Back in early January, I posted my initial run of 2016 fantasy football rankings.
However, there is a key demographic of the NFL missing from those rankings: incoming rookies.
Since we don't know which teams they will play for, we can't lump them in with the veterans just yet. So for those of you who want to look deeper than my top 25 rookies overall, I've broken them down by position as well.
NOTE: Each player's overall rank among rookies appears before his name.
Top fantasy rookie tight ends
23. Hunter Henry, Arkansas
The consensus top tight end prospect this year, Henry has a shot to go in the first round, especially considering this year's weak class at the position. His pro day will be important, however, after his arms and hands measured up poorly at the combine, he managed only 13 reps on the bench and he didn't participate in any additional drills. A quality pass-catcher, Henry has outstanding hands (zero drops on 74 targets last season), excellent ball skills and enough speed to create separation from linebackers and safeties. He's a work in progress as a blocker, but figures to spend a lot of time running routes from the slot. Rookie tight ends rarely make a fantasy impact, but Henry is the complete package and figures to land on the TE1 radar as soon as 2017.
45. Tyler Higbee, Kentucky
A converted wide receiver, Higbee is one of the fastest and top pass-catching tight ends in this year's class. Already a polished route runner and excellent with the ball in his hands, Higbee has drawn comparisons to Jordan Cameron. The Kentucky product caught 78 percent of his targets last season, which was easily best among this year's rookie class. Higbee's progression as a blocker will determine his playing time at the pro level, but his massive upside as a receiver makes him well worth a late-round rookie pick.
46. Jerell Adams, South Carolina
An intriguing two-way prospect, Adams is on the lean side, but is very tall, fast and has big arms. Standing 6-5, 247 pounds, he has the look of a huge wide receiver, and his run-blocking ability improves his long-term outlook. Adams was a riser at the combine, posting a position-best 4.64 40-yard dash. The long-strider proved hard to cover at South Carolina and figures to slide right in as a busy No. 2 right out of the gate in the NFL. He's sure to be utilized often near the goal line.
47. Austin Hooper, Stanford
From an actual NFL standpoint, Hooper is the consensus No. 2 tight end in this class, but that's more of a product of his all-around ability than his receiving upside. Hooper is a plus athlete with good hands who figures to help his new team as a both a blocker and occasional pass-catcher right out of the gate. Hooper struggled some with drops last season, but also handled more deep shots than most of his counterparts. He has a shot to emerge into an every-down tight end, which is appealing, but he may never be more than a TE2 in fantasy.
48. Nick Vannett, Ohio State
One of the biggest incoming tight ends, Vannett stands at 6-foot-6, 257 pounds. He's a good athlete and was a reliable, versatile tool for the Buckeyes, lining up all over the offensive formation. A good blocker and competent pass-catcher, Vannett is a potential starter at the NFL level. There's some upside here, but it's possible Vannett spends too much time blocking to really emerge into a top-end fantasy tight end. In 10 games last season, he was targeted only 27 times and averaged 8.5 yards per reception (lowest among tight ends who were at the combine).
67. Thomas Duarte, UCLA
Wide receiver/tight end tweener who can't block but gets a "fantasy" boost because of his pass-catching ability. Has drawn several Jordan Reed comparisons. Finished first in 2015 in targets (90), receiving yards (872), touchdowns (10), yards per reception (16.5) and average depth of target (12.4) among tight ends who attended the combine. Significant fantasy upside if he can stay on the field.
68. Beau Sandland, Montana State
Short-area quickness aside, Sandland helped his cause with a strong combine showing. The 6-foot-4, 253-pound receiving tight end posted the best broad jump at the position. He has some upside as a pass-catcher at the pro level.
86. Bryce Williams, East Carolina
Receiving specialist who sports a massive 6-6, 257-pound frame. Lean enough that he looks more like a big wide receiver than a tight end. Quality route runner, but has a long way to go as a blocker. Had a brutal combine, which included 4.94 40-yard dash and position-worst performances in the vertical jump, three-cone, short shuttle and 60-yard shuttle. Could still attract teams looking to generate mismatches with a big, de facto slot receiver.
87. David Morgan, Texas-San Antonio
Led tight ends with 29 bench reps and a 4.19 short shuttle at the combine. Good pass-catcher, but an elite blocking prospect. Figures to focus on the latter at the pro level, but there's some upside here.
88. David Grinnage, NC State
Has sufficient size and is a decent receiver, but isn't particularly fast or athletic. Was used as a situational field stretcher at NC State. Had the longest arms among tight ends at the combine, but finished last in the vertical and broad jumps.
89. Jake McGee, Florida
Great hands and size (6-5/250). Has some receiving upside, but is entering the league at age 24. Failed to impress at the combine.
90. Benjamin Braunecker, Harvard
Only 6-foot-3, 250 pounds with short arms and small hands, but is a great blocker and absolutely crushed on-field drills at the combine. Posted the best 60-yard shuttle and was second best in the short shuttle, three-cone, vertical jump and broad jump. Figures to translate athleticism to H-Back/fullback/tight end role, which won't breed much fantasy value.
97. Henry Krieger Coble, Iowa
A good athlete with some receiving and blocking chops, but is only 6-2 and projects as an H-Back.
98. Temarrick Hemingway, South Carolina State
Has sufficient size (6-5/244), but struggles as a blocker. Hands need work, but he's quick and could do some damage down the seam at the pro level. Three-cone time (6.88) was best among tight ends at the combine.