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Fantasy Football: Week 9 tight end rankings

By Alex Butler
Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end O.J. Howard (80) rushes for a 10-yard touchdown past Atlanta Falcons linebacker De'Vondre Campbell (59) during the first half of an NFL game on October 14 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. Photo by David Tulis/UPI
Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end O.J. Howard (80) rushes for a 10-yard touchdown past Atlanta Falcons linebacker De'Vondre Campbell (59) during the first half of an NFL game on October 14 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. Photo by David Tulis/UPI | License Photo

Oct. 31 (UPI) -- Rob Gronkowski tops my Week 9 fantasy football tight end rankings.

I have George Kittle, Travis Kelce, David Njoku and Greg Olsen just behind the New England Patriots star.

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Jimmy Graham, Jared Cook, Trey Burton, O.J. Howard and Jordan Reed also land in the top 10 of my weekly rankings at the position.

If you have any tight ends from the Arizona Cardinals, Cincinnati Bengals, Indianapolis Colts, Jacksonville Jaguars, New York Giants or Philadelphia Eagles, make sure to remove them from your lineup, as those teams have Week 9 byes.

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The field is a bit watered down this week, but there are still plenty of decent tight end options available.

If you are needy at the position -- or looking for a streaming option -- check out my top waiver wire add/drops for Week 9.

Here are my top 20 options at the position this week.

TOP 20 WEEK 9 RANKINGS BELOW

TOP SHELF

Kittle is my No. 2 option at the position for Week 9 and is an obvious TE1 start in leagues that require starting a tight end. The San Francisco 49ers pass catcher has a matchup against the Oakland Raiders, a unit allowing the seventh-most fantasy points per game to opposing tight ends. Kittle also has at least five receptions in five of his last six games. I expect solid production in this spot.

Olsen is my No. 5 option at tight end this week. The Carolina Panthers veteran has scored in back-to-back games and the Panthers' offense appears to be rounding into form. This week he faces the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who are allowing the most fantasy points per game to opposing tight ends.

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SNEAKY PLAYS

Graham is right behind Olsen in my Week 9 tight end rankings. I love his matchup against the New England Patriots, a unit allowing the sixth-most fantasy points per game to opposing tight ends. I also think this game is a shootout and Graham will benefit from that.

Howard should benefit from the Buccaneers returning to Ryan Fitzpatrick. The second-year target has touchdowns in two of his last three games and started the season very strong. He has also come on as of late with at least 60 receiving yards in three consecutive games. Howard is my No. 9 option at the position against the Panthers, who are allowing the third-most fantasy points per game to opposing tight ends.

LONGSHOTS

Minnesota Vikings star Kyle Rudolph is my No. 11 option at the position this week. Rudolph is facing the Detroit Lions, a unit allowing the eighth-most fantasy points per game to opposing tight ends. He hasn't scored since Week 3 but I think he rounds into form in this winnable matchup for the Vikings.

RANKNAMETEAMOPPONENT
1Rob GronkowskiNew England Patriotsvs. GB
2George KittleSan Francisco 49ersvs. OAK
3Travis KelceKansas City Chiefsat CLE
4David NjokuCleveland Brownsvs. KC
5Greg OlsenCarolina Panthersvs. TB
6Jimmy GrahamGreen Bay Packersat NE
7Jared CookOakland Raidersat SF
8Trey BurtonChicago Bearsat BUF
9O.J. HowardTampa Bay Buccaneersat CAR
10Jordan ReedWashington Redskinsvs. ATL
11Kyle RudolphMinnesota Vikingsvs. DET
12Vance McDonaldPittsburgh Steelersat BAL
13Benjamin WatsonNew Orleans Saintsvs. LAR
14Austin HooperAtlanta Falconsat WAS
15Hayden HurstBaltimore Ravensvs. PIT
16Charles ClayBuffalo Billsvs. CHI
17Chris Herndon IVNew York Jetsat MIA
18Ed DicksonSeattle Seahawksvs. LAC
19Geoff SwaimDallas Cowboysvs. TEN
20Nick VannettSeattle Seahawksvs. LAC

Baltimore Ravens target Hayden Hurst is a stream-worthy TE1 this week in deeper leagues that require starting a tight end. Hurst lands at No. 15 in my rankings. The Ravens are facing the Pittsburgh Steelers, a unit allowing the fourth-most fantasy points per game to opposing tight ends and Hurst just scored his first touchdown of the season. I'm seeing another score in this one if you choose to throw a dart with Hurst.

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