1. Cameron Brate, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Brate was an afterthought during the summer. In fact, it took until mid season for him to even be considered a rosterable option in the fantasy football world. Heck, we're still trying to get this across to readers in our weekly waiver-wire articles. Either way, if you've decided against picking him up for some reason, you're the only one to blame at this point.
The third-year tight end heads into Week 16 ranked sixth at his position in fantasy points. This, despite the fact that he ranks 10th in receptions and 11th in targets. With 648 receiving yards to go with seven touchdowns and a stellar 12.5 percent touchdown rate, Brate has more than proven himself to be reliable on a weekly basis. That's only magnified by the fact that he ranks as a TE1 option in terms of fantasy consistency as well.
2. Jimmy Graham, Seattle Seahawks
Sure Graham has a history of success, finishing in the top-four among tight ends in fantasy points in each of his final four seasons with the New Orleans Saints. Unfortunately, in no way did that transfer over to Seattle in his first season with the team back in 2015.
Seen as a fisher out of water in a run-first offense, it seemed Graham would never get on track. Prior to suffereing a serious leg injury late in 2015, Graham had put up a grand total of 48 receptions and two touchdowns in 11 games.
That's completely changed in 2016. Graham heads into Week 16 as the third-best fantasy tight end. He's recorded 59 receptions for 816 yards and five touchdowns. His 13.8 yards per reception average is the tops among TE1 options this season.
What makes Graham's fantasy performance so significant is the fact that he's doing it with Russell Wilson having a down statistical season. Five of Wilson's 16 touchdowns have gone to Graham thus far this season. We should also mention that Graham ranks in the top eight among his position in fantasy consistency.
3. Martellus Bennett, New England Patriots
There was some thought given to the idea that Bennett would play an Aaron Hernandez-type role behind Rob Gronkowski in New England. This allowed him to be considered a rosterable option for those who decided to employ two tight ends. But in no way did we expect Bennett to be a TE1 option with Gronk ahead of him on the depth chart.
Due primarily to Gronk's injury-plagued season, Bennett has stepped up big time for the Pats. In the process, he's proven to be more than a reliable fantasy option. He's recorded 50 receptions for 649 yards and five touchdowns. Bennett's 76 percent catch rate is also among the best at the tight end position this season.
This has all led to a No. 8 overall ranking heading into Week 16. The only real drawback here is that he ranks outside of the top 20 in fantasy consistency. It really has been boom or bust for Bennett in 2016.
4. Kyle Rudolph, Minnesota Vikings
The splits aren't terribly great here. Rudolph is averaging just 10.2 yards per reception and 6.2 yards per target while catching a pedestrian 61 percent of the balls thrown his way. It is, however, Sam Bradford's reliance on Rudolph that has him as the fifth-best fantasy tight end in 2016.
Rudolph ranks second behind Greg Olsen in targets and is among the top-three players at his position in target distribution. He's also fifth among tight ends in fantasy consistency and boasts a solid 9.1 percent touchdown rate. It might not be sustainable beyond the 2016 season, but Rudolph has definitely been fantasy relevant in 2016.