Posted by Dave in Ranks,Tight Ends on Sep 30th 2010 and last modified on Oct 1st 2010. (Print This)
As the BYE Week scramble continues, we take a closer look at a few Tight End fliers that may still be available on the waiver wire. John Carlson, Greg Olsen, etc. could add some value this week to your lineup if you have Witten or Shaincoe sitting it out. The top 10 has also been shuffled up a bit due to some Week 4 matchups and some underperforming players. Read up and enjoy!
Witten will nurse his injuries on his BYE week as his owners scramble to fill the void
1) Antonio Gates – SDC – TE, vs. Arizona Cardinals, Sun 4:15 PM
Gates will remain the go to guy in San Diego this week. Expect the usual 6 cathes for 88yds and 1TD.
2) Jermichael Finley – GRE – TE, vs. Detroit Lions, Sun 1:00 PM
Finley has a good matchup this week, and he is still looking for his first TD of the year. This will be the week!
3) Dallas Clark – IND – TE, at Jacksonville Jaguars, Sun 4:05 PM
D.Clark (aka Superman) will become more active in the passing game over the next few weeks as defenses focus on Wayne and Collie. Look for a 5 catch 67yds and 1 TD performance this week against the struggling Jags.
4) Dustin Keller – NYJ – TE, at Buffalo Bills, Sun 1:00 PM
Keller has a tough division matchup on the road this week, so his production could be limited, but after 2 impressive outings how can you not start him? Sanchez seems to rely on him, going to the big guy early and often, which also bolsters my confidence in his rank.
5) Aaron Hernandez – NEP – TE, at Miami Dolphins, Mon 8:30 PM
“Double A” Hernandez could be in line for a huge game. Miami will have a hard time matching up against the Pats 2 TE sets, which could lead to some nice mis-matches. Gronkowski stole Double A’s TD last week, and I look for Brady to even the score this week by rewarding him with a TD of his own.
6) Chris Cooley – WAS – TE, at Philadelphia Eagles, Sun 4:15 PM
Mcnabb will be out to prove himself this week in Philly, which means 2 things.. 1) Cooley will have a good game, and 2) McNabb will throw at least 2 picks!! Hopefully those turnovers don’t compromise Cooley’s opportunities.
7) Vernon Davis – SFO – TE, at Atlanta Falcons, Sun 1:00 PM
VD and the 49ers are looking for offensive redemption. Last year their sucess came with Davis catching the ball, and Gore running the ball. Look for that combo to happen this week, and Davis should have a big day!
8) Tony Gonzalez – ATL – TE, vs. San Francisco 49ers, Sun 1:00 PM
Gonzo had a nice week this past Sunday, due to the double team on Roddy White. I don’t expect San Fran to ignore Gonzo this week, but he should contribute to the offense. Hopefully he can find the endzone as the Falcons aerial attack continues.
9) Zach Miller – OAK – TE, vs. Houston Texans, Sun 4:05 PM
Miller is queitly putting together some nice games, and currently ranks as the 10th best TE in the land. He will face a good D this week against the Texans, but I expect more of the same from Oakland which bodes well for Miller.
10) John Carlson – SEA – TE, at St. Louis Rams, Sun 1:00 PM
Carlson finally showed up last week! He has gone for 36yds Week 1 to 48yds Week 2 and then last week 61yds and 1 TD! Let’s hope the trend continues against the weak Rams D, hence the optimitstic ranking. He will be a nice pickup this week as a BYE week filler, and he is still available in most leagues.
11) Marcedes Lewis – JAC – TE, vs. Indianapolis Colts, Sun 4:05 PM
Lewis hasn’t found the endzone since his Week 1 anomoly. I expect the Jags to get back to the basics this week, but playing from behind will force them to the air. Lewis could be the go to guy seeing targets, and maybe even a look or two in the red zone!
12) Jermaine Gresham – CIN – TE, at Cleveland Browns, Sun 1:00 PM
Gresham is another sexy rookie this year. He has played well, but has seen a slight dropoff in production as the Bengals try to get the running game going. I think he will only see a few targets this week, but I do expect him to score.
13) Brent Celek – PHI – TE, vs. Washington Redskins, Sun 4:15 PM
Celek has yet to find the endzone this year!! Who would have thought.. (me, but my fantasy bro’s didn’t agree until now!) He will have a nice game this week as Shanahan will focus soley on stopping Vick’s scramble abilities, and big 30+yard passing plays. That leaves the middle open for my boy Brent! Go get em tiger!
14) Brandon Pettigrew – DET – TE, at Green Bay Packers, Sun 1:00 PM
BP’s production will be limited this week by Scheffler, and by the Green Bay D. However, if Javid Best is unable to play, he will have more opportunities. He remains a risky play but you can’t argue against him at this point!
15) Greg Olsen – CHI – TE, at New York Giants, Sun 8:20 PM
Olsen showed signs on MNF that he can be the go to guy! I remain cautiously optimistic. He could be a nice BYE week gamble as he is more than likely available on your waiver wire, and his upside is looking very nice!! The real question is which Cutler will show up on Sunday??
16) Owen Daniels – HOU – TE, at Oakland Raiders, Sun 4:05 PM
OD has been “MIA” so far this year! He will have a breakout week, it’s only a matter of time. With Andre Johnson hobbling around, and the new focus on Arian Foster, I think this will happen sooner rather than later. Houston should have a field day against Oakland this week, so will this be OD’s time?? I like the chances this week, but it’s certainly a gamble!
17) Todd Heap – BAL – TE, at Pittsburgh Steelers, Sun 1:00 PM
Todd finds himself as the 12th best fantasy TE in yardage so far this year, and yet he is still almost fantasy irrelavant. He hasn’t found the endone so far this year, and he faces a tough Steelers D this week. (Can you say Bench??) Yes, he is not a good option this week unless you expect Flacco to repeat his performance from last week.
18) Kevin Boss – NYG – TE, vs. Chicago Bears, Sun 8:20 PM
Boss could be a snaeky play this week. The Bears D has been giving up plays all year to TE’s, and MNF was no different (just ask Mr. Finley). Boss continues to be one of Eli’s red zone targets, and he has yet to find the endzone. Last week he made a big play, and he could be ready for a breakout game, much like Owen Dainiels. He’s a risky BYE week fill-in, but he could pay off handsomly if your up for the risk. (High risk = High reward… Or bust!)
19) Heath Miller – PIT – TE, vs. Baltimore Ravens, Sun 1:00 PM
Heath Miller isn’t fantasy relevant until Big Ben returns. His value is growing as a waiver wire addition, hence the rank, but I only pick him up if you are desperate and have room on your roster. I would avoid him this week against a tough Ravens D.
20) Rob Gronkowski – NEP – TE, at Miami Dolphins, Mon 8:30 PM
Gronkowski is a gamble every week. He doesn’t see that many targets, but he is a red zone threat. With 2 TE sets expected this week (See “Double A” explanation above) he could be a long shot for a start in TD heavy leagues, but I don’t think it’s worth the risk.
21) Jeremy Shockey – NOR – TE, vs. Carolina Panthers, Sun 1:00 PM
Shockey hasn’t done enough to warrant a start yet, and with Brees a little banged up, I would expect that Shockey will be used for protection as opposed to as a receiver.
22) Benjamin Watson – CLE – TE, vs. Cincinnati Bengals, Sun 1:00 PM
Watson could be a solid reach to fill a BYE week position this week. He hasn’t done anything to earn a starting TE spot, but he has great hands, and the Bengals D can’t stop anybody.
23) Tony Scheffler – DET – TE, at Green Bay Packers, Sun 1:00 PM
Schef has minimal value. He will only vulcher catches from Pettigrew, and they face a good Packers D.
24) Anthony Fasano – MIA – TE, vs. New England Patriots, Mon 8:30 PM
Fasano did manage to find the endzone last week, but that’s about all I can say about him in 2010. He has had some nice games against the Pats in years past, but I wouldn’t even think about starting him for any of my fantasy teams.. Enough said!
25) Fred Davis – WAS – TE, at Philadelphia Eagles, Sun 4:15 PM
Fred who?? Cooley is the guy is Washington!
26) Evan Moore – CLE – TE, vs. Cincinnati Bengals, Sun 1:00 PM
27) Shawn Nelson – BUF – TE, vs. New York Jets, Sun 1:00 PM
28) Bo Scaife – TEN – TE, vs. Denver Broncos, Sun 1:00 PM
29) Billy Bajema – STL – TE, vs. Seattle Seahawks, Sun 1:00 PM
30) David Thomas – NOR – TE, vs. Carolina Panthers, Sun 1:00 PM
31) Daniel Graham – DEN – TE, at Tennessee Titans, Sun 1:00 PM
32) Daniel Fells – STL – TE, vs. Seattle Seahawks, Sun 1:00 PM
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