. Richard Rodgers (GB) 7.3
  23. Clive Walford (Oak) 7.3
  24. Ben Watson (Bal) 7.3
  25. Virgil Green (Den) 7.3
  26. Kyle Rudolph (Min) 7.3
  27. Zach Miller (Oak) 7.3
  28. Luke Willson (Sea) 7.3
  29. Austin Seferian-Jenkins (TB) 7.3
  30. Eric Ebron (Det) 7.3
  31. Will Tye (NYG) 7.3
  32. Vernon Davis (Was) 7.3
  33. Darren Fells (Ari) 7.3
  34. Jermaine Gresham (Ari) 7.3
  35. Craig Stevens (Ten) 7.3
  36. Jacob Tamme (Atl) 7.3
  37. Nick Boyle (Bal) 7.3
  38. Cameron Brate (TB) 7.3
  39. C.J. Fiedorowicz (Hou) 7.3
  40. Lee Smith (Oak) 7.3
  41. Jared Cook (GB) 7.3
  42. Jack Doyle (Ind) 7.2
  43. Garrett Celek (SF) 7.2
  44. Vance McDonald (SF) 7.2
  45. Josh Hill (NO) 7.2
  46. Jace Amaro (NYJ) 7.2
  47. Chris Gragg (Buf) 7.2
  48. Anthony Fasano (Ten) 7.2
  49. Mychal Rivera (Oak) 7.2
  50. Rhett Ellison (Min) 7.2

 

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