Fantasy football playoffs: Week 14 tight end rankings

Dec. 4 (UPI) -- Tight end is an irrelevant roster slot in some fantasy football leagues, but having a great player in a league that requires starting the position can mean the difference between a win and a loss.

If you have one of those elite players, you should keep them in your lineup regardless of matchup. If you don't have one of the best tight ends in the game, there are still solid options who could give you an advantage at the position.

Darren Waller, George Kittle, Zach Ertz, Jack Doyle and Travis Kelce top my Week 14 fantasy football tight end rankings.

Hunter Henry, Kyle Rudolph, Mark Andrews, Jared Cook and Tyler Higbee round out my top-10 options for Week 14.

My top 20 rankings can help you make the difficult decision of who to start if you are stuck between multiple options.

Here are some of my favorite players in this week's top 20 rankings:

TOP SHELF

Oakland Raiders pass catcher Darrren Waller went off for 100 yards on seven catches in Week 13. He faces the Tennessee Titans in Week 14. The Titans are allowing the seventh-most fantasy points per game to tight ends. Waller is my No. 1 option this week based on his role in the offense and the great matchup.

Jack Doyle is one of the only trusted targets remaining in the Indianapolis Colts offense after injuries to T.Y. Hilton and fellow tight end Eric Ebron. Doyle has scored in three of his last four games and had a season-high 73 yards and a score in Week 13. I expect the Colts tight end to reach the end zone once again in Week 14 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Buccaneers are allowing the second-most fantasy points per game to tight ends. Doyle is my No. 4 option this week.

SNEAKY PLAYS

Kyle Rudolph is one of the hottest tight ends in football entering the fantasy football playoffs. The Minnesota Vikings playmaker had a rough start to the season but has now scored in four consecutive games. He has six total scores since Week 7. Rudolph is my No. 7 option this week and should be started in all leagues that require starting tight ends. The Vikings are also facing a Detroit Lions team allowing the ninth-most fantasy points per game to the position. Rudolph should reach the end zone once again in Week 14.

Los Angeles Chargers tight end Hunter Henry only had 10 receiving yards in Week 14. Despite his lack of production last week, Henry should have a solid showing this week against the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Jaguars haven't been terrible against tight ends, but I expect them the key on stopping the Chargers running game, opening up Henry underneath. Henry is my No. 6 option this week and should be started in leagues that require starting the position.

LONGSHOTS

Dallas Cowboys veteran Jason Witten is my No. 13 option this week. Witten has a matchup against the Chicago Bears, a unit that has allowed the eighth-most receiving yards to tight ends. He scored his first touchdown since Week 2 last week against the Buffalo Bills. I expect Witten to reach the end zone again against the Chicago Bears, who will likely prioritize stopping Amari Cooper and Dak Prescott in the red zone.

Tennessee Titans tight end Jonnu Smith lands at No. 18 in my Week 14 tight end rankings. Smith had just two catches in Week 13, but has a solid matchup in Week 14 against the Oakland Raiders. The Raiders are allowing the fourth-most fantasy points per game to tight ends. Smith is a decent dart-throw option if you are in a jam.

Week 14 fantasy football tight end rankings

1. Darren Waller, Oakland Raiders vs. TEN

2. George Kittle, San Francisco 49ers at NO

3. Zach Ertz, Philadelphia Eagles vs. NYG

4. Jack Doyle, Indianapolis Colts at TB

5. Travis Kelce, Kansas City Chiefs at NE

6. Hunter Henry, Los Angeles Chargers at JAX

7. Kyle Rudolph, Minnesota Vikings vs. DET

8. Mark Andrews, Baltimore Ravens at BUF

9. Jared Cook, New Orleans Saints vs. SF

10. Tyler Higbee, Los Angeles Rams vs. SEA

11. Jacob Hollister, Seattle Seahawks at LAR