The tight end position in fantasy football isn't the flashiest, but a good performance from one can often mean the difference between a win and a loss in fantasy. There are only a few consistent ones in the NFL, but certain players are primed for a breakout year in 2018. Let's take a look at the ten best tight ends for week 1 of the season.

1. TE Rob Gronkowski (New England Patriots)

The top tight end last season, Gronk is a virtual guarantee to finish at the top of the position group in every year for which he is healthy. In week 1, he'll get to play against a Houston team that he had eight catches for 89 yards and a touchdown against last year.

Expect a big performance from the Patriots star this week.

2. TE Jimmy Graham (Green Bay Packers)

Jimmy Graham's yardage total left a lot to be desired last season, but his touchdown numbers (ten) with the Seahawks were impressive. Now Graham will be a red zone target for a Packers offense that just lost Jordy Nelson to the Raiders. Expect Aaron Rodgers to be looking Graham's way in the red zone all season long.

3. TE Travis Kelce (Kansas City Chiefs)

Travis Kelce had a huge season in 2017, finishing the year with the second highest fantasy point total in the league. In a rare occurrence, Kelce actually competed with Rob Gronkowski for the highest total. Last year, however, he scored only eight fantasy points in two games against the Chargers.

He will need to improve on that to live up to his ranking.

4. TE Zach Ertz (Philadelphia Eagles)

Zach Ertz finally emerged as the target that fantasy owners were waiting for him to be in 2017, as he finished the year with eight touchdowns and as the third highest scoring fantasy tight end. Even if Carson Wentz doesn't play in week 1, Ertz is an elite fantasy play against the Falcons.

5. TE Delanie Walker (Tennessee Titans)

The Miami Dolphins still don't have a player on their roster who can cover tight ends effectively, which makes week 1's matchup for Delanie Walker even sweeter. He always seems to end the year as one of the better fantasy tight ends, and his consistency makes him a top-five play this week.

6. TE Greg Olsen (Carolina Panthers)

The Panthers tight end didn't play very many games last season, resulting in one of his worst seasons ever. Greg Olsen will be Cam's top target as long as he is healthy, making him a solid fantasy play for week 1 of the fantasy season.

7. TE Evan Engram (New York Giants)

The New York Giants tight end had a great year as a rookie, finishing 5th among all tight ends in fantasy points. In the Giants offense, the tight end position is used frequently by Eli Manning, making Engram a solid play in week 1.

8. TE Tyler Eifert (Cincinnati Bengals)

Tyler Eifert played just two games, last season, prior to going out for the season. When healthy, Eifert is a touchdown monster and he certainly was back in 2015, when he scored 13 touchdowns in one season.

Just remember that Eifert has that upside, and that he carries it with him into week 1.

9. TE Kyle Rudolph (Minnesota Vikings)

The Minnesota tight end was the second-best fantasy tight end in 2016. In 2017, he was still a top ten tight end, but his production declined. He still had eight touchdowns, but the yardage total declined. With Kirk Cousins at the helm, the Vikings will likely be throwing the ball more, giving Kyle Rudolph more opportunities in the passing game.

10. TE Jordan Reed (Washington Redskins)

When healthy, Jordan Reed is easily a top ten tight end. That makes him a top play in week 1 against the Cardinals, even with the uncertainty of new quarterback Alex Smith.
© ALL RIGHTS RESERVED