Fantasy Football: Week 13 tight end rankings

Nov. 30 (UPI) -- Philadelphia Eagles tight end Zach Ertz has emerged as a star this season.

Both in real life and in fantasy football.

He is my No. 1 tight end for Week 13. Tennessee Titans veteran Delanie Walker, New England Patriots star Rob Gronkowski, Seattle Seahawks tight end Jimmy Graham and Kansas City Chiefs star Travis Kelce round out my top five options this week at tight end.

If you are in a league where you must start a tight end, take a look at some of the matchups this week. Try to find a defense that struggles against opposing tight ends and fire up an option who receives a lot of targets.

If you need some help at tight end, or any other position, take a look at my waiver wire article for Week 13.

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

TOP 20 WEEK 13 RANKINGS BELOW

TOP SHELF

Zach Ertz is my No. 1 option at tight end this week for good reason. The Philadelphia Eagles star had a season-high 103 yards and a score on 10 receptions in Week 12. He trails only Jimmy Graham for the league-lead in touchdowns for a tight end. He also trails just Travis Kelce and Rob Gronkowski for receiving yards for a tight end. Ertz is facing a Seattle Seahawks unit allowing the 11th-most fantasy points per game to opposing tight ends and Ertz is just too good to ever be on your bench. Fire him up for the final week of the regular season and the fantasy football playoffs as the best tight end in football right now.

Tennessee Titans tight end Delanie Walker only has one score this season, but he does have the fourth-most receiving yards among tight ends. Walker is my No. 2 option for the week, as he has a matchup against the Houston Texans, a defense allowing the fifth-most fantasy points per game, seventh-most receiving yards and fourth-most receiving scores to opposing tight ends.

SNEAKY PLAYS

Los Angeles Chargers tight end Hunter Henry is coming off of a big game in Week 12. Last week, he hauled in five catches for 76 yards and his third score of the season. This week, Henry is my No. 7 tight end. He has a matchup against the Cleveland Browns. The Browns are allowing the third-most fantasy points per game, eighth-most receiving yards and are tied for allowing a league-high nine touchdowns to opposing tight ends. I expect Henry to get in the end zone here.

Detroit Lions tight end Eric Ebron is my No. 11 option at tight end this week. Ebron had just 14 yards in last week's loss to the Minnesota Vikings, but has a much better matchup in Week 13. He is going up against a Baltimore Ravens unit allowing the 10th-most fantasy points per game and tied for allowing the fourth-most touchdowns to opposing tight ends.

LONGSHOTS

Dallas Cowboys tight end Jason Witten is a risk worth taking for me this week against the Washington Redskins. He is a low-end TE1 for me Thursday night. Witten has been somewhat inconsistent as of late, but the Cowboys will need to keep pace with the Redskins in this matchup. With Dak Prescott struggling, expect Witten to earn some more targets. The Redskins have allowed the most receiving yards, fourth-most touchdowns and fourth-most fantasy points per game to opposing tight ends. Witten is my No. 13 option for Week 13.

Week 13 Tight End Rankings.

Miami Dolphins tight end Julius Thomas has eclipsed 58 receiving yards in only one game this season, but he is a streaming option for Week 13. Thomas had 52 yards on five catches in week 12 against the New England Patriots. Now he battles a Denver Broncos defense allowing the second-most fantasy points per game, second-most receiving yards and third-most touchdowns to opposing tight ends. He is ranked No. 17 for me this week, but don't hesitate to throw him in your lineup if you are throwing darts.