Week 9 Tight End Rankings

Now entering the back half of the fantasy season, where injuries and bye weeks are starting to become more of a problem for fantasy owners.  This week there are six teams on bye, but only two of them have Tight Ends you could have been starting in Martellus Bennett and Delanie Walker.  That is the good news, but the bad news is the injuries to Owen Daniels and Jordan Cameron.  The waiver wire for Tight Ends probably doesn't look great for this week, but a few guys might surprise you, which I try to identify below.  Yesterday we covered the QB, RB, and WR, positions, so now it is time to tackle the TE's.  Below are the top 32 TE's in order for week nine, and some added commentary below on a few guys.  Without dragging this intro longer, let's dive right into the commentary and rankings.

Clay Harbor - Harbor would be the main guy I would target to start this week if you own Bennett or Walker.  Harbor has a great matchup against the Bengals, as they have allowed the second most points per week to opposing TE's behind only the Bears.  Harbor has been a little hit or miss this season with Bortels under center, but I see him taking advantage this week.  Allowed 4 TD's the last four games, and I see that jumping up to 5 in 5 weeks with Harbor getting one here.

Jason Witten - I am still not sure what to think about Jason Witten.  Last week he had his best outing yet, but got his score very late in the game.  The matchup this week against the Cardinals isn't bad, and I think he should get about 5 catches, but a TD may not be likely.  If you are looking for an upside play out of your TE this week, I would look elsewhere.

Mychal Rivera - My other pickup special this week is Mychal Rivera.  I wrote about him a couple of times earlier in the season, noting how the offense needed to start to shift its philosophy for him to become playable in a given week.  Well last week he finally had a mini breakout game with 7 catches for 83 yards on 9 targets.  Carr and the coaching staff have started to send him out on more routes lately, and I see that trend continuing forward.  Another reason for his high ranking is that Seattle is susceptible to TE's in the passing game this year.

Tim Wright - He is the ultimate upside risk/reward play at the TE position.  He could put up an outing like last week with 7 catches and a score, or he could have zero catches.  Tom Brady has been flinging the ball all over the field lately, so expecting Wright to at least score a TD is not too far fetched.  If you choose to start him just remember that he could help you win a week, or tear you down.

Vernon Davis - I'm done with Davis at this point as a stater, and even taking up a roster spot in shallow 10 team leagues.  Deeper leagues you should keep him around as there is still a chance he can perform at a starter level, but still look elsewhere for a guy this week.  Tough matchup with the Rams, and he has been nonexistent for most of the year lead to this low ranking.

Crockett Gillmore - It is now time for the third-string TE's turn in Baltimore.  With Daniels out indefinitely now, Gillmore figures to step into the starting role, but does that mean he will be successful?  I'm hesitant to say so, as Gillmore was the third-string TE for a reason on this team.  I need to see him get targeted a good amount before I can advocate you picking him up and using him.

Teams On Bye: Atlanta, Buffalo, Chicago, Detroit, Green Bay, Tennessee