Posted by Dave in Fantasy Advice,Ranks,Tight Ends on Dec 23rd 2009 and last modified on Dec 25th 2009. (Print This)
Vernon will be the only "Davis" to have a good day this weekend.
At the Brotherhood we have been scrambling this week to get our final ranks out before we take a Christmas break. We will update the ranks and information throughout the weekend to keep you completely up to date on all of the news that you can use.
Now for our Week 16 TE rankings. We expect to see the top seven ranked TE’s put up decent numbers this week, with Vernon Davis, Jason Witten, and Jermichael Finley all looking at great matchups. The caution flag goes out to Fred Davis owners this week and the fairy tale story takes a bite out of reality. I expect Davis to be a bust this week which could cause his owners some crucial points in the finals. Do yourself a favor and leave him on the bench this week. Without further ado, here are the rest of the projections.
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1) Dallas Clark – IND – TE, vs. New York Jets, Sun 4:15 PM
As Clark and company go for the perfect season, I expect more production from the TE position. Clark continues to have the best season of his career, and week after week he is putting up WR1 fantasy numbers. He continues to be one of, if not the’ best TE in the game right now, and he should absolutely be in your lineup.
2) Vernon Davis – SFO – TE, vs. Detroit Lions, Sun 4:05 PM
V-dog has also had a career year, and he is the best option through the air for the San Fran offense. He continues to be targeted early and often, especially in the red zone giving fantasy owners a key advantage. He will be a GREAT play this week against the lowly Lions, and there is one one guy who should be considered to take his place in your lineup.
3) Jason Witten – DAL – TE, at Washington Redskins, Sun 8:20 PM
Jason hasn’t had the year that many fantasy owners were expecting, but he has finished strong. His strong 2008 campaign forced coaches to make him the focus of defensive efforts in 2009, and that has certainly taken it’s toll. I expect that Romo and company will have a great game against a pitiful Redskins team that looked like a pop warner squad this past Monday night. With the Redskins having a short week, the Cowboys should be able to easily win this road game.
4) Antonio Gates – SDC – TE, at Tennessee Titans, Fri 7:30 PM
Gates is another TE who had a slow start before coming back to his 2008 form. Over the last 4 Weeks he has found the endzone 4 times, and he continues to prove why he is an elite TE. He remains healthy, which has slowed him down in prior years, and he should continue to be the best red zone option for Philip Rivers. Although he has a tough matchup on the road, he remains a must start in all formats.
5) Brent Celek – PHI – TE, vs. Denver Broncos, Sun 1:00 PM
Celek, a fantasy brothers favorite coming into the season, has proved to be a top TE this year. He is coming off of a 4 catch 73yd game against the 49ers, which broke his 2 game TD streak. I expect that he will have another solid game this week, and he should find the endzone once again. As long as he can remain healthy, he should continue to be an important part of the Eagles offense, and he should be in your starting lineup.
6) Jermichael Finley – GRE – TE, vs. Seattle Seahawks, Sun 1:00 PM
Since coming back from a knee injury, Finley has been an integral part of the Green Bay offense. His quickness (although hampered by the knee) and his ability to make plays will continue to help you as a fantasy owner down the stretch. With the Seahawks coming off of a brutal loss against Tampa, Green Bay is licking their chops. Finley should have another solid game this week, with several targets, and a fantastic chance to find the endzone for his second consecutive game.
7) Tony Gonzalez – ATL – TE, vs. Buffalo Bills, Sun 1:00 PM
Gonzo continues to defy logic at age 33, currently holding the 4th spot amongst the leagues best TE’s. His ranking has slipped over the past couple of weeks as injuries continue to slow down the Atlanta offense, but he still remains a threat on the field. The Bills have shown that they can put together strong defensive efforts this season, but I think Gonzo will once again put up 70+yds and have a good shot at a TD.
8) Fred Davis – WAS – TE, vs. Dallas Cowboys, Sun 8:20 PM
Fred Davis has come out of nowhere the past few weeks, and I have heard from many Fantasy players who have used him to make their fantasy finals. Congrats to those ladies and gents, but buyer beware!! Davis who scored in garbage time this past week, will face a Cowboys defense that made Drew Brees look like Mark Sanchez. When they bring the pain to Washington this week, Davis and company will be lucky to get a few first downs. Sure, he and Gunther are the only real threats that Washington has on offense, but that doesn’t mean that he is worth the start. I would advise you to look elsewhere this week!!
9) Visanthe Shiancoe – MIN – TE, at Chicago Bears, Mon 8:30 PM
After 3 tough games in a row for Shiancoe, we can now truly see how much he relies on Brett Favre for his production. With the Childress/Favre contoversy this week in the news, I expect that the Vikings will run the ball a little more with AP on Monday night, but Farve will be looking to silence his critics. Shaincoe’s value is very limited, but his TD potential is evident, with 9 TD’s to date. If your in a PPR league, look elsewhere. TD heavy leagues should consider him a solid gamble.
10) Kellen Winslow – TAM – TE, at New Orleans Saints, Sun 1:00 PM
Winslow has been missing some practices this week with his ailing knee injury, but he should be able to play this week against the Saints. Coming off of a 6 catch 93yd performance last week against the Seahawks, one would think that he would be a good starting option for Sunday. I would disagree. Winslow is too streaky to be a top TE, and he hasn’t found the endzone since week 9. With the Saints looking to bounce back from their first loss, Winslow and company will have their work cut out for them. He may have some PPR value, as the Bucs will be playing from behind in this game, but don’t expect the big guy to find the endzone this week.
11) Kevin Boss – NYG – TE, vs. Carolina Panthers, Sun 1:00 PM
Boss and Eli Manning have developed a nice rapport over the past couple of seasons. Although they have been hit or miss most of the year, they seem to be working well together as of late. This past week, Boss had a decent game with 3 catches for 57yds, but more importantly he had 2 chances to find the endzone. I think this will be the week that Eli finds his big TE for the score as the Giants of old make their playoff run. The offense looked good on Monday, and Big Blue’s D was punishing. This should be a good game for Giants in fantasy nation.
12) Heath Miller – PIT – TE, vs. Baltimore Ravens, Sun 1:00 PM
After setting a franchise record with 68 receptions for the year, Miller ended last week with 7 catches for 118yds. That’s just plain dominance at the TE position. He should have another good day against the Ravens this week, but he worries me a bit due to his poor performance during their last meeting when he was held to 1 catch for 2yds, his worst performance of the year! Look for Miller to have an average game, 5 catches for 6oyds.
13) John Carlson – SEA – TE, at Green Bay Packers, Sun 1:00 PM
Carlson had a big game last week against the Bucs with 7 catchces for 86yds and a TD. This performance is more of what should be expected from Carlson, but clearly Seattle’s offense isn’t capable of consistency. This weeks matchup against the Packers will be another ugly game, and Carlson will go back to being a non-factor in the offense.
14) Todd Heap – BAL – TE, at Pittsburgh Steelers, Sun 1:00 PM
Todd Heap is another talented TE that has been underutilized. Coming off his best fantasy performance of the year, pulling in 2 TDs, he will certainly be on the Steelers radar. Look for Heap to come back to Earth this week, and his chances of finding the endzone again are slim to none. Look for 4 catches for 45yds in a tough game against the Steelers D.
15) Anthony Fasano – MIA – TE, vs. Houston Texans, Sun 1:00 PM
Fasano’s 2 TD’s this year are certainly not enough to warrant a start in any TD heavy league. He does seem to have more value now that Chad Henne has proven he will throw the ball, but Miami is still a run first offense. Look for a decent game out of Fasano with 5 catches for 52yds, but once again he will be useless in the redzone.
16) Jeremy Shockey – NOR – TE, vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Sun 1:00 PM
Shockey has fallen off of the fantasy radar due to the number of weapons that Brees has to utilize. The emergence of Dave Thomas in the redzone has also hurt his value in the past few weeks. Shockey’s value will be in PPR leagues, and although he has the talent to score, his 3TD’s for the year prove that he is not a real TD threat.
17) Marcedes Lewis – JAC – TE, at New England Patriots, Sun 1:00 PM
Lewis has found himself being utilized more in the Jags offense over the past few weeks. With the Pats focused on stopping the run this week, I expect Lewis to have a good game. His TD potential is somewhat limited, recording only 2 TDs for the season, but he could easily make it 3 with the struggling Pats D and some play action help from Jones-Drew.
18) J.P. Foschi – CIN – TE, vs. Kansas City Chiefs, Sun 1:00 PM
Foschi had his breakout game last week recording 7 catches for 82yds against the Chargers. Although the Chiefs are a bad team, and he could have another good game, Foschi is not proven enough to warrant a start. We will keep an eye on him going forward.
19) Bo Scaife – TEN – TE, vs. San Diego Chargers, Fri 7:30 PM
Bo has put together a few decent games recently, but none of which should be worth consideration for a TE spot in your lineup. I think he will have another reasonable PPR game against the Chargers who have been allowing TEs to have their way against them recently (see J.P. Foschi), but it’s certainly not enough to warrant a start once again.
20) Greg Olsen – CHI – TE, vs. Minnesota Vikings, Mon 8:30 PM
Olsen hasn’t had more then 2 catches for 3 consecutive weeks. His PPR value is next to nothing, and although he has 6 TD’s this season, his last TD was Week 9, so he isn’t worth much there either.
21) Benjamin Watson – NEP – TE, vs. Jacksonville Jaguars, Sun 1:00 PM
Big Ben isn’t worth the gamble as Brady continues to spread the love offensively. The addition of a running game with Maroney certainly isn’t helping Watson either. Keep him benched unless your desperate.
22) Tony Scheffler – DEN – TE, at Philadelphia Eagles, Sun 1:00 PM
Scheffler’s minimal catches each week aren’t worth anything, and he has 2 TDs for the season. That adds up to one thing.. He should be on waivers!
23) Dustin Keller – NYJ – TE, at Indianapolis Colts, Sun 4:15 PM
Keller is another good TE that has been misused in his offense. His 2 TD’s for the season are consistent with the other TE’s who belong on waivers.
24) David Thomas – NOR – TE, vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Sun 1:00 PM
The founder of Wendy’s should be commended for his Jr Bacon Cheeseburger. On a serious note, he had a nice game last week against the Cowboys, but I don’t expect that to continue. Bree’s has too many offensive threats to warrant any value here. Unless he’s got the munchies.
25) Donald Lee – GRE – TE, vs. Seattle Seahawks, Sun 1:00 PM
Lee had one good game this year, and that was when Finley was injured. Now that Finley is back, Lee is not worth the time spent writing these two sentences, nevermind the effort to put him in your starting lineup. Drop him like a bad habit.
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