Week 2 Tight End Value Rankings
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Here are theScore's tight end value rankings for Week 2 (Thursday night game excluded):
Value Rankings
QB | RB | WR | TE
Top Options
| NAME | OPPONENT | VALUE |
|---|---|---|
| Jason Witten (DAL) | at WAS | 8 |
| Julius Thomas (JAX) | at SD | 8 |
Witten was one of the main beneficiaries of a checkdown-proficient Dak Prescott in Week 1. The veteran TE saw 14 balls thrown his way, corralling nine of them for 66 yards. In a matchup against a recently torched Washington defense, Witten would return great value if he could add a touchdown to a stat line similar to Week 1. He could be especially valuable in PPR formats.
Thomas went 5-for-5 for 64 yards and a score to start the season. If the Jags are without Chris Ivory for Week 2, expect them to try and pass into the end-zone more so than usual. Both he and Witten come at economical prices, but Witten possesses the superior matchup.
Mid-Tier Targets
| NAME | OPPONENT | VALUE |
|---|---|---|
| Jordan Reed (WAS) | vs. DAL | 7 |
| Greg Olsen (CAR) | vs. SF | 7 |
| Eric Ebron (DET) | vs. TEN | 7 |
| Travis Kelce (KC) | at HOU | 7 |
| Rob Gronkowski (NE) | vs. MIA | 6 |
| Antonio Gates (SD) | vs. JAX | 6 |
| Kyle Rudolph (MIN) | vs. GB | 6 |
| Dwayne Allen (IND) | at DEN | 6 |
| Delanie Walker (TEN) | at DET | 6 |
The only thing holding back Reed and Olsen are their hefty price tags. Their matchups, however, do give them ceilings of up to 100 yards and a score.
Ebron was a caught all five of his targets and picked up a TD against the Colts in Week 1. He and the Lions draw another favorable matchup with Tennessee coming to town in Week 2. Look for the former first-round pick to see plenty of red-zone targets thanks to his size and the departure of Calvin Johnson.
With the lack of receiving talent in Tennessee, Walker could have a tough time making the most of his opportunities as opposing defenses can easily key in on him. He's still a decent option though better ones are clearly available.
| NAME | OPPONENT | VALUE |
|---|---|---|
| Gary Barnidge (CLE) | vs. BAL | 5 |
| Coby Fleener (NO) | at NYG | 5 |
| Vance McDonald (SF) | at CAR | 5 |
| Jimmy Graham (SEA) | at LA | 5 |
| Jacob Tamme (ATL) | at OAK | 5 |
| Jesse James (PIT) | vs. CIN | 5 |
It was a disappointing opener for Barnidge, who failed to snag either of his two targets. On a more positive note, though, Cleveland is set to start QB Josh McCown going forward as RG3 was placed on IR. In eight games with McCown last season, Barnidge had 595 yards, six scores, and 46 receptions.
Most of Fleener's value stems from the fantastic matchup he draws. The former Colt caught just one of his four targets in Week 1 as he was hardly involved in a Saints offense that put up 34 points. It may best to take a wait-and-see approach as he adjusts to new surroundings.
Tamme actually led all Atlanta receivers in receptions with six and was tied for the most in targets with eight. Involvement like that makes him a decent value play at his cheap price tag. But with just seven touchdowns in the past five seasons, there doesn't seem to be much scoring appeal.
Nothing to See Here
| NAME | OPPONENT | VALUE |
|---|---|---|
| Martellus Bennett (NE) | vs. MIA | 4 |
| Clive Walford (OAK) | vs. ATL | 4 |
| Larry Donnell (NYG) | vs. NO | 4 |
| Will Tye (NYG) | vs. NO | 4 |
| Jared Cook (GB) | at MIN | 4 |
| Cameron Brate (TB) | at ARI | 4 |
| Dennis Pitta (BAL) | at CLE | 4 |
| Virgil Green (DEN) | vs. IND | 4 |
| Austin Seferian-Jenkins (TB) | at ARI | 3 |
| Jordan Cameron (MIA) | at NE | 3 |
| Lance Kendricks (LA) | vs. SEA | 3 |
Bennett was involved in 69-of-71 offensive snaps in Week 1 but caught just three balls for 14 yards. With Jimmy Garoppolo at the helm, conservative and mistake-free football should be expected from the Pats, which doesn't bode well for Bennett fantasy's value.
ASJ finished with a 30 yards and a score in Week 1. Unfortunately, all that production came on his lone target in a contest that saw Jameis Winston attempt 33 passes. Expect ASJ to post little to no productivity against a much tougher Arizona defense.