Week 5 is upon us, and we are creeping closer to the “make or break” point of your fantasy season. Perhaps you’re at the top, needing to stay ahead to secure the bye. Or maybe you’re trapped in the cellar and need to string off a miracle stretch run. Regardless, find out who side with in tough lineup decisions — especially with so many explosive team’s on bye– with The Wolf’s rankings.
Bye Weeks: Jacksonville, New Orleans, Seattle, Kansas City
Updated SUNDAY– Reflects Tyler Eifert’s back injury / expected absence.
- Antonio Gates is expected to play. While the old man won’t be a viable option until we see his health, Hunter Henry’s appeal takes a hit. Henry is still startable and seems like a fair bet at a TD given Gates will be limited, but he drops from our TE7 to #11 in light of the news.
- Eric Ebron has been ruled out. Look for Cameron Brate, Will Tye, or if truly desperate Virgil Greene as viable fill ins that are widely available.
- Against an abysmal GB secondary, NYG TE Will Tye becomes highly appealing as the clear cut guy with Larry Donnell sidelined with a concussion. He slides in at #13 and is highly viable.
- Rob Gronkowski reportedly put in a great week of practice and is expected to block less and be unleashed more downfield. With Brady set to whip his beautiful cock out, it’s time to #PrayForCleveland. Gronk slides up to my #1 TE in light of this, with Bennett’s ceiling somewhat unchanged given how many two TE sets we’ll see.
- Cam Newton has been ruled out, which slightly lessens the appeal of the pass-catchers, but makes them all more viable threats for a TD in Cam’s absence (especially Olsen).
- Virgil Greene is expected to suit up, and gets a date with the completely whorish Atlanta D, who ranks dead last against TEs. When desperate times call for desperate measures, always side for easiness.
Tier 1 – Potential Top Scorers
1. Rob Gronkowski (NE) @ CLE – Against a piss poor defense and with Brady back, Gronk should explode. Yet, reports that his hamstring is still an issue make him a risky dice roll. If he turns in another useless day despite everything aligning, Gronk will have to drop significantly until healthy.
UPDATE ** Rob Gronkowski reportedly put in a great week of practice and is expected to block less and be unleashed more downfield. With Brady set to whip his beautiful cock out, it’s time to #PrayForCleveland. Gronk slides up to my #1 TE in light of this, with Bennett’s ceiling somewhat unchanged given how many two TE sets we’ll see.
2. Jordan Reed (WAS) @ BAL
3. Greg Olsen (CAR) vs. TB – Even with Derek Anderson, Olsen would be a top-two play. The two have flashed solid chemistry in Anderson’s appearances. Obviously his ceiling is higher if Cam Newton can play.
UPATE** Cam Newton has been ruled out, which slightly lessens the appeal of the pass-catchers, but makes them all more viable threats for a TD in Cam’s absence (especially Olsen
Tier 2 – TE1 options
4. Delanie Walker (TEN) @ MIA
5. Zach Ertz (PHI) @ DET – Ertz returns to a juicy matchup versus a Detroit swiss cheese defense that surrenders the second most points to tight ends.
6. Martellus Bennett (NE) @ CLE – Even if Gronk were healthy, Bennett would rank up here; Brady will likely try to break in his new toy which makes Martellus a great bet for a TD in Cleveland. Even better, if Gronk’s hampered, Bennett will carry top-three upside. Either way, Bennett should likely be in your lineup.
7. Zach Miller (CHI) @ IND
8. Dennis Pitta (BAL) vs. WAS
9. Cameron Brate (TB) @ CAR – Carolina is shockingly the fifth worst team against tight ends, which should bode well for Brate, who’s garnered 18 targets and 2 TDs over the past two weeks.
10. Gary Barnidge (CLE) vs. NE
11. Hunter Henry (SD) @ OAK
UPDATE Antonio Gates is expected to play. While the old man won’t be a viable option until we see his health, Hunter Henry’s appeal takes a hit. Given Gates’ will be limited, we think Henry is still a fair bet at a TD and worth starting unless you have a better option.
12. Kyle Rudolph (MIN) vs. HOU – Banged up and against a Houston defense that stymies tight ends, Rudolph doesn’t carry as much as upside as normal this week.
13. Will Tye (NYG) @ GB
UPDATE Against an abysmal GB secondary, NYG TE Will Tye becomes highly appealing as the clear cut guy with Larry Donnell sidelined with a concussion.
Tier 3 – TE2s you can start in a pinch
14. Jason Witten (DAL) vs. CIN
15. Virgil Green (DEN) vs. ATL Questionable
UPATE Virgil Greene is expected to suit up, and gets a date with the completely whorish Atlanta D, who ranks dead last against TEs. When desperate times call for desperate measures, always side for easiness.
16. Jesse James (PIT) vs. NYJ
17. Richard Rodgers (GB) vs. NYG – Rogers should see a few targets come his way in Cook’s absence.
18. Jacob Tamme (ATL) @ DEN
19. Clive Walford (OAK) vs. SD
Tier 4 – Find me the puke bucket
20. Jack Doyle (IND) vs. CHI
21. Dwayne Allen (IND) vs. CHI
22. Charles Clay (BUF) @ LA
23. CJ Uzomah (CIN) @ DAL – My bet for a hideous TD? Montuzomah’s Revenge.
24. Lance Kendricks (LA) vs. BUF
