DFS: Week 7 Tight End Value Rankings
Here are theScore's tight end value rankings for Week 7 (Thursday night and Sunday morning games excluded):
Value Rankings
QB | RB | WR | TE
Top 3
| # | NAME | OPPONENT | RISK |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Travis Kelce (KC) | vs. PIT | Low |
| 2 | Antonio Gates (SD) | vs. OAK | Low |
| 3 | Delanie Walker (TEN) | vs. ATL | Low |
Kelce is an elite option most weeks, but he vaults into top spot against the Steelers with WR Jeremy Maclin recovering from a concussion. Gates has reassumed his role as one of fantasy's top picks at his position, and should see plenty of targets against visiting Oakland. Walker will suffer if Marcus Mariota isn't throwing him the ball, but he's still a strong play vs. Atlanta.
Next 3
| # | NAME | OPPONENT | RISK |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | Gary Barnidge (CLE) | at STL | Low |
| 5 | Rob Gronkowski (NE) | vs. NYJ | Low |
| 6 | Jordan Cameron (MIA) | vs. HOU | Low |
Barnidge and Gronkowski are virtually even in fantasy points across all formats - so go with the one who costs less and spend elsewhere. Both have tough matchups, but Barnidge has been racking up the targets while Gronk has been held to five in each of the past two weeks. Cameron appears to be a larger part of the new-look Miami offense, and carries a low salary.
Best of the Rest
| # | NAME | OPPONENT | RISK |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | Greg Olsen (CAR) | vs. PHI | Low |
| 8 | Benjamin Watson (NO) | at IND | Medium |
| 9 | Larry Donnell (NYG) | vs. DAL | Medium |
| 10 | Kyle Rudolph (MIN) | at DET | Medium |
| 11 | Heath Miller (PIT) | at KC | Medium |
| 12 | Jason Witten (DAL) | at NYG | Medium |
| 13 | Zach Ertz (PHI) | at CAR | Medium |
Olsen demolished the Seahawks in Week 6 and leads all tight ends in targets; he's only a step below the elite tier due to his diminished chances of scoring a touchdown in Carolina's run-heavy red-zone offense. Rudolph caught a TD pass last week and remains one of Teddy Bridgewater's safest pass options, while Witten should see his regular heavy volume against the Giants.
Nothing to See Here
| # | NAME | OPPONENT | RISK |
|---|---|---|---|
| 14 | Coby Fleener (IND) | vs. NO | High |
| 15 | Jacob Tamme (ATL) | at TEN | High |
| 18 | Crockett Gillmore (BAL) | at ARI | High |
| 17 | Jared Cook (STL) | vs. CLE | High |
| 16 | Maxx Williams (BAL) | at ARI | High |
| 19 | Tim Wright (DET) | vs. MIN | High |
| 20 | Ladarius Green (SD) | vs. OAK | High |
Gillmore returned to action this week, and wound up with six targets compared to Williams' four. He remains a slightly better option due to a cheaper salary and greater role in the offense, but neither player has a very high ceiling. Tamme may be worth a tournament flier as a safety valve for Matt Ryan, while Fleener is a boom-or-bust option against the Saints.