Fantasy Football 2012 Week 15 Rankings: Top 25 Tight Ends

With some of the big-name tight ends continuing to struggle (i.e. Vernon Davis and Jermichael Finley), fantasy owners continue to be forced to look at other options.  Who should we trust with fantasy titles on the line?  Let’s take a look.

Vernon Davis has the perfect matchup to get back on track in Week 15, but he needs opportunities to make plays.  Over the past three weeks he has been targeted a total of six times…

It has been a lack of opportunity that has helped lead to his poor line of three receptions for 19 yards over that span.  In other words, favorable matchup or not, it’s impossible to trust him.

While Aaron Hernandez has a tough matchup against the 49ers, is anyone really concerned about his ability to produce?  Tom Brady and Company always seem to get the job done, so continue to view Hernandez like a top option.

Ben Roethlisberger returns and Heath Miller promptly produces five receptions for 66 yards while being targeted nine times.  While he was producing with Charlie Batch (11 catches for 160 yards and a touchdown), seeing his starting QB return should give fantasy owners renewed confidence in him.

Greg Olsen always seems to find himself among everyone’s favorite sleeper selections heading into the season.  This year, however, he’s lived up to the billing. 

After picking up four receptions for 55 yards and a touchdown in Week 14, he has 54 receptions for 691 yards and five touchdowns on the season.  The receptions rank eighth in the league, while the yards rank sixth (prior to Monday night’s game).  With Cam Newton continuing to rediscover himself, it’s easy to slide Olsen in among the top 10 options this week.

Speaking of renewed value, Martellus Bennett finally appears healthy once again as he has been targeted 15 times over the past two games (10 receptions for 114 yards and two touchdowns).  With the Giants’ offense seemingly clicking, he’s restored his value as a top option.

While the results have not always been there, Brandon Pettigrew has been targeted at least seven times in each of his past four games.  As we always say, opportunity is half the battle. 

With continuing chances to produce, sooner or later a big day should be in store.  Continue to value him as a borderline TE1.

Antonio Gates has at least been targeted eight times in each of his past two games, but he hasn’t surpasses 50 yards or scored a touchdown since Week 10.  In fact, he’s had over 50 receiving yards three times all year, and has scored in just three games.  While the matchup is favorable, he’s quickly becoming a second choice for fantasy owners.

Looking for a sleeper this week? 

Benjamin Watson will be taking on a Washington defense that has been beat up by the pass.  Throw in the ability for a big game that Watson has shown before (47 yards and two touchdowns vs. the Cowboys in Week 11) and the Browns’ limited potential on the outside and it could easily all come together.  He’s a TE2, but if you are desperate he’s worth targeting.

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

Make sure to check out all of our Week 15 rankings:

• Top 25 Quarterbacks
• Top 40 Running Backs
• Top 50 Wide Receivers
• Top 15 Kickers
• Top 15 Defenses