Fantasy Football: Week 12 tight end rankings

Nov. 22 (UPI) -- New England Patriots star Rob Gronkowski is No. 1 in my top 20 fantasy football tight end rankings for Week 12.

Tennessee Titans veteran Delanie Walker is my No. 2 option, followed by Zach Ertz, Evan Engram and Travis Kelce.

If you need some help at tight end, or any other position, take a look at my waiver wire article for Week 12.

Here are my Top 20 options at the position this week.

TOP 20 WEEK 12 RANKINGS BELOW

TOP SHELF

New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski hasn't put up his typical monster stat lines so far this season, but he is still one of the best tight ends in the game. Gronkowski still has five touchdowns on the season, but only one outing with more than 88 receiving yards. This week Gronkowski has a change to produce in a big way. The Patriots are facing the Miami Dolphins in Foxborough. The Dolphins are allowing the fourth-most touchdowns, sixth-most fantasy points per game and seventh-most receiving yards to opposing tight ends.

Tennessee Titans veteran Delanie Walker is my No. 2 option for Week 12. In Week 11, Walker stepped up for a season-high 92 yards and six catches. He now has at least five receptions in four consecutive games. This week, Walker and the Titans face the Indianapolis Colts. The Colts are tied for allowing the fifth-most touchdowns and ninth-most fantasy points per game to opposing tight ends. Walker will be a TE1 for the rest of the year.

SNEAKY PLAYS

Oakland Raiders tight end Jared Cook is still a reliable TE1 this week against the Denver Broncos. The Broncos might be great at shutting down outside wide receivers, but are one of the worst teams at shutting down opposing tight ends. This year, the Broncos are allowing the most receiving yards, second-most fantasy points per game and third-most touchdowns to the position. Cook has two performances with at least 100 receiving yards in his last four games. He only has one score on the season, but he should find plenty of space to operate in this secondary. Cook is my No. 7 option for Week 12.

If you feel like rolling the dice a little, start Greg Olsen in Week 12. The Carolina Panthers veteran practiced this week after missing every game since Week 2. He should be in for a bigger roll with Kelvin Benjamin now playing for the Buffalo Bills. This week the Panthers are facing the New York Jets, a unit tied for allowing the fourth-most touchdowns, the seventh-most fantasy points per game and allowing the 13th-most receiving yards to opposing tight ends. Olsen is my No. 14 tight end this week, making him a TE1 in deeper leagues for Week 12.

LONGSHOTS

Baltimore Ravens tight end Benjamin Watson is my No. 17 option for Week 12. Watson only has two scores this season but has remained involved in the Ravens offense. This week the Ravens face the Houston Texans, a unit tied for allowing the fourth-most receiving scores, the fifth most fantasy points per game and the sixth-most receiving yards to opposing tight ends. Watson is a stream-worthy start this week if you are in a pinch.

Week 12 Tight End Rankings

Houston Texans tight end C.J. Fiedorowicz might be worth your time if you need some help at the position for Week 12. The Texans are facing a Baltimore Ravens unit tied for allowing the fourth-most receiving scores and eighth-most fantasy points per game to opposing tight ends. Fiedorowicz is a TE2 in most leagues and my No. 18 option in this spot.