DFS: Week 2 Tight End Value Rankings
Week 1 of the 2015 NFL season will now be known henceforth as "The Week of the Tight End."
Four tight ends recorded multi-touchdown games in Week 1, rewarding daily fantasy players who had the chutzpah to roster more than one in TE lineups with FLEX positions.
Will the position bear similar fruit in Week 2? Time will tell; in the meantime, here are the tight end value rankings for this coming week (Thursday night game excluded):
Value Rankings
QB | RB | WR | TE
Top 3
| # | NAME | OPPONENT | RISK |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jason Witten (DAL) | at PHI | Low |
| 2 | Tyler Eifert (CIN) | vs. SD | Low |
| 3 | Heath Miller (PIT) | vs. SF | Low |
Witten is the best tight end option of the week, poised to be a target monster for QB Tony Romo in a shootout with the host Eagles. His floor and ceiling are both massive, so don't be afraid to spend up for him. Eifert is a close second by virtue of his matchup boasting a lower total. Miller should see plenty of action at home against a 49ers team that struggled to defend TEs in 2014.
Next 3
| # | NAME | OPPONENT | RISK |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | Ladarius Green (SD) | at CIN | Low |
| 5 | Martellus Bennett (CHI) | vs. ARI | Low |
| 6 | Jordan Reed (WAS) | vs. STL | Low |
Green finally showed a glimpse of the potential foisted upon him last season, reaching the end zone in a win over Detroit. Expect a similar result this week in Cincinnati. Bennett is a high-floor pick at home to the Cardinals, while Reed checks in sixth as Kirk Cousins' safety valve; the Redskins will have to throw to someone, and with DeSean Jackson on the mend, Reed could be a steal.
Best of the Rest
| # | NAME | OPPONENT | RISK |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | Austin Seferian-Jenkins (TB) | at NO | Medium |
| 8 | Jordan Cameron (MIA) | at JAC | Medium |
| 9 | Zach Ertz (PHI) | vs. DAL | Medium |
| 10 | Rob Gronkowski (NE) | at BUF | Medium |
| 11 | Jimmy Graham (SEA) | at GB | Medium |
| 12 | Delanie Walker (TEN) | at CLE | Medium |
| 13 | Greg Olsen (CAR) | vs. HOU | Medium |
| 14 | Kyle Rudolph (MIN) | vs. DET | Medium |
| 15 | Charles Clay (BUF) | vs. NE | Medium |
Seferian-Jenkins takes a hit if Mike Evans returns to the lineup for Week 2, but don't sleep on ASJ - he's clearly a favorite of rookie QB Jameis Winston, and should see plenty of targets regardless of Evans' status. Gronk and Graham are the top-two options based on salary, but neither has a particularly great matchup and both should be avoided in favor of cheaper options.
Nothing to See Here
| # | NAME | OPPONENT | RISK |
|---|---|---|---|
| 16 | Dwayne Allen (IND) | vs. NYJ | High |
| 17 | Coby Fleener (IND) | vs. NYJ | High |
| 18 | Larry Donnell (NYG) | vs. ATL | High |
| 19 | Eric Ebron (DET) | at MIN | High |
| 20 | Vernon Davis (SF) | at PIT | High |
| 21 | Jared Cook (STL) | at WAS | High |
| 22 | Darren Fells (ARI) | at CHI | High |
| 23 | Gary Barnidge (CLE) | vs. TEN | High |
| 24 | Benjamin Watson (NO) | vs. TB | High |
Donnell is the best of the bunch here, primed for a bounce-back against an underwhelming Falcons defense. But keep your expectations in check, as he could completely disappear just as easily. Allen and Fleener continue to stunt each other's value, while the rest of the tight ends on the list should only be considered as deep, cost-saving tournament options.