Fantasy Football 2012 Rankings: Tight Ends In Standard and PPR Leagues

As the season quickly approaches, there will be a flurry of fantasy football drafts with participants looking to gain a last minute edge. While there is always the question of what stud running back or quarterback should you be taking in the first round or two, tight end is becoming a position of increasing inquiry. Should you reach in the first two rounds and take one of the record-breaking racehorses at the position? Or should you wait until the later rounds and grab a player like Fred Davis or Jared Cook? Whatever your approach, there is no question that tight end has quickly become a difference maker for many fantasy teams.

• If Jason Witten proves to be healthy he needs to be moved up to No. 4 in PPR leagues. He is going very late in drafts and could prove to be a bargain if his spleen can get it together.
• Aaron Hernandez looks primed for a top 5 fantasy tight end finish. Just got big money and is eager to show he was deserving. Do not hesitate to grab Hernandez in the 4th-5th round in drafts.
• Brandon Pettigrew seems to have fallen lower on many experts radar. Working the middle of the field in a high octane offense should allow him to outperform expectations.
• Jared Cook is going to have a very inconsistent year with Jake Locker at QB. I could see him cranking out huge games one of every 2 or 3 weeks but then laying a bunch of stinkers as well.
• Do not go to sleep on Greg Olson as a late round option. Cam Newton is a stud and needs to throw the ball to somebody aside from Steve Smith.