NFL Fantasy Football TE Rankings: Brandon Pettigrew Headlines Week 12

Here’s my Week 12 tight end rankings.

1. Brandon Pettigrew vs. New England (Thursday)
2. Jacob Tamme vs. San Diego
3. Todd Heap vs. Tampa Bay
4. Chris Cooley vs. Minnesota
5. Kellen Winslow @ Baltimore
6. Tony Gonzalez vs. Green Bay
7. Vernon Davis @ Arizona (Monday)
8. Zach Miller (OAK) vs. Miami
9. Marcedes Lewis @ New York Giants
10. Jason Witten vs. New Orleans (Thursday)
11. Visanthe Shiancoe @ Washington
12. Jermaine Gresham @ New York Jets (Thursday)
13. Kevin Boss vs. Jacksonville
14. Jimmy Graham @ Dallas (Thursday)
15. Aaron Hernandez @ Detroit (Thursday)
16. Joel Dreessen vs. Tennessee
17. Rob Gronkowski @ Detroit (Thursday)
18. Greg Olsen vs. Philadelphia
19. Randy McMichael @ Indianapolis
20. Brent Celek @ Chicago

Inside the numbers:

• The Lions will be forced to throw a lot against New England, which works in their favor as the Patriots struggle to defend the pass. I’m expecting big things from Brandon Pettigrew this week.

• Jacob Tamme shrugged off the back injury and caught seven catches for 70 yards. He’s a strong play yet again this week.
• Todd Heap is averaging 51.4 yards with four touchdowns in his past five games.
• I can’t trust Antonio Gates until he shows signs that he’ll be ready to go.
• Jason Witten was more involved this week, but isn’t the focus of the offense the way he was in Weeks 7 and 8.
• The Jets aggressive style lends itself to strong TE play. Look for Gresham to have a decent game.
• With their WRs banged up, Kevin Boss figures to step up for the Giants.
• I’m expecting Owen Daniels to be out again, meaning Joel Dreessen has fantasy relevance again.
• Tony Moeaki (concussion) is out again this week. I added Jimmy Graham, and bumped him up a spell as Jeremy Shockey could miss this week as well.

Also check out:

• Sneaky Week 12 Fantasy Football Pick-ups
• Week 12 Get ‘em or Don’t Sweat ‘em Waiver Wire Advice
• Week 12 Fantasy QB Rankings
• Week 12 Fantasy RB Rankings
• Week 12 Fantasy WR Rankings
• Week 12 Fantasy K Rankings
• Week 12 Fantasy DEF Rankings
• Week 12 Fantasy IDP Rankings
• Week 12 Start/Sit Advice
• Week 12 Fantasy Sleepers