2. Tony Gonzalez (KC) – He has been on fire the last three weeks. In spite of facing a Raiders defense that typically gives TE’s a rough way to go, Gonzalez should continue to shine. He is a solid option this week and every week.
3. Dallas Clark (IND) – He matches up against a stingy Jags defense this week, but few TE’s have been hotter than Clark. He should have another quality start. Great red zone performer.
4. Jeremy Shockey (NYG) – Shockey continues to perform below expectations, but should still be considered a top TE. He has a great match up at home against San Francisco and he is well over due for a monster game.
5. Chris Cooley (WAS) – He struggled in week 1, but few TE’s have been better since. Cooley has found pay dirt in all but one game thus far, and has a great chance to do the same in week 7 against an Arizona defense that has allowed an average of 2 passing TD’s in each of its last 3 games.
6. Owen Daniels (HOU) – Daniels has not been a top target in the red zone (0 TD’s), but he has been a rock solid performer in terms of receptions and yardage. He faces a Tennessee defense that is much improved, but Daniels did hit them up for two scores last season, and he should be targeted often in this one.
7. Todd Heap (BAL) – A hamstring injury has held him out of the line up for the last few weeks, and he is likely to be questionable again this week. If Heap plays, he should return to stud status against one of the worst pass defenses in the NFL (Buffalo). (Update: out for week 7: thigh, Do not start)
8. Heath Miller (PIT) – He is still not considered amongst the league’s elite TE’s, but he is definitely making progress in that direction. Miller will face a tough Denver pass defense this week, but with injuries plaguing the Steelers WR corps, Miller should get plenty of attention this week.
9. Ben Watson (NE) – He was a disappointment last week, but only because he had to leave the game early with an ankle injury. If he is good to go in week 7, Watson is looking at a great match up against a Dolphins defense that he has 3 TD’s against in 4 career games. (Check injury report: ankle)
10. Eric Johnson (NO) – There is no question he runs hot and cold, but he is a very capable TE, and he is coming off of a TD last week. Johnson should have one of his better weeks against a Falcons pass defense that has been torched by TE’s all season, and ranks a low end 20th. He has stud caliber potential in week 7 in the improving Saints passing game.
11. Greg Olsen (CHI) – Olsen has been one of the better TE options out there in the last couple of weeks, and is quickly turning into a top target for QB Brian Griese. Unfortunately, he will be facing an Eagles defense that has shut down some of the better TE’s in the league this season. Olsen is still a decent option, but he is definitely risky this week.
12. Alge Crumpler (ATL) – The disgruntled Crumpler has only managed 2 catches in his last 2 games. He has been a huge disappointment this season, and appears to be getting worse as his appreciation for the new coaching staff declines. Crumpler has a decent history against the Saints, and is always capable of a big game, but things are not looking on the up and up for him or fantasy owners alike at the present time. Risky but capable start.
13. Desmond Clark (CHI) – Clark has remained a pretty steady option in the Bears offense. He is not a top level performer on a consistent basis, but he always delivers with something. Clark should again deliver “something”, but do not expect much against an Eagles defense that is very hard on TE’s.
14. Chris Baker (NYJ) – After scoring 2 TD’s in his first 3 games, Baker has been kept out of the end zone, and done little else since. He has a very favorable match up this week against a Bengals defense that struggles against TE’s, but he is still a shaky starting option at best. (Check injury report: back)
15. Marcus Pollard – He has been a model of inconsistency in the ’07 season. Pollard has a great match up against the Rams who have problems containing TE’s, and he should get several looks this week. He is never a completely safe bet as a starting TE in your league, but his odds look pretty good for a nice game in week 7.
16. Randy McMichael (STL) - He has been one of the bigger disappointments this season as far as TE’s are concerned. McMichael did manage to post one impressive outing in week 5, but has been at best mediocre otherwise. He may snag you a few points but we suggest looking elsewhere if you can.
17. David Martin (MIA) – He is coming off of his best game of the season, scoring not 1, but 2 TD’s last week. It appears that he is finally on the radar in the Miami offense under new QB Cleo Lemon. The bad news is that he has a poor match up against New England this week, so do not expect a whole lot. (Check injury report: ankle)
18. Bo Scaife (TEN) – Scaife has been very unreliable as a fantasy starter to this point. He is capable of a monster game, but has yet to deliver. He has started to pick up his game a bit in the last few weeks, and may be a decent fill in starter against Houston, especially if Kerry Collins gets the start at QB.
19. Vernon Davis (SF) – Davis has loads of potential and a ton of upside. He has been limited this season by injury, and a 49er offense struggling to find its way. He is a very risky start this week, if he even plays, but it could pay off if you are really in a pinch. (Check injury report: knee)
20. Zach Miller (OAK) – He caught his first TD pass last week, and appears to finally be a utilized target in the Raiders passing game. Miller has great upside, but you probably will not see results on a consistent level until next season at the earliest. He makes a decent emergency fill in for week 7, but do not expect a lot.
*Other notable options this week are: Marcedes Lewis (JAC), Alex Smith (TB)-check injury report, L.J. Smith (PHI) –check injury report, Reggie Kelly (CIN) – check injury report, and Robert Royal (BUF).
