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.
Aaron Rodgers (GB) – 383 yards and three scores… oh and he ran one in too! Rodgers is back in stride in fantasy terms, last week his arm wasn’t needed with Grant running wild. He is definitely still your guy!
Ben Roethlisberger (PIT) - 503 yards and 3 scores including a game winning last second score to win the game. If you put all your chips down on Big Ben at QB then you are likely not in need of advice at this point… However if you had an adequate replacement and are wondering about Ben next week I put him behind Alex Smith and Carson Palmer this week so hopefully you don’t need to take the risk.
Matt Moore (CAR) – Where’d this guy come from? Don’t know but I don’t trust him. If you are in a DEEP QB league then he might be a better option in what is likely to be a passing affair next week. Even with that said he’s a last resort.
Jerome Harrison (CLE) - If you played Jennings last week I think you’ve learned your lesson. You can’t count on these one week wonders, and when thats the mistake you made in the Playoffs or Super Bowl, it becomes a VERY long off season. With that warning in place and at the fore front of your mind… Harrison has a great match-up
Jamaal Charles (KC) – This guy was such a huge Waiver Wire grab…. I am still amazed at how consistent he is making plays. Keep using him as he remains a top 20 back.
Maurice Jones-Drew (JAC) - It’s always a relief when your Studs do their job, and thats what this guy is!
Maurice Morris (DET) - Morris had a 126 yard game with a score on Sunday when he wasn’t expected to do all that much. I say pick him up so he can’t be used against you… with that said I don’t trust him this late in the season.
Marion Barber (DAL) - Every aspect of the Cowboys game Saturday was as good as it has looked all season. With how awful the Skins looked last night I have got to think that Barber should be worth a flex spot next week.
Beanie Wells (ARI) – Hightower is almost an after-thought in Arizona now-a-days. Beanie had a good day and lived up to the high expectations we all had in this soft match-up.
Vincent Jackson (SD) – This is why you shouldn’t have panicked when he had his drought. He is one of the best in the league.
Steve Smith (CAR) – Smith is fast proving to doubters that he was not the reason for his recent short comings. This guy has been rebounding quite well since Moore took over and should have a chance to make some plays next week.
DeSean Jackson (PHI) - DJax is developing into the most explosive player in the league. This guy defines big-play ability and regardless of match-up he’s going to need to be started.
Jermichael Finley (GB) – Match-up nightmare and fast developing premiere Tight End in the NFL.
John Carlson (SEA) – Not really a stud, but he exceeded expectations and was the only Seahawk worth a damn this past week.
Todd Heap (BAL) - Can never expect two TD’s but it’s nice to have. I still like Finley and Davis as pick-ups more though.
Giants (D/ST) – That was some impressive pressure they got on the Skins last night. They wont do this big again, but that was a domination if i’ve ever seen one.
Cedric Benson (CIN) - One of his worst games that he played in all year… the team was down and HAD to throw… this is not anything to worry about with the Chiefs coming to town.
Sidney Rice (MIN) - I’m definitely down on Rice going into a cold weather game, but he is still a fine option for WR 2 and a great flex option.
Greg Olsen (CHI) – I’m sure you are done trusting him as I am. Finley, Davis, Boss, Heap… go find one!
Thomas Jones (NYJ) - Surprisingly bad performance from an incredibly consistent back. If your still around on in a consolation game then he’s likely still the guy.
Roy Williams (DAL) - The Cowboys continue to demonstrate that Williams is an expendable part of their offense.
Steve Breaston (ARI) – Yea he had a great match-up and should have done better than ONE POINT…. but you know its risky starting a 3rd ranked WR on his team so you can’t be too mad.
1. Beanie Wells
2. Thomas Jones
3. Ricky Williams
Jerome Harrison (CLE) - He just had the third best running performance in NFL history on Sunday and he plays the 28th ranked run defense in the league next week. Even if your not gonna use him you grab him so no one else can. Also, don’t use him… this is the third week in a row where one of the two Browns RB’s have been one of the waiver wire’s hottest pickups. Think about that, everyone was bidding for Harrison two weeks ago, then they dropped him for Jennings, and now your gonna drop him to pick back up Harrison?! Yea, your going to but your not likely going to use him! DeAngelo Williams owners are the ones who should be thinking of using him, not really anyone else. In my league I am making a claim but have AP, Benson, Forsett, and use my flex to play DJax, Moss, and Miles Austin each week. I only want Harrison because my opponent has DeAngelo.
Jonathan Stewart (CAR) - I’ve been saying to grab up any available handcuffs for a couple of weeks, and if you found the best backup RB in the NFL (yardage-wise) sitting on waivers then you’ve got to be pretty pleased right now. DeAngelo Williams is hurt, and without knowing how active he will be in Week 16 in which you are probably playing in your Super Bowl, Stewart will likely be seeing the vast majority of the work. Oh, and he went over a hundred yards against Minnesota to help Matt Moore and the Panthers get a victory.
Maurice Morris (DET) - I wasn’t too wild about Morris going into this week, but then again I didn’t expect the Lions to be competitive with the Cardinals. So you can’t be wild about the prospect of him playing the 49ers this week, but if Stafford comes back they will be able to get balance and Morris will have a chance to be decently productive. If you lost Williams and have to go to waivers to replace him you could do worse, but try for Harrison.
Hakeem Nicks (NYG) – We’ll have to see how he does tonight to let us know how bad we want him, but he faces one of the top passing defenses in football. If he can do it tonight he can do it any time and is deserving of a spot on your roster.
Jason Snelling (ATL) – Turner hurt his leg after just one rush for 7 yards Sunday. I would not expect to see Turner test this too much as the Falcons playoff hopes remain dim despite the win. Snelling will still be splitting with Norwood and is not a great option but worth a spot on your roster.
Jermichael Finley (GB) – Finley has been doing great as of late. He is looking to be near or in the top 10 this week in my rankings as the Packers continue to use him to create phenomenal match-ups over the middle. A few weeks ago I saw him lineup and tailback then motion to the wide-out position and catch a TD pass from inside the ten yard line.
I’m going to include a fair few people I have had on here before so any new readers can double check and make sure they don’t have any people they really should drop.
Marshawn Lynch, Devin Hester, LeSean McCoy, Mario Manningham, Ryan Moats, Julius Jones, Brian Westbrook, Dwayne Bowe, Willis McGahee, Tim Hightower, Malcom Floyd.
Feel Free to participate in my live Q&A on Yahoo! Sports Message Board. Good Luck in your Super Bowl or Playoff match-up!
Tony Romo (DAL) – Even though it was December and the Cowboys lost, Romo out preformed all other QBs in Fantasy Football last week! The Cowboys still need to find answers going down the stretch, but primarily on the defensive side of the ball. Romo has some pretty average defenses coming up, and with the teams being the Chargers and Saints we can be sure that the Boys’ll be throwing plenty. The Redskins are the opponent in Week 16 for most super bowl games in Fantasy which is not a great match-up, I’m sure most of you are still having nightmares about the last Cowboys Redskins game!
Kurt Warner (ARI) – If you risked starting Warner last week good for you! The Cards got a big win over one of the NFC’s top teams, and really made a statement about their chances going into the playoffs. They did not look like a Super Bowl contender in the early half of the season but all that matters is how you finish. The next three match ups are against the NFLs 27th, 16th, and 32nd ranked passing defenses in that order. These teams are (again, in order) the 49ers, the Rams, and the Lions. The Rams are still a soft match-up for any passing game despite their surprisingly high rank, can’t ask for any better match-ups from your best QB!
Brandon Jacobs (NYG) – If you started Jacobs in week 14 then you are a braver man (or woman) than I. Even in this big statistical game where he ended up the top Fantasy RB in the league he looked terrible with the ball. Jacobs’ rushing stats were not enough to break double digits even with his rushing TD, but on one beautifully set-up screen play Jacobs found a whole to go 74 yards for a score (13 fantasy points of his 22 point total). Jacobs is not the answer to your fantasy team or the New York Giants and should not be counted on as a starter in the playoffs.
Knowshon Moreno (DEN) – Moreno put up the highest fantasy point total of his rookie season this past week against the Chiefs (20 points). He may not yet be an auto start, but consider that he plays the Chiefs again in Week 17 if that is when your Super Bowl is, as well as the Raiders in Week 15. Moreno should definitely crack your starting lineup in those games, and probably even in his other match-ups next week vs the Colts and in Week 16 when he faces the Eagles. Also if you were wondering Buckhalter still made an impact with 113 yards Sunday, but I still can’t see him threatening Moreno’s value as he gets most the carries and the goal line duties.
Robert Meachem (NO) – My apologies to any of you who asked about Meachem over the past week. It has been easy to excuse his big games as a result of Colston being shut down, but after five of them it just cannot be ignored any more. It is very difficult to talk about why the 5th weapon in any offense is a reliable fantasy play (Colston, Henderson, Thomas, Bush being who I feel are more valuable players), but numbers do not lie. Meachem has 7 catches, four TDs and 43 more yards than number one receiver Marques Colston over the last five games. I talk a lot about the short memory fantasy owners need to have, and Meachem owners should start to get excited. This can’t mean that Meachem is the new top fantasy receiver in New Orleans, but it sure makes him the number 2 option over Henderson.
Anquan Boldin and Larry Fitzgerald (ARI) – In Fantasy Football terms Boldin actually out preformed Fitz on Sunday, but this duo was 1 point apart and both inside the top 5 at WR this week. Fitz continues to be Warner’s favorite target as he was thrown to 12 times (catching 8 of them) against the Vikings for 143 yards and a score. Boldin caught one fewer pass on three fewer targets but got two TDs to go along with his 98 yards. I mentioned the very good match-ups Warner has already so I won’t repeat them, I’ll just say you don’t want to play against either receiver down the stretch!
Pierre Garcon (IND) – A career day for this young Colts receiver on Sunday. This guy has quite the future ahead of him as long as he is on the field with Manning, but this season he will be near impossible to rely on as a WR1 or WR2 at any point. For those of you in deeper formats or with flex positions feel free to use Garcon as a WR3 or flex play in the playoffs as his 136 yard performance vastly over shadowed star Reggie Wayne’s 48 yard day!
Jermichael Finley (GB) – Since his injury earlier this season Finley has been a beast. I have seen numerous games where the Packers motion him around to create the ideal match-up and expose the defense and when executed properly Finley is a monster. I think Finley will follow a pretty similar career path as Marques Colston down the line (do you remember being able to play Colston as either a WR or a TE? I do!) as long as he stays healthy. Monday night Finley caught seven passes for 79 yards and two touchdowns proving that he deserves a shot on any Fantasy Football roster in the playoffs.
Adrian Peterson (MIN) – 5 pts – The whole team struggled, and to get out of this funk, you should see a heavy dose of AP to force teams to focus more on him and leave the passing game open. Still no worries for AP down the stretch.
Maurice Jones-Drew (JAC) – 7 pts – What can ya say other than a win is a win. The Jags pulled a close win from the Texans on Sunday and did so with a pretty disappointing performance from both their offensive stars. MJD is still a top 3 RB.
Frank Gore (SF) – 3 pts – Gore owners have to be worried as they watch Smith develop and the offense migrate towards a pass first philosophy. If you have another option think about it long and hard because Gore’s production is slipping fast.
LeSean McCoy (PHI) – 2 pts – I have no clue what to make of the RB situation in Philly other than to say that McCoy is the best healthy back there. You’re not dropping him, and you will likely still be playing him this week, but lets hope he gets the ball next week!
Greg Olsen (CHI) – 0 pts – Two bad teams met Sunday and the Bears won, kind of. 17-9 was the score of this game, and if I was a Bears fan I would be looking for a rock to climb under right about now. Forte was the only bright spot this week as Olsen was blanked.
Felix Jones and Marion Barber (DAL) – 1 pt each – How bout them Cowboys in December?! We all thought Romo’s name would be on this side of my list this week lets admit it, but both RB’s in Dallas got just one fantasy point this week. Neither can be trusted through the playoffs, but I would play Jones in a flex spot if the match-up was right. The Cowboys win when he gets the ball, end of story.
Mike Sims-Walker (JAC) – 1 pt – MSW is still a WR3 or flex play down the stretch but the whole offense is inconsistent, even in a win.
Ray Rice (BAL) – 4 pts – You don’t likely have a better option and I’m not worried about Rice down the stretch either. Neither team wanted to win much last night judging by the penalties, and with so many long distances to go for a first down Rice just wasn’t able to be a factor in THIS game.
Reggie Wayne (IND) – 4 pts – What can I say, Sunday was the Garcon show… Wayne is still Manning’s go-to-guy so he can be yours as well, still an auto-start.
