Here's a look at theScore's tight end value rankings for Week 5 (Thursday game excluded):
Value Rankings
QB | RB | WR | TE
Top 3
| # | NAME | OPPONENT | RISK |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rob Gronkowski (NE) | at DAL | Low |
| 2 | Jason Witten (DAL) | vs. NE | Low |
| 3 | Jimmy Graham (SEA) | at CIN | Low |
The Cowboys are one of the stingiest defenses against opposing TEs but don't be so quick to forget that prior to the Patriots' bye week, Gronkowski was putting up video game stat lines. He's still worth every penny. Witten will look to anchor a Cowboy's team that will be built around short passes and the run game and is the best red-zone target for Brandon Weeden.
Next 3
| # | NAME | OPPONENT | RISK |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | Charles Clay (BUF) | at TEN | Low |
| 5 | Travis Kelce (KAN) | vs. CHI | Low |
| 6 | Tyler Eifert (CIN) | vs. SEA | Low |
Clay quietly improved his fantasy output in four straight games and faces a favorable matchup in Tennesse. The Bengals face a tough Seattle defense that actually struggles against TEs this season. Kelce will look to rebound after a down week at Cincinnati.
Best of the Rest
| # | NAME | OPPONENT | RISK |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | Martellus Bennett (CHI) | at KC | Medium |
| 8 | Jordan Reed (WAS) | at ATL | Medium |
| 9 | Delanie Walker (TEN) | vs. BUF | Medium |
| 10 | Heath Miller (PIT) | at SD | Medium |
| 11 | Ladarius Green (SD) | vs. PIT | Medium |
| 12 | Eric Ebron (DET) | vs. ATL | Medium |
| 13 | Owen Daniels (DEN) | at OAK | Medium |
With Buffalo looking to force Marcus Mariota into making poor decisions, the Titans might look for safer passing options - like Walker. Ebron has been one of the more consistent TEs this season and will see targets if his team falls behind. Daniels is still waiting on a breakout game, which could come at Oakland.
Nothing to See Here
| # | NAME | OPPONENT | RISK |
|---|---|---|---|
| 14 | Gary Barnidge (CLE) | at BAL | Medium |
| 15 | Crockett Gilmore (BAL) | vs. CLE | High |
| 16 | Vernon Davis (SF) | at NYG | High |
| 17 | Jared Cook (STL) | at GB | High |
| 18 | Richard Rogers (GB) | vs. STL | High |
| 19 | Zach Ertz (PHI) | vs. NO | High |
| 20 | Larry Donnell (NYG) | vs. SF | High |
Barnidge has earned some trust from Josh McCown, with TD receptions in two straight games but faces the league's stingiest defense versus TEs. The rest of the names on this list face major usage issues with inconsistent opportunities to produce. Whatever chemistry Ertz found with Nick Foles last season seemed to evaporate when the QB was swapped for Sam Bradford; the third-year TE is on pace for just over 400 yards after totaling 702 last season.
