Thanksgiving is upon us and the fantasy football playoffs aren't far behind. The bye week madness is done so all of the options are open, although the cupboard is still looking a bit bare when it comes to tight ends this year. If you are in a head to head league and need a win to clinch a playoff spot then read carefully and we'll try to get you to the promised land. If that doesn't describe your situation, then give it a read anyway and hopefully it helps your team no matter what your record may be.
Injury Concerns - Julius Thomas DEN (ankle), Jordan Reed WAS (hamstring), Dwayne Allen IND (ankle), Charles Clay MIA (knee), Austin Seferian-Jenkins TB (back), Jordan Cameron CLE (concussion)
Also: Get Those Running Backs In Order For Week 13
The Elite Tier (Must Starts):
Tough times if you're looking for elite tight ends. These two are the last men standing until Julius Thomas proves that his ankle is healthy. (Hopefully you took my advice and stayed away from Tamme last week by the way).
Graham or Gronk, who will be number 1 in week 13?(Photos by Nick Laham/Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
1. Jimmy Graham NO @PIT
I think that Graham will outperform Gronk despite the fact that the Saints struggle on the road.
2. Rob Gronkowski NE @GB
The Pats should be in for a shootout as Green Bay lights up the scoreboard at home. This will force Brady and company to throw the ball a lot to keep pace.
Starter Worthy (Should Be Safe To Roll With These Guys):
3. Jason Witten DAL vs. PHI
Witten faces a division opponent at home and I think that Romo will look his way a few times.
4. Greg Olsen CAR @MIN
Olsen scares me a bit now that the Panthers have decided to play without an offensive line, but I think he gets his points against a bad Vikes team.
5. Delanie Walker TEN @HOU
Tennessee needs Walker to stay on track after a big performance in Philly, and I think it will happen against Houston this week.
6. Julius Thomas DEN @KC (Questionable)
Julius Thomas is obviously one of the best, but I'm not convinced that he will be ready this week, even if he plays.
7. Travis Kelce KC vs. DEN
Kelce should be a main cog in the Chiefs offensive game plan against the Broncos.
8. Antonio Gates SD @BAL
Gates is going to score, the question is will it happen this week. I think that it will but if he doesn't then there is a lot of downside here.
9. Coby Fleener IND vs. WAS
I think that Fleener is the top tight end for the Colts for one more week as Allen works his way back from injury.
Dangerous With Potential (Do You Feel Lucky?):
10. Larry Donnell NYG @JAC
The Jaguars are bad, I don't think that this is news to anyone. The only reason for the low rank here is the emergence of Odell Beckham Jr. and the fact that the Giants may not need to pass all that much.
11. Dwayne Allen IND vs. WAS (Questionable)
If Dwayne Allen is ready to go, he should get a solid number of looks. I see him as a borderline starter if he ends up playing.
12. Martellus Bennett CHI @DET
Bennett has disappointed too many times to remain a reliable starting option. Use him if you must, but don't be surprised if the results are underwhelming.
13. Zach Ertz PHI @DAL
Ertz doesn't have the rapport with Mark Sanchez that Jordan Mathews has developed but he could see the end zone in Dallas.
14. Tim Wright NE @GB
As I said previously, New England could be involved in a shootout in Green Bay. That means that Wright may have some value if you're streaming tight ends.
15. Charles Clay MIA @NYJ (Questionable)
Just like Jacksonville, the Jets are awful. They can't stop the pass and that could mean good things for Clay, provided his knee allows him to suit up.
16. Mychal Rivera OAK @STL
Rivera has had enough useful games to have value, but St. Louis can come up with defensive gems on occasion.
17. Kyle Rudolph MIN vs. CAR
I thought that Rudolph would have value when he came back from injury, but I'm starting to think that Bridgewater is holding back the whole offense until next season.
18. Heath Miller PIT vs. NO
Miller is a tertiary option at best in his offense. Expect the occasional TD and not much else.
Waiver Wire Fodder (There Are Better Options):
There isn't much to say about this group aside from the fact that at the beginning of the year I could not have imagined ranking Reed, Cameron and Davis so low.
19. Jared Cook STL vs. OAK
20. Owen Daniels BAL vs. SD
21. Jordan Reed WAS @IND (Questionable)
22. Jordan Cameron CLE @BUF (Questionable)
23. Vernon Davis SF vs. SEA
24. Eric Ebron DET vs. CHI
25. Scott Chandler BUF vs. CLE
26. Jermaine Gresham CIN @TB
27. Garrett Graham HOU vs. TEN
28. Marcedes Lewis JAC vs. NYG
29. Niles Paul WAS @IND
30. Andrew Quarless GB vs. NE
In Case You Missed It: For All Your Wide Receiver Rank Questions
