With championships on the line, I’m here to help you make all of the right decisions. The tight end position has been one of the hardest picks to make this year because so many guys have been hot and cold. Not to mention injuries have really plagued the position. My rankings this week will help you clear up which tight end to insert into your lineup. Plus to be festive, I’ve done a little holiday theme in my commentary called "Candy or Coal," as I spotlight players this week. So let’s get to it.
Rankings exclude Eagles and Giants players.
Rank | Player | Team | Opponent |
1 | Greg Olsen | CAR | ATL |
2 | Travis Kelce | KC | DEN |
3 | Delanie Walker | TEN | @JAC |
4 | Kyle Rudolph | MIN | @GB |
5 | Cameron Brate | TB | @NO |
6 | Jimmy Graham | SEA | ARI |
7 | Martellus Bennett | NE | NYJ |
8 | Vernon Davis | WAS | @CHI |
9 | Antonio Gates | SD | @CLE |
10 | C.J. Fiedorowicz | HOU | CIN |
11 | Jason Witten | DAL | DET |
12 | Eric Ebron | DET | @DAL |
13 | Daniel Brown | CHI | WAS |
14 | Jack Doyle | IND | @OAK |
15 | Coby Fleener | NO | TB |
16 | Charles Clay | BUF | MIA |
17 | Hunter Henry | SD | @CLE |
18 | Ryan Griffin | HOU | CIN |
19 | Jared Cook | GB | MIN |
20 | Jesse James | PIT | BAL |
21 | Dion Simms | MIA | @BUF |
22 | Dennis Pitta | BAL | @PIT |
23 | Jermaine Gresham | ARI | @SEA |
24 | Gary Barnidge | CLE | SD |
25 | Dwayne Allen | IND | @OAK |
Ok let's play "Candy or Coal." If I like a guy this week, he will get candy in his stocking, if I don't I will give him coal. It's my normal rankings with a cheesy holiday twist.
Vernon Davis (Candy) - I don't think Jordan Reed will suit up for this one which leaves Davis with the starting job this week against Chicago. The Redskins offense is very successful when they utilize their tight ends. Take last week for example, I know Reed was in serious visible pain, but he had one catch for six yards and Davis had four catches for 23 yards. The Redskins are so much better when they run schemes that allow their tight ends to get open downfield. They should bounce back this week and look for Davis to be very involved. Look in your stocking Vernon, there's a bunch of king-sized candy bars waiting.
Hunter Henry (Coal) - I said last week that he is the most touchdown dependent tight end in the league and his owners only got paid off because of this TD. He does get a lot of looks in the redzone and he does have a lot of touchdowns, but if you play him and he doesn't score, you better be willing to take the two points he musters up. I don't trust boom-or-bust players with the trophy on the line. Enjoy your lump of coal, Henry and Henry fantasy owners.
Jesse James (Coal) - With Ladarius Green likely out, James steps up and may be viewed as a potential deep-league flyer. But I just don't see it. Green was extremely involved in this offense getting targeted on about 27% of his routes. But that will not translate to James, who is clearly inferior to Green. I think this team will rely heavily on Le'Veon Bell and Antonio Brown. Even in a deep league I wouldn't start James.
C.J. Fiedorowicz (Candy) - I've liked this guy all season and I don't mind the Tom Savage QB-switch. I actually like Savage and I think it will benefit Fiedorowicz. I was never a fan of Brock Oswelier. He was an impulse buy and paid a premium price. In last week's game Savage had a 111 QBR and TE Ryan Griffin, who took over while Fiedorowicz was injured, caught eight passes for 85 yards. This week, Fiedorowicz is cleared to play and he should have a good outing against Cincinnati.
Have a question on who to start/sit this week? Ask me on Twitter @NickPetraccione.