Lineup calls: QB | RB | WR | TE | K | D/ST
The depth at tight end this season is a blessing and a curse.
While there are a number of viable options on the board each and every week, there have been few dominant and consistent options. A total of 34 tight ends have caught at least one touchdown. Only nine players have caught more than two touchdowns. At the top of the pack sits Antonio Gates, who has already matched his 2008 and 2009 touchdown production.
Let’s review the prospective heroes and zeroes in this week’s installment of “Lineup Calls.”
Top 5 Tight Ends
(other than Antonio Gates, Jason Witten or Vernon Davis)
Chris Cooley at Detroit
Based on his weekly target count, Cooley is close to rejoining the limited “exclusions” list, which will be expanded as we begin the second half. Cooley has been a PPR machine this season, amassing 35 receptions for 392 yards (56 yards per game) through seven weeks. The Lions allow 238.3 receiving yards and 1.7 passing touchdowns per game. This could serve as Donovan McNabb’s yearly breakout performance against a subpar secondary.
Owen Daniels at Indianapolis
Daniels started to increase his workload heading into the Texans’ Week 7 Bye. He caught eight passes for 124 yards in Weeks 5 and 6. Daniels was limited at Thursday’s practice, so we’ll need to keep an eye on things as we approach kickoff.
In the first meeting between these teams in 2010, Daniels was limited to one reception for nine yards. That was the famous Arian Foster party. I expect Matt Schaub and the passing game to be front and center in the encore.
Zach Miller vs. Seattle
Miller is a borderline must-start option, having scored in four of the Raiders’ past five games. He’s also finished each of those games with at least 62 receiving yards and three receptions. Miller has averaged 4.7 receptions and 64.7 receiving yards per game.
The Seahawks are stingy against the run, and Miller and running back Darren McFadden serve as the team’s best options with Jason Campbell under center.
Brandon Pettigrew vs. Washington
I’ve been banging the drum loudly for Pettigrew since he was selected by the Lions in 2009. He’s breaking through in his second season, having already caught 33 of 47 targets for 336 yards (56 yards per game). Matthew Stafford is back under center, and as you recall, the duo started to establish a tremendous rapport as rookies in 2009 before Pettigrew sustained a season-ending injury. The Redskins allow 292.1 passing yards and 1.4 passing touchdowns per game.
Kellen Winslow at Arizona
Winslow has yet to tally his first touchdown of the season. However, he’s a frequent target for Josh Freeman, who is progressing nicely in his second season. Winslow has caught three or more passes in every game this season, including a current streak of three games with at least five receptions. He’s a no-brainer in PPR leagues, but I’m putting him up for a TE1 option against an Arizona defense that surrenders 227.3 yards and 1.7 passing touchdowns per game. Opportunity means everything, and you can depend on a sizable target count.
Tight End Sleepers
Jacob Tamme vs. Houston
The Colts are trying to find a suitable replacement for Dallas Clark down the seams. Will Tamme or fellow tight end Brody Eldridge ultimately emerge as the top option? Tamme appears to have the inside track to be the first option. The third-year tight end out of Kentucky performed well in the preseason and has been in the system. Eldridge, a rookie out of Oklahoma, has the goods to become a strong contributor. Short-term, I’ll take a shot with Tamme against Houston.
Tony Moeaki vs. Buffalo
Moeaki seems to live in this spot. He’s been a solid contributor for Matt Cassel, and we’re starting to see the offense open up downfield. As such, I’m anticipating that Moeaki takes on a larger role this week against the struggling Buffalo defense. It’s all about opportunity, and when you circle the big 33 in the PPG (points per game) column next to the BUF abbreviation, you’re feeling good about your chances.
Tight End Flops
Jeremy Shockey vs. Pittsburgh
Shockey brings a streak of seven consecutive games with multiple receptions into this week’s matchup with the Steelers. However, the veteran tight end has eclipsed 40 receiving yards only twice this season (one game of at least 60 yards). A matchup with this aggressive, stifling defense isn’t exactly the prescription to cure the Saints’ offensive woes.
Marcedes Lewis at Dallas
Lewis has recorded multiple receptions in every game this season with frequent red zone targets, so he’s certainly on the radar as a possible plug-in option for those owners who lost Dallas Clark for the season. Lewis is averaging 39.3 receiving yards per game with five touchdown receptions (44 or fewer receiving yards in five of seven games). Still, I’m reticent to endorse the Jacksonville passing game this week. Opposing tight ends have been virtually invisible against the Cowboys this season (save Greg Olsen in the loss to Chicago).
