Chris Thomas’ Fantasy Football Tight End Rankings for Week 14

This year more than ever it has been difficult to make decisions about fantasy football lineups because of injuries, byes, and Covid-19 concerns. This week’s playoffs may start in fantasy leagues. Owners may have two tight ends on their roster that they have been flipping between all season. Deciding between the two could be the difference between winning and losing this week. For owners who have to stream a quarterback this week, it may be difficult to choose who to put into your lineup.

For those who are not in playoffs yet, there is little time left during the fantasy football regular season. Every game that’s left is more important than the last to guarantee a spot in the fantasy football playoffs. Here are tight end rankings for Week 13 of the 2020 NFL Season.

*Ratings are subject to change due to injury reports or possible move to reserve/COVID-19 list*

(Check out section below for details on players already rumored to possibly miss this week and how their replacement options rank for the week)

Key:

Must Start- a player who is in your lineup regardless of the matchup or most circumstances. Will likely finish near the top of the league in points that week and in most weeks.

Starting TE1- a player who makes fantasy owners comfortable starting week after week. Regardless of the matchup this player has a solid floor.

TD Dependent Starter- a player who may not be a lock to start for a team every week, but will start more times than not because of depth at the position. Their production is based on whether they can get in the end zone or not. It can be the difference between a top 10 performance or top 25 performance

Deep League Starter- a player whose ceiling isn’t high but should put up enough production to be started in deep leagues. When a player like this is started it is because their production though it will likely be low will be better than a few options.

Leave on the Bench- a player who should be avoided in all lineups that week. Many times this player could even be left on waivers.

Possible Changes that can occur before Sunday

TE3 Mark Andrews, Baltimore Ravens

Mark Andrew has missed the Ravens last two games after being placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list. He was activated on Wednesday. As long as Andrews plays he should be in lineups across all formats. The Browns are one of the worst teams in the league at defending against the tight end.

TE13 Jonnu Smith, Tennessee Titans

The Tennessee Titans have been without Jonnu Smith the past few weeks because of a knee issue. If he is active he is a solid starting option against the Jacksonville Jaguars. However if he doesn’t start, Anthony Firksher is an interesting option to get some targets in the Titans offense on Sunday. He would bump up to TE18 between Noah Fant and Logan Thomas.

TE32 Irv Smith Jr.

Irv Smith Jr. missed the past three weeks because of a groin issues and has a solid chance to return this week. But if he was not Kyle Rudolph would likely absorb all of his targets. This would push Rudolph up to TE24 between Will Dissly and Tyler Higbee. There are plenty of better options this week than the Vikings tight ends.