Fantasy Football Tight End Rankings for Week 9: Oronde Gadsden, Zach Ertz, Brock Bowers and More
Morgan gives his week 9 fantasy football rankings for tight ends.
After taking a look at fantasy football quarterbacks and running backs going into week 9, let's do the same for the tight end position. We'll approach things from a PPR perspective.
Check back later for the wide receiver rankings for week 9.
Check out week 9 fantasy football projections for tight ends on FantasySP as well.
1. Trey McBride
McBride is near the top of the fantasy TE leaderboard so far, and he feels like the safest No. 1 option, so we'll go with him for week 9.
He has a matchup against the Cowboys , which is just a bit below average. I expect McBride to deliver, regardless of which Arizona QB is throwing to him.
2. Tyler Warren
Warren just continues to deliver solid fantasy results - going for 53 yards on four catches was his second-worst showing of the season last week, which still isn't that bad in PPR formats.
The Steelers are his matchup, and they struggle to stop tight ends, so Warren could star in week 9.
Ferguson laid an egg in week 8, but I'm still high on him for the coming week.
A really favorable matchup against the Cardinals is another reason to believe in Ferguson bouncing back in week 9.
Kittle got rolling a bit in week 8, and that means he'll be a top-five fantasy TE probably for the rest of the season.
The Giants are an average matchup on paper, and I expect Kittle to deliver above-average results again.
5. Tucker Kraft
Kraft was a breakout star in week 8, and there's reason to believe he could deliver again this week.
He has a favorable matchup coming against the Panthers. We'll see if he can make this ranking look foolish.
6. Brock Bowers
Bowers is expected back this week, and I expect him to be a high-end option right away.
A slightly above-average matchup gives fantasy owners enough reasons to believe in Bowers and fire him up for a week 9 start.
7. Travis Kelce
Kelce was really good last week, but his matchup this week is not good, at all.
Buffalo is the second-hardest fantasy test for a tight end. Kelce can deliver against anyone, but I'm a bit more skeptical on the veteran TE this week.
8. Sam LaPorta
LaPorta has been up and down as a fantasy asset all season, so it really comes down to matchups for him.
The Vikings are just an average matchup, so this ranking feels right - let's hope the Detroit TE can deliver.
Fantasy owners are still sleeping on Pitts, but he's been a good option for most weeks this season.
He's got a good matchup coming against the Patriots, so I expect a top-10 finish from the Atlanta tight end.
10. Oronde Gadsden
It's weird to say this, but I'm actually a bit down on Gadsden this week - who would have thought a top-10 spot for him would be a "down" ranking?
Anyways, a tougher matchup against the Titans is on deck. Pair that with LA likely not needing to pass a ton and I think it could be difficult for Gadsden to deliver like he has the past three weeks - he's still the best option remaining.
11. Zach Ertz
Ertz would get a boost if Jayden Daniels returns for the Commanders - I'd probably have him jump Gadsden, and maybe Pitts too.
A favorable matchup against the Seahawks is why I like Ertz this week, so if you are looking for a good streaming option, he's up there.
12. Mark Andrews
Talk about a player who could benefit from the team's top quarterback returning. Andrews could re-gain fantasy relevance if he and Lamar Jackson can start connecting this week.
He has a test against the Dolphins on Thursday night, and that's a slightly above-average matchup, so he's not a bad option for all league types.
13. Theo Johnson
The Giants are running out of offensive playmakers, so a guy like Johnson could deliver more starting in week 9.
A matchup against the 49ers is below average, but nothing too crazy, which is why he ranks 13th for me.
14. T.J. Hockenson
I'm usually not super high on Hockenson, but a clash against his former team seems like a good time for him to get rolling.
The Lions are an average test on paper, so we'll see if he can deliver average-or-better results.
15. Dalton Kincaid
Kincaid is just a bit too inconsistent with his fantasy results right now, which makes it hard to trust him.
The Chiefs are one of the toughest defenses on tight ends, so things could be tough for Kincaid.
16. Hunter Henry
With all the Pats' other pass catchers stepping up, Henry has kind of faded out of the picture.
He has the toughest fantasy matchup a tight end could have against Atlanta, but I think his floor is solid enough to try in some deeper leagues.
17. Juwan Johnson
Johnson has found a little fantasy life over the past two weeks again, but now he'll have a new quarterback throwing to him.
A clash against the Rams this week is below average, but I'm not opposed to utilizing Johnson in deeper leagues.
18. Jonnu Smith
Smith has not caught on in Pittsburgh like many expected.
A stellar matchup against the Colts is a chance for him to deliver. The only problem is that he's not the only Pittsburgh tight end who could produce.
19. Dalton Schultz
Schultz had a chance to shine last week, but instead produced a dud. With Nico Collins likely back this week, I don't love Schultz.
A tough test against Denver is another reason to stay away from Schultz outside deeper leagues.
20. AJ Barner
Barner could end up surprising again in week 9.
He has the Commanders, who are an above-average test for tight ends. This is just where I feel most confident ranking him.
21. Evan Engram
Engram has quietly been a solid deep-league fantasy asset over the past five weeks. He hasn't done anything stellar, but he's produced several points at least.
I'd be higher on him, but a tough test against the Texans looms, so I'm skeptical of Engram producing again.
22. Chig Okonkwo
Okonkwo delivered some solid results in a good matchup last week.
This week, he has a tough test against the Chargers, so I'm down on him. Only utilize him in deeper leagues, again.
23. Noah Fant
Fant delivered so-so results last week, and he could be in for a similar showing in week 9.
A test against the Bears is above average, but with some question marks around the quarterback in Cincy, I'm not very high on Fant.
24. Colston Loveland
In the other half of that tight end matchup is Loveland, who has mostly underwhelmed fantasy owners this season. Week 9 is a chance for the rookie to star though.
Cincinnati has been the worst defense when it comes to slowing fantasy tight ends. We'll see if Loveland can put together a big fantasy showing - if he does, he could be a big waiver add going into week 10.
25. Pat Freiermuth
Freiermuth is the second Steelers' tight end to get a spot in my top 30.
The FantasySP projections really like him this week, but with Smith, and Darnell Washington, also factoring in at the position, I don't see Freiermuth doing nearly as much. Really, the fantasy leader at TE for the Steelers could be the guy who finds the end zone, and you might as well flip coins to predict that.
