Week 4 is upon us, and we’re somehow almost a quarter done with the 2016 season already. Hopefully you’re sitting pretty at 3-0, but even at 0-3 you should never lose hope. Check out our Week 4 rankings to make sure your lineup is in the best shape possible to get you that all important win.
Week 4 byes: Green Bay Packers, Philadelphia Eagles
*Update* – Julius Thomas is INACTIVE for the Jaguars. Get him out of lineups ASAP. Hunter Henry (27% owned) could be a viable, upside replacement against the hapless Saints.
Tier 1 – Potential Top Scorers
All these tight ends have prime matchups and huge ceilings, but Olsen gets the nod with the highest floor of the three; the Falcons have given up the second most points to tight ends this year and just got destroyed by an otherwise nonexistent Coby Fleener. As always, Gronkowski comes with the highest upside, but by far the most risk with an uncertain workload / QB situation.
1. Greg Olsen (CAR) @ ATL
2. Jordan Reed (WAS) vs. CLE
3. Rob Gronkowski (NE) vs. BUF
Tier 2 – TE1s
4. Travis Kelce (KC) @ PIT
5. Coby Fleener (NO) @ SD – Drew Brees has already noted at their improved chemistry and San Diego is the 4th most generous team to tight ends. I think Fleener continues to build on his 7 catch, 109 yard, 1 TD performance.
6. Delanie Walker (TEN) @ Hou QUESTIONABLE – HC Mike Mularkey stated Wednesday, that Walker should be ready to go this Sunday. He was a surprising scratch last week, however; so a backup plan is necessary.
7. Dennis Pitta (BAL) vs. OAK
8. Eric Ebron (DET) @ CHI
9. Jimmy Graham (SEA) @ NYJ – The Ginger Giant seemed to regain prime form in going 6, 100, TD against San Fran, and gets a Jets team that has been below average versus TEs.
10. Kyle Rudolph (MIN) vs. NYG
Tier 2.5 – Lower End TE1s
11. Zach Miller (CHI) vs DET – Miller showed great chemistry with Brian Hoyer, and would benefit if he is the starting QB. This is especially true versus Detroit, who have given up the most points to TEs to begin 2016.
12. Gary Barnidge (CLE) @ WAS – Barnidge is hovering around the TE1 circle of trust once more after flashing solid chemsitry with rookie QB Cody Kessler. This remains the Terrelle Pryor show for another week, but Washington surely will do their best to eliminate the multi-threat wideout. This could open up some looks for big Barnidge.
Tier 3 – Startable TE2s
13. Hunter Henry (SD) vs. NO – Great match-up against the league’s leakiest pass defense.
14. Jason Witten (DAL) @ SF – Witten squares off with San Fran defense that surrenders the 5th most points to TEs and just got punished by a Ginger rod. Translation – it’s now or never for the veteran.
15. Jacob Tamme (ATL) vs. CAR – Carolina’s defense is surprisingly the 7th most generous team to tight ends this season. Tamme has more appeal than the initial eye test might suggest.
16. Martellus Bennett (NE) vs. BUF – Martellus could rise or fall heavily depending on his QB. If Jimmy G is starting, Bennett will shoot up into the TE1 tier, as the two flashed tremendous chemistry on a 5 catch, 114 yard, 1 TD Week 2. Gronk’s status does not make much of a difference, as this offense has sustained two fantasy dominant TEs before, and should once again as soon as next week in Brady’s return. I’d be buying low on Martellus everywhere I could.
17. Cameron Brate (TB) vs. DEN
Tier 4 – Last Remaining Names
18. Jack Doyle (IND) @ JAC
I wouldn’t be surprised to see one of these Colts TEs having a major game, and this is really Dwayne Allen’s last chance to prove he’s not droppable. If Doyle performs well yet again, he will have to be viewed as the TE to own out of Indy moving forward. This is a big week for both of these guys.
19. Dwayne Allen (IND) @ JAC
20. Clive Walford (OAK) @ BAL
21. Jesse James (PIT) vs. KC
22. Vance McDonald (SF) vs. DAL
