The 2011 fantasy football season has been the year of the tight end. Never has the tight end been this valuable in the fantasy football world. To end your 2011 season with a bang (and hopefully a championship), start one of these fantasy football tight ends.

1. Rob Gronkowski, New England Patriots
Gronkowski will put the finishes touches on a legendary season.

Antonio Gates has to be worrying fantasy football owners. After eight catches in Week 1, he was held without a catch in Week 2 and then missed Week 3 with a foot injury. Going forward it's unknown when Antonio Gates will be able to play again.

What is known is that Gates won't play this weekend.

A great tight end can give you a huge advantage in fantasy football. In 2011, that advantage may be even larger than normal due to the shortage of high quality players at that position. Here are our tight end rankings for 2011 fantasy football:

1. Antonio Gates, San Diego Chargers
Last season, Antonio Gates was on fire .