Fantasy Football: Week 14 Tight End Rankings

MIAMI, Dec. 7 (UPI) -- Fantasy football's top dog at the tight end position is benched for the foreseeable future, but that doesn't mean there aren't other adequate point-scorers available.

Beyond the New England Patriots, Rob Gronkowski, and Martellus Bennett, studs like Tyler Eifert and Zach Ertz are starting to see more targets. If you were lucky enough to scoop consistent options off of the waiver-wire, you might know who you want to start. But if you don't already know who your guy at the tight end slot will be, check the waiver wire for players who have been seeing a consistent workload and are targeted in the red zone.

To help you figure out who to sit or start at the position, take a look at my top 20 tight ends for Week 14. You can also view my add/drops for the week and more positional rankings in the links below.

TOP SHELF

Eiftert is Andy Dalton's most trusted pass-catching option following the injury to Cincinnati Bengals stud wide receiver A.J. Green. This week, Eifert and Dalton will do some damage against a Cleveland Browns defense tied for allowing the most touchdowns and second most fantasy points to tight ends. Eiftert is my top-ranked option for Week 14 and he should make a big difference in your playoff push. He looks to continue his two-game scoring streak Sunday in Cleveland.

Zach Ertz is in a groove for the Philadelphia Eagles. The young pass-catcher gets a matchup this week against the Washington Redskins, a unit allowing the eighth-most fantasy points to tight ends. Ertz is seeing heavy targets from Carson Wentz and has at least six receptions in four of his last five games. Ertz has scored twice in the last three weeks, including his 9-catch, 79-yard performance last week against the Bengals.

SNEAKY PLAYS

Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end Cameron Brate is another appealing option as he faces a beatable New Orleans Saints secondary. Brate had a season-high 86 yards on six catches in Week 13 against the San Diego Chargers. He has scored four times in his last six games. I see Jameis Winston keeping him heavily involved in the Bucs offense. He's an easy TE1 for Week 14.

Chargers veteran Antonio Gates is a TE1 against the Carolina Panthers. The Panthers are allowing the most fantasy points to the position this season and are tied with the Browns for surrendering nine touchdowns to tight ends. Gates is due for an end zone celebration since his three-game scoring streak in Weeks 8 through 10. He has at least four receptions in five of his last six contests.

LONGSHOTS

Browns tight end Gary Barnidge is outside of starter consideration, but can be deployed if you are desperate and in a deep league. Barnidge is battling a Bengals secondary allowing the third-most fantasy points to tight ends. Barnidge needs a score to justify a start.

San Francisco 49ers tight end Vance McDonald is also outside of TE1 consideration, despite a matchup against the New York Jets. In Week 13, the Jets surrendered three scores to Dwayne Allen and the Indianapolis Colts. McDonald was shutdown in Week 13 against the Chicago Bears, but I see him putting up stats in the range of four catches for 50 yards or more, with a chance to score a touchdown.