Tight end is a very deep position this year. There is a lot of talent both inside and out of the top 10. The tight-end position is currently evolving in the NFL. The top two guys on my rankings (which can be found here) are used much more like wide receivers in their offense and are worth reaching for in rounds four and five of your draft. More and more teams are using their tight ends to create match up nightmares for opposing defenses. Later in the rankings you will be able to pick up some very good, but more traditional TE talent. Many young QBs and bad teams rely on their TE to pick up key first downs and be a big target in the red zone. When deciding on which TE to start this year rely on playing the most talented guy and do not take match up into heavy consideration.
The Top Two
Dallas Clark and Antonio Gates are in a class of their own. No matter who you put at number one, you acknowledge that there is a large gap between these two guys and the rest of the pack. When you draft Gates or Clark you are essentially drafting a very consistent WR. With Vincent Jackson missing extensive time and probably never playing in a Chargers uniform again, the only reliable and trusted target Philip Rivers has left at his disposal is Gates. Both Clark and Gates are likely to get close to 100 catches and 10 TD’s.
The Next Three
Lacking a clever name to call my tier two group of right ends is not the only problem that I have with this group of guys. Jermichael Finley is an unproven guy that many people, including me, think will have a year similar to Clark and Gates. In the preseason the Packers have been an explosive offense, and stout defense. The Packers use Finley often as he truly is a matchup nightmare, he is too big for 95% of defensive backs to cover and too fast for almost any linebackers to cover. Vernon Davis had a huge year last year, but primarily because of touchdowns and you just can’t count on him getting 10 TDs again. Witten had a off year last season and should rebound fine, but until I see that the Cowboys can reliably protect Romo in the pocket he is stuck at number 5 on my rankings.
The Last of The Starters
Rounding out my top 10 is the traditional tight ends. These guys are on bad teams, have young QB’s or have mediocre talent and a good team/QB. Brent Celek falls under the new QB category. There will be times this year that Kevin Kolb struggles, or is in need of a check down and he will be turning to Celek more often than not. It is also worth noting that Celek and Kolb are friends off the field and roommates when on the road so they should be a solid level of trust and comfort with each other. Zach Miller is hands down the most consistent receiving threat that the Raiders have and after a considerable upgrade at QB I expect Miller to have a career year. Owen Daniels was in the 2nd tier last year and started very strong, however due to an injury he missed most of the season and it will take a little time for him to be back to his old self. The inevitable slow start is why he is ranked at 9th, but he could be a top 5 guy come the end of the year.
The Best of The Rest
Rounding out the starters in deep formats and the backups is a hodgepodge of inconsistent big guys that are often on run-first teams. Visanthe Shiancoe is a serious threat in the red zone that was often used by Brett Favre last year. Brett cannot replicate the production of last season, but he will still get his share of passing TDs and so will Shiancoe. Chris Cooley is another guy that was hurt last year and he is on a team with a poor receiving corp, offensive line and a quality QB that can get him the ball. Cooley represents the best value TE this year and getting either him or Zach Miller is the reason why I let all the top guys go off the board and stack up on WR and RB talent.
Sleepers
Zach Miller, Chris Cooley, John Carlson and Anthony Fasano
Busts
Tony Gonzalez, Greg Olsen and Todd Heap
Recap
If either Gates or Clark falls to you in the 5th round and you don’t like any options left at WR RB or QB then do it! You will be getting to start an extra WR every week. If not, then wait for Zach Miller or Chris Cooley late in the draft. The fact that guys like John Carlson, Anthony Fasano, Heath Miller and Todd Heap should go un-drafted is pretty ridiculous in my opinion. Oh, and don’t take a backup… the guys I just mentioned can be gotten off waivers to cover your main guy’s bye week.
Nick
Ok, here is the deal. I’m having a lot of mixed emotions on who I should start this week. I don’t think I can go wrong with my options, but it is the playoffs and I need all I can get. In our league, our roster looks like this. QB WR WR RB RB TE W/T W/R. I’m set at QB with Schaub and my #1 and #2 RB are AP and MJD. My starting TE is Dallas Clark. As of now I have Greg Jennings and Robert Meachem in my WR spots. This is where I don’t know who to play. I have 2 spots to fill (W/T and W/R). I have Antonio Bryant, who I really like this week. Dwayne Bowe who has a good match-up against the Browns. Heath Miller who may see some action with Woodson on Holmes and Ward being banged up. I also have Beanie Wells and Arian Foster who have great match-ups. Which 2 players should I play in my last 2 spots? And I forgot to mention it is a PPR league. PLEASE HELP!
I would put Bryant in as the WR2 and probably play Bowe and Wells this week. Wells isn’t a PPR threat but he has a great match-up and they seemed to cut out Hightower really early after that fumble last week.
John
gore maroney moreno charles or jacobs which 3 do i start
Gore Moreno Charles for sure Maroney is going to share too much to have a big game
Kolby R
Baltimore vs Chicago or Arizona vs Detroit
I am currently planning on starting Baltimore. They will crush the pocket and force turnovers. What do you think?
Ravens are my number 1 defense this week, good luck bud!
Matthew
hi jim. i decided to bench sims-walker last night (ugh!), and now i’ve got to go with bowe or manningham this week. what do you think?
Manningham shouldn’t be on your roster anymore so its definitely Bowe!
Quiet Time
Defense: GREEN BAY vs Steelers or ARIZONA vs Lions this week?
WR PPR league: Calvin Johnson??? or Derrick Mason?
Manningham shouldn’t be on your roster anymore so its def Bowe. And Cardinals Defense is my 3rd, so play them.
Weez
Do I have a better chance starting Boldin/Breaston against the Lions with a banged up Fitzgerald? Or should I start Meachem over Breaston? No way I’m sitting Boldin though. Even after he cost me a win last week….*grumbles*
I like the Boldin Breaston play, and it has nothing to do with Fitz =D
Well, what a week for Fantasy Playoffs to begin! Lots of Studs this week so lets get right to it! Oh yea, there are plenty of Duds too! =P
Eli Manning (NYG) - Top Fantasy QB honors in a loss Sunday against the division rival Philadelphia Eagles. He looked very good with three TD passes and just shy of 400 yards. He did lose two fumbles, but that is largely a protection issue and with those stats it’s easy to forgive.
Chris Johnson (TEN) – Ok, we expected it, but not quite this big, huge week from CJ this Sunday. Likely was enough to push you through this round of the playoffs.
Adrian Peterson (MIN) – A lot of readers asked about potentially benching Peterson this week and I did everything in my power to convince you not to do this. Peterson is set to go off any week regardless of match-up, let alone the fact that despite the impressive numbers the Bengals had defending the run, they really hadn’t faced too many elite backs this season.
Ryan Grant (GB) – Wow! No one saw this big of a game coming from Grant as he totaled 137 yards and two scores. Grant remains a great RB2 down the stretch, but Rodgers wont see that little production again, which is bound to hurt Grant’s chances of finding the end-zone twice.
Frank Gore (SF) – Despite the offense having become more of a passing oriented attack over the past few weeks, when the 9ers dominated the Cardinals on Monday night they did it on the shoulders of Frank Gore. It looked like this round one pick was going to cost his owners dearly in the playoffs as he was utilized less and facing a team that destroyed the Minnesota Vikings and Adrian Peterson just last week. However with San Francisco apparently rededicated to the run, Gore managed 167 yards and a TD. Keep trusting him, because this offense is learning balance quickly.
Jamaal Charles (KC) – His team had trouble scoring, but not because of him. Charles broke off a 70+ yard TD run Sunday for the Chiefs only time in the end-zone. Despite the failures of his team Charles will still help you in the playoffs if the match-up is good.
Quinton Ganther (WAS) – OK, so if you were in a bind this week and you went with Ganther you were rewarded. His match-up was great, and he got the job done. However you can’t expect him to be able to score like that on other teams, so do you really want a RB that can only manage 50 yards against Oakland and in a GREAT week for him only sees 3 targets in the passing game? I wouldn’t and neither should you. Also if you wanted to start Ganther over a struggling star then it likely came back to bite you anyways, many people asked about him over the likes of Gore and Grant (and a few too many even thought he was a better play than Peterson).
Reggie Bush (NO) – Bush finally made a statement that he is healthy again this week with his 19 point fantasy day Sunday. He will remain a great flex play through the playoffs, as he is the 4th receiving option in that offense. For those keeping track Meachem is 5th so yes, he is a better play than Meachem in the flex.
Brandon Marshall (DEN) – Making a strong statement for being a top 3 fantasy football receiver next season with a record breaking performance on Sunday. Marshall was targeted 28 times and hauled in 21 of them for 200 yards and two scores. Enough said.
Andre Johnson (HOU) – This performance will take a back seat to Marshall’s but lets be honest this was a ridiculous game as well. 11 catches 193 yards and two scores as well.
DeSean Jackson (PHI) – Jackson has tied an NFL record for most 50+ yard TD plays in a season. This is one heck of an explosive receiver that was a bargain deal where he was drafted in every league. Oh, and he is going to remain dynamic the rest of the season.
Derrick Mason (BAL) - You see that play? He has my attention and respect now however, he won’t be upgraded too much as he is limited by the shaky play of Joe Flacco, but he will remain a very good flex or WR3 play.
Hakeem Nicks (NYG) – Nicks wont be a regular in your starting lineup during the playoffs but he had a huge game and might make a flex appearance and definitely in deep formats.
Dallas Clark (IND) – Not much for yardage this week, but three TD grabs is almost unheard of for a TE that isn’t Vernon Davis.
Fred Davis (WAS) – He’s available in too many leagues, Miller just got a concussion (his 2nd this season).
49ers (D/ST) – I still can’t believe they shut down that offense last night. Warner got ONE point.
Randy Moss (NE) – negative points (-1) from a guy you start every week regardless of match-up is a tough beat in the playoffs. If your still in it then your still starting Moss.
Rashard Mendenhall (PIT) – It was the Browns. Be concerned if your still in the playoffs.
Mike Sims-Walker (JAC) – Hopefully you didn’t play him due to his injury, but I would have played him and would have been burned.
Greg Olsen (CHI) – Two weeks in a row, is Fred Davis available?
Mario Manningham (NYG) – Was on my dump-list, and even in a shootout he can’t perform barely at all.
Steven Jackson (STL) – Bad week I admit, you have better? Doubt it!
Visanthe Shiancoe (MIN) – TE’s are inconsistent, with as many TD passes as he’s got he’s earned a down week.
Donald Driver (GB) – You’ve seen all across the league that as the play of the QB drops so does the production of the WR. This is just the first week Rodgers has slipped, and he didn’t so much as he wasn’t needed. Jennings might be an issue, but Driver’s stock doesn’t change.
Kurt Warner (ARI) – Easiest match-up possible on the rebound so if your still around then he’ll still be ok.
Ben Roethlisberger (PIT) - IT WAS THE BROWNS!!! WHATS GOING ON IN PITTSBURGH? Honestly, i don’t know but Santonio Homes is the only one playing well.
Larry Fitzgerald (ARI) – Just hope he’s healthy, ignore the bad week as I’m sure you were planning on.
LeSean McCoy (PHI) - Stick a fork in him, he’s done. Westbrook might be coming back this week, and you can’t entrust him with your entire season.
Aaron Rodgers (GB) – He just wasn’t needed to make plays. Grant took the first play for the Packers to the house and they controlled the game through the run ever since.
