Fantasy Football: Week 16 Tight End Rankings

MIAMI, Dec. 21 (UPI) -- Week 15 was disappointing for fantasy football team owners who played a top-tier tight end.

Not one of the elite options found the end zone, unless you consider Cameron Brate an elite option in the watered-down crop.

This week, your tight end slot should be able to help you more as some top-tier players face winnable matchups. I particularly expect rebounds in your league championship from Greg Olsen, Tyler Eifert, Delanie Walker, and Antonio Gates. That foursome combined for 16 points in standard scoring during the semifinal round.

To help you figure out who to sit or start at the position, take a look at my top 20 tight ends for Week 16. You can also view my add/drops for the week and more positional rankings in the links below.

TOP SHELF

New England Patriots tight end Martellus Bennett had just two catches last week, but should rebound in Week 16 against a New York Jets unit allowing the seventh-most fantasy points to tight ends. Bennett comes in as my No. 7 option at the position, mostly because I forecast Tom Brady throwing for at least three touchdowns in this AFC East battle.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end Cameron Brate is in my top 10 for his position, with a matchup against the New Orleans Saints. Brate has scored five times in his last eight games.

SNEAKY PLAYS

San Diego Chargers veteran Antonio Gates is a top-12 option against the Cleveland Browns. The Browns have allowed the most points and touchdowns to tight ends this season. Gates has a great chance to score here against a team that has allowed 12 touchdowns to his position. The Browns have also allowed three tight end touchdowns in its last two games.

Indianapolis Colts pass-catcher Jack Doyle is a fringe TE1 in deeper leagues, due to a matchup against the Oakland Raiders. The Raiders are allowing the ninth-most fantasy points to tight ends.

LONGSHOTS

Dallas Cowboys tight end Jason Witten is a stream-worthy TE2 against the Detroit Lions, a unit allowing the sixth-most fantasy points to tight ends. Witten secured all 10 of his Week 15 targets. I expect him to see another healthy workload against the Lions.

Los Angeles Rams tight end Lance Kendricks is another streaming-level TE2, with a matchup against the San Francisco 49ers. The Niners have allowed touchdowns to tight ends in two of its last four games.