In previous Fantasy Football Weekly posts, we took a look at the best ten kickers for fantasy owners in week 1 of the NFL season. In this article, we'll analyze the ten best fantasy tight ends to start in week 1.
1. Rob Gronkowski
When he plays, Gronk will always be the top tight end in every fantasy week. His problem over the past three seasons has always been injuries. But he's fully healthy to start this season, which means he is the top tight end to start if you own him in week 1.
2. Delanie Walker
The Titans star tight end will get to play against the Oakland Raiders in what is projected to be one of the highest scoring matchups of week 1 by Las Vegas.
That makes Walker a great starting option in week 1, especially against a Raiders defense that always seems to struggle against opposing tight ends.
3. Jimmy Graham
Graham wasn't the same player he was with the Saints in 2016, but he did manage to score the fourth highest number of fantasy points among all tight ends. That makes him a solid candidate to start in most weeks, especially against a Green Bay pass defense that is full of holes.
4. Travis Kelce
The top scoring tight end in fantasy last season falls this far purely based upon the matchup. Bill Belichick loves to take away the top threat on the opposing team, and Kelce is that threat. If you do start Kelce in week 1, be aware that he might not put up great numbers at the start of the year.
5. Jordan Reed
When Reed is healthy and he plays, he's a monster. Unfortunately he draws a rather tough matchup against the Eagles in week 1, who he managed to score just one fantasy point against in week 14 last year. Similar to Kelce, don't expect big numbers in week 1.
6. Greg Olsen
The Panthers tight end finished the year at second in scoring among tight ends, and if you have him, you're likely starting him in week 1 against the 49ers.
He's a solid option, and should be a lock to put up at least five fantasy points.
7. Kyle Rudolph
The Vikings tight end is possibly the most overvalued player in fantasy this season after a year in which he finished as the 3rd highest scoring tight end in fantasy. To suggest that Rudolph is anywhere close to the best tight end in fantasy is crazy!
Still, against the Saints in week 1, Rudolph remains a decent option.
8. Charles Clay
Who exactly is Tyrod Taylor supposed to throw the ball to? Without Sammy Watkins, Taylor will be forced to rely on rookie wide receiver Zay Jones and a plethora of other new faces. The one familiar face? Clay, who finished the 2016 season with double digit fantasy performances in three of his last four games. He's one of my solid sleepers for this season.
9. Jack Doyle
Now that Dwayne Allen is gone, Jack Doyle really has a chance to shine in the Colts offense. He'll have a tough matchup in week 1 against the Rams, who allowed the sixth fewest number of points to opposing tight ends last year, but he's certainly capable of scoring a touchdown and putting up decent numbers.
10. Coby Fleener
Last season, I didn't buy the hype on Fleener as an elite tight end. This year, I love the value that you can get on a player who is going to have to get some targets in the high powered Saints offense. Now that Brandin Cooks is on the Patriots, Fleener should get more targets, and that should translate into more fantasy points for owners.
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