Is this the week Rob Gronkowski returns to the field? Gronk has missed the first two games of the NFL season, but was in full pads for practice on Tuesday. Unfortunately, though, he didn't go full-speed. So that doesn't really bode well for his status Thursday night when the Patriots host the Texans. As for the Patriots, who are 2-0 and starting third-string quarterback Jacoby Brissett (most likely with Jimmy Garoppolo ailing), they apparently don't need Gronkowski yet. But we in the fantasy football community do! I didn't put Gronk in these rankings, but if he does play Thursday night, you obviously start him on your fantasy team. Brissett isn't going to be slinging the ball all over the field, but Gronkowski is always a redzone threat. Click here to see the full Week schedule. Scroll through the gallery below to see our Week 3 fantasy football tight end rankings. (Getty)
Greg Olsen has been a top 5 tight end in recent years, but Cam Newton's play to start the season catapults the former Hurricane to No. 1. ... The Raiders have picked up where they left off a season ago -- not covering tight ends. Delanie Walker will be busy. ... While the Giants have improved on defense, Jordan Reed totaled 14 receptions for 194 yards in 2 games against them in 2015. Reed has already been targeted 17 times this season. ... Antonio Gates keeps getting it done. Not like he used to, but with so many injuries in San Diego, Gates will be a heavy target of Philip Rivers vs. the soft Colts. ... Jacob Tamme leads the Falcons in targets and receptions, believe it or not. He should put up solid numbers vs. the swiss cheese Saints secondary. (Getty)
1. Greg Olsen, Panthers, vs. Vikings
2. Delanie Walker, Titans, vs. Raiders
3. Jordan Reed, Redskins, at Giants
4. Antonio Gates, Chargers, at Colts
5. Jacob Tamme, Falcons, at Saints
Seemingly healthy, Eric Ebron has seen a healthy 12 targets over 2 weeks. He scored once vs. Green Bay in 2015. ... Jason Witten saw a decrease in targets in Week 2, but remains a safety net for Dak Prescott and should find himself open often against the Bears. After playing just 7 games over the past 3 seasons, Dennis Pitta has quickly made himself fantasy relevant again (12 catches, 141 yards on 16 targets). ... Waiting on Travis Kelce's breakout game. He'll be solid against the Jets. Not his breakout game, though. ... Dwayne Allen is a little too inconsistent so No. 10 might be a bit high for him. But the Chargers have allowed close to 200 receiving yards to tight ends already. (Getty)
6. Eric Ebron, Lions, at Packers
7. Jason Witten, Cowboys, vs. Bears
8. Dennis Pitta, Ravens, at Jaguars
9. Travis Kelce, Chiefs, vs. Jets
10. Dwayne Allen, Colts, vs. Chargers
If Rob Gronkowski doesn't play, Martellus Bennett is a solid option for Thursday night. ... I am on the Clive Walford bandwagon. And upon closer inspection, there is plenty of room. Get a ticket, folks. ... I'm not giving up on Coby Fleener yet because Drew Brees is his quarterback. But, come on dude. Catch the ball. ... If Zach Ertz is out again (rib), Trey Burton will be the receiving tight end for Philly. And rookie Carson Wentz looked his way a lot in Week 2. (Getty)
11. Julius Thomas, Jaguars, vs. Ravens
12. Martellus Bennett, Patriots, vs. Texans (Thursday)
13. Kyle Rudolph, Vikings, at Panthers
14. Clive Walford, Raiders, at Titans
15. Coby Fleener, Saints, vs. Falcons
16. Gary Barnidge, Browns, at Dolphins
17. Jesse James, Steelers, at Eagles
18. Jared Cook, Packers, vs. Lions
19. Trey Burton, Eagles, vs. Steelers
20. Vance McDonald, 49ers, at Seahawks
Fantasy Football Rankings: Week 3 Tight Ends