This is the time of the year where the true fantasy football geeks emerge with excitement because NFL teams are in training camp and new information is starting to arise. Finding a reliable tight end is important in fantasy football because when you have a reliable one it can be a total difference maker. If you had players like Rob Gronkowski, Zach Ertz, and Travis Kelce in 2017, chances are you had a great season. So which 12 tight ends will finish the season as a TE1? That's a tough question to answer and I'll do my best to predict the future. Here are the top 12 fantasy football tight ends right now in a standard league.
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1) Rob Gronkowski, New England Patriots
There has been a ton of Patriots drama around Gronkowski this offseason, but that won't impact his fantasy football value. When Gronk is healthy and plays over 14 games, he is the number one tight end in fantasy football. With his upside, Gronk is the top tight ends in 2018. Own Gronk in your league this season.
2) Zach Ertz, Philadelphia Eagles
Ertz had a solid season last year with 74 receptions for 824 yards and eight touchdowns. Prior to 2017, Ertz struggled to find the end zone and finally put it together with Carson Wentz. With Wentz entering his third year, Ertz's fantasy value continues to grow!
3) Travis Kelce, Kansas City Chiefs
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Kelce led all tight ends with 83 receptions and finished second in yards with 1,038. He finished as the top tight end in 2017, but will be losing Alex Smith this season.
4) Greg Olsen, Carolina Panthers
Before getting injured in 2017, Olsen had three straight seasons where he recorded 1,000 receiving yards. I expect Olsen to surpass 1,000 yards again this season with the Panthers likely going more pass heavy in 2018.
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5) Evan Engram, New York Giants
As a rookie, Engram was great hauling in 64 receptions for 722 yards and six touchdowns. He became the 4th rookie tight end in the last 18 years to have more than 500 receiving yards and 5 touchdowns. He will have to battle with a healthy Odell Beckham Jr. for targets this upcoming season.
6) Jimmy Graham, Green Bay Packers
The only tight end last year to post double-digit touchdown receptions was Graham with 10. Now he goes to Green Bay where he will get to play with Aaron Rodgers who just lost his best red zone target in Jordy Nelson.
7) Delanie Walker, Tennessee Titans
Walker had 74 receptions for 807 yards in 2017 which are solid numbers, but his touchdowns fell to only three. The year before that he posted seven touchdowns and with the Titans likely going with a more pass-friendly offense, look for Walker to catch a few more touchdowns in 2018.
8) Kyle Rudolph, Minnesota Vikings
Last season Rudolph was super consistent in the sense he didn't have many huge games, but he also didn't have many disappointing games. He had only two games with 50 plus receiving yards and only four games where he scored under six fantasy points. Now he gets Kirk Cousins throwing him the football, which should mean more touchdowns for Rudolph this season.
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9) Trey Burton, Chicago Bears
Burton leaves the Eagles and joins the Bears as the top tight end on the roster. Burton possess a lot of similar characterstics of a player like Jordan Reed. Burton flashed his talent in Philly, but was stuck behind Ertz. Now he gets his chance to shine in Chicago.
10) Jack Doyle, Indianapolis Colts
Doyle had the second most receptions in the NFL among tight ends last season with 80. The Colts went out and signed Eric Ebron who will compete with Doyle for targets but if Andrew Luck is healthy, Doyle could have a very sneaky good season.
11) Cameron Brate, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Bucs gave Brate a six-year contract worth up to $40 million. Personally I believe O.J. Howard is much more talented but the Bucs and Jameis Winston seem to like Brate which is why he cracks my top 12.
12) George Kittle, San Francisco 49ers
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Kittle had 43 catches for 515 yards last season on a 49ers team that had poor quarterback play for most of the season. Those are solid numbers for a rookie tight end and now with him entering his second year, things should only improve. He may be the main red zone option for the 49ers passing game since Goodwin managed only two touchdown catches last year and Pierre Garcon's career high is six.
FOLLOW: Mitchell Renz is the Senior Writer & On-Air Host at Chat Sports. Check out his article archive and live videos on Chat Sports Facebook page. Please follow him on Twitter @MitchellRenz365.
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