:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/61208309/usa_today_11148178.0.jpg)
In Week 1, yours truly isn’t spending too much time moving studs down in the rankings. For instance, Trey Burton’s matchup was rough a year ago, but he is a guy that I expect to see a lot of volume. That, and I don’t want to fully base my plays off of last year’s performances.
It can be a guide, though. Until the Giants show me they can stop opposing tight ends, I am interested. Unfortunately, Austin Seferian-Jenkins missed Wednesday’s practice with a core muscle injury (whatever that means). Let’s hope he gets off the shelf for the weekend...
Jaylen Samuels is another name of note—if LeVeon Bell continues to not report for duty (he shouldn’t) then Samuels should see some running game work and a few passing game targets. This makes him a sneaky TE2 option for the time being.
It’s only the first pass—I’ll update on Saturday. For now, hit me up on Twitter @HeathCapps or leave a comment if you think I missed someone.
Week 1 Tight End Rankings
| RANK | PLAYER | OPPONENT | NOTES |
|---|---|---|---|
| RANK | PLAYER | OPPONENT | NOTES |
| 1 | Rob Gronkowski | vs. HOU | Could see a monster amount of targets given the thin depth of the New England receiving group. |
| 2 | Zach Ertz | vs. ATL | Alshon Jeffery won't play, so Ertz and Agholor should benefit. Foles is under center, but volume is king... |
| 3 | Travis Kelce | @ LAC | I don't love it given the tough road matchup. But I'd have a hard time benching him for anyone below. |
| 4 | Trey Burton | @ GB | The Packers were tough against the tight end last year. But I'm starting him if I drafted him, banking on volume. |
| 5 | Kyle Rudolph | vs. SF | I'll say it all year--he's Jimmy Graham with more yardage. |
| 6 | Greg Olsen | vs. DAL | Take advantage of Olsen while he's healthy, especially in this middling matchup against Dallas. |
| 7 | Delanie Walker | @ MIA | The Titans allowed the second-most points to tight ends in 2017. |
| 8 | Jack Doyle | vs. CIN | Vontaze Burfict is out, so that lessens the chance Doyle gets cheap-shotted. Also, Doyle is the #2 option after T.Y. |
| 9 | Austin Seferian-Jenkins | @ NYG | This is the premiere tight end matchup until we see differently. ASJ did not practice Wednesday, though. |
| 10 | Jordan Reed | @ ARI | Apparently he's healthy. If you drafted him, you could do worse than this middle-of-the-road matchup. |
| 11 | Tyler Eifert | @ IND | Apparently he's healthy. Like Reed, he's hard to trust. But this is a plus matchup. |
| 12 | Jimmy Graham | vs. CHI | The Bears only allowed four touchdowns to tight ends in all of 2017. Graham is truly "touchdown or bust." |
| 13 | Evan Engram | vs. JAC | He cleared the concussion protocol, but in his first week back I don't see them peppering him with targets. |
| 14 | Jared Cook | vs. LAR | The buzz has been positive during camp and the Rams were susceptible to the tight end last year. |
| 15 | David Njoku | vs. PIT | The Steelers were stout against the tight end a year ago. I think you're hoping for a TD with Njoku. |
| 16 | Austin Hooper | @ PHI | Call it hunch. The Eagles were a middling defense against the tight end a year ago. Another hot start for Hooper? |
| 17 | Charles Clay | @ BAL | Peterman was actually solid this preseason, and the Bills lack receiving talent. Volume will make him respectable. |
| 18 | Benjamin Watson | vs. TB | He's wed to Drew Brees. Stream away. |
| 19 | Ricky Seals-Jones | vs. WAS | Sam Bradford loves to throw to tight ends, but this matchup might be rough. |
| 20 | Jaylen Samuels | @ CLE | He should get carries and see targets with LeVeon Bell still not reporting for duty. |