There are a lot of question marks surrounding tight ends for week 12. Some of the questionable designations should be resolved before the weekend, but make sure that you have an alternative if one of your starters is looking like he may not be able to go this week.
Players On A Bye: Greg Olsen CAR, Heath Miller PIT
Injury Concerns: Julius Thomas DEN (ankle), Jordan Reed WAS (hamstring), Dwayne Allen IND (ankle), Delanie Walker TEN (concussion) and Jordan Cameron CLE (concussion)
Also: Get Your Running Back Rankings Straight For Week 12
The Elite Tier (Must Starts):
1. Jimmy Graham NO vs. BAL
2. Rob Gronkowski NE vs. DET
I only feel great about these two guys for week 12. Graham will be at home, which is always great news for fantasy owners and Saints fans. Gronkowski has been looking fairly unstoppable and I like him for double digit fantasy points this week despite a matchup with a nasty Lions defense.
Starter Worthy (Should Be Safe To Roll With These Guys):
3. Martellus Bennett CHI vs. TB
4. Antonio Gates SD vs. STL
5. Jason Witten DAL @NYG
6. Coby Fleener IND vs. JAC
7. Larry Donnell NYG vs. DAL
8. Julius Thomas DEN vs. MIA (Questionable, keep an eye on him)
9. Travis Kelce KC @OAK
Safe is a relative term when one of the players included might not play this weekend. Obviously if it turns out that Thomas is out, DON'T play him. Bennett actually doesn't have a great matchup as Tampa has been tough on tight ends, but I still think he puts up starter numbers. Gates is due to see the end zone and I would not be surprised if that happened more than once on Sunday. Witten has a nice matchup, the only hiccup would be if the Cowboys don't need to throw the ball much. Fleener is a great play if Dwayne Allen can't go, and even if he can there will still be targets up for grabs with Bradshaw done for the season. The Giants should be throwing a lot, as always, and that means good things for Donnell. Thomas may not play and if he does it will be a tough matchup so temper your expectations. Kelce will be facing the abysmal Raiders and should see his share of looks.
Dangerous With Potential (Do You Feel Lucky?):
10. Mychal Rivera OAK vs. KC
11. Zach Ertz PHI vs. TEN
12. Charles Clay MIA @DEN
13. Owen Daniels BAL @NO
14. Delanie Walker TEN @PHI (Questionable)
15. Austin Seferian-Jenkins TB @CHI
16. Jared Cook STL @SD
17. Kyle Rudolph MIN vs. GB
18. Jace Amaro NYJ @BUF
Rivera backslid a bit last week, but look for a recovery at home vs. KC. Ertz has been largely underwhelming this season, but he seemed to be getting in sync with Sanchez a bit last week. Clay will be part of a high scoring game as the Broncos look for a home win. Owen Daniels could put up some points in the dome, but Torrey Smith has been getting more looks lately as well. Walker may or may not play in Philly but should be solid if he can go. Seferian-Jenkins is matched up with a positively putrid Chicago defense and his quarterback is getting hot. Cook had his one good game...and that might be it for this season. Rudolph will probably play this week and he is a big target in the red zone, but I wouldn't want to start him. Amaro will be in for a tough day against the stout Bills defense.
Waiver Wire Fodder (There Are Better Options):
Tamme might be a popular sleeper pick if Thomas can't play this week. Don't fall into that trap.
19. Jordan Reed WAS @SF (Questionable, as always)
20. Vernon Davis SF vs. WAS
21. Marcedes Lewis JAC @IND
22. Scott Chandler BUF vs. NYJ
23. Dwayne Allen IND vs. JAC (Questionable)
24. Tim Wright NE vs. DET
25. Jermaine Gresham CIN @HOU
26. Eric Ebron DET @NE
27. Jacob Tamme DEN vs. MIA
28. John Carlson ARI @SEA
29. Garrett Graham HOU vs. CIN
30. Niles Paul WSH @SF
There are some name brands in this section for week 12. Obviously Dwayne Allen returns to the top of the ranks when healthy. Jordan Reed is NEVER healthy and I have had enough of him. Ditto for Jordan Cameron who I did not rank and Vernon Davis who pulls a weekly disappearing act. Don't get excited about Tamme if Julius Thomas can't play, a below average tight end versus a good defense adds up to disappointment.
You Might Want To Check Out: Quarterback Rankings For Week 12
