Fantasy football rankings, 2016: Tight ends for Week 13

Normally, I’d start this section by taking a focused look at a tight end I find interesting in fantasy football. However, this is week 13 and some of us need as much information as we can get to make the best decisions. Here are a few key highlights to supplement our week 13 rankings.

Jordan Reed – He’s coming off a great game, but he sustained a serious injury that could keep him out of Sunday’s contest against the Cardinals. Sure, you can grab Vernon Davis as a handcuff, but keep in mind the Cardinals haven’t allowed double digit fantasy points to any tight end this season. I’d look elsewhere if possible.

Rob Gronkowski and Michael Bennett – Fantasy’s best tight end duo has been anything but due to nagging injuries. It’s early, but it doesn’t sound like Gronkowski is going to make it back for Sunday’s game against the Rams. Bennett was able to tough out his ankle injury, but even if he starts the Rams are solid against tight ends and Malcolm Mitchell is starting to gain Brady’s attention.

Greg Olsen – November was a tough month for Olsen. He’s locked into a top 8 ranking each week, but he hasn’t given us a touchdown or over 50 yards receiving in 3 weeks. A road game at Seattle isn’t the recommended treatment for Olsen’s troubles, but unless you also own Tyler Eifert or Jimmy Graham you have to start him in the regular season finale.

Travis Kelce – Coming off his first back-to-back 100 yard receiving games of his career, Kelce is setup to make it three when he meets Atlanta. With Gronk questionable and Delanie Walker on bye, I have Kelce ranked number one this week at his position. That’s his queue to catch three balls for 52 yards this week.

Zach Ertz – He’s been targeted at least 5 times in the last four games, but his receptions and yardage have been steadily declining over the same period. Green Bay was a good matchup for Ertz, but he couldn’t do much with his six targets. The Bengals are just as bad at defending tight ends as the Packers, but Ertz routinely disappoints in plus matchups. If I absolutely need a win this week I say stay away unless Jordan Matthews is forced to sit.

Lance Kendricks vs. Vance McDonald – This is for those streaming the tight position or anyone that needs a shot in the dark at tight end this week. Let’s start with the heavy lifting that is selling you a player that is attached to Jared Goff. Kendricks hasn’t had a breakout season or anything close to it, but he has been serviceable, especially since the QB change. The Rams are going to have to throw and Goff has targeted Kendricks seven times in both starts. It’s a good opportunity, but I think Vance McDonald is the one you want this week. Colin Kaepernick has targeted McDonald at least six times in each of the last four games and Vance has come out with at least 50 yards or a touchdown in each of those contests. Chicago is better on defense than you may expect, but they’ve allowed one touchdown to a tight end over the last three weeks. He just needs Kaepernick to stay hot and he could end the fantasy regular season with a big game.

(ZS: Zach Senvisky, JM: Jason Marcum, SK: Scott Kaliska, JG: Jeff Goldberg, KB: Kyle Bennett, DG: Derek Gordon)