Unlike running back and even occasionally wide receivers, injuries to tight ends don’t always result in the emergence of a new sleeper. It can happen (see Foster Moreau and Isaiah Likely), but when must-starts like Dallas Goedert (shoulder) and Zach Ertz (knee) go down, it takes a while before fantasy owners can trust their replacements. The same is true if Gerald Everett (groin) and Kyle Pitts (knee) are out this week. (Update: Pitts has reportedly suffered a torn MCL and is expected to miss extended time.)

That’s part of the reason our TE rankings seem a bit lacking this week. Oh, all the names are there, but middling, inconsistent performers mixed with mediocre matchups don’t inspire much confidence. Does anyone really want to start Greg Dulcich (@ Panthers in Week 12), Dalton Schultz (vs. Giants), Cole Kmet (@ Jets), Robert Tonyan (@ Eagles), Juwan Johnson (@ 49ers), or Tyler Conklin (vs. Bears)? We’d take our chances with Schultz and Dulcich, but the rest are pretty risky given their matchups.

WEEK 12 STANDARD RANKINGS:QBs | RBs | WRs | D/STs | Kickers

Even “must-start” George Kittle (vs. Saints) is in a tough spot this week against the best TE defense. Given his uneven play this year, it’s not crazy for his owners in shallow leagues to check for alternatives.

WEEK 12 PPR RANKINGS:QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers

If you need a fill-in, there aren’t a ton of high-upside, widely available sleepers. Moreau (@ Seahawks), Evan Engram (vs. Ravens), Hunter Henry and Jonnu Smith (@ Vikings), and Noah Fant and Will Dissly (vs. Raiders) are really your only options. Moreau has by far the best combination of matchup and target floor, but Engram should be decent, too. Smith and Henry and Fant and Dissly are all risky because they split their respective teams’ snaps. Fant and Smith have a little more upside in PPR formats while Henry and Dissly have a little more TD potential.

You could also go to the well with Everett (@ Cardinals), if active, Dawson Knox (@ Lions), Tyler Higbee (@ Chiefs), and Hayden Hurst (@ Titans) this week. All are owned in more than 50 percent of Yahoo leagues, but they’ve also been very inconsistent this season. If you have one hanging around your bench, this could be the week to get them in your lineup, as each faces a defense that entered Week 11 in the top 10 in fantasy points per game allowed to TEs.

Overall, there are enough decent TEs to go around this week. Some of the “bad matchup” guys will inevitably come through, while a few of the above sleepers will hit. Still, it’s tough to project which ones will pay off, making this an unusually tough week considering there’s a full slate of games. Stream if you have to and hope for a TD.

We’ll be updating these standard TE rankings as needed throughout the week, so check back for the latest changes and analysis.

Week 12 fantasy TE rankings for standard leagues

Rankings based on standard, non-PPR scoring

Rank    Player 1    Travis Kelce, Chiefs vs. Rams 2    Mark Andrews, Ravens @ Jaguars 3    T.J. Hockenson, Vikings vs. Patriots 4    David Njoku, Browns vs. Buccaneers 5    Foster Moreau, Raiders @ Seahawks 6    Gerald Everett, Chargers @ Cardinals 7    Pat Freiermuth, Steelers @ Colts 8    Dawson Knox, Bills @ Lions 9    George Kittle, 49ers vs. Saints 10    Tyler Higbee, Rams @ Chiefs 11    Hayden Hurst, Bengals @ Titans 12    Dalton Schultz, Cowboys vs. Giants 13    Greg Dulcich, Broncos @ Panthers 14    Evan Engram, Jaguars vs. Ravens 15    Noah Fant, Seahawks vs. Raiders 16    Hunter Henry, Patriots @ Vikings 17    Cole Kmet, Bears @ Jets 18    Will Dissly, Seahawks vs. Raiders 19    Juwan Johnson, Saints @ 49ers 20    Jonnu Smith, Patriots @ Vikings 21    Taysom Hill, Saints @ 49ers 22    Austin Hooper, Titans vs. Bengals 23    Logan Thomas, Commanders vs. Falcons 24    Robert Tonyan, Packers @ Eagles 25    Mike Gesicki, Dolphins vs. Texans 26    Cade Otton, Buccaneers @ Browns 27    Trey McBride, Cardinals vs. Chargers 28    Tyler Conklin, Jets vs. Bears 29    Kylen Granson, Colts vs. Steelers 30    Jack Stoll, Eagles vs. Packers

Week 12 TE fantasy projections, rankings from Draft Sharks

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