Fantasy Football 2013 Tight End Rankings: Week 9

Author:
Mark Ross
Oct 31, 2013 6:30 AM EDT

In this story:

Even though he is dealing with plantar fasciitis, Jimmy Graham maintains his hold on the top spot on Athlon Sports' fantasy football Week 9 tight end rankings. After all, that's what happens when you are "limited" and still haul in two touchdowns. While Graham and other young tight ends like Jordan Cameron, Julius Thomas and more recently, Jordan Reed, have been putting up solid numbers, there are still some veterans out there making noise.

For example, Antonio Gates is 33 years old and in his 11th season with San Diego, but you couldn't tell by looking at his numbers. Gates is well on his way to his best statistical production in several years, as after just seven games he's already close to surpassing his catch and yardage totals from 2012. Right now, Gates is on pace for 96 receptions and 1,136 yards. The catches would represent a career-best while the yards would rank second behind the 1,157 he compiled during his 2009 All-Pro campaign. The only complaint Gates owners can make at this point is he has caught just two touchdown passes, but that could change Sunday in Washington. The Redskins are tied for 27th in passing defense and have already yielded six touchdown receptions to opposing tight ends.

Each week during the NFL season, we will rank enough players at each position to appease everyone from those in 8-team leagues to 16-team leagues, those that can start two QBs, two TEs, three RBs and four WRs. We cut out the rest, because if you're looking at who the 50th-best running back or the 17th-best kicker is for that week, you need more help than any website can give you.

2013 NFL Week 9 Fantasy Football Rankings — Tight Ends
Teams on bye: Arizona, Denver, Detroit, Jacksonville, New York Giants, San Francisco


Rk	Player	Team	OPP	Notes
1	Jimmy Graham	NO	at NYJ	Still had 2 TDs despite being "limited" by foot issue.
2	Jordan Cameron	CLE	vs. BAL	Caught 5 passes for 95 yards in Week 2 vs. BAL.
3	Rob Gronkowski	NE	vs. PIT	Gronk held in check (2 rec., 27 yds.) by 'Fins.
4	Antonio Gates	SD	at WAS	Redskins have allowed six touchdown catches to TEs.
5	Jordan Reed	WAS	vs. SD	Led Redskins w/ 8 catches for 90 yards last week.
6	Tony Gonzalez	ATL	at CAR	Hasn't had much impact w/ Julio and Roddy out.
7	Jason Witten	DAL	vs. MIN	Vikings have given up 6 TD catches to TEs.
8	Martellus Bennett	CHI	at GB (Mon.)	Caught one pass for TD in last game.
9	Greg Olsen	CAR	vs. ATL	Hauled in first TD pass since Week 2 vs. Bucs.
10	Charles Clay	MIA	vs. CIN (Thurs.)	Held w/o TD last week for first time in 4 games.
11	Kyle Rudolph	MIN	at DAL	Cowboys allowing second-most fantasy pts. to TEs.
12	Coby Fleener	IND	at HOU	Will his role expand w/ Reggie Wayne out for season?
13	Heath Miller	PIT	at NE	Has been under 20 yards in each of last 2 games.
14	Garrett Graham	HOU	vs. IND	Colts have surrendered just one TD catch to a TE.
15	Jared Cook	STL	vs. TEN	Would love to have big game against former team.
16	Jermaine Gresham	CIN	at MIA (Thurs.)	Caught first TD of season last week.
17	Timothy Wright	TB	at SEA	Caught first career TD pass last week.
18	Scott Chandler	BUF	vs. KC	Chiefs have allowed fewest fantasy pts. to TEs.
19	Jeff Cumberland	NYJ	vs. NO	Sustained mild concussion last week.
20	Dallas Clark	BAL	at CLE	Ravens looking for more from passing game,
21	Delanie Walker	TEN	at STL	Rams been pretty good against opposing TEs.
22	Tyler Eifert	CIN	at MIA (Thurs.)	Timeshare w/ Gresham limiting opportunities.
23	Zach Miller	SEA	vs. TB
24	Anthony Fasano	KC	at BUF
25	Brent Celek	PHI	at OAK	Eagles have too many TEs to trust any one.
26	Andrew Quarless	GB	vs. CHI (Mon.)	Saw just 2 targets in first game as starter last week.

Rankings are based upon Athlon Sports' standard scoring system:

OFFENSIVE SCORING
All touchdowns are 6 points
1 point for 25 yards passing
1 point for 10 yards rushing/receiving
Receptions are .5 points
Interceptions/fumbles are minus-2 points

Additional Week 9 Positional Rankings

Quarterbacks
Running Backs
Wide Receivers
Defense/Special Teams
Kickers

Week 9 Waiver Wire