NFL Tight End Rankings Week 6: Mark Andrews rising up the ranks

As the 2020 NFL season progresses forward, we’ll take a look at the NFL tight end rankings heading into Week 6. This season, various players at the TE position have played a major role in their team’s offensive scheme and have solidified themselves among the league’s top playmakers. Which players are finding themselves rising up the list after strong performances, and which players find themselves in danger of dropping out of the rankings?

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2020 NFL Tight End Rankings Week 6: 1-5

#1 – Travis Kelce, Kansas City Chiefs

In terms of upside, Kelce is oozing with week-to-week potential in this explosive Kansas City offense alongside QB Patrick Mahomes. Kelce was putting up elite numbers before the arrival of Mahomes, and the addition of the former NFL MVP has only increased his outlook at the position. He is a threat to amass over 100 yards and a score every week with his explosive athleticism. Kelce is a top TE every week, and that won’t likely change anytime soon following his eight catch, 108-yard performance in Week 5.

#2 – George Kittle, San Francisco 49ers

One of the more difficult tasks with these tight end rankings is choosing between the NFL’s best with Kelce and George Kittle. Kittle has been a rock-solid number one option in the passing game for a 49ers offense that has lacked a true WR1 throughout their first four games. His Week 4 explosion of 15 catches, 183 yards, and a touchdown is a reminder of his upside in Kyle Shanahan’s offense as we head into Week 6.

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#3 – Mark Andrews, Baltimore Ravens

Right below the elite tier of tight ends is Baltimore Raven’s TE, Mark Andrews. He is one of the top red-zone receiving threats in the league and is only a notch below guys like Kittle and Kelce. Andrews could join that duo before the end of the 2020 NFL season. Andrews is quarterback Lamar Jackson’s favorite target and is a good bet to lead the AFC in touchdowns this season by the TE position.

#4 – Darren Waller, Las Vegas Raiders

Waller burst onto the scene in 2019 and has only improved his stock this season with the Raiders. His 16 targets in Week 2 against New Orleans are a reminder of the trust that quarterback Derek Carr has in the young TE, which should only lead to continued success in the league. As a former receiver, Waller can stretch the field better than any other tight end in the game. In the Raiders Week 5 win against the Chiefs, he contributed 48 yards of receiving on five catches with one touchdown.

#5 – Jonnu Smith, Tennessee Titans

Ever since being drafted out of FIU in 2018, Smith is a player that has had a noticeable upside. He finally appears to be putting it all together for the Titans on offense, totaling five touchdowns catches in four games so far this season. Smith secured two touchdown grabs in Tuesday’s win against the Buffalo Bills.

Week 6 NFL TE Rankings: 6-13

#6 – Zach Ertz, Philadelphia Eagles

While Ertz may not be the same dynamic playmaker he once was for the Eagles, he remains a steady and reliable target for quarterback Carson Wentz. However, he has struggled to find the end zone and only produced one catch on six targets in Week 5. As various Eagles players return from injury on offense, things should open up for the veteran playmaker.

#7 – Noah Fant, Denver Broncos

Like Smith in Tennessee, Fant is another young star primed for a breakout season in 2020. Despite suffering a high ankle sprain in the Broncos Week 4 win over the Jets, Fant has been a big-play target for the young Broncos’ quarterbacks this season. If he can continue building on his early momentum, Fant could find himself in the top-5 of this list sooner rather than later.

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#8 – Robert Tonyan, Green Bay Packers

Robert Tonyan is one of the biggest surprises for the Packers so far this season. Tonyan has filled an integral role as the Packers’ top playmaker and scoring threat. Amazingly, he is tied with Andrews and Smith for the lead position with five receiving scores this season. Tonyan scored three of those touchdowns in Week 4 before heading into the bye week. With players like Davante Adams and Allen Lazard banged up, Tonyan has formed a strong connection with Pro Football Network’s second-ranked QB, Aaron Rodgers.

#9 – Jimmy Graham, Chicago Bears

One of the NFL’s best tight ends of the last decade, Jimmy Graham, appeared to be running on fumes entering the 2020 NFL season. However, he has experienced a resurgence with four touchdowns this year with the Chicago Bears. Bears QB Nick Foles has shown that he trusts the veteran in the redzone, and Graham has come through for Chicago throughout the first part of this season.

#10 – T.J. Hockenson, Detroit Lions

T.J. Hockenson has stepped up and has grabbed a prominent early-season role with the Lions offense. He has registered at least 50 yards receiving in three out of four games so far for the Lions and two touchdown grabs. He’s an early favorite to be the Lions leading receiver this season and could rise in the NFL tight end rankings list.

#11 – Hunter Henry, Los Angeles Chargers

Henry is another player that has teased us with his pass-catching ability for years now, only to succumb to injury the past few seasons. Finally healthy, Henry is off to a fast start for the Chargers this year. He is an excellent security blanket for young rookie QB Justin Herbert and will be a threat for the top-5 NFL tight ends on these rankings if he can remain in good health. Henry caught his first touchdown pass of the season in Monday’s loss to the New Orleans Saints.

#12 – Mike Gesicki, Miami Dolphins

Gesicki has gotten off to somewhat of a decent start in 2020. Gesicki is a sure-handed, athletic playmaker that seems to come up big whenever Miami dials up his number. In the Dolphins victory over the 49ers in Week 5, he registered five catches for 91 yards on six overall targets.

#13 – Jared Cook, New Orleans Saints

Since arriving with the Saints, Cook has become an extremely reliable and dynamic playmaker for future Hall-of-Fame QB Drew Brees. He missed Week 4 due to an injury but returned in Week 5 and came up big with a late touchdown reception that helped the Saints erase a double-digit deficit in their overtime victory against the Chargers. Cook should climb the NFL tight end rankings quickly in 2020 under this pass-heavy Saints’ offense if he can stay healthy.