Who are the best tight ends to depend on this week?  Let’s take a look, as some of the bigger names continue to disappoint fantasy owners:

1. Jason Witten – Dallas Cowboys – vs. New Orleans
2. Tony Gonzalez – Atlanta Falcons – at Detroit
3. Aaron Hernandez – New England Patriots – at Jacksonville
4. Jimmy Graham – New Orleans Saints – at Dallas
5. Heath Miller – Pittsburgh Steelers – vs. Cincinnati
6. Greg Olsen – Carolina Panthers – vs. Oakland
7. Dennis Pitta – Baltimore Ravens – vs. New York Giants
8. Owen Daniels – Houston Texans – vs. Minnesota
9. Kyle Rudolph – Minnesota Vikings – at Houston
10. Jermaine Gresham – Cincinnati Bengals – at Pittsburgh
11. Brandon Myers – Oakland Raiders – at Carolina
12. Dallas Clark – Tampa Bay Buccaneers – vs. St. Louis
13. Benjamin Watson – Cleveland Browns – at Denver
14. Jermichael Finley – Green Bay Packers – vs. Tennessee
15. Antonio Gates – San Diego Chargers – at New York Jets
16. Martellus Bennett – New York Giants – at Baltimore
17. Tony Moeaki – Kansas City Chiefs – vs. Indianapolis
18. Marcedes Lewis – Jacksonville Jaguars – vs. New England
19. Scott Chandler – Buffalo Bills – at Miami
20. Vernon Davis – San Francisco 49ers – at Seattle
21. Jacob Tamme – Denver Broncos – vs. Cleveland
22. Brent Celek – Philadelphia Eagles – vs. Washington
23. Tony Sheffler – Detroit Lions – vs. Atlanta
24. Dwayne Allen – Indianapolis Colts – at Kansas City
25. Rob Housler – Arizona Cardinals – vs. Chicago

Thoughts:

• The knock against Jason Witten is always his issue in finding the end zone.  However, he did score against the Steelers in Week 15 and draws a Saints defense that is susceptible to the pass both for yardage (287.0 yards per game) and touchdowns (27).  He has 31 receptions in his past four games and should continue to be viewed among the elite at his position.
• Considering there was a chance that Rob Gronkowski returned in Week 15, it is a pretty good bet he plays in Week 16.  How well will he perform?  How will his return affect Aaron Hernandez?  Those questions that we’ll have to answer, but if he does play I would still assume both will be Top 5 options.
• We all know Jimmy Graham is among the best tight ends in the league.  However, over the past four weeks all he has is 24 receptions, 246 yards and a touchdown.  I know, “only”, but the numbers are not quite up to the standard we have become accustomed to.  That and a tougher matchup with the Cowboys keep him outside of the Top 3 for one of the rare times this season.
• Owen Daniels is among the best tight ends in the league, but he hasn’t been producing much over the past four weeks (19 receptions for 184 yards and 1 TD).  While he always has the potential to breakout, keeping him a viable option, the recent performance suppresses his spot on the rankings at least a little bit.
• After virtually disappearing in Week 14 (1 receptions for 7 yards), Brandon Myers once again was a non-factor in Week 15 as he had two receptions for 15 yards on only four targets.  While we would expect the team to pass the ball significantly more this week against the Panthers, the team continues to try and get a look at its younger skill players.  That could continue to limit Myers, who had been a breakout performer earlier in the year.
• Expectations are that Brent Celek is going to return for Week 16, but with just one touchdown on the season it is going to be hard to depend on him for your fantasy finals.  Look elsewhere due to the risk.
• Against the Titans, could Jermichael Finley have a big day?  There’s going to be the opportunity, though his numbers this season certainly doesn’t warrant depending on him.

***** Pre-order the Rotoprofessor 2013 Fantasy Baseball Draft Guide today for just $6!!  Expanded rankings, prospect lists, Top 25 sleepers and so much more!  To order, or for more information, click here. *****

Make sure to check out all of our Week 16 rankings:

• Top 25 Quarterbacks