Will Rob Gronkowski and Travis Kelce continue to dominate? Will Jason Witten put up even bigger numbers without Dez Bryant around? Will Greg Olsen get back on track?
So many questions to be answered after a wild week 1. As we turn the page over to week 2, we've assembled our early tight end rankings ahead of the action, which resumes Thursday night at Arrowhead as the Broncos and Chiefs square off.
Any asterisk next to a player's name will denote a possible injury concern for that player. Remember: official injury reports are first published on Wednesday, and we'll do our best to keep you up to date as week 2 approaches.
Here are our week 2 TE rankings:
Week 2 TE Rankings 1-5
1. Rob Gronkowski @ BUF
A healthy Gronk is a shoe-in top-3 play every week. The Bills played the Colts well defensively, though Dwayne Allen was able to muster a garbage time score. Expect Gronk, who is familiar with Rex Ryan's schemes, to continue rolling through week 2.
2. Travis Kelce vs. DEN
Kelce did most of his damage before halftime, hauling in two first half touchdowns and surviving a big hit to finish with a huge day as the Chiefs upended the Texans in Houston. He remains a terrific play against Denver on Thursday night in the Chiefs' home opener.
3. Jimmy Graham @ GB
The talk leading up to this game will center around last season's NFC Championship game, which saw Seattle come from behind to beat the Packers and advance to the Super Bowl. However, this year's Seahawks squad followed up their Super Bowl loss to New England with a week 1 defeat at St. Louis. Additionally, Jimmy Graham did not play in that conference title game, and will be looking to taste victory for the first time as a Seahawk, so any chatter about that game will mean nothing to him. Graham put up a solid 6/51/1 line in his Seattle debut, while Green Bay saw Martellus Bennett go for 5/55/1 in their win over the Bears. Graham should have a nice game at Lambeau.
4. Jason Witten @PHI
He just won't go away, and his team will need him more than ever now with Dez Bryant out at least a month with a broken foot. No QB/TE combo has been producing as long as Witten and Tony Romo, and the Dallas tight end's projected volume just took a helpful shot in the arm.
5. Greg Olsen vs. HOU
Olsen had a disappointing start to the 2015 season, registering just 1 catch for 11 yards. He did, however, have a touchdown overturned due to a holding penalty in the first half against the Jaguars. He also lost another touchdown opportunity to Jerricho Cotchery inside the 10 yard line. Olsen will have a quick chance to bounce back against a Texans defense that was eviscerated by the aforementioned Travis Kelce. He will need the likes of Devin Funchess, Ted Ginn Jr. , and Philly Brown -- along with the team's run game -- to perform in order to keep defenses honest.
Week 2 TE Rankings 6-10
6. Martellus Bennett vs. ARI
Marty B. salvaged himself and his owners a day with a late score against the Packers. He should continue to be the team's number 2 passing target behind Alshon Jeffery, and should test the Cardinals' linebackers and secondary in week 2.
7. Austin Seferian-Jenkins @NO
Huge day Sunday, and one of the only positive talking points for Bucs fans with a 5/110/2 line. There is no denying his talent, but his durability has been a concern.
8. Tyler Eifert vs. SD
How does a 9/104/2 line sound? Eifert delivered that Sunday, but will face a stiffer test from the Chargers.
9. Jordan Cameron @ JAX
Cameron, along with Seferian-Jenkins and Eifert, falls into the "injury risk" category, but if he can stay healthy, the former basketball player could wind up being one of the steals of 2015 drafts. The Jags did keep Greg Olsen quiet, but Cameron is surrounded by much better receivers in Miami.
10. Jordan Reed vs. STL
Another injury prone, but effective option is Reed, who went for 7/62/1 in week 1 against the Dolphins. The Rams' defense is quite plucky, but Reed should see plenty of targets.
Week 2 TE Rankings 11-32
11. Heath Miller vs. SF
12. Zach Ertz vs. DAL
13. Kyle Rudolph vs. DET
14. Ladarius Green @ CIN
15. Eric Ebron @ MIN
16. Delanie Walker* @ CLE
17. Dwayne Allen vs. NYJ
18. Owen Daniels @ KC
19. Larry Donnell vs. ATL
20. Richard Rodgers vs. SEA
21. Vernon Davis @ PIT
22. Charles Clay vs. NE
23. Brent Celek vs. DAL
24. Coby Fleener vs. NYJ
25. Josh Hill vs. TB
26. Mychal Rivera vs. BAL
27. Crockett Gillmore @ OAK
28. Lance Kendricks @ WAS
29. Jacob Tamme @ NYG
30. Gavin Escobar @ PHI
31. Scott Chandler @ BUF
32. Clay Harbor vs. MIA
Week 2 TE Sleepers
Josh Hill - The Saints may want to get him going in their home opener.
Zach Ertz - He ended up playing in week 1, catching 3 balls on 8 targets for 46 yards. Some may undervalue him coming off an injury, and has a chance to shine in home opener vs. Dallas.
Gavin Escobar- Speaking of Dallas, this tight end's role should increase with Dez Bryant sidelined. Escobar has the tools, but he's still a bit of a gamble in standard leagues. He should be one of Tony Romo's prime red zone targets.
Scott Chandler- Deep, deep sleeper here. Will Bill Belichick throw him a bone against his former team?
Week 2 TE Final Thoughts
As always, be sure to keep an eye on the weekly injury report. As of now, there are no major injury concerns for any of the listed players. Good luck!
So you don’t have Rudolph in the top 32? Kind of makes me wonder how much actual though went into this list.
I appreciate you catching that Chris; I purposely had he and Vernon Davis held back late Monday night and forgot to transpose Rudolph from last week’s rankings. #Humanerror Updated. Thanks again.