Fantasy Football: Week 11 Tight End Rankings

MIAMI, Nov. 16 (UPI) -- Tight end might be the most fickle position in all of fantasy football. While stalwarts like Delanie Walker, Antonio Gates, Rob Gronkowksi, Jimmy Graham, and Jordan Reed typically rise to the top of weekly rankings, the drop off in consistency following that group is appalling.

That means you should be on the lookout for clues about how players are typically used, or targeted, in key situations within particular offenses. A great week for a tight end can be made by just one short reception in the end zone.

To help you judge who you should start or sit, take a look at my top 20 tight ends for Week 11. You can also view my add/drops for the week and more positional rankings in the links below.

TOP SHELF

Tennessee Titans tight end Delanie Walker should see his fair-share of targets from scolding gunslinger Marcus Mariota this weekend against the Indianapolis Colts. The Colts are allowing the fifth-most fantasy points to tight ends. Walker is coming off a terrific Week 10 performance, when he had a season-high nine receptions for 124 yards and a touchdown. He has scored in three of his last four games and has five touchdowns on the season. Washington Redskins top-target Jordan Reed is primed for big numbers against a Green Bay Packers secondary allowing the sixth-most fantasy points to tight ends. I like Reed's chances to score in this contest, coming off of his two-catch, 41-yard performance in Week 10 against a tough Minnesota Vikings secondary.

SNEAKY PLAYS

New Orleans Saints tight end Coby Fleener should show up in a big way against a Carolina Panthers defense allowing the third-most fantasy points to his position. Fleener is a great bye-week fill-in, if another owner dropped him, making him available in your league. Jacksonville Jaguars' Julius Thomas is also a great play as he faces a Detroit Lions defense allowing the second-most touchdowns to tight ends this season [8]. Thomas is worth a look in deeper leagues as a TE1. He has three touchdowns in his last four games.

LONGSHOTS

Indianapolis Colts' Jack Doyle will again be on Andrew Luck's radar against the Titans. The Titans are a bottom-10 defense when it comes to facing opposing tight ends. Doyle is a desperation streaming option, but has scored twice in his last four games. Houston Texans tight end C.J. Fiedorowicz is only worth consideration in deep leagues and if you are in a bye-week crunch heading into Monday Night Football. He faces an Oakland Raiders defense allowing the ninth-most points to opposing tight ends. He should remain a steady target for struggling quarterback Brock Osweiler. Fiedorowicz has at least three receptions in six consecutive contests.