Post 40 - Top 10 Tight Ends of 2015
Hello! And welcome to my corner!
In the coming weeks I'll be revealing my top 10 at each position and eventually my top 100 players in the NFL. Unlike the traditional rankings, though, I'm basing these rankings entirely on the 2015 season and the 2015 season only. Not looking further than that and without influence from their name alone.
Earlier this month I got this series underway when I revealed my Top 10 Kickers and Punters of 2015. I've now unveiled the Safeties, Cornerbacks, Inside Linebackers, Outside Linebackers, Defensive Ends, Defensive Tackles and Offensive Lineman. Now we have arrived at the offensive skill positions.
Without further ado, then, here are my Top 10 Tight Ends of 2015:
Olsen has long been an underrated player, now I don't think you can say that though. He was as big a part of the Panthers incredible year as anyone else. He was dangerous in the end zone, great as a possession player, a reliable target when it counted and he is an effective and willing blocker, too. He is among the most valuable tight ends in the NFL.
In the coming weeks I'll be revealing my top 10 at each position and eventually my top 100 players in the NFL. Unlike the traditional rankings, though, I'm basing these rankings entirely on the 2015 season and the 2015 season only. Not looking further than that and without influence from their name alone.
Earlier this month I got this series underway when I revealed my Top 10 Kickers and Punters of 2015. I've now unveiled the Safeties, Cornerbacks, Inside Linebackers, Outside Linebackers, Defensive Ends, Defensive Tackles and Offensive Lineman. Now we have arrived at the offensive skill positions.
Without further ado, then, here are my Top 10 Tight Ends of 2015:
10. Zach Ertz,
Philadelphia Eagles
75 Receptions (Rec), 853 Yards (Yds), 2 Touchdowns (TD's)
Honestly, the Eagles offense wasn't exactly worth cheering for last year. They suffered from relatively poor QB play, an inconsistent and struggling running game and they turned the ball over way too much. They did at least have Zach Ertz. He was very productive, he just didn't stand out with so many tight ends performing well and getting in the end zone more.
75 Receptions (Rec), 853 Yards (Yds), 2 Touchdowns (TD's)
Honestly, the Eagles offense wasn't exactly worth cheering for last year. They suffered from relatively poor QB play, an inconsistent and struggling running game and they turned the ball over way too much. They did at least have Zach Ertz. He was very productive, he just didn't stand out with so many tight ends performing well and getting in the end zone more.
9. Benjamin Watson,
New Orleans Saints
74 Rec, 825 Yds, 6 TD's
Having gotten rid of Jimmy Graham, the Saints biggest need on offense was seen as tight end. They had Watson and a few others but no real stars. Well, Watson filled the Graham sized hole pretty well. He contributed plenty of big plays and, more importantly, he was a safety blanket for Drew Brees and came up with several clutch plays.
8. Travis Kelce, Kansas City Chiefs
Having gotten rid of Jimmy Graham, the Saints biggest need on offense was seen as tight end. They had Watson and a few others but no real stars. Well, Watson filled the Graham sized hole pretty well. He contributed plenty of big plays and, more importantly, he was a safety blanket for Drew Brees and came up with several clutch plays.
8. Travis Kelce, Kansas City Chiefs
72 Rec, 875 Yds, 5 TD's
The Chiefs offense is quietly loaded with talent, Jeremy Maclin, Jamaal Charles, Charcandrick West Travis Kelce and even Alex Smith. Despite that, Kelce still stands out. That shouldn't come as a surprise either as his nickname is, after all, 'Mini-Gronk' and he lives up to it. The only difference comes in his route running, which is arguably better. With a little more consistency - or even in a different offense - he could become the best in the NFL.
7. Jason Witten, Dallas Cowboys
The Chiefs offense is quietly loaded with talent, Jeremy Maclin, Jamaal Charles, Charcandrick West Travis Kelce and even Alex Smith. Despite that, Kelce still stands out. That shouldn't come as a surprise either as his nickname is, after all, 'Mini-Gronk' and he lives up to it. The only difference comes in his route running, which is arguably better. With a little more consistency - or even in a different offense - he could become the best in the NFL.
7. Jason Witten, Dallas Cowboys
77 Rec, 717 Yds, 3 TD's
Witten may not be the dynamic playmaker that the rest of these tight ends are, but his impact is certainly no different. Not only is he a huge part of the Cowboys leadership, but he is consistent, reliable, versatile and possibly the best security blanket in the NFL. Whenever a big first down is needed or a clutch TD, Romo, or whoever is playing QB, can be certain that Witten will make the play.
6. Gary Barnidge, Cleveland Browns
Witten may not be the dynamic playmaker that the rest of these tight ends are, but his impact is certainly no different. Not only is he a huge part of the Cowboys leadership, but he is consistent, reliable, versatile and possibly the best security blanket in the NFL. Whenever a big first down is needed or a clutch TD, Romo, or whoever is playing QB, can be certain that Witten will make the play.
6. Gary Barnidge, Cleveland Browns
79 Rec, 1043 Yds, 9 TD's
Barnidge's rise to significance was sudden and completely out of nowhere, most people didn't even know who he was or what he looked like going into the season. However, once the season begun, and once the Browns realised they couldn't really get much out of anyone else, Barnidge forced his way into the spotlight. He was the Browns leading receiver and he made the Pro Bowl, all of which earned him a new contract.
5. Tyler Eifert, Cincinnati Bengals
Barnidge's rise to significance was sudden and completely out of nowhere, most people didn't even know who he was or what he looked like going into the season. However, once the season begun, and once the Browns realised they couldn't really get much out of anyone else, Barnidge forced his way into the spotlight. He was the Browns leading receiver and he made the Pro Bowl, all of which earned him a new contract.
5. Tyler Eifert, Cincinnati Bengals
52 Rec, 615 Yds, 13 TD's
Eifert was possibly the most dangerous and prolific red zone target in the NFL. He may not have the same amount of receptions or yards as the other guys on this list but his touchdown production led all tight ends. Bear in mind that the Bengals offense was loaded with playmakers and Eifert still stood out. If he can stay healthy this year, with the Bengals reduced arsenal, he could rival any tight end.
4. Jordan Reed, Washington Redskins
Eifert was possibly the most dangerous and prolific red zone target in the NFL. He may not have the same amount of receptions or yards as the other guys on this list but his touchdown production led all tight ends. Bear in mind that the Bengals offense was loaded with playmakers and Eifert still stood out. If he can stay healthy this year, with the Bengals reduced arsenal, he could rival any tight end.
4. Jordan Reed, Washington Redskins
87 Rec, 952 Yds, 11 TD's
Reed is effectively an overgrown receiver. He runs great routes, he's very fast, he's physical after the catch, has great hands and he has a nose for the end zone. Reed is absolutely among the elite at his position already, so it is scary to think what he can do in the coming years.
3. Delanie Walker, Tennessee Titans
Reed is effectively an overgrown receiver. He runs great routes, he's very fast, he's physical after the catch, has great hands and he has a nose for the end zone. Reed is absolutely among the elite at his position already, so it is scary to think what he can do in the coming years.
3. Delanie Walker, Tennessee Titans
94 Rec, 1088, 6 TD's
Walker's career has certainly been a late bloomer, but now that he has arrived, he's making it known. The Titans leading receiver last year was huge for them. He basically kept the offense afloat - along with Mariota - despite its alarming lack of talent. It's a shame that he didn't get this opportunity earlier in his career or he could've made an even bigger impact.
2. Greg Olsen, Carolina Panthers
77 Rec, 1104 Yds, 7 TD'sWalker's career has certainly been a late bloomer, but now that he has arrived, he's making it known. The Titans leading receiver last year was huge for them. He basically kept the offense afloat - along with Mariota - despite its alarming lack of talent. It's a shame that he didn't get this opportunity earlier in his career or he could've made an even bigger impact.
2. Greg Olsen, Carolina Panthers
Olsen has long been an underrated player, now I don't think you can say that though. He was as big a part of the Panthers incredible year as anyone else. He was dangerous in the end zone, great as a possession player, a reliable target when it counted and he is an effective and willing blocker, too. He is among the most valuable tight ends in the NFL.
1. Rob Gronkowski,
New England Patriots
72 Rec, 1176 Yds, 11 TD's
There isn't much that I need to say to justify this placement. Gronk is the best tight end of all time, let alone of 2015. He is unlike any other tight end in the NFL. He could be the best tight end in anyway you rank tight ends; as a receiver, a blocker and as a general beast.
72 Rec, 1176 Yds, 11 TD's
There isn't much that I need to say to justify this placement. Gronk is the best tight end of all time, let alone of 2015. He is unlike any other tight end in the NFL. He could be the best tight end in anyway you rank tight ends; as a receiver, a blocker and as a general beast.
There we have it, my Top 10 Tight Ends from the 2015 NFL season. What do you think? Think I've got it right or am I completely wrong? Let me know!
Next up? The Top 10 Wide Receivers of 2015.
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