Week 13 lineup calls: Tight ends

Lineup calls: QB | RB | WR | TE | K | D/ST

The tight end position remains a maddening proposition as we head to the stretch run.

While there are more options available for the plug-in play opportunities, there are few dominant players to affix to the lineup slot in ink. Ten players at the position have caught four or more touchdown passes this season. Thirty-two have caught multiple touchdown passes.

Who’s going to find gold for you this week?

Top Tight Ends

(Other than Antonio Gates, Vernon Davis)

Kevin Boss vs. Washington

Boss has been the steadying force in the injury-riddled New York receiving corps. He’s scored in three of the past four weeks, averaging three receptions and 48 receiving yards (two efforts over 70 yards). Boss will be active again this week against one of the game’s worst pass defenses.

Greg Olsen at Detroit

Olsen had only one reception in Sunday’s win over Philadelphia, but he fought through the defender and used his size to haul in one of Jay Cutler’s four touchdown passes. Olsen has scored in three of the Bears’ past four games, right in line with the offense’s improved efficiency and the emphasis on short and intermediate routes. Look for Olsen to continue this surge against the Detroit secondary this week (four receptions in Week 1).

Tony Gonzalez at Tampa Bay

Roddy White will be locked up with Aquib Talib, thereby forcing Matt Ryan to turn to his secondary options. Fortunately, he’s got future Hall of Famer Gonzalez at the ready. Gonzalez caught eight passes for 72 yards in the Week 9 victory over Tampa Bay. He’s also caught 22 passes in the past four weeks. So, while a touchdown reception is no given (four on the season), Gonzalez continues to pile up receptions and targets.

Visanthe Shiancoe vs. Buffalo

Shiancoe has been a difficult proposition for fantasy owners this season. He’s caught multiple passes in all but two games this season, but hasn’t been that red zone force that captivated us in 2009. Shiancoe rates a play this week as Brett Favre works to support the banged-up Adrian Peterson and/or rookie Toby Gerhart. Shiancoe caught three passes for 54 yards in Week 12.

While the Buffalo defense doesn’t allow a ton of passing yardage (opponents are too busy running all over them), red zone coverage has been an issue.

Sleepers

Jared Cook vs. Jacksonville

The second-year man from South Carolina was targeted nine times (four receptions for 40 yards) in Rusty Smith’s brief turn as the starter. Kerry Collins will try to work the ball downfield to Randy Moss and Nate Washington, but the 6-foot-5 Cook could find a ton of space to work down the seams.

Tony Moeaki vs. Denver

Moeaki returned to the field and scored in the Week 12 road win against the Seahawks. He caught only one pass for six yards in this game, so he certainly wasn’t dominant. However, you’ve got a great opportunity at home against the weak Denver pass defense.

Flops

Todd Heap vs. Pittsburgh

The Buccaneers did well to erase Anquan Boldin last week, but they didn’t bother to cover Heap on his 65-yard sprint to the end zone. He’s topped 50 or more receiving yards in four of the past five games. Heap caught three passes for 35 yards in the first meeting between these teams. It’s possible that he finds some space, but I’m not anticipating a big effort.

Dustin Keller at New England

Keller started the season as one of the hot pickups and, though he’s been quieted in the red zone, he still amasses catches and yardage. He’s topped 40 receiving yards in three of the past five games. He went insane in the first meeting between these teams, hauling down seven receptions for 115 yards and a touchdown. The Patriots will look to slow Santonio Holmes and Braylon Edwards on the edges, but I don’t expect to see Keller running free as we did in Week 2. He’s a solid, albeit unspectacular, play this week.