2013 Fantasy Football Week 5 Rankings: Top 20 Tight Ends

There was a time when finding a dependable tight end, on a weekly basis, was hard to come by.  While there are still a shortage of guarantees, the position is significantly deeper than it used to be.  Who are the top options this week?  Whom should we be avoiding?  Let’s take a look.

1. Jimmy Graham, New Orleans Saints, at Chicago
2. Jason Witten, Dallas Cowboys, vs. Denver
3. Jordan Cameron, Cleveland Browns, vs. Buffalo
4. Greg Olsen, Carolina Panthers, at Arizona
5. Julius Thomas, Denver Broncos, at Dallas
6. Antonio Gates, San Diego Chargers, at Oakland
7. Tony Gonzalez, Atlanta Falcons, vs. New York Jets
8. Jared Cook, St. Louis Rams, vs. Jacksonville
9. Martellus Bennett, Chicago Bears, vs. New Orleans
10. Owen Daniels, Houston Texans, at San Francisco
11. Vernon Davis, San Francisco 49ers, vs. Houston
12. Brandon Myers, New York Giants, vs. Philadelphia
13. Jermichael Finley, Green Bay Packers, vs. Detroit
14. Coby Fleener, Indianapolis Colts, vs. Seattle
15. Kellen Winslow, New York Jets, at Atlanta
16. Brandon Pettigrew, Detroit Lions, at Green Bay
17. Charles Clay, Miami Dolphins, vs. Baltimore
18. Mychal Rivera, Oakland Raiders, vs. San Diego
19. Jermaine Gresham, Cincinnati Bengals, vs. New England                `
20. Scott Chandler, Buffalo Bills, at Cleveland

Thoughts:

• Julius Thomas exploded in Week 1 and scored in the first three weeks of the season.  That said, he’s failed to eclipse 50 yards in three straight games and has totaled just eight targets over the past two weeks.  He has a favorable matchup and is still one of the better options in the league, but with so many options and a growing running game, he’s not going to be one of the top three options.
• The Cowboys are going to have to pass to keep up with the Broncos and, with Miles Austin out, Jason Witten should be one of the prime targets.  His biggest issue has always been TDs, but he has two already this season and should be a force once again this week.
• Greg Olsen draws an Arizona defense that has been abysmal against opposing tight ends this season.  With his potential, he has to be considered one of the top five options.
• Will Rob Gronkowski play this week or won’t he?  We are keeping him off the rankings, for now, because of the uncertainty.  If he dresses, he’ll be a viable TE1, albeit a risky one in his first week back.
• Jermichael Finley is trying to come back from a concussion, making him a very questionable option for the coming week.  Keep that in mind before depending on him.
• You have to think the Giants will go to a quicker passing game, don’t you?  That should mean an expanded role for Brandon Myers, who has been hit or miss thus far.  He has plenty of potential and should be considered a borderline TE1.
• In three games this season, Vernon Davis has 20 yards or fewer in two of them.  He was banged up, costing him one game, so that has to be taken into account.  Still, can you fully trust him in a matchup that is not an overly simply one?  He’s a low-end option for the coming week.

Make sure to check out all of our Week 5 rankings:

• Quarterbacks (Top 25)
• Running Backs (Top 40)
• Wide Receivers (Top 50)
• Tight Ends (Top 20)
• Defenses (Top 15)