It’s been common in recent years for tight ends that go undrafted in fantasy to shoot up the ranks. In each of the past four years, three undrafted tight ends have risen into the top 12 at the position, and before that, in 2011, two made the jump.
Last year’s trio — Jordan Reed, Gary Barnidge and Ben Watson — will certainly catch some fantasy eyes. Is there a common thread between guys that make the leap? Are those jumps sustainable?
Guys who have done it
Below is the list of undrafted tight ends who’ve finished in the top 12 over the last five years, and how they fared the following year.
| Player | Year | Finish | Next Year | Finish |
| Dustin Keller | 2011 | TE10 | 2012 | TE37 |
| Fred Davis | 2011 | TE12 | 2012 | TE45 |
| Heath Miller | 2012 | TE4 | 2013 | TE27 |
| Dennis Pitta | 2012 | TE7 | 2013 | NR |
| Brandon Myers | 2012 | TE10 | 2013 | TE18 |
| Julius Thomas | 2013 | TE3 | 2014 | TE7 |
| Charles Clay | 2013 | TE7 | 2014 | TE16 |
| Delanie Walker | 2013 | TE12 | 2014 | TE9 |
| Coby Fleener | 2014 | TE6 | 2015 | TE22 |
| Delanie Walker | 2014 | TE9 | 2015 | TE5 |
| Larry Donnell | 2014 | TE12 | 2015 | NR |
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