Heading into the past few seasons, it’s just been accepted that the top-four tight ends in the preseason fantasy TE rankings would be Travis Kelce, Darren Waller, George Kittle, and Mark Andrews. Standard, PPR – didn’t matter. Those were the only TEs in the top tier. Heading into 2022, however, a new guy has crashed the party, slightly shaking up a top-heavy position with a handful of “sure things” and a lot of potential sleepers (and busts).
Second-year stud Kyle Pitts has joined that upper echelon and is ready to start to claim his spot among the game’s best, but he’s not the only one moving up the rankings. Dalton Schultz is another “new” tight end who will be picked early in fantasy football drafts and play a huge role in his respective teams' offenses.
2022 PPR RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers | Top 200 | Superflex
More on the “new guys” in a minute, but first, who should be No. 1? Andrews surprisingly led all tight ends in receiving touchdowns inside the 20-yard line (nine) and the 10-yard line (seven) last season. He also led tight ends with 107 receptions (153 targets) for 1,361 yards and 11.4 fantasy points per game, per Fantasy Pros. It was a career year for Andrews, but we expect Kelce to be back at the top with Tyreek Hill being traded in the offseason. Waller and Kittle, while still great, both have injury issues and increased competition for targets – Waller in the form of Davante Adams and an improved Hunter Renfrow, Kittle in the form of improving, young WRs (not to mention his potential issues with an inexperienced QB).
2022 STANDARD RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | D/STs | Kickers | Top 200 | Superflex
Fantasy owners will be hoping Pitts can score more than one touchdown this season with Marcus Mariota under center for the Falcons. Last season, Pitts recorded 68 receptions (110 targets) for 1,026 yards and averaged 6.4 fantasy points per game. Pitts was much better in PPR leagues, as he was one of the top receiving options in Atlanta – something that will only be exacerbated with Calvin Ridley (suspension) out all year – but with an expected increase in TDs, Pitts should be a monster in all formats this year.
2022 FANTASY SLEEPERS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | One from each team
Of course, not all fantasy owners will get one of the top players. Mid-tier guys and sleepers will once again be important. Whether it’s a semi-reliable veteran like T.J. Hockenson or Dallas Goedert, a riskier player like Cameron Brate or Pat Freiermuth, who tied with Zach Ertz and Mark Andrews in red-zone targets (20) last year, or true sleepers like Irv Smith Jr., Albert Okwuegbunam, or Mo Alie-Cox, there is no shortage of options.
2022 AUCTION VALUES (Standard & PPR):
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers | Overall
We’ll be updating our TE rankings throughout the preseason, so check back often for changes. For full analysis of key TEs, click here.
2022 RANKINGS TIERS & DRAFT STRATEGY:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs
Fantasy TE Rankings 2022: Best tight ends, top sleepers
Rankings based on standard, non-PPR scoring
DOMINATE YOUR DRAFT: Ultimate 2022 fantasy cheat sheet
| Rank | Player |
| 1 | Travis Kelce, Chiefs |
| 2 | Mark Andrews, Ravens |
| 3 | Kyle Pitts, Falcons |
| 4 | George Kittle, 49ers |
| 5 | Darren Waller, Raiders |
| 6 | Dalton Schultz, Cowboys |
| 7 | T.J. Hockenson, Lions |
| 8 | Dawson Knox, Bills |
| 9 | Hunter Henry, Patriots |
| 10 | Pat Freiermuth, Steelers |
| 11 | Dallas Goedert, Eagles |
| 12 | Zach Ertz, Cardinals |
| 13 | Irv Smith Jr., Vikings |
| 14 | Logan Thomas, Commanders |
| 15 | Mike Gesicki, Dolphins |
| 16 | Robert Tonyan, Packers |
| 17 | Cole Kmet, Bears |
| 18 | Cameron Brate, Buccaneers |
| 19 | Tyler Higbee, Rams |
| 20 | Albert Okwuegbunam, Broncos |
| 21 | Noah Fant, Seahawks |
| 22 | Mo Alie-Cox, Colts |
| 23 | C.J. Uzomah, Jets |
| 24 | Gerald Everett, Chargers |
| 25 | Brevin Jordan, Texans |
| 26 | Austin Hooper, Titans |
| 27 | David Njoku, Browns |
| 28 | Evan Engram, Jaguars |
| 29 | Hayden Hurst, Bengals |
| 30 | Harrison Bryant, Browns |
| 31 | Adam Trautman, Saints |
| 32 | Dan Arnold, Jaguars |
| 33 | Jonnu Smith, Patriots |
| 34 | Trey McBride, Cardinals |
| 35 | Ian Thomas, Panthers |
