Fantasy Football Week 11 Rankings: Top 20 Tight Ends

Many of the top tight ends are fighting injuries this week and leave fantasy owners wondering if they will be playing at full strength.  Let’s take a look at how things currently look and whose situation you have to monitor:

1. Antonio Gates – San Diego Chargers – vs. Denver
2. Jacob Tamme – Indianapolis Colts – at New England
3. Zach Miller – Oakland Raiders – at Pittsburgh
4. Vernon Davis – San Francisco 49ers – vs. Tampa Bay
5. Tony Gonzalez – Atlanta Falcons – at St. Louis
6. Kellen Winslow – Tampa Bay Buccaneers – at San Francisco
7. Todd Heap – Baltimore Ravens – at Carolina
8. Marcedes Lewis – Jacksonville Jaguars – vs. Cleveland
9. Chris Cooley – Washington Redskins – at Tennessee
10. Jason Witten – Dallas Cowboys – vs. Detroit
11. Dustin Keller – New York Jets – vs. Houston
12. Benjamin Watson – Cleveland Browns – at Jacksonville
13. Aaron Hernandez – New England Patriots – vs. Indianapolis
14. Rob Gronkowski – New England Patriots – vs. Indianapolis
15. Visanthe Shiancoe – Minnesota Vikings – vs. Green Bay
16. Brandon Pettigrew – Detroit Lions – at Dallas
17. Greg Olsen – Chicago Bears – at Miami
18. Brent Celek – Philadelphia Eagles – vs. New York Giants
19. Jermaine Gresham – Cincinnati Bengals – vs. Buffalo
20. Kevin Boss – New York Giants – at Philadelphia

Thoughts:

• A healthy Gates has far and away been the best tight end in the league in 2010.  On the year, he has 40 receptions for 663 yards and nine touchdowns.  He hasn’t practiced yet this week, but that doesn’t mean he’s not going to play.  Proceed cautiously, but if he dresses, there is no doubt that he has to be in your lineup.
• While there was concern regarding Tamme coming out of Week 10, he currently isn’t even listed on the team’s injury report this week.  At this point, it appears safe to count on him in all formats and against a weak Patriots secondary, he could be in store for a big night.
• Another tight end who appears to be battling injuries is the Raiders’ Zach Miller (foot).  Against a tough Steelers defense, he certainly would be a major factor in the passing game, so consider him a great play if he dresses.  Monitor the news as the week progresses.
• Jason Witten had a few big games when Jon Kitna first took over, but over the last two games, he has just four receptions for 51 yards.  As Kitna gets more comfortable in the offense, he is getting Dez Bryant and the other receivers more involved, meaning Witten could play a lesser role.
• I know Dustin Keller has good numbers overall, but he doesn’t have a touchdown since Week 4 and hasn’t had more than four receptions or more then 75 yards in a game since Week 3.  Do not overvalue him at this point, as Santonio Holmes and Shonn Greene become an even bigger part of the offense.
• Who is going to be the bigger New England tight end contributor?  Will it be Aaron Hernandez?  Will it be Rob Gronkowski?  They both will likely get looks, but the unknown keeps either from being a TE1.

What are your thoughts on these rankings? Whose too high? Whose too low?

Make sure to check out Rotoprofessor’s Week 11 Rankings:

• Top 25 Quarterbacks
• Top 40 Running Backs
• Top 60 Wide Receivers
• Top 15 Kickers (coming soon)
• Top 15 Defenses (coming soon)
• Waiver Worthy
• Start ‘Em or Sit ‘Em
• Sunday Sleepers (coming soon)

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