While the potential absence of Jason Witten could take away one of the premier tight end options, there are plenty of other players for fantasy owners to choose from in Week 1. Let’s take a look at how the rankings currently fall:
- Jimmy Graham – New Orleans Saints – vs. Washington
- Rob Gronkowski – New England Patriots – at Tennessee
- Aaron Hernandez – New England Patriots – at Tennessee
- Vernon Davis – San Francisco 49ers – at Green Bay
- Antonio Gates – San Diego Chargers – at Oakland
- Tony Gonzalez – Atlanta Falcons – at Kansas City
- Jermichael Finley – Green Bay Packers – vs. San Francisco
- Fred Davis – Washington Redskins – at New Orleans
- Jacob Tamme – Denver Broncos – vs. Pittsburgh
- Greg Olsen – Carolina Panthers – at Tampa Bay
- Dustin Keller – New York Jets – vs. Buffalo
- Kyle Rudolph – Minnesota Vikings – vs. Jacksonville
- Colby Fleener – Indianapolis Colts – at Chicago
- Brandon Pettigrew – Detroit Lions – vs. St. Louis
- Jared Cook – Tennessee Titans – vs. New England
- Brent Celek – Philadelphia Eagles – at Cleveland
- Owen Daniels – Houston Texans – vs. Miami
- Jermaine Gresham – Cincinnati Bengals – at Baltimore
- Martellius Bennett – New York Giants – vs. Dallas
- Ed Dickson – Baltimore Ravens – vs. Cincinnati
Thoughts:
- According to nfl.com the Washington Redskins allowed the third most points to tight ends in 2011. You couple that with all of the options that the Patriots have (as well as the rumors that Aaron Hernandez could have passed Rob Gronkowski on “Tom Brady’s favorite target list”) lead to Jimmy Graham taking the top spot. Time will tell how things play out in New England, but it is easy to call both Hernandez & Gronkowski top options as both should get ample opportunities.
- For now Jason Witten is being omitted from these rankings due to the fear that he won’t suit up on Wednesday. Obviously, if he plays he is among the top options in the league. We’ll have to monitor the news and see how things play out before making any decisions.
- I think Brandon Pettigrew will be a Top 10 tight end this season, but if the Rams defense is anything like it was a year ago he could get his season off to a slow start. According to nfl.com the Rams defense allowed the fewest fantasy points per game to tight ends at 3.77 in 2011. Do I think he’s usable? Absolutely, but based on that number it’s hard to consider him more than a low-end option.
- Colby Fleener has the potential to get off to a good start, especially given his rapport with Andrew Luck already. With this being Luck’s first NFL start and all, I’d expect to go with what he knows.
Make sure to check out all of our Week 1 rankings:
Haven’t drafted yet? Make sure to check out our 2012 preseason fantasy football rankings:
With Hernandez sharing touches with Gronk, is he still a better pick to start than Fred Davis?
I would still go with Hernandez. The Patriots have proven that there are more than enough balls to go around to keep both tight ends flush with receptions.
I wanted to ask this in your recent WR rankings post, but I am in a ten team standard league, with AJ Green, Percy Harvin, Brandon Lloyd, and Maclin as my WRs. Britt is a free agent. Would you drop any of these players for him?
Also, in a 12 team standard league, I have Julio, Hakeem Nicks, DHB, and Sidney Rice. Do you think Austin Collie had the potential to be Luck’s go- to guy and therefore an upgrade over Rice? Thanks!
PS. I know you also see Mike Williams as a sleeper…he is also available in my 12 team league as well…
League 1 – I am not a believer in Lloyd so I would prefer to have Britt over him. At the same time, some people love Lloyd and think he’s going to have a big year in New England (how many balls are there really to go around). Think you could trade him then grab Lloyd?
League 2 – I’m not a big believer in Collie, but I would probably go with Mike Williams over Rice. They are all close, though, so I’d go with your gut if you feel strongly about one of the three.
Who would you start? (2 WR, 1 Flex)
Reggie Bush
Isaac Redman
Nate Washington
Justin Blackmon
Mike Williams (TB)
Kendall Wright
Lance Moore
Titus Young
The league is PPR, but only for Receivers – no PPR points for RBs.
I’m already starting McCoy, McFadden and Gore, but I’m having trouble with my last 3 spots. I mean you could make a case for each WR to be starting.
1. I like Tennesee’s passing game versus New England, but I don’t know if I should go with Washington or Wright.
2. Lance Moore should be seeing a lot more targets now that Meachem is gone
3. Isn’t Titus Young now the #2 WR in Detroit? Stafford can’t throw every pass to Megatron
4. Justin Blackmon is the only WR in Jacksonville worth throwing to, and he is facing a weak Minnesota secondary
5. Mike Williams is going to be the primary posession receiver now that Dallas Clark and V-Jax are the big play targets.
Arggh – why did I draft so many mediocre WRs?!?!
Ha, you definitely have plenty of options there. Here’s how I would rank them this week, though I agree you can make arguments for everyone:
1. Nate Washington
2. Titus Young
3. Justin Blackmon
4. Mike Williams
5. Lance Moore
Why Fleener over Celek? I know Fleeners got the hype but he did nothing this preseason which has me worried.
I just like Fleener’s upside a bit better. In his first NFL and with a tough matchup I would expect Luck to go with what he knows.
In regards to Celek, we all know what he is with Michael Vick at the helm and the upside isn’t quite the same.
What’s your feeling on starting J. Finley out of the gate (given his limited touches in the pre-season) over J. Cook who is to see increased targets without Britt in the picture and probably playing from behind in a game against ?
Good point. I’d like to pick up Turbin but have a short roster so Celek is the only choice. Would you do it as a long term play? The only issues I see is that beast will be back soon.
Todd – I wouldn’t shy away from Finley, who should be one of the better TE all year. Cook has potential, and I agree there are reasons to think that he is a sleeper option, but he is still just a sleeper. Finley has constantly proven to be one of the elite TE in the game and should get opportunities to make plays.
Lambda – What other TE are available on waivers? I don’t think Turbin is a long-term answer, but if there is ample depth on waivers I wouldn’t hesitate cutting Celek for him.
I have
WR Robert Meachem (chargers)
WR Demarious Thomas (Denver)
QB Jay Cutler
on my bench and my TE is Brandon Pattigrew
Brent Celek and Fleener are still up for grab. Should I drop one the three players to pick a better TE. Please help
FYI Brandon Pattigrew is my starting TE
Thanks
I actually like Pettigrew better than the others you are targeting. I would stay the course.
should i drop Brandon pettigrew to pick up colby fleener as a starting TE. I can only have three ppl on bench.
thanks professor.
i need help i got Mr Cruz, Dez Bryant, Meachem and Demaryious Thomas. I can either either start 3 WR, 1 RB or 2 WR, 2 RB.
FOR RB i got Demarco, Ray Rice. Not sure what to do. Thanks for the help.
DeMarco, Rice, Cruz, Demaryious
Murray & Rice are must starts every single week w/o question.
I would then mix and max Cruz, Bryant and Thomas based on matchups (I haven’t done my Week 2 WR rankings yet, but will have them in the next day or two).
even tho bryant had better game should i still start cruz?
I haven’t done the WR rankings yet, but it’s close. I wouldn’t make a decision off of one game, however. Cruz definitely up to snuff in Week 1, but I would expect a big rebound in Week 2.