Fantasy Football Week 7 Rankings: Top 10 Tight Ends to Start

Oct 7, 2013; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons tight end Tony Gonzalez (88) stiff arms New York Jets safety Dawan Landry (26) during the second half at the Georgia Dome. The Jets defeated the Falcons 30-28. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports /

After utterly dominating the position for the first five weeks of the season, Jimmy Graham finished last week without a catch and injured on the sidelines. He won’t have a bounceback week this week since he’s on his bye week, but after a week to recover should be back to form in week 8. Rob Gronkowski probably won’t play either meaning the consensus top two tight ends most likely won’t be available. Who should you start in week 7? Good question!

Here’s the top 10 tight ends for week 7 based on the composite rankings of myself and Leo Howell who also covers fantasy football for Fansided. If you have a question or comment on the rankings or want to know who I’d start on your team, send it to me on twitter @ZT_Sports or write it in the comments at the bottom of the post. I’ll do my best to answer as many as I can.

Here’s our top 10 tight ends for week 7:

1. Jason Witten-Dallas Cowboys

Oct 6, 2013; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys tight end Jason Witten (82) runs away from Denver Broncos outside linebacker Danny Trevathan (59) after making a catch in the fourth quarter of the game at AT /

Witten gets the nod at the top spot as he and the Cowboys head to Philadelphia to face the porous Eagles D. Last week, the unheralded Timothy Wright got 91 yards against the Eagles. Last season, Witten totalled 14 catches for 155 yards against the Eagles in his two games against them. He should have another solid game this week in a high-scoring game in Phily.

2. Tony Gonzalez-Atlanta Falcons

Gonzalez has had two huge weeks and now could be even more the focus of the Flacons passing game with Julio Jones out and Roddy White still ailing. Gonzalez has been targeted 14 times in each of the last two games and has a total of 22 catches for 246 yards and a pair of scores. This week, he’ll face the Bucs who are in the middle of the pack against opposing tight ends.

3. Jordan Cameron-Cleveland Browns

Sep 29, 2013; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns tight end Jordan Cameron (84) tries to stay inbounds during the second quarter against the Cincinnati Bengals at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports /

Last week, the Browns went back to Brandon Weeden under center which limits Cameron’s upside, but he did finish with five catches for 64 yards thanks to a few late catches. This week, Cameron faces the Packers who have allowed the fifth most points to opposing TEs including getting beaten the last few weeks by the Lions and Ravens tight ends. Cameron has been having a breakout season and should continue this week in Lambeau.

4. Julius Thomas-Denver Broncos

Thomas has an impressive seven scores so far this season and has caught a touchdown in every game but one this season. His yardage and usage fluctuate, but as long as he keeps hitting paydirt he’ll be a TE1 in the Broncos potent attack.

5. Vernon Davis-San Francisco 49ers

Davis had a monster game last week finishing with 180 yards and a pair of touchdowns and now has six scores in his five games played this season. He’s practicing fully this week so apparently is over his hamstring issue and should be a full go for this week’s game against the Titans. The Niners are still without lots of options in the receiving game which means plenty of targets for Davis.

6. Antonio Gates-San Diego Chargers

Speaking of plenty of targets, Gates continues to get plenty in the Chargers pass-heavy scheme. He’ll face a Jaguars team this week that has allowed touchdowns to opposing tight ends in four straight games. He’s reemerged as a great top option this year, so if you waited and drafted him late continue to reap the rewards.

7. Greg Olsen-Carolina Panthers

Olsen is in a tough matchup this week against the Rams who defend tight ends fairly well. He’s still one of Cam’s top options, though, so should still put up a solid game this week.

8. Heath Miller-Pittsburgh Steelers

Oct 13, 2013; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Heath Miller (83) runs with the ball while being defended by New York Jets safety Dawan Landry (26) during the second half at MetLife Stadium. The Steelers defeated the Jets 19-6. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports /

Miller has burst back onto the scene with back-to-back six catch games for 70 and 84 yards. This week, Miller and the Steelers face Baltimore who allow the ninth most points per game to opposing tight ends. Miller is a red zone favorite of Big Ben so expect the touchdowns to come soon making him a solid TE1 play.

9. Charles Clay-Miami Dolphins

Clay has become one of the better options in the Miami passing attack. He has found the end zone in three of the last four games and is coming off a bye week as the Dolphins host the Bills. Buffalo is actually the second best team against opposing tight ends, so he’s outside my top ten, but Leo ranked him high enough to earn the ninth spot this week making him a low-end TE1 option.

10. Kyle Rudolph-Minnesota Vikings, Coby Fleener-Indianapolis Colts

Rudolph and Fleener come in tied at number 10 since Leo had Fleener and I had Rudolph but neither one appeared on both lists. Rudolph will be playing with new QB Josh Freeman coming off a big game last week as the Vikings take on the Giants on Monday Night Football. Fleener and the Colts face the Broncos in what should be a high-scoring game. Both are options if you need a starting tight end this week.

Honorable Mention: Garrett Graham-Houston Texans, Martellus Bennett-Chicago Bear

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