Week 16 Tight End Rankings - PPR Leagues

Well it's Christmas Eve and even though I'm out of the fantasy playoffs, I'm still here doing rankings for you guys, that's dedication. On the contrary, Many of you reading probably still have a shot so let's get down to business. To embrace the holiday spirit, I'll give you guys my "Nice List" (players who I think will do well this week) and my "Naughty List" (players I think will do poorly this week).

Nice List:

Will Tye: He's been on my Nice List for the past five weeks, why? Because in the last five weeks he has scored double digit fantasy points. He's a clear TE1 and yet he's most likely a free agent in your league. PICK HIM UP! Oh, and some guy named Odell Beckham Jr. is suspended this week. That should help bolster his production a lot. If he's getting consistent looks with Odell on the field, imagine what his production will be like when he's off it for four quarters. Tight end is a scarce position and this late in the game if you don't have a top-10 guy, you are just praying that whoever you have will score a touchdown or else their fantasy day will show up as a goose egg. So do yourself a favor, pick up Tye and start him.

Julius Thomas: After a shaky start, Blake Bortles has warmed up to Thomas. He was on a four-game touchdown streak until it ended last week.However, he still had a good day tallying six receptions for 79 yards. Thomas should continue his impact role in this offense. Expect a really good game from Thomas against a Saints defense that has allowed the most yards to tight ends in the league, per ESPN Fantasy.

Delanie Walker: Even without Marcus Mariota, I still like Walker. The main reason: the Titans really have no one else to throw to, no one good at least. Walker is their best guy and he finds ways to get open. Not only that, but he creates plays for himself when he gets the ball. Yes, Zach Mettenberger is under center, but Walker should still have a good game.

Naughty List:

Jason Witten: Nine points a week just isn't going to cut it. He's been at exactly that number for the past three games. That's a middle of the road type of game, and we aren't looking for a middle of the road type of player to start in a lineup. Witten hasn't had a 50-yard game in his past eight outings.He hasn't scored since the first week of the season. He's being thrown to by Kellen Moore. Do you see a trend here? He has hit the floor and it's evident in his stats. He doesn't have a high ceiling at all without Tony Romo. Jason Witten this week? Pass.

Charles Clay: Yup, I don't like either tight end in this Buffalo vs. Dallas matchup. Clay has a lot of potential as a tight end, but he has just been too unpredictable. He will have a 17 point game and then the next week end up with one point. You need guys you can trust on a weekly basis, especially in the playoffs. You're walking a fine line if you are hoping to win the championship with guys who are hit-or-miss. To make matters worse, Clay is banged up and is slowly coming back from injury. Clay practiced Wednesday in limited fashion, but sat out on Thursday, per rotowire.com. That's worrisomefor his status on Sunday. Don't take a risk, find someone else.

#20-25: Tight end is a shallow position and every week when I rank the guys at the bottom of the list I think to myself, "I really hope no one has to resort to these players in their lineup because they are only going to put up a maximum of three points on a good day." Also my assumption is that you didn't get this far in the playoffs starting Clive Walford each week. So we don't really have to pay attention the the bottom list. You probably have Greg Olsen, don't you? Lucky.

For questions on this weeks rankings or anyone who you think should be on the Naughty or Nice List, let me know on Twitter @NickPetraccione.

To see my wide receiver rankings for this week, click here.