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With the fantasy playoffs having started, that means you have little room for error the rest of the season if you want to win the championship. Every week there are a few TE's from the middle class that have a nice game which can help you win, but others that put up 2 points or less for you. Once again Jimmy Graham has a poor performance, and this time it might have cost you your playoff run. He wasn't the only one though to put up a stinker in week 14 with Julius Thomas joining him after being listed as active, and then still not playing in the game. I am worried about Julius Thomas. His value has almost been strictly tied to his ability to score a redzone TD. Well with the Broncos finding great success with C.J. Anderson when they are in close, they have less of a reason to throw the ball when they are near the goaline. Now it also doesn't help to over-think a lineup decision, but make sure you look at all the facts before making a decision. Start the guys who are ranked higher, or with what your gut is telling you. Remember we play this because it is fun, and if you will enjoy it more going with you gut, then that is what you should do.
With that, lets dive into my top 32 TE rankings, with some commentary on guys that standout as well. Good luck to you and hopefully you get that win.
Delanie Walker - Even after two poor performances, I believe that Walker will have a great game this week. Going up against the Jets who have allowed the fifth most points to opposing TE's helps him out. Last week the Jets did "shutdown" the Vikings TE's, but that was only because the receivers torched them. With a team that is devoted to throwing the ball to the TE this week, Walker should be in for a very good performance.
Coby Fleener - Even with Dwayne Allen coming back last week, Fleener had 10 targets compared to the 3 of Allen. I think the coaching staff saw enough to like from Fleener while Allen was hurt to make him the go-to-guy between the two. Fleener also was lining up as a receiver a little bit during the game, which only helps his value. I would take Fleener over Allen this week, and the rest of the year.
Larry Donnell - Well Donnell's value is almost strictly held up by TD's, but he hasn't had one for three weeks now. I am worried that he is too TD dependent, but he has the luxury of a soft defense this week with the Redskins. Jared Cook just scored two TD's against them, so how hard can it be for Donnell to catch one this week?
Jordan Reed - Just a quick note that last week he was ranked much higher because of Colt McCoy being his QB, and that I don't belive he plays this week. With Robert Griffin III behind center his value drops dramatically to where he is now. If McCoy does play though, I would rank him 10th just above Donnell.
Zach Ertz - If you want to go with a guy this far down that has the upside to put up top 5 numbers this week, then Ertz will be your guy. A terrific matchup against the Cowboys gives Ertz a better chance for one of those breakout games. He is still way too inconsistent, and not used enough in the offense to warrant a higher ranking, but nobody else ranked this low possess the upside of 80 Yards and a TD
Rank | Player | Team | Opponent |
1 | Rob Gronkowski | New England Patriots | Dolphins |
2 | Jimmy Graham | New Orleans Saints | Bears |
3 | Greg Olsen | Carolina Panthers | Buccaneers |
4 | Martellus Bennett | Chicago Bears | Saints |
5 | Antonio Gates | San Diego Chargers | Broncos |
6 | Julius Thomas | Denver Broncos | Chargers |
7 | Delanie Walker | Tennessee Titans | Jets |
8 | Travis Kelce | Kansas City Chiefs | Raiders |
9 | Coby Fleener | Indianapolis Colts | Texans |
10 | Larry Donnell | New York Giants | Redskins |
11 | Jared Cook | St. Louis Rams | Cardinals |
12 | Jordan Cameron | Cleveland Browns | Bengals |
13 | Mychal Rivera | Oakland Raiders | Chiefs |
14 | Dwayne Allen | Indianapolis Colts | Texans |
15 | Jason Witten | Dallas Cowboys | Eagles |
16 | Jordan Reed | Washington Redskins | Giants |
17 | Tim Wright | New England Patriots | Dolphins |
18 | Charles Clay | Miami Dolphins | Patriots |
19 | Zach Ertz | Philadelphia Eagles | Cowboys |
20 | Kyle Rudolph | Minnesota Vikings | Lions |
21 | Scott Chandler | Buffalo Bills | Packers |
22 | Heath Miller | Pittsburgh Steelers | Falcons |
23 | Jermaine Gresham | Cincinnati Bengals | Browns |
24 | Marcedes Lewis | Jacksonville Jaguars | Ravens |
25 | John Carlson | Arizona Cardinals | Rams |
26 | Owen Daniels | Baltimore Ravens | Jaguars |
27 | Andrew Quarless | Green Bay Packers | Bills |
28 | Vernon Davis | San Francisco 49ers | Seahawks |
29 | Levine Toilolo | Atlanta Falcons | Steelers |
30 | Luke Willson | Seattle Seahawks | 49ers |
31 | Dion Sims | Miami Dolphins | Patriots |
32 | Eric Ebron | Detroit Lions | Vikings |