by Eric Stashin (aka The Rotoprofessor)
We all know that tight ends can be a little hit or miss, but Week 1 gave us a little clarity as to who could be the top options this season. Is it going to change on a weekly basis? Absolutely but after seeing the performances from guys like Zach Ertz and Dennis Pitta, they are going to be a lot more dependable options than we’re accustomed to:
- Jimmy Graham – New Orleans Saints – at Cleveland
- Julius Thomas – Denver Broncos – vs. Kansas City
- Rob Gronkowski – New England Patriots – at Minnesota
- Zach Ertz – Philadelphia Eagles – at Indianapolis
- Dennis Pitta – Baltimore Ravens – vs. Pittsburgh
- Greg Olsen – Carolina Panthers – vs. Detroit
- Jordan Cameron – Cleveland Browns – vs. New Orleans
- Jason Witten – Dallas Cowboys – at Tennessee
- Vernon Davis – San Francisco 49ers – vs. Chicago
- Martellus Bennett – Chicago Bears – at San Francisco
- Kyle Rudolph – Minnesota Vikings – vs. New England
- Delanie Walker – Tennessee Titans – vs. Dallas
- Heath Miller – Pittsburgh Steelers – at Baltimore
- Charles Clay – Miami Dolphins – at Buffalo
- Dwayne Allen – Indianapolis Colts – vs. Philadelphia
- Antonio Gates – San Diego Chargers – vs. Seattle
- Levine Toilolo – Atlanta Falcons – at Cincinnati
- Larry Donnell – New York Giants – vs. Arizona
- Travis Kelce – Kansas City Chiefs – at Denver
- Mychal Rivera – Oakland Raiders – vs. Houston
Thoughts:
- The Indianapolis Colts got torched by Julius Thomas in Week 1, seeing him score 3 TD. That could mean big things for Zach Ertz, who had a big game himself (3 receptions, 77 yards, 1 TD) and is viewed as one of the biggest breakout tight ends in the league. After seeing the Broncos exploit the Colts, look for the Eagles to try and do the same with Ertz (especially in the red zone).
- Expectations are that Jordan Cameron is going to play a major role in the Browns’ offense, but he suffered a shoulder injury in Week 1 and we don’t yet know his status. Even if he plays, how limited could he be? He’s obviously going to be a viable option, but we have to keep him suppressed a bit.
- The Ravens aren’t going to throw the ball 62 times again, but Dennis Pitta was targeted 15 times in Week 1. Turning those opportunities into 10 catches for 82 yards, it’s easy to imagine another big day.
- Levine Toilolo was significantly hyped in the preseason and he delivered in Week 1, finding the end zone (though only 3 catches for 19 yards). Still, he was targeted 6 times and it’s obvious that he’s going to play a role in the team’s offense this season.
- Travis Kelce is going to play more than he did in Week 1 and, against the Broncos, the Chiefs are going to have to throw the football to try and keep up. While others could be discouraged, don’t shy away from him if you are in need of a tight end.
Make sure to check out all of our Week 2 rankings:
Jordan Reed is my only TE, I’ve been attempting trades for another TE but no bites. Free agent market looks slim with H Miller, L Toilolo, L Donnell, and M Rivera are available. I guess my 2 biggest issues are I am not sure who to drop from my roster and who to pick up. I am stashing Josh Gordon and B Sankey, and I have the forsett/pierce duo which I would like to wait and see how the rotation goes. Who would you drop? I need a TE this week and possibly longer.
Thanks in advance!!
To Rotopeofessoe…. PPR league… I have Pitta on my bench. Should I use him or Wheaton as my flex? Thank you in advance for you advice!
Mike – Miller is def. the guy I’d grab. As for who to drop? Ugh. Probably one of te Forsett/Pierce combo, though that’s a risk. Gordon appears likely to play now and I still like Sankey’s upside more than the Baltimore guys (though his touches are a complete mystery). If you want to secure yourself w/Baltimore, Sankey is a fine drop
Gary – Pitta for me
Thank you. And my apologizes for the misspelling.. Typing on the phone keyboard without my glasses!
PPR league…start witten or bennett?
Witten for me
I have both Pitta and Ertz as my tight ends. Should I start Pitta tonight vs Pittsburgh or Ertz on Sunday vs Indy??? Thanks
Flip a coin. I’d lean Ertz, but both are Top 5 options and good plays this week.
flex option Eric Decker or Dennis Pitta?
not to mention a PPR league!
That one is really, really close. I think it’s a coinflip, but my gut is saying Pitta. Really could go either way, though.
Thanks
professor
I’m debating something that I’d like your feedback on.
I’m in a .5PPR league and I’m pretty well set at TE. I have J.Thomas and C.Clay, but someone just recently dropped L.Green. I think it’s also prudent to mention that I think I’m pretty deep at WR despite lacking unquestionable top-end talent. I’ve got A.Brown, M.Crabtree, E.Decker, G.Tate, A.Hawkins, and J.Matthews. Lastly, I’m unfortunately really thin at RB. I’ve got E.Lacy, T.Gerhart, B.Peirce, and B.Sankey. Not ideal depth whatsoever. Anyways, what I’m debating is… dropping J.Matthews for L.Green. What do you think? Do you think it’s smarter to hold onto J.Matthews instead? Also, there’s these RBs still on the waiver wire to consider for additional depth too… J.Stewart, L.Taliaferro, L.Murray, R.Helu, J.Dwyer, L.Dunbar, T.Mason, D.Robinson, D.Herron, K.Davis, A.Smith, and S.Taylor among other stash and/or deep depth options.
Is it a keeper league? If you don’t need Green, it’s pointless to grab him just to leave him on your bench. Your better off going after a RB like Murray and hope you hit a lottery tickey.
Not a keeper league.
The thought was to grab L.Green before he has his breakout performance cause I’m still thinking it’ll come this year. When that breakout does come and he’s on my team it’ll make either him or C.Clay nice trade bait for improving my team elsewhere.
And, I’ll add that I would keep A. Brown, Tate, Hawkins and Matthews as WR’s and see if I could package Crabtree or Decker along with the prospect Sankey to see if I couldn’t get a better RB. Neither Pierce nor Gerhart are sure things and Lacy has issues this year it appears thus far (he ran scared week one before the injury). Also, is James Starks available on the wire to handcuff Lacy? And like the professor, I understand the desire for a TE prospect like Green but you only have so much room on your bench and you DON’T need a TE with J. Thomas on your roster.
Unfortuately, I dropped J.Starks prior to week 1 for B.Sankey who someone else dropped in a panic move, but someone else snatched Starks up shortly after. I also dropped D.Freeman and Doug Baldwin after week 1 for A.Hawkins and Jordan Matthews.
I’ve tried a few trade offers to start the season in hopes of beefing up my RB stable, but nobody’s got strong enough depth at RB to feel comfortable in moving any of their players at this point.
I should also add that I wouldn’t get good value on Crabtree at this point… I’ll need him to post a strong week before being able to move him for something valuable in return.
I wouldn’t worry about Lacy personally, as long as he’s healthy he should be fine. I would pickup Latavius Murray as well, as he’s going to get his opportunity this week and may not look back with a strong performance.
My staring TE is vernon davis, who was injured sunday, and i have garret graham on my BN. Should i stick with graham as a sleeper or hit the waiver wire?
Hit the wire
Clay(mia),Paul(WSH),or Donnell(NYG)?
Clay for me, especially for this week, with Donnell my #2