As things stand now, only two tight ends, Jason Witten and Antonio Gates, would crack the top 36 among wide receivers. Never has a position had such a down year across the board as tight ends are having in 2008. In fact, it's gotten so bad that fantasy owners are happy when their tight end musters just 5-7 fantasy points. Kickers and defenses are even sexier than tight ends at the moment. Still, don't just give up on the position. As we all know, that 1 point from your tight end can be what gets you that fantasy win. Enjoy Bruno Boys Fantasy Football Week 7 Tight End Rankings.
--------------------
1. Jason Witten (Dallas Cowboys) @ St. Louis
Yes, Tony Romo is out due to a broken pinkie finger, and yes, that leaves the Cowboys with Brad Johnson, who hasn't started a game since 2006, under center. But, that's still not reason enough for us to drop Witten in our weekly tight end rankings. Witten has far and away been the best fantasy tight end in football this season, and with a week 7 match-up against a Rams defense that ranks 25th against the pass, we'd make Witten our #1 tight end even if Quincy carter was throwing him the ball.
Point Projection: 14 points
--------------------
2. Chris Cooley (Washington Redskins) vs. Cleveland
After big road wins against division foes, the Dallas Cowboys and Philadelphia Eagles, perhaps the Redskins looked past the St. Louis Rams, who came to town with an 0-4 record in week 6. Whatever the reason for the loss to St. Louis, you know it's lit a fire under the Redskins, who will look to rebound against a struggling Browns team. To do so, expect Chris Cooley to receive close to the 6.33 targets he's been averaging on the year.
Point Projection: 12 points
--------------------
3. Owen Daniels (Houston Texans) vs. Detroit
It appears Matt Schaub has found his groove, throwing for over 300 yards in his last two games. A good chunk of that yardage (157 in those two games) has found its way to Daniels, who behind wide receiver, Andre Johnson, is Schaub's number two option. With many other tight ends not living up to their potential, Daniels is making a move to secure a spot as an every week tight end start.
Point Projection: 12 points
--------------------
4. Antonio Gates (San Diego Chargers) @ Buffalo
While Gates has yet to go for over 65 receiving yards, the tight end already has 4 TDs on the year, catching his most recent one against the New England Patriots this past Sunday Night. Buffalo currently ranks 9th against the pass, but did get burned by Kurt Warner in their last game for 250 pass yards and 2 TDs. Rivers should find similar success, which means Gates will have an opportunity to haul in his 5th score on the year.
Point Projection: 11 points
--------------------
5. Heath Miller (Pittsburgh Steelers) @ Cincinnati
Prior to the team's week 6 bye, Miller had his best outing of the season, putting up 10 fantasy points against the Jags. Look for him to build off that success against the Bengals, who will have to focus on stopping Willie Parker, who's returning from injury; thereby, opening up the passing game for the Steelers.
Point Projection: 10 points
--------------------
6. Dustin Keller (New York Jets) @ Oakland
After two straight games with a score, Keller was completely shut out in the Jets' week 6 match-up with the Cincinnati Bengals, though it is important to note that Keller had a short touchdown taken away due to a Jets' penalty. Keller is not going to surpass Laveranues Coles or Jerricho Cotchery as Favre's top target, but the future Hall of Fame QB does look Keller's way in the redzone. Against a Raiders team that has given up 8 passing TDs in 5 games, there's a good chance Keller gets one in week 7.
Point Projection: 8 points
--------------------
7. Kellen Winslow (Cleveland Browns) @ Washington
Unfortunately for Winslow and his owners, the tight end missed the one game in which the Cleveland Browns offense has gone off this season as he was hospitalized for most of the week prior to the Browns shellacking of the New York Giants. Still, the Browns improved play has to be promising to Winslow's owners, who despite the team's early struggles has still had a decent fantasy season to this point.
Point Projection: 8 points
--------------------
8. Dallas Clark (Indianapolis Colts) @ Green Bay
The Colts' offense might have gotten back on track in week 6 as they put up 31 points on the Baltimore Ravens. However, owners of Clark have to be alarmed that in the offensive bonanza, the tight end received just two targets and put up just 17 receiving yards. Still, if the Colts are indeed back, it's only a matter of time until Peyton Manning gets Clark involved in the fun.
Point Projection: 7 points
--------------------
9. Zach Miller (Oakland Raiders) vs. New York Jets
The good news is that Miller was the Raiders' leading receiver in week 6. The bad news is that he still had just 46 yards against the New Orleans Saints. It's no surprise that this is a team that ranks 28th in passing offense. Still, if there is a bright spot, it's Miller. In this depleted pool of tight ends, you could do a lot worse.
Point Projection: 7 points
--------------------
10. Tony Gonzalez (Kansas City Chiefs) vs. Tennessee
Gonzalez's owners were praying the Chiefs would trade the tight end, but with the deadline come and pass, Gonzalez remains in Kansas City. His value will be limited as a Chief, but he's too talented to sit, especially with the depleted talent in the tight end pool.
Point Projection: 6 points
--------------------
11. John Carlson (Seattle Seahawks) @ Tampa Bay
In week 5, Carlson did not receive a single look in the Seahawks humilating defeat to the New York Giants. After the game, head coach Mike Holmgren admitted that it was "a schematic error on the offensive staff" that Carlson was excluded from the passing game. Holmgren made up for the error in week 6 as Carlson was targeted 6 times, tagets he converted to 4 receptions for 22 receiving yards and a score. Look for the Seahawks staff to kepe him as part of the game plan.
Point Projection: 6 points
--------------------
12. Greg Olsen (Chicago Bears) vs. Minnesota
In hauling in 3 receptions for 41 yards, Olsen once again put up a solid fantasy week. Granted it wasn't a 9 or 8 point outing like weeks 4 and 5, but it is further proof that Olsen will be a part of the Bears gameplan going forward. Kyle Orton is beginning to look comfortable under center, so don't be afriad to utilize Olsen in your fantasy league.
Point Projection: 6 points
--------------------
13. Tony Scheffler (Denver Broncos) @ New England
Scheffler, who missed week 6 due to a groin injury, is likely to go this Monday Night against New England. Fantasy football is all about opportunities and as Scheffler is the tight end for the second best passing offense this season, opportunities will be there. Scheffler makes for a boarder-line fantasy starter in this one.
Point Projection: 6 points
--------------------
14. Visanthe Shiancoe (Minneosta Vikings) @ Chicago
Through 6 weeks of play, Shiancoe has avoided the dreaded goose egg, eeking out 1 point in week 6 with 10 receiving yards against the Lions. On the other hand, the tight end has yet to put up double digit fantasy points. His current highs are 7 and 9. If you need a steady few points from your tight end each week, Shiancoe is just the man for you, but if you need big production from the slot, look elsewhere.
Point Projection: 5 points
--------------------
15. Billy Miller (New Orleans Saints) @ Carolina
As long as Jeremy Shockey remains sidelined, Billy Miller will be of fantasy relevance. In the 3 weeks Shockey has been out, Miller has gone for 3, 6, and 5 fantasy points. Those numbers won't really wow anyone, but with the tight end position so this this season, a solid 3-6 fantasy points is better than a possible goose egg.
Point Projection: 5 points
--------------------
16. Vernon Davis (San Francisco 49ers) @ New York Giants
Were the 6 catches and 72 receiving yards Davis had against the Eagles a sign that the tight end has finally tappend into his potential? Or, were they another tease to fantasy owners? Only time will tell, but if you're looking for Davis to repeat the showing in week 7 against the New York Giants, don't hold your breath.
Point Projection: 5 points
--------------------
17. Desmond Clark (Chicago Bears) vs. Minnesota
For the first time since weeks 1 and 2, Desmond Clark outperformed Greg Olsen when it came to fantasy points, tallying 5 to Olsen's 4. Clark however is still the #2 TE when it comes to Da' Bears passing game. With that said, he still should be able to get something here against the Vikings, who are giving up 210.3 passing yards per game.
Point Projection: 4 points
--------------------
18. Bo Scaife (Tennessee Titans) @ Kansas City
In their only move to upgrade their receiving, the Tennessee Titans brought in tight end Alge Crumpler; however, it's been Bo Scaife who's been doing more damage from the tight end position. Scaife has 26 fantasy points on the year to Crumpler's 10.
Point Projection: 4 points
--------------------
19. Alex Smith (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) vs. Seattle
The roles of the Bucs' tight ends are beginning to take shape. While Jerramy Stevens is the long route option, Alex Smith makes his living on the shorter routes. Against the Seahawks, who the Bucs should jump out on a lead against, it's the shorter routes that will be utilized more.
Point Projection: 4 points
--------------------
20. Alge Crumpler (Tennessee Titans) @ Kansas City
Of Crumpler's 10 fantasy points on the season, 7 came in week 5 before the team's bye. Is Crumpler finally becoming comfortable with the team's offense, or are his days as a fantasy tight end coming to an end? It's going to take a couple more solid outings before we believe in Crump-Daddy again.
Point Projection: 4 points
--------------------
21. Dante Rosario (Carolina Panthers) vs. New Orleans
Remember that 15 point outing in week 1? That's pretty much been the extent of Rosario's fantasy production this season as the Panthers' tight end has just 4 fantasy points since then. If there's a week for him to get back on track it should be week 7 as the Panthers will face the 21st ranked Saints pass defense, which is giving up 227.3 passing yards per game and has allowed 7 passing TDs.
Point Projection: 4 points
--------------------
22. Kevin Boss (New York Giants) vs. San Francisco
Boss fits the New York Giants' needs at the tight end position as a solid blocker who can catch a pass here or there if Eli is in trouble; however, those skills don't translate into fantasy points. At best, Boss is a deep TE2.
Point Projection: 3 points
--------------------
23. Jerramy Stevens (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) vs. Seattle
Like any tight end this low in the rankings, it's going to be hit or miss. Stevens already has one big week on the year, and he could have another against the 22nd ranked Seahawks pass defense. But, a more realistic prediction is somewhere of the real of 3 fantasy on 30 receiving yards.
Point Projection: 3 points
--------------------
24. Ben Utecht (Cincinnati Bengals) vs. Pittsburgh
Utecht finally played a role in the Bengals passing game in week 6. Took long enough didn't it? Back-up Rayn Fitzpatrick utilized Utecht often as a safety valve, targeting the tight end 6 times, and he'll probably have to do the same this week against the Steelers.
Point Projection: 3 points
--------------------
25. Anthony Fasano (Miami Dolphins) vs. Baltimore
With his 14 and 12 point efforts in weeks 1 and 3 respectively, Fasano has shown the potential for big days is there. However, the potential for a big one against the Baltimore Ravens is miniscule. Stay away.
Point Projection: 3 points
--------------------
26. Mark Campbell (New Orleans Saints) @ Carolina
Like Miller, Campbell's value is strictly dependent on whether Jeremy Shockey goes or not. You can still manage fantasy points as the #2 TE, especially on a team that passes as often as the Saints, but being the #3, leaves you with no fantasy value at all.
Point Projection: 3 points
--------------------
27. Donald Lee (Green Bay Packers) vs. Indianapolis
After catching his first TD on the year in week 5, Lee was held to zero fantasy points in week 6. Plain and simple, Rodgers doesn't look Lee's way nearly as often as Favre did.
Point Projection: 3 points
--------------------
28. Ben Watson (New England Patriots) vs. Denver
Like all Patriots' pass catchers, Watson is gravely missing Tom Brady. You'd think Cassel, an inexperienced QB would rely more heavily on his tight ends, but that's just not the case. In the games Cassel has started, he's thrown just 17 balls his tight ends way.
Point Projection: 2 points
--------------------
29. Todd Heap (Baltimore Ravens) @ Miami
A return to the top 10 among tight ends is now nothing more than a pipe dream as Heap has totaled 6 fantasy points through 5 games in standard scoring leagues. You know it's bad when a 1 point outing is a good day.
Point Projection: 2 points
--------------------
30. Jim Kleinsasser (Minnesota Vikings) @ Chicago
Why not put a guy who just went for 40 receiving yards in the rankings, especially when you're digging deep down here. Perhaps Frerotte will start looking his way more as a result of his 2 catches for 40 yards last week.
Point Projection: 2 points
--------------------
OTHER NOTABLE TIGHT ENDS
Jeremy Shockey (New Orleans Saints) @ Carolina -I know Allen Iverson won't like it, but when it comes to Shockey, we're talking about practice. If the tight end responds well after practicing this week, he'll go on Sunday. If not, it will be Miller and Campbell occupying the tight end slots.
--------------------
WEEK 7 BYE WEEK TIGHT ENDS
Ben Patrick / Leonard Pope (Arizona Cardinals) - BYE
The Cardinals have a tremendous aerial attack. Unfortunately for Patrick and Pope, it doesn't involve the tight end,
--------------------
Justin Peele (Atlanta Falcons) - BYE
Had you asked me who the Falcons leading fantasy scorer was prior to writing this article, I'd have no idea it was Peele, who has a whopping 8 fantasy points on the year.
--------------------
Marcedes Lewis (Jacksonville Jaguars) - BYE
Two TDs and 20 fantasy points in the last 2 weeks. Take advantage of Lewis' bye and pick the tight end up for the second half of the season.
--------------------
LJ Smith (Philadelphia Eagles) - BYE
He did have a TD in week 6, but not much more. He's still not a strong fantasy option.
---------------------
WEEK 7 RANKINGS (click to view)
Quarterbacks
Running Backs
Wide Receivers
Tight Ends
Kickers
Team Defense
---------------------
Also read: Week 7 Start 'Em & Sit 'Em (click to view)
Also read: Fantasy Football Week 6 Waiver Wire Advice (click to view)
---------------------
::Questions? Comments? How about you SIGN UP for an account and leave a comment. Plus, by signing up you can MANAGE ALL of your FANTASY FOOTBALL teams from ONE ACCOUNT.
::Also, you can click the Fantasy Sports Dashboard (powered by our partner Screaming Sports) at the top of the screen and import plus manage all of your fantasy teams from one page::