Tight ends win championships! Well, not exactly, but the right TE can certainly improve your chances of vanquishing your enemy, seeing them driven before you and hearing their lamentations. In the final round (for most leagues) my advice is to report to the dance floor with whoever got you there. Of course, this isn’t great advice for those who drafted Rob Gronkowski or Jordan Reed.
Fantasy football rankings, 2016: Tight ends for Week 16
The SB Nation fantasy team reveals which tight ends rank in the top 25 heading into Week 16.
Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports
If you have guys like Delanie Walker, Kyle Rudolph, or Tyler Eifert, there is no need to browse the waiver wire or free agent lists. If you streamed several dance partners at the tight end position over the course of the season, you are my kind of people. Now we just need to find one more gem to fulfill our destiny. Here is a quick look at a few solid streaming options and our Week 16 tight end rankings.
Charles Clay — He’s been hot, and when looking for a streamer, that can be enough. His 13 targets over the past two weeks are the most he’s seen in any two-week stretch this season, and the Dolphins can be beat by tight ends, allowing the 12th-most points to the position this season.
Hunter Henry vs. Antonio Gates — Gates is three touchdowns from a huge record, but lately it’s been the Hunter Henry show when the Chargers are in the red zone. Both could have value on Sunday when San Diego plays Cleveland, who has allowed the most points to the position. I’m still leaning toward Gates, but if Henry is available, he’s worth a look.
Ryan Griffin vs. C.J. Fiedorowicz — This is another situation in which both will have value if Fiedorowicz suits up (concussion). Fiedorowicz was the steadier option before his injury, and I would prefer him out of the two if he gets in a full practice before Saturday. The Bengals don’t have much to play for and haven’t covered tight ends very well this season. Look for Tom Savage to focus on his tight ends early and often as they fight for a playoff spot.
Dwayne Allen vs. Jack Doyle — If Donte Moncrief plays, I say avoid this situation, even though the Raiders have allowed the 10th-most points to tight ends. Should “Chief Crief” sit, then give me Doyle. Allen was inches away from a touchdown last week, but it still would have been his only catch. Doyle appears to be the more stable option with decent touchdown upside.
Good luck, and go get yourself a championship!
Tight ends, Week 16
(ZS: Zach Senvisky, SK: Scott Kaliska, JG: Jeff Goldberg JM: Jason Marcum, DG: Derek Gordon, KB: Kyle Bennett)
| Rk | Consensus | Tm | Opp. | SK | JG | JM | DG | KB |
| 1 | Greg Olsen | CAR | vs. ATL | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 1 |
| 2 | Travis Kelce | KC | vs. DEN | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 2 |
| 3 | Delanie Walker | TEN | @ JAC | 3 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 3 |
| 4 | Tyler Eifert | CIN | @ HOU | 6 | 5 | 5 | 1 | 4 |
| 5 | Jimmy Graham | SEA | vs. ARI | 4 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 8 |
| 6 | Cameron Brate | TB | @ NO | 5 | 6 | 6 | 8 | 5 |
| 7 | Kyle Rudolph | MIN | @ GB | 7 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 6 |
| 8 | Zach Ertz | PHI | vs. NYG | 8 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 7 |
| 9 | Martellus Bennett | NE | vs. NYJ | 10 | 9 | 10 | 9 | 9 |
| 10 | Antonio Gates | SD | @ CLE | 12 | 12 | 12 | 10 | 11 |
| 11 | Jordan Reed | WAS | @ CHI | 9 | 10 | 9 | -- | 10 |
| 12 | Jason Witten | DAL | vs. DET | 14 | 13 | 14 | 11 | 14 |
| 13 | Ladarius Green | PIT | vs. BAL | 11 | 11 | 11 | -- | 13 |
| 14 | Eric Ebron | DET | @ DAL | 13 | 14 | 13 | 22 | 12 |
| 15 | Hunter Henry | SD | @ CLE | 15 | 15 | 15 | 20 | 15 |
| 16 | Jared Cook | GB | vs. MIN | 16 | 19 | 16 | 18 | 16 |
| 17 | Coby Fleener | NO | vs. TB | 17 | 16 | 20 | 21 | 17 |
| 18 | Charles Clay | BUF | vs. MIA | 20 | 23 | 17 | 16 | 18 |
| 19 | Ryan Griffin | HOU | vs. CIN | 19 | 20 | 22 | 15 | 19 |
| 20 | C.J. Fiedorowicz | HOU | vs. CIN | 18 | 17 | 18 | -- | 20 |
| 21 | Jermaine Gresham | ARI | @ SEA | 21 | 22 | 23 | 12 | 21 |
| 22 | Gary Barnidge | CLE | vs. SD | 22 | 18 | 19 | -- | -- |
| 23 | Jack Doyle | IND | @ OAK | 23 | 21 | 21 | 25 | 22 |
| 24 | Vernon Davis | WAS | @ CHI | 25 | 25 | 25 | 13 | 25 |
| 25 | Dennis Pitta | BAL | @ PIT | -- | 24 | 24 | 16 | 24 |
| -- | Dion Sims | MIA | @ BUF | -- | -- | -- | 17 | -- |
| -- | Lance Kendricks | LA | vs. SF | -- | -- | -- | 19 | -- |
| -- | Dwayne Allen | IND | @ OAK | -- | -- | -- | 23 | 23 |
| -- | Will Tye | NYG | @ PHI | -- | -- | -- | 24 | -- |
| -- | A.J. Derby | DEN | @ KC | 24 | -- | -- | -- | -- |
