Fantasy Football Week 1 TE Rankings: Gronk is Worth the Price
By Nick Ferris in NFL Football
Published:
- With Gronk and Kelce firmly atop the TE ranks will anyone emerge to challenge Ertz for the third spot?
- Which mid-level tight ends offer favorable Week 1 match ups?
- How much of an impact will oft-injured Tyler Eifert and Jordan Reed make Week 1?
After a long and extremely eventful offseason, football is back!
The tight end position in fantasy football has been dominated in recent years by Rob Gronkowski and Travis Kelce. But if you want to roll with the elite, you will pay handsomely for it.
The good news is there are plenty of mid-level vets who consistently produce for a reduced premium, and a handful of youngsters just popping with potential that are even cheaper.
So do you pay for the edge Gronk and Kelce can provide or opt for a value option? Spoiler alert: I’m taking the edge with Gronk in Week 1.
2018 Week 1 TE Rankings 1-10
| Rank | Player (Team) | Opponent | 2017 Point Total | 2017 Positional Finish | 2018 ECR | DFS Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rob Gronkowski (NE) | HOU | 227.3 | TE 2 | TE 1 | $6,900 |
| 2 | Travis Kelce (KC) | @LAC | 233.5 | TE 1 | TE 2 | $6,400 |
| 3 | Zach Ertz (PHI) | ATL | 202.4 | TE 3 | TE 3 | $6,600 |
| 4 | Delanie Walker(TEN) | @MIA | 174.5 | TE 4 | TE 6 | $4,900 |
| 5 | Kyle Ruldolph (MIN) | SF | 158.2 | TE 8 | TE 8 | $4,500 |
| 6 | Greg Olsen (CAR) | DAL | 42.1 | TE 49 | TE 4 | $5,400 |
| 7 | Jordan Reed (WAS) | @ARI | 60.1 | TE 36 | TE 10 | $4,000 |
| 8 | Tyler Eifert (CIN) | @INDY | 8.6 | TE 87 | TE 16 | $3,400 |
| 9 | Trey Burton (CHI) | @GB | 79.8 | TE 26 | TE 9 | $4,300 |
| 10 | Jack Doyle (IND) | CIN | 169 | TE 7 | TE 11 | $3,600 |
Gronk is All Brady has Left
Like I said earlier, give me the Gronk advantage.
Week 1 sends Patriots QB Tom Brady into action with a little less weaponry than normal. With Brandin Cooks gone for greener pastures, and Julian Edelman sitting out the first four weeks, the passing offense will run through the Pats big TE.
Delanie Walker will Dominate Targets in Tennessee
If value is what you seek, look no further then Delanie Walker in Week 1. The Titans pass-catching pecking order after Walker still needs to be sorted out.
While they are dueling for targets, Walker will continue to lead the team in receiving as he has done three out of the last for years. Walker will start 2018 hot against a Dolphins defense that surrendered 94 receptions, 1,034 yards, and 10 TDs to the TE position in 2017.
2018 Week 1 TE Rankings 11-20
| Rank | Player (Team) | Opponent | 2017 Point Total | 2017 Positional Finish | 2018 ECR | DFS Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | Evan Engram (NYG) | JAX | 173.6 | TE 5 | TE 7 | $4,700 |
| 12 | Jimmy Graham (GB) | CHI | 171 | TE 6 | TE 5 | $4,800 |
| 13 | David Njoku (CLE) | PIT | 94.7 | TE 24 | TE 12 | $3,400 |
| 14 | Cameron Brate (TB) | @NO | 143.1 | TE 10 | TE 22 | $3,000 |
| 15 | Ben Watson (NO) | TB | 137.2 | TE 11 | TE 21 | $3,100 |
| 16 | OJ Howard (TB) | @NO | 101.2 | TE 21 | TE 15 | $3,100 |
| 17 | Charles Clay (BUF) | @BALT | 116.8 | TE 18 | TE 14 | $3,500 |
| 18 | Jared Cook (OAK) | LAR | 132.7 | TE 12 | TE 17 | $3,700 |
| 19 | Austin Hooper (ATL) | @PHI | 119.6 | TE 17 | TE 23 | $2,900 |
| 20 | Eric Ebron (IND) | CIN | 132.4 | TE 13 | TE 18 | $3,300 |
Brate Offers Great Value in Week 1
Coming in at TE22, Bucs TE Cameron Brate may be the best value on the board.
Take advantage of his discounted price this week, as it won’t be around for long. In case you forgot, Brate can play football.
See either his career stat line or the fact the Bucs just gave him a fat new six-year deal this offseason as proof. Brate has put up over 1,200 yards and scored 14 times over the last two years. If you’re looking for a cheap option Week 1, he is a gimme.
Ben Watson Back with Drew Brees
Way back in 2015, Ben Watson posted a 74-825-6 stat line while playing with Drew Brees in New Orleans.
Sure, it was three years ago, and Watson is now a ripe 37 years old, but we are talking about a guy who managed to put together a TE11 finish in 2017, on an abysmal Ravens offense.
Week 1 typically offers a few bargains and Watson is one of them.
Looking for more Fantasy Football Week 1 positional rankings?
Nick Ferris is a seasoned fantasy football vet of over 20 years. He's an expert in everything from best ball to daily fantasy sports. Although arm chair quarterback is as close he ever got to the field - or are we counting 7v7 touch? - he has been fortunate enough to coach some youth football.
