Fantasy Football Week 6 Rankings: TE

By now you've heard, the Green Bay Packers were dealt a serious blow when they learned they could be without emerging tight end star Jermichael Finley for the remainder of the regular season. Of course, the significance of that news resonates just as painful amongst the fantasy community. And none more so than for those owners who gave up a fifth- or sixth-round pick for the rising star in hopes that they were landing the next Antonio Gates. Sadly enough, there doesn't appear to be a viable replacement on the Packers roster worth grabbing.

And perhaps, even if Finley had stayed healthy all season he wouldn't have reached that "next" level that Gates has been riding all season long. Yup, five weeks in the books and just another friendly reminder that nobody, repeat nobody, is even close to Antonio Gates at the tight end position. There may not even be a better receiving option in all of fantasy football. Is he your early-season fantasy MVP? It's shaping up that way, so don't be surprised that once again he leads the rankings heading into Week 6.

Week 6 Rankings: QB | RB | WR | TE | D/ST | K | Sleepers | Popular Adds/Drops

1. Antonio Gates, SD (at STL)
2. Dallas Clark, IND (vs. WAS)
3. Vernon Davis, SF (vs. OAK)
4. Zach Miller, OAK (at SF)
5. Dustin Keller, NYJ (at DEN)
6. Brent Celek, PHI (vs. ATL)
7. Chris Cooley, WAS (at IND)
8. Jason Witten, DAL (at MIN)
9. Visanthe Shiancoe, MIN (vs. DAL)
10. Tony Moeaki, KC (at IND)
11. Marcedes Lewis, JAC (vs. TEN)
12. Aaron Hernandez, NE (vs. BAL)
13. Greg Olsen, CHI (vs. SEA)
14. Kellen Winslow, TB (vs. NO)
15. Kevin Boss, NYG (vs. DET)
16. Tony Gonzalez, ATL (at PHI)
17. Brandon Pettigrew, DET (at NYG)
18. Jeremy Shockey, NO (at TB)
19. John Carlson, SEA (at CHI)
20. Heath Miller, PIT (vs. CLE)
21. Owen Daniels, HOU (vs. KC)
22. Benjamin Watson, CLE (at PIT)
23. Todd Heap, BAL (at NE)
24. Bo Scaife, TEN (at JAC)
25. Tony Scheffler, DET (at NYG)

• On cue, Brent Celek and Kevin Kolb connected for a TD in San Francisco (I believe I predicted that one). Anyhow, it's clear he clicks well with Kolb. And back-to-back weeks of scoring is a plus. However, he really hasn't been able to rack up a ton of yardage. I expect that to change this week and he could be in store for a big day. Just another hunch.

• Aaron Hernandez expects to be a big part of the Patriots offense this weekend. A lot of talk is about Brandon Tate and/or Deion Branch getting all the love from the Randy Moss departure. Sorry, waiver wire lurkers, Hernandez is the guy who will benefit the most.

• Marcedes Lewis is the hype machine this week when it comes to waiver wire tight ends, but let's not get carried away since it was the Bills after all. The Titans did open up the middle of the field for Jason Witten last weekend, so the hope here is that Lewis can continue his hot streak.

• If Tony Gonzalez is ever going to "break out" or get going this year, this should be the weekend. I've got him ranked down a few pegs because he hasn't shown that he can be trusted each week. However, the Eagles love to give up points to opposing tight ends.

• Is Owen Daniels finally healthy? I'd say he's getting close and one of these weeks he's bound to snap the slump. Just keep in mind that the Chiefs did a good job of limiting Dallas Clark last weekend, so it might not be this week that Daniels gets rolling.

• If you're looking for the deep sleeper or need a bye week fill-in, grab Bo Scaife on Monday night against the Jags or go with Kevin Boss against the Lions.