Welcome to the fourth installment of the Branded Sports NFL Divisional Power Rankings… By position groups.
Monday we covered Running Backs
Tuesday we covered Quarterbacks
Wednesday we covered Wide Receivers
The NFC North took the top spot for running backs. And, the NFC South took the top spot for the quarterbacks and wide receivers.
Today I am ranking the divisions by Tight End groups. I will rank the divisions 8 to 1 on each of their overall tight end group.
Let the tight end rankings begin:
8. AFC EAST
Bills: Dawson Knox, Tyler Kroft
Dolphins: Mike Gesicki, Durham Smythe
Jets: Ryan Griffin, Chris Hendron
Patriots: Matt LaCosse, Devin Asiasi
Besides Mike Gesicki, I bet you don’t know any of these other guys. Maybe Durham Smyth and he is Gesicki’s backup. Or even the former Bengal Tyler Kroft, but he is the Patriots backup. Some of these dudes may ball out, but on paper this is absolutely the worst overall division.
7. AFC SOUTH
Colts: Jack Doyle, Trey Burton
Jaguars: Tyler Eifert, Josh Oliver
Texans: Darren Fells, Jordan Akins
Titans: Jonnu Smith, Anthony Firkser
I really like Jack Doyle, but since his best friend Andrew Luck left he hasn’t been the same player. The Colts even brought Ebron in to play over and when Doyle was hurt. Being an Irish fan I also love Tyler Eifert, but has the guy ever been healthy since he got hurt in the Pro Bowl? Darren Fells may be the best tight end in the group… And, that is saying something…
6. NFC EAST
Cowboys: Blake Jarwin, Dalton Schultz, Blake Bell
Eagles: Zach Ertz, Dallas Goedert, Josh Perkins
Giants: Evan Engram, Levine Toilolo
Redskins: Jeremy Sprinkle, Logan Thomas
I hate to have the NFC East this low, but I honestly couldn’t put them any higher with the groups I have ranked higher. I especially didn’t want to put the NFC East so low because I think Ertz and Goedert are the best 1-2 punch at TE in the game. But Evan Engram cant stay health, and he is more of a WR type anyway. And, even though I think Blake Jarwin can be very good for the Cowboys, he has never been the #1 guy before. And… A dude named Sprinkle? Come on Washington.
5. NFC NORTH
Bears: Jimmy Graham, Cole Kmet
Lions: T.J. Hockerson, Jesse James
Packers: Jace Sternberger, Josiah Deguara, Mercedes Lewis
Vikings: Kyle Rudolph, Irv Smith Jr.
Jimmy Graham stays in the division and goes to Chicago, but he isn’t the same player he was. However I do think Cole Kmet from ND has a chance to be very good. I also like the other Irish star Kyle Rudolph in Minnesota. This season Hockerson has a chance to emerge as the best TE in the north, playing in Detroit. Mercedes Lewis is still alive let alone playing in the NFL?
4. NFC WEST
49ers: George Kittle, Ross Dwelley
Cardinals: Max Williams, Dan Arnold
Rams: Tyler Higbee, Gerald Everett
Seahawks: Greg Olsen, Will Dissly
George Kittle has emerged to be one of the top 3 tight ends in football. He is a tough son of a bitch and just knows how to get open and make big plays. Down the stretch last year Tyler Higbee was a monster in LA, and has a chance to be even better this year. If Greg Olsen can stay healthy I think he could completely revitalize his career with Russel Wilson in Seattle. Who is Max Williams?
3. AFC WEST
Broncos: Noah Fant, Nick Vannett
Chargers: Hunter Henry, Virgil Green
Chiefs: Travis Kelce, Ricky Seals-Jones
Raiders: Darren Waller, Jason Witten
Travis Kelce is an absolute Monster. That is it. Hunter Henry, if healthy can be a top 5-6 TE in the game. Noah Fant is going to be surrounded by talent on the new look Broncos offense and get a ton of oppurtunites. And, Darren Waller was quietly a fantastic weapon for the Raiders last year. And oh yeah… Now he has Jason Witten next to him to learn from. Great overall group out west.
2. AFC NORTH
Bengals: C.J. Uzomah, Drew Sample
Browns: Austin Hooper, David Njoku
Ravens: Mark Andrews, Nick Boyle
Steelers: Eric Ebron, Vance McDonald
Mark Andrews emerged as one of the game’s best last season playing with Lamar and the boys, no chance that doesn’t continue. Austin Hooper with the athletic freak David Njoku are going to make a dominant 1-2 punch for the Browns. As well as Eric Ebron joining the Steelers and playing with the already Pittsburgh established Vance McDonald. The weak link is in Cincinnati, but Uzomah has also shown flashes of being a very solid player.
1. NFC SOUTH
Buccaneers: Rob Gronkowski, OJ Howard
Falcons: Hayden Hurst, Khari Lee
Panthers: Ian Thomas, Seth DeValve
Saints: Jared Cook, Josh Hill
I feel like I could have flip flopped the NFC South and the AFC North for 1 and 2. But… GRONK IS BACK… TELL A FRIEND… GRONK IS BACK! Gronk back with Tommy and together with OJ Howard, going to be huge. Jared Cook can be a dominant force playing in the dome with Drew. I also like the addition of Hayden Hurst taking over for Austin Hooper in Atlanta. The guy is a player, just didn’t overcome Mark Andrews in Baltimore, new team will be good for him. The sleeper is the University of Indiana second year pro Ian Thomas. Dude can flat out play.
The NFC South has taken the last three days. And, it seems as though the AFC East has been in the cellar all week. Very interesting.
Let us know what you think of the rankings.
Friday we rank the divisions by Offensive Line Groups. Then next week we move onto defense.
-Kmess