Fantasy football rankings: Tight ends in Week 1

Week 1 is here!

I will be posting standard league tight end rankings every Wednesday, so be sure to circle back each time.

My “philosophy” is to never downgrade Rob Gronkowski if I can help it. I have done so in the past and been burned by a low-yardage, multiple-score game. I have learned my lesson.

I also believe Travis Kelce is the top of the next tier, and not in a tier with Gronk. Therefore, when he has a tough matchup I will treat him like everyone else. If the Chiefs prove me wrong and decide they want to force-feed targets his way, I will adjust accordingly. But I do not expect that to happen, and for this week I expect Kelce to draw the vast majority of New England’s attention. Good luck with that, Kelce.

Kyle Rudolph and Zach Ertz have fantastic matchups. I expect them to “eat.” Meaning, I would take either of them over Kelce. Come at me.

I like Austin Hooper’s chances quite a bit. At a certain point with tight ends, you are just fishing for a touchdown. Hooper has as good a chance as any to be productive in that regard.

Jermaine Gresham is a cheap guy you could use if you need a low-end TE2 option. Or a value play on DraftKings, even. I have not checked his salary there, but I am sure it is close to the minimum (if not the minimum). The Lions have been dreadful against tight ends in recent memory and the Cardinals are not swimming in passing game options. Gresham should do enough to warrant a look this week.

As always, feel free to haggle with me in the comments. I welcome your conversations.