Everyone knew it was coming, but I was happy to anoint Owen Daniels to the fantasy tight end elite in this very space last week and he made me look wise. Well, a day late and a dollar short, let's welcome Vernon Davis into the upper echelon. You should feel good using either Daniels or Davis this weekend as they will continue to prove they deserve the praise bestowed upon them.Also, there's something about Antonio Gates loving to face the Raiders. These occasions tend to bring out the best of times in Gates, who has scored seven touchdowns in his last ten games versus the Raiders. That's usually a good measure that Gates will be looking for the end zone this Sunday. And he very well could find it multiple times. Thus, he must lead the way in our ranks this week.
As for the rest of the ranks...
1. Antonio Gates, SD vs. OAK
2. Dallas Clark, IND vs. SF
3. Owen Daniels, HOU at BUF
4. Jeremy Shockey, NO vs. ATL
5. Tony Gonzalez, ATL at NO
6. Brent Celek, PHI vs. NYG
7. Vernon Davis, SF at IND
8. Jason Witten, DAL vs. SEA
9. Zach Miller, OAK at SD
10. Visanthe Shiancoe, MIN at GB
11. Greg Olsen, CHI vs. CLE
12. Todd Heap, BAL vs. DEN
13. Tony Scheffler, DEN at BAL
14. John Carlson, SEA at DAL
15. Marcedes Lewis, JAC at TEN
16. Donald Lee, GB vs. MIN
17. Randy McMichael, STL at DET
18. Brandon Pettigrew, DET vs. STL
19. Dustin Keller, NYJ vs. MIA
20. Kevin Boss, NYG at PHI
21. Bo Scaife, TEN vs. JAC
22. Jeff King, CAR at ARI
23. Anthony Fasano, MIA at NYJ
24. Alge Crumpler, TEN vs. JAC
25. Martellus Bennett, DAL vs. SEA
• Jeremy Shockey and Tony Gonzalez get to square off in a matchup that should rain fantasy points. Don't be at all shocked to see these guys soaked in points.
• Donald Lee becomes a viable, albeit sneaky option this weekend filling in for an almost certain scratch of Jermichael Finley. Aaron Rodgers has trusted and utilized his tight ends all season, but don't be concerned about the matchup.
• Will Jason Witten ever get it going this year? It's hard to imagine he and Romo won't click sooner or later. And who'd be surprised if it happened against the struggling Seahawks? With Miles Austin finally providing on outside threat for the Cowboys, look for the pressure on Witten to lessen a bit.
• Zach Miller makes a cameo back in the top ten, simply for the fact that he's facing the Chargers. A fact I mention every single week is that opposing fantasy tight ends tend to torch the Chargers. Just saying.
• However, do you know what team is just about as bad against tight ends? Yup, the Detroit Lions and thus, Randy McMichael is the deep-sleeper reach of the weekend.
