Week 11 Fantasy Rankings: Looking at the Top TEs

With each passing year, the importance of the tight end both in the NFL and in fantasy football has increased exponentially, with the best in the league making all the difference for their respective teams and likely for yours.

Here, I will examine the top five fantasy tight ends for Week 11. If you have one of these versatile weapons, don't keep him on your bench.

Rob Gronkowski, New England Patriots

The Patriots' Rob Gronkowski has quickly risen to the top of the tight end pile as the team's passing offense has shifted away from the vertical passing game and spread-style formations they were known for when wide receiver Randy Moss was with the team to a more complex two tight end offense.

While his counterpart, Aaron Hernandez, is also extremely effective, it's Gronkowski who poses the biggest threat to opposing defenses, and his numbers reflect it.

He has 52 catches so far this season, for 709 yards and eight touchdowns, with two scores and 113 yards on eight receptions in last week's win over the New York Jets, despite seeing coverage from Darrelle Revis, the league's best cornerback.

Against the Chiefs defense this week, he will have yet another stellar day. Gronkowski is quickly becoming the very best tight end in the NFL and if he's your fantasy starter, he has likely propelled you to a number of wins. This week won't be any different.

Tony Gonzalez, Atlanta Falcons

However, the best tight end of all time might just be the Atlanta Falcons' Tony Gonzalez. He hasn't lost a single fumble since his 1999 rookie season and hasn't had a yardage total lower than 773 yards in his entire career.

And this season with the Falcons, he's having quite the resurgence. He has 45 catches so far this year, for 487 yards and six touchdowns, with six receptions for 71 yards and a score last week alone.

Averaging 54.1 yards per game, Gonzalez is clearly an every week fantasy starter. This Sunday, his team hosts the Tennessee Titans. Considering the Titans' strong rush defense, the passing game will be heavily featured, meaning that Gonzalez should be a major factor yet again.

Primed for at least 60 receiving yards and a score, he's a stud with a great matchup and should you have him on your roster, you won't be disappointed.

Antonio Gates, San Diego Chargers

A foot injury and overall flat play from the San Diego Chargers offense has some of Antonio Gates' fantasy owners nervous about his ability to produce to the level we've all come to expect, but worry not.

Since returning from that injury, Gates has averaged 69 yards per game, and he caught five passes for 54 yards in last week's loss to the Oakland Raiders.

This week, the matchup is in his favor, as the Chargers take on the Chicago Bears and their cover-two defense that isn't well-suited to defend against elite tight ends such as Gates.

With 30 receptions for 351 yards and two scores through six games, Gates is still having a great year. And those totals are only likely to increase when the Chargers meet the Bears this week.

Jason Witten, Dallas Cowboys

The Cowboys' Jason Witten is quarterback Tony Romo's safety valve. But considering the emergence of wide receivers Laurent Robinson and, of course, Dez Bryant, over the last few weeks, he's had fewer reasons to rely on him.

That isn't to say that Witten's fantasy stock has taken a hit. He's still Romo's most reliable target and there's little chance that Witten will be frozen out of the Cowboys offense in any way.

Witten has 49 catches on the year for 585 yards and four touchdowns, and is averaging 65 yards per game. With the Washington Redskins on the plate this week, Witten should have an excellent day. He knows just how to beat their defense, and Romo knows this as well.

Look for a dominant outing by one of the most consistent fantasy tight ends in the NFL.

Jermichael Finley, Green Bay Packers

Despite a ridiculous number of targets available to Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers, his tight end Jermichael Finley has gotten a lot of attention.

And with that attention, he's produced. He gained 67 yards on just three receptions last week against the Minnesota Vikings, and he has 33 catches so far this season, for 445 yards and five touchdowns.

Against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and their 31st-ranked pass defense, Finley should come up big. It says a lot for his skills that he has managed such impressive numbers on a team with a quarterback notorious for spreading the ball around.

That will only benefit him this week against the lowly Bucs, and in turn, should provide your fantasy team with a high-scoring day.