It’s Week 17 so we know as much as we possibly could about every single tight end at this point. Start Jimmy Graham, Julius Thomas, and Vernon Davis. Always. Don’t start Mychal Rivera, Brandon Myers, or Anthony Fasano. Ever.
Otherwise, we pretty much have to go by matchup. This week, Joseph Fauria, Coby Fleener, Martellus Bennett, Ryan Griffin, Greg Olsen, Jason Witten, Charles Clay, and Antonio Gates all make for strong plays.
The Niners have allowed 12+ fantasy points to Tony Gonzalez, Tim Wright, and Luke Willson over their last three weeks so Rob Housler might be a solid play.
On the other hand, I would definitely stay away from John Carlson, Zach Miller, Jared Cook, Tim Wright, and Michael Hoomanawanui this week.
Let’s take a look at all of this week’s fantasy football defensive matchups for tight ends.
Browse Matchups by Position: QB – RB – WR – TE
Highly Unfavorable, Unfavorable, Neutral, Slightly Favorable, Favorable
Rank |
AVG |
Defense |
Week 17 Opponents |
1 |
5.38 | Chiefs | Antonio Gates |
2 |
5.79 | Lions | John Carlson |
3 |
5.89 | Rams | Zach Miller |
4 |
5.94 | Eagles | Jason Witten |
5 |
6.29 | Bengals | Dennis Pitta |
6 |
6.58 | Colts | Marcedes Lewis |
7 |
6.73 | Seahawks | Jared Cook |
8 |
7.02 | 49ers | Rob Housler |
9 |
7.06 | Saints | Tim Wright |
10 |
7.28 | Raiders | Julius Thomas |
11 |
7.28 | Bills | Michael Hoomanawanui |
12 |
7.33 | Ravens | Jermaine Gresham, Tyler Eifert |
13 |
7.45 | Steelers | Jordan Cameron (Q) |
14 |
7.73 | Chargers | Anthony Fasano |
15 |
8.18 | Browns | Heath Miller |
16 |
8.26 | Buccaneers | Jimmy Graham |
17 |
8.47 | Giants | Logan Paulsen, Fred Davis |
18 |
8.51 | Patriots | Scott Chandler |
19 |
8.59 | Panthers | Tony Gonzalez |
20 |
8.67 | Falcons | Greg Olsen |
21 |
8.73 | Jets | Charles Clay |
22 |
8.9 | Texans | Delanie Walker |
23 |
8.95 | Broncos | Mychal Rivera |
24 |
9.02 | Cowboys | Zach Ertz, Brent Celek |
25 |
9.03 | Titans | Ryan Griffin |
26 |
9.09 | Bears | Andrew Quarless |
27 |
9.09 | Redskins | Brandon Myers |
28 |
9.19 | Packers | Martellus Bennett |
29 |
9.23 | Dolphins | Kellen Winslow, Jeff Cumberland |
30 |
10.2 | Jaguars | Coby Fleener |
31 |
10.41 | Vikings | Joseph Fauria |
32 |
14.15 | Cardinals | Vernon Davis |
*Values based on Yahoo standard scoring.