No Rob Gronkowski, Jordan Reed or Tyler Eifert in Week 9. Especially now that Eifert has returned to action, don’t be surprised to see each of the three aforementioned tight ends in these top five pieces the rest of the way. The position is rather depleted this week, so if you have one of these five guys on your roster, you should feel confident for Week 9. On the other hand, if you’re in need of tight end, see if any of these guys are available in your league. It might be a streaming week for you, but don’t worry, your studs will be back soon enough.

Here are the top 5 tight ends for Week 9 of the NFL season.

Travis Kelce vs. JAC

Kelce is averaging 6.4 targets per game this season, but he saw a season-high 10 targets last week against the Indianapolis Colts. Jacksonville has been solid against the position this season, but Kansas City is committed to getting the ball in the hands of its dynamic tight end. Kelce is a no-doubt TE1 this week.

Kyle Rudolph vs. DET

The Lions are allowing the most fantasy points per game to the tight end position this season, including an absurd including eight touchdowns in as many games. Opposing tight ends have just under a 77 percent catch rate against the Lions and given Rudolph’s standing in the offense, he’s a no-doubt TE1 this week.

Greg Olsen @ LA

Olsen trails only Washington’s Jordan Reed in targets per game this season and the former is coming off his worst game of the season. Against the Cardinals in Week 8, he caught just one pass on a season-low three targets for 11 yards. In the six games before the bye week, Olsen was averaging 6.5 receptions for 101.6 yards per game. He’ll return to the TE1 echelon in Week 9 against the Rams.

Delanie Walker @ SD

Walker hasn’t enjoyed the target share he received last year, but he’s catching more of the passes that actually are thrown his way.  He’s topped 74 receiving yards in each of the last two weeks, and even though San Diego is average against the position, there’s no way he shouldn’t be able to top that 75-yard threshold in Week 9.

Antonio Gates vs. TEN

The Titans are allowing the eighth-most fantasy points per game and they’ve been abused lately by Indianapolis and Jacksonville over the past two weeks. Tight ends for those two teams have combined for 23 receptions for 221 yards and two touchdowns. Gates needs a touchdown to be fantasy relevant, but he has an excellent chance to score this week. Consider him a low-end TE1 in Week 9.

Be sure to check out the rest of the NFL Week 9 Fantasy Football Player Rankings here at Fantasy Alarm.