Week 12 Tight End Rankings

The fantasy playoffs are almost here.  For most owners, you still have two or three more weeks of regular season games, so this is crunch time.  There is nothing worse than being in a matchup and watching one of your guys go for two points or less, when all you needed was 5 or more to win.  That is why finding the right TE on a weekly basis is key.  Those with one of the surefire starters that I mentioned last week don't have to worry about this, but those of you with a middle tier TE have to find the guy who can give you some points.  This is where my rankings will try and help you find those guys for this week.

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.

Coby Fleener - It looks like Dwayne Allen will be out this week, which means that Fleener will step up and get more targets that would have gone to Allen.  Last week Fleener had his best game of the season with 7 receptions for over 140 yards.  Fleener is a better pass catcher than Allen, so when given more work I see him vaulting himself up to where the elite TE class is with around 80 yards and a score in week 12.  The matchup against the Jaguars also helps out his ranking here.

Charles Clay - Before last weeks game against the Rams, the Broncos defense had allowed four TD's to opposing Tight Ends over a three game stretch.  The Rams have not been looking for there TE all year, so the poor production is more on how the Rams run there offense, and not how good the Broncos defense is.  Clay should be able to put up solid numbers here, with a great chance of scoring a TD.

Marcedes Lewis - Hasn't played since week two, but Lewis has now been activated from the IR.  He is expected to return to his starter role this week, and with a great matchup against the Colts, he ranks inside the top 15.  Lewis has a chance to get himself into the top 10 TE class the rest of the way if he shows that he is fully healthy, and a key part of the gameplan, like he was before.

Eric Ebron - Over the last five games, the Patriots have allowed opposing TE's to combine for double digit points in each matchup.  Ebron has been disappointing so far this season, like most rookie TE's are, but this could be his breakout game.  Calvin Johnson is banged up again, and this game has the looks of the Lions trailing by about 14 most of the game, so they will look to throw the ball.  Ebron has the requisite skills to be a great pass catching TE in this league, Stafford just has to get him the ball more often.

Delanie Walker - Coming back from his concussion a couple weeks ago, and has yet to be cleared.  I imagine that he will be cleared by Sunday, but how effective will he be?  Mettenberger has only played two games with Walker, so any time that is lost is even more detrimental.  In a couple of weeks Walker will be back to his early season form, but just not right now.

Tim Wright - If you are extremely desperate in a deep 16 team league, Wright may be the route to take.  In the last four games where he has caught a pass, he has a TD.  The only bad thing about that stat is that he has only recorded a reception in four of his last six games.  If you think that he will catch a pass in this game, then there is also a good chance he scores.

Teams On Bye: Carolina, Pittsburgh