Tight end matchups can be very important but when it comes to our handful of “top” tight ends, they are always must-starts because their ceiling is far higher than typical tight ends around the league.
Vernon Davis was held to just three catches for 20 yards the last time he faced the Seahawks but he has been a fantasy goldmine all season, otherwise. He has put up at least one touchdown in eight of 10 full games that he’s played and has scored a touchdown in three straight weeks so I’d keep him in the lineup. Jimmy Graham, Rob Gronkowski, and Julius Thomas (if healthy) are always must-starts.
Jordan Reed is close to an elite tight end but he’s banged up, may not play, and has the toughest matchup of any fantasy tight end so I’d stay away. The Bengals are tough on tight ends but Coby Fleener is basically the number two wide receiver in Indy so he’s still startable but not a strong option. Greg Olsen isn’t a great option against the Saints either but he has put up a touchdown or 85+ yards in five of his last six games so he’s startable as well.
I’d stay away from Zach Miller (always), Brandon Pettigrew, Rob Housler, Tim Wright, the Eagles’ tight ends, Charles Clay, and the Bengals’ tight ends this week. Jordan Cameron has not put up more than 43 yards in four straight weeks and the Browns don’t even know who will start at quarterback so this isn’t the week to roll out Cameron.
On the favorable side, the unreliable Jared Cook has the most favorable matchup against a Cards defense that has been burned by Philly’s tight ends, Coby Fleener, Danny Noble (Jaguars), Zach Miller, Vernon Davis, Greg Olsen, and Jimmy Graham. Cook already faced the Cards back in Week 1 (although that was with Sam Bradford at quarterback) and put up his best game of the season with 141 yards and two touchdowns.
Garrett Graham is a very solid-looking start against the Jags defense, as are Heath Miller against the Dolphins, Delanie Walker against the Broncos, Martellus Bennett against the Cowboys, Anthony Fasano against the Redskins, either Chargers tight end against the Giants, Jason Witten against the Bears, and Tony Gonzalez against the Packers.
I’d still stay away from Mychal Rivera (always) and Andrew Quarless. Dennis Pitta could be a good start, though, if he plays.
Let’s take a look at how all of the tight end matchups are shaping up for Week 14.
Browse Matchups by Position: QB – RB – WR – TE
Highly Unfavorable, Unfavorable, Neutral, Slightly Favorable, Favorable
|
Rank |
AVG |
Defense |
Week 14 Opponents |
|
1 |
5.3 | Chiefs | Jordan Reed (Q) |
|
2 |
5.42 | 49ers | Zach Miller |
|
3 |
5.65 | Eagles | Brandon Pettigrew, Joseph Fauria |
|
4 |
5.66 | Rams | Rob Housler |
|
5 |
6.05 | Saints | Greg Olsen |
|
6 |
6.35 | Bills | Tim Wright |
|
7 |
6.46 | Bengals | Coby Fleener |
|
8 |
6.62 | Lions | Brent Celek, Zach Ertz |
|
9 |
6.76 | Seahawks | Vernon Davis |
|
10 |
6.86 | Steelers | Charles Clay |
|
11 |
7.09 | Colts | Jermaine Gresham, Tyler Eifert |
|
12 |
7.21 | Panthers | Jimmy Graham |
|
13 |
7.57 | Patriots | Jordan Cameron |
|
14 |
7.79 | Raiders | Jeff Cumberland, Kellen Winslow |
|
15 |
8.02 | Texans | Marcedes Lewis |
|
16 |
8.08 | Ravens | John Carlson |
|
17 |
8.14 | Browns | Rob Gronkowski |
|
18 |
8.39 | Buccaneers | Scott Chandler |
|
19 |
8.52 | Chargers | Brandon Myers |
|
20 |
8.75 | Titans | Julius Thomas (Q), Jacob Tamme |
|
21 |
9.03 | Falcons | Andrew Quarless |
|
22 |
9.07 | Packers | Tony Gonzalez |
|
23 |
9.07 | Bears | Jason Witten |
|
24 |
9.14 | Giants | Antonio Gates, Ladarius Green |
|
25 |
9.35 | Jets | Mychal Rivera |
|
26 |
9.79 | Redskins | Anthony Fasano |
|
27 |
10.23 | Cowboys | Martellus Bennett |
|
28 |
10.31 | Vikings | Dennis Pitta (Q), Dallas Clark |
|
29 |
10.47 | Broncos | Delanie Walker |
|
30 |
10.63 | Dolphins | Heath Miller |
|
31 |
11.15 | Jaguars | Garrett Graham |
|
32 |
14.41 | Cardinals | Jared Cook |
*Values based on Yahoo standard scoring.
Browse Matchups by Position: QB – RB – WR – TE
