Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end O.J. Howard (80) rushes for a 10-yard touchdown past Atlanta Falcons linebacker De'Vondre Campbell (59) ...
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| Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end O.J. Howard (80) rushes for a 10-yard touchdown past Atlanta Falcons linebacker De'Vondre Campbell (59) during the first half of an NFL game on October 14 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. Photo by David Tulis/UPI |
By Alex Butler, UPI
Rob Gronkowski tops my Week 9 fantasy football tight end rankings.
I have George Kittle, Travis Kelce, David Njoku and Greg Olsen just behind the New England Patriots star.
Jimmy Graham, Jared Cook, Trey Burton, O.J. Howard and Jordan Reed also land in the top 10 of my weekly rankings at the position.
If you have any tight ends from the Arizona Cardinals, Cincinnati Bengals, Indianapolis Colts, Jacksonville Jaguars, New York Giants or Philadelphia Eagles, make sure to remove them from your lineup, as those teams have Week 9 byes.
The field is a bit watered down this week, but there are still plenty of decent tight end options available.
If you are needy at the position -- or looking for a streaming option -- check out my top waiver wire add/drops for Week 9.
Here are my top 20 options at the position this week.
RELATED Fantasy Football: Week 9 running back rankings, UPI
TOP 20 WEEK 9 RANKINGS BELOW
TOP SHELF
Kittle is my No. 2 option at the position for Week 9 and is an obvious TE1 start in leagues that require starting a tight end. The San Francisco 49ers pass catcher has a matchup against the Oakland Raiders, a unit allowing the seventh-most fantasy points per game to opposing tight ends. Kittle also has at least five receptions in five of his last six games. I expect solid production in this spot.
RELATED Fantasy Football: Week 9 wide receiver rankings
Olsen is my No. 5 option at tight end this week. The Carolina Panthers veteran has scored in back-to-back games and the Panthers' offense appears to be rounding into form. This week he faces the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who are allowing the most fantasy points per game to opposing tight ends.
RELATED Fantasy Football: Week 9 wide receiver rankings
Olsen is my No. 5 option at tight end this week. The Carolina Panthers veteran has scored in back-to-back games and the Panthers' offense appears to be rounding into form. This week he faces the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who are allowing the most fantasy points per game to opposing tight ends.
SNEAKY PLAYS
Graham is right behind Olsen in my Week 9 tight end rankings. I love his matchup against the New England Patriots, a unit allowing the sixth-most fantasy points per game to opposing tight ends. I also think this game is a shootout and Graham will benefit from that.
Howard should benefit from the Buccaneers returning to Ryan Fitzpatrick. The second-year target has touchdowns in two of his last three games and started the season very strong. He has also come on as of late with at least 60 receiving yards in three consecutive games. Howard is my No. 9 option at the position against the Panthers, who are allowing the third-most fantasy points per game to opposing tight ends.
Howard should benefit from the Buccaneers returning to Ryan Fitzpatrick. The second-year target has touchdowns in two of his last three games and started the season very strong. He has also come on as of late with at least 60 receiving yards in three consecutive games. Howard is my No. 9 option at the position against the Panthers, who are allowing the third-most fantasy points per game to opposing tight ends.
LONGSHOTS
Minnesota Vikings star Kyle Rudolph is my No. 11 option at the position this week. Rudolph is facing the Detroit Lions, a unit allowing the eighth-most fantasy points per game to opposing tight ends. He hasn't scored since Week 3 but I think he rounds into form in this winnable matchup for the Vikings.
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