Fantasy Football Week 16 Tight End Rankings

The 2021-22 NFL season has only three weeks left. Bye weeks are over which means the fantasy playoffs have begun in most standard leagues. This time of year COVID-19 is running rampant which makes it important to have backup options on your fantasy roster. On top of that injuries are continuing to mount up. It is always a great idea to evaluate backup options so that way fantasy managers are prepared if star players miss time. Here are the Fantasy Football Week 16 tight end rankings.

*Ratings are subject to change due to injury reports or possible move to reserve/COVID-19 list*

(Check out the section below for details on players already rumored to possibly miss this week and how their replacement options rank for the week)

Key:

Must Start- a player who is in your lineup regardless of the matchup or most circumstances. They Will likely finish near the top of the league in points that week and in most weeks.

Starting TE1- a player who makes fantasy owners comfortable starting week after week. Regardless of the matchup, this player has a solid floor.

TD Dependent Starter- a player who may not be a lock to start for a team every week, but will start more times than not because of depth at the position. Their production is based on whether they can get in the end zone or not. It can be the difference between a top 10 performance or top 25 performance

Deep League Starter- a player whose ceiling isn’t high but should put up enough production to be started in deep leagues. When a player like this is started it is because their production though it will likely be low, will be better than a few options.

Leave on the Bench- a player who should be avoided in all lineups that week. Many times this player could even be left on waivers.

Possible Changes that can occur before Sunday

TE3 Travis Kelce, Kansas City Chiefs

Travis Kelce was placed on the Reserve/COVID-19 list. If Kelce was to miss this week’s game against the Pittsburgh Steelers then Noah Gray would join the list at TE24 between Gerald Everett and Austin Hooper.

TE10 Pat Freiermuth, Pittsburgh Steelers

Pat Friermuth has been dealing with a concussion. If he misses this week’s game against the Kansas City Chiefs then Zach Gentry would slot in at TE30 between Marcedes Lewis and John Bates.

TE13 Tyler Higbee, Los Angeles Rams

Tyler Higbee was placed on the Reserve/COVID-19 list last week. If Higbee misses this week’s game against the Minnesota Vikings then Kendall Blanton would slot in at TE33 between Cameron Brate and Jonnu Smith.

TE21 David Njoku, Cleveland Browns

David Njoku was limited in practice on Wednesday with a knee injury. If Njoku misses this week’s game against the Green Bay Packers then Austin Hooper would move up to TE19 between Jared Cook and Evan Engram. Harrison Bryant would become a potential DFS play this week.

TE27 Albert Okwuegbunam, Denver Broncos

Albert Okwuegbunam was limited in practice Wednesday with a knee injury. If he misses this week’s game against the Las Vegas Raider Noah Fant would be solidified into his TE16 slot.

TE29 Adam Trautman, New Orleans Saints

Adam Trautman was placed on the Reserve/COVID-19 list. If Trautman misses this week’s game against the Miami Dolphins then Nick Vannett would take over his slot at TE29.