From large blocking tight ends that occassionally caught the ball on short and intermediate routes to the physically gifted mismatches of today's game, we are witnessing a metamorphosis at the position. Today, tight ends come in all shapes and sizes. Some are small, athletic types with little to no value as true blocking tight ends, some are large, imposing targets with excellent hands and still others are well rounded early 2000's prototypical TE's that can block and catch equally as well. Let's take a look at our updated positional rankings.

Rob Gronkowski has played in 32 NFL regular season games, totaling 28 touchdowns in that time period. In just his second season, he broke the record for yards and TD's in a season for a TE. He is an unstoppable force, combining brute strength with excellent hands, above average speed and great burst for a man his size. All of this at age 22, his upside is seemingly limitless. Could anyone else be the #1 Dynasty tight end?

The only player giving Gronk a run for his money at the position right now is the Saints Jimmy Graham (2). Graham also broke the record for yards by a TE in a season, only to be bested by Gronkowski late in Week 17. He was made for the redzone with a 6'7", 260 lb. frame and an 8 ft. wingspan. He's as athletically gifted as any player his size with speed to burn when he gets loose in the secondary. He's a former basketball player at the U that played one season of collegiate football. In other words, he's still learning the position, which is a scary thought. He does turn 26 in November, but has more potential that perhaps even Gronkowski for the next few seasons.

On talent alone Jermichael Finley continues to find himself in the Top 3. He'll play 2012 at 25 years old and played a 16 game season for the first time in his four year career last season. He's fighting some very talented receivers for catches and had a case of the drops last year, but Finley has the upside to break out in Green Bay.

The next two tight ends are completely different prospects - Aaron Hernandez (4) is an undersized dynamic weapon who creates mismatches with his athleticism and after the catch ability. Vernon Davis (5) creates mismatches because he is a freak of athletic nature. He found his comfort level in Jim Harbaugh's offense at the end of last season and could be in line for a huge 2012.

Jermaine Gresham (6) was drafted in the 1st round over Gronk, Graham and Hernandez in the 2010 NFL Draft. He has ideal physical attributes and could be in line for a Year 3 breakout.

Jason Witten (7) and Antonio Gates (9) both enter the 2012 season on the wrong side of 30. Witten is surrounded by more explosive options in Dallas, but has the trust of Romo and makes for an elite PPR option. Gates has been noticeably slowed in the past couple years by injuries, but he continues to produce TE1 numbers.

We haven't seen the best of Fred Davis (10), and as long as he can stay away from the recreational drugs he should show and prove in 2012.

A Beast favorite since he was drafted back in 2009, Jared Cook (11) has everything you want in a fantasy TE. It would not be a surprise to find him inside the Top 5 this time next year.

Brent Celek (13) is a buy low Dynasty candidate. After Week 5, he had at least 50 receiving yards and/or a TD in every game except 2.

Kyle Rudolph (14) flashed his skills in an inconsistent rookie year, and bigger things are coming next year. He's one to acquire if his pricetag is that of a TE2 because his upside is Top 10.

What happened to Zach Miller (16)? Seattle needs a franchise QB and he needs to be utilized like the dynamic receiving option he is.

Greg Olsen (18) will enter his age-27 season in 2012 with a shot at TE1 value, especially if the Panthers move on from Jeremy Shockey.

Marcedes Lewis (20) - one hit wonder or hurt by a shell-shocked rookie QB? Probably a combination of both, but Lewis is not a TE1 option despite obvious physical talents. He's a solid back-up player. It's worth noting that he had 10 TD's in 2010, but only 7 total in his other 5 seasons, including zero last year.

It's always been the same story for Tony Moeaki (22). He has the talent to be an impact fantasy player but a torn ACL last summer torpedoed his sophomore season. With a bounceback 2012, he could climb this list.

Jordan Cameron (25) and and Julius Thomas (30) are two raw, athletic former basketball players that could make significant jumps in 2012. Keep an eye on their development.

Two Giants tight ends would have found their way onto the Top 40, but torn ACL's in the Super Bowl knocked down Jake Ballard (37) and Travis Beckum (NR). Ballard has a shot at TE2 value in 2012 if he can recover quickly, while Beckum faces an uphill battle to fantasy value.

The backend of the TE list is filled with older impact players (Dallas Clark, Tony Gonzalez), marginal TE2 talents (Tony Scheffler, Kevin Boss) and potential prospects. Players worth a stash are Evan Moore (27), Martellus Bennett (31) and Luke Stocker (33). The 2012 NFL Draft will bring an influx of talented and dynamic threats to this list.

If you missed it, here's our Dynasty Rankings Update for the QB position and RB position. We'll be finishing up the rankings with the WR position coming soon!