The 2018 fantasy football season is officially underway! That means it's time for some serious lineup tweaking...and constant second guessing. But fear not, fine fantasy folks, because your Week 1 tight end rankings are here.
For more in-depth, in-season lineup advice, make sure to check out Fantasy Knuckleheads premium content!
Sure Things
1. Rob Gronkowski, NE vs. HOU
You stopped reading after the words "Rob Gronkowski," didn't you? Gronk is playing with maybe the thinnest group of wide receivers he's ever had. Double coverage, triple coverage...it doesn't matter. Gronk's getting plenty of work this week, and will be well on his way to earning those extra incentive bonuses.
2. Zach Ertz, PHI vs. ATL
No Alshon Jeffery, no Mack Hollins AND a banged up Jay Ajayi? If I could roster Ertz twice this week, I'd do it.
3. Travis Kelce, KC @ LAR
We still don't know exactly what this Kansas City offense will look like under Pat Mahomes, but we can project with some certainty that Travis Kelce will still be heavily involved. He draws a tough matchup against the Rams, who kept opposing tight ends in check for much of 2017. Still, I trust Kelce will get a hefty chunk of targets as Mahomes tries to navigate his second real NFL game.
4. Jimmy Graham, GB vs. CHI
Aaron Rodgers' shiny new toy gets to open the season under the lights at Lambeau. Rodgers' has a tendency to unload in prime time. (Think back to Green Bay's 2014 Sunday night game against Chicago when he reeled off an unbelievable 6 touchdowns in the first half.) I fully expect Graham to make his first regular season Lambeau Leap before halftime hits. Khalil Mack be damned!
5. Delanie Walker, TEN @ MIA
Walker didn't end up on the Titans' injury report for Week 1, which is all you can really hope for. So long as he's on the field, Walker should absorb targets by the bunch against a suspect Miami defense.
Big Game Potential
6. Tyler Eifert, CIN @ IND
Start everyone against Indianapolis. Until the Colts prove they can stop a nosebleed, it's pretty much that simple.
7. Greg Olsen, CAR vs. DAL
I'm not convinced Olsen continues to have a large role in the Carolina offense now that Christian McCaffrey, DJ Moore, and Devin Funchess are all in the picture, but he could put up solid numbers against Dallas.
8. Jordan Reed, WAS @ ARI
Quick! Use him while he's still healthy!
9. Kyle Rudolph, MIN vs. SF
I'm fine trotting out all the main pass-catchers for Minnesota in what could end up being a pass happy game.
10. Vance McDonald, PIT vs. CLE
Cleveland's been historically awful defending tight ends. With the Lev Bell holdout still ongoing, McDonald will be a sneaky good play this week.
Very Fine Options
11. Trey Burton, CHI @ GB
12. George Kittle, SF @ MIN
13. Evan Engram, NYG vs. JAC
14. Jack Doyle, IND vs. CIN
15. Jared Cook, OAK vs. LAR
Question Marks
16. Austin Seferian-Jenkins, JAC @ NYG
You'll have to monitor Jenkins' injury status leading up to the game. But if he suits up, he's a must-start against a Giants' defense that's been very susceptible to tight ends.
17. Nick Vannett, SEA @ DEN
18. David Njoku, CLE @ PIT
19. Ricky Seals-Jones, ARI vs. WAS
20. O.J. Howard, TB @ NO
Dart Throws
21. Charles Clay, BUF @ BAL
22. Benjamin Watson, NO vs. TB
23. Eric Ebron, NYG vs. JAC
24. Luke Willson, DET vs. NYJ
25. Antonio Gates, LAC vs. KC
Check out all of our weekly rankings here!
And for more lineup advice, talk to me on Twitter @JakeTrowbridge.
