Fantasy Football: Week 15 Tight End Rankings

MIAMI, Dec. 13 (UPI) -- Tyler Eifert is stating his case as fantasy football's top tight end.

Eifert's four scores in his last three games have justified the draft pick owner's used on him this summer, despite his injury history. But he isn't the only star blossoming at the perfect time.

With Rob Gronkowski gone for the season, the path is clear for young studs to fill up the stat sheet from the tight end position.

If you have guys like Eifert, Jimmy Graham, or Travis Kelce, there is no doubt who you are starting at the position. But if you have been streaming a tight end, you need to choose your weapon carefully as you work to secure a championship berth.

To help you figure out who to sit or start at the position, take a look at my top 20 tight ends for Week 15. You can also view my add/drops for the week and more positional rankings in the links below.

TOP SHELF

Carolina Panthers tight end Greg Olsen is my No. 2 tight end this week. Olsen battles a Washington Redskins unit allowing the fourth-most fantasy points to tight ends Monday at FedExField. Although Olsen hasn't scored since Week 9, I expect him to be more involved down the stretch. Olsen had 87 yards on just four receptions last week. He is a good bet to stretch the field again against the Redskins.

The win-hungry Minnesota Vikings will battle the Indianapolis Colts Sunday. I have Kyle Rudolph as a top-5 tight end for this matchup, against a Colts unit allowing the eighth-most fantasy points to tight ends. Rudolph had 60 yards and a touchdown on four receptions last week against the Jacksonville Jaguars. He now has at least 45 receiving yards in three straight games.

SNEAKY PLAYS

Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Ladarius Green deserves a start in leagues with 12 teams or more. Green faces a Cincinnati Bengals secondary allowing the third-most points to opposing tight ends. After snaring six catches for 110 yards and a score in Week 13, Green had just 25 yards on two receptions last week. I expect Ben Roethlisberger to be much more successful this week against the rival Bengals.

Eric Ebron and the Detroit Lions are on the road Sunday to face the New York Giants. The Giants are tied for allowing the 10th-most fantasy points to tight ends. Ebron has four receptions in each of his last two games. He is worth a streaming start if you believe he can get into the end zone against the Giants.

LONGSHOTS

Buffalo Bills tight end Charles Clay should see plenty of free space in the Cleveland Browns secondary. With Sammy Watkins and Robert Woods back in the fold and getting most of the attention, I expect Clay to exploit a Browns unit allowing the most points and a league-high 11 touchdowns to opposing tight ends. Clay should only be considered as a starter in very deep leagues. Clay had 52 yards and a score on three receptions last week against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Jared Cook and the Green Bay Packers have an NFC North road test this weekend against the Chicago Bears. The Bears are tied for allowing the sixth-most fantasy points to tight ends. Cook has just five receptions over his last three games, but should be targeted in this tough divisional matchup when Rodgers needs to check down.