Fantasy Football: Week 12 Tight End Rankings

MIAMI, Nov. 23 (UPI) -- Rob Gronkowski is back on top of fantasy football tight end rankings.

But after 'Gronk' things are starting to clear up in terms of reliable and consistent options. Some of my favorite plays this week include Tyler Eifert, Zach Ertz, and Eric Ebron.

To help you figure out who to sit or start at the position, take a look at my top 20 tight ends for Week 12. You can also view my add/drops for the week and more positional rankings in the links below.

TOP SHELF

Carolina Panthers' Greg Olsen has a matchup against the Oakland Raiders. The Raiders have allowed the eighth-most fantasy points to the position. The Raiders just allowed 10 receptions and 128 yards to tight ends in its Week 11 win against the Houston Texans. Minnesota Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph should be a top-6 option against a Detroit Lions defense that has allowed eight touchdowns to the position, the second most in the NFL. Rudolph has two touchdowns in his last three games. The Lions have allowed 90 yards and/or a touchdown to tight ends in four of its last five games.

SNEAKY PLAYS

Philadelphia Eagles tight end Zach Ertz is becoming a huge part of his team's offense. Ertz is facing a Green Bay Packers defense that ranks as the sixth-worst against fantasy tight ends in terms of points allowed. The Packers have allowed an average of 98 yards to tight ends in its last three games. Lions playmaker Eric Ebron is a low-end TE1 this week against the Vikings. The Vikings have allowed the eleventh-most fantasy points to opposing tight ends and touchdowns to the position in two consecutive games. Ertz has at least six receptions in three consecutive games.

LONGSHOTS

Dallas Cowboys veteran Jason Witten remains a reliable option for rookie quarterback Dak Prescott. This week, Witten and the Cowboys face the Washington Redskins, a unit allowing the fifth-most fantasy points to opposing tight ends. The Redskins have allowed touchdowns to tight ends in three straight games. Witten has at least five receptions in three consecutive contests. New York Giants tight end Will Tye is only worth starting consideration because of a terrific matchup. Tye is a TE2, but you can start him if you are in a crunch. He battles a Cleveland Browns unit allowing the most fantasy points to opposing tight ends and the most touchdowns to the position. The Browns have allowed three touchdowns to tight ends in its previous three games.