The Lineup Show - Top 24 Tight End Rankings For Week 1 | Fantasy Football 2026
STACKED extracted the fantasy-relevant player signal from this podcast and kept the full transcript here for context.
26 min
Duration
Estimated from transcript
Sep 7, 2026
Published
Mon, September 7, 2026
27
Player insights
26
Players mentioned
Topics
Kyle PittsAJ BarnerBijan RobinsonBrenton StrangeBrock BowersCade OttonChigoziem OkonkwoColston LovelandDallas GoedertDalton KincaidDalton SchultzDrake LondonGeorge KittleGreg Dulcich
Player analysis
Player insights
AJ Barner
NegativeValue30:47
Barner is ranked at TE19. While he showed increased target share late last season, he is a desperation play for Week 1, though he has more long-term appeal.
Insight pageBijan Robinson
NegativeUsage24:52
The source expresses concern regarding the Falcons' offense, specifically citing poor quarterback play, despite the presence of high-end talent like Bijan Robinson.
Insight pageBrenton Strange
NegativeUsage21:44
Brenton Strange is viewed as a cheap piece of the Jaguars offense, but the source lacks confidence in his volume. Against Cleveland, the Jaguars may lean on the run, further limiting his upside. He is considered startable only with caution due to a very low floor.
Insight pageBrock Bowers
PositiveProjection2:27
Bowers is ranked as the TE1 for Week 1. He is coming off a record-breaking 2024 rookie season for receptions and was the TE4 in points per game even while injured. With Clint Kubiak calling plays and a favorable matchup against Miami, he has massive upside.
Insight pageCade Otton
PositiveMatchup23:54
Cade Otton is a recommended Week 1 start against Cincinnati due to the game environment and injuries in the Buccaneers' wide receiver room. However, the source warns that this is a one-week play only, as he lacks long-term fantasy value.
Insight pageChigoziem Okonkwo
PositiveSleeper29:18
Okonkwo is a bench stash for Week 1 but is viewed as a potential breakout candidate. Despite the addition of Diggs, he could emerge as a top-10 tight end this season.
Insight pageColston Loveland
PositiveBreakout5:07
Loveland is a smash start for Week 1 against Carolina. He is projected to lead the Bears in targets both in Week 1 and potentially season-long, surpassing teammates like Luther Burden and Rome Odunze.
Insight pageDallas Goedert
PositiveRole10:10
Ranked as the TE7, Goedert is a smash start against Washington. With Makai Lemon and Eli Stowers not yet fully integrated into the offense, Goedert remains the clear WR2 and primary red-zone threat for Jalen Hurts.
Insight pageDalton Kincaid
NegativeUsage28:22
Kincaid is ranked at TE17. The analysts are lower than consensus due to his limited snap share (under 50%) and advise looking elsewhere for consistent volume.
Insight pageDalton Schultz
NegativeValue19:33
The source has no interest in rostering Dalton Schultz in redraft leagues, noting that his TE1 finish last year was largely due to availability. The Week 1 matchup against the Bills is described as brutal for tight ends, making him only a desperation floor play in two-tight-end formats.
Insight pageDrake London
NegativeUsage24:52
The source is wary of the Falcons' offense, including Drake London, due to the team's poor quarterback situation, despite acknowledging his talent.
Insight pageGeorge Kittle
NegativeInjury25:56
Kittle is ranked at TE16 due to uncertainty regarding his health and snap count following an Achilles injury. While he is a viable starter if active, the analysts are skeptical about his performance given the recovery timeline.
Insight pageGreg Dulcich
PositiveSleeper24:08
Dulcich is a sneaky TE15 start against the Raiders. He is expected to command significant targets as the Dolphins' WR2 behind De'Von Achane, facing a defense that was the lowest-graded by PFF last season.
Insight pageHarold Fannin
NegativeUsage12:03
Fannin is a startable option at TE8, but the analysts are cautious. While he had a historic rookie target share, they need to see if he maintains that volume in year two with a new quarterback before ranking him higher.
Insight pageHunter Henry
NegativeUsage20:18
Hunter Henry is described as a boring, low-ceiling player who serves as a safe floor option. Despite the lack of glamour, he finished as the TE9 overall in PPR last year and is a viable start if you are looking for a reliable floor.
Insight pageIsaiah Likely
PositiveRole8:50
Likely is ranked higher than consensus as the TE6. Reports indicate he will operate as Jackson Dart's WR2, and he is a priority target in an explosive game environment against a weak defense.
Insight pageJake Ferguson
NegativeUsage18:31
Ferguson is the TE12 and the cutoff for a 'true' TE1. While he is a safe start in a good game environment, his target share may be limited when both CeeDee Lamb and Brandin Cooks are on the field.
Insight pageJuwan Johnson
PositiveRole21:57
Johnson is a viable start at TE13 against Detroit. With Jordan Tyson on IR, Johnson should serve as the Saints' number two receiver in a high-scoring dome game.
Insight pageKyle Pitts
PositiveMatchup13:39
Pitts is ranked at TE9. Despite a poor quarterback situation in Atlanta, he has significant upside against a Pittsburgh defense that allowed the fourth-most points to tight ends last season.
Insight pageNegativeUsage24:52
The source is wary of the Falcons' offense, including Kyle Pitts, due to the team's poor quarterback situation, despite acknowledging his talent.
Insight pageMark Andrews
NegativeProjection23:25
Andrews is ranked at TE14 and is considered a touchdown-dependent play. He lacks volume, especially in PPR formats, and is a risky start if he fails to find the end zone.
Insight pageSam LaPorta
PositiveProjection6:54
LaPorta is a rock-solid start at TE5 against New Orleans. Despite being perceived as the 'forgotten man' in Detroit's offense, he has a history of TE1 finishes and is expected to benefit from a high-scoring game environment.
Insight pageT.J. Hockenson
NegativeProjection22:53
T.J. Hockenson is a high-risk, high-reward gamble for Week 1. The source questions his health, his role alongside Jordan Addison, and Kyler Murray's ability to support multiple pass-catchers. While he has upside against a questionable Packers defense, the risk may not be worth the reward in standard leagues, though he is a strong play in two-tight-end formats.
Insight pageTravis Kelce
NegativeProjection16:54
Kelce is ranked at TE11. While the matchup against Denver is perceived as tough, he has a history of success against them. He remains a reliable piece of the Chiefs' offense, though he lacks the high-end weekly upside he once possessed.
Insight pageTrey McBride
PositiveValue3:42
Despite concerns regarding target regression from his historic 2024 volume, McBride remains a locked-in top-three tight end. He is a must-start in Week 1 against the Chargers in a game where Arizona will likely need to throw to keep pace.
Insight pageTucker Kraft
PositiveUsage15:17
Craft is ranked at TE10, though he is difficult to rank due to potential snap limitations early in the season. If he secures the majority of snaps, he is a high-end starter in an offense expected to throw more without Josh Jacobs.
Insight pageTyler Warren
PositiveUsage5:40
Warren is a volume-based start against Baltimore. With Indianapolis vacating the fourth-most adjusted targets in the NFL and the recent Keenan Allen news, Warren is positioned to be a volume monster.
Insight pageFull transcript
Episode Transcript
0:00Every game day you show up for your team.
0:03Now it's your time. Ask your prescriber about WeGoV, semaglutide injection 2.4mg, a GLP-1.
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0:11Why wait? Football is back baby and whether you've been betting for years or you're just looking to put a little action
0:17on the games, MyBookie needs to be added to your list of places to go line shopping.
0:22We've been talking about the teams we like and don't like for months.
0:26We're in on this Jets offense more than almost anybody and we're terrified of this Falcons offense.
0:31Even though you got Bijan, you got Kyle Pitts, you got Drake London, but you got two bad left-handed quarterbacks.
0:36And you certainly don't need to be tailing some fake betting expert on social media.
0:40Go to MyBookie and find the plays you already know you like and take a shot.
0:45That's what's cool about MyBookie. So you can find the action you want and bet it wherever you are when the game kicks off.
0:52And if you're new to the club, the bet back bonus gives you protection on your first play.
0:57Sign up with promo code PLAYER to opt in to the bet back bonus and take your first shot with a safety net.
1:03If your wager loses, you get it right back.
1:06No questions asked. Football is finally here. Get in now and cash in on the season with MyBookie with promo code PLAYER to get that bet back bonus.
1:14Bet on anything, anytime, anywhere. You're welcome. Welcome into the Lion Fantasy Football Show.
1:18I'm Mitch Anderson. I'm Justin Mello. And Mello, week one is here.
1:21We officially have football in two days and so it's time for our final rankings for week one here with the tight ends.
1:28We have a very special week coming up with four episodes.
1:31So make sure to leave us any and all start and sit questions you have in the comments and we'll answer them.
1:37Plus a very fun start sit flex episode coming tomorrow.
1:40But Mello, let's jump into our top 24 tight ends of week one.
1:43I think you're going to shock everyone here at number one.
1:47Yeah, this is going to break people's minds. We have Brock Bowers as the tight end one in week one.
1:52He had the record breaking rookie season, the most receptions by any rookie ever, not just head ends, any rookie ever most receptions back in 2024.
2:00Even last year while injured, he was the tight end four and points per game.
2:04Now he gets Clint Kubiak calling plays. He's going against Miami, maybe the worst team in football.
2:09He could just drop a 40 burger in week one.
2:11I 100% no notes. If you have Brock Bowers, you obviously drafted him as stardom.
2:16We don't have to belabor the point. Here's another guy that you probably drafted with a lot of confidence though at number two.
2:22That's Trey McBride going up against the LA Chargers.
2:25I think a lot of the conversation around McBride this year and something that you've talked a lot about Mello is that we're likely to see some regression.
2:33I mean, he got an absolutely ungodly amount of targets, but even if we do, he's still going to be phenomenal and
2:39he's still going to be far and away a top three tight end.
2:43So for me, I'm locking him in with absolutely no hesitation in a matchup where they should be throwing a lot against LA to keep up.
2:50Yeah, agreed. And similar with Bowers, if you're taking him that high, you're starting him, no question.
2:55And even if we see regression season long, it's like, oh, he'll go from the tight end three all time to the tight end like 12 all time.
3:03Oh no, right. That's horrible. So yeah, I'm definitely starting Trey McBride without question.
3:07Same with Colston Loveland at Carolina. I think this is a really good blow up spot going against the Panthers defense, which
3:13is unimpressive for lack of a better word. I think for all the talk around these receivers in Chicago and Luther Burden
3:19and Roma Dunze, Colston Loveland probably is going to be the one who leads this team in targets.
3:24I think there's a good chance he does in week one.
3:27I think there's a good chance he does season long, a smash start in week one.
3:32I'm actually entirely with you on that point. And let's finish off the chalk here before we actually get interesting because these
3:38top four, like everyone's top four for the season.
3:40They just happened to fall this way for week one because of the matchups, but that's Tyler Warren taking on the Baltimore Ravens.
3:47And look, we saw the mini breakout last year takes a downturn in the back half with the Daniel Jones Achilles injury,
3:53but he should be in line for a lot of work this season.
3:57They vacated the fourth most adjusted targets in the NFL in Indianapolis.
4:00And so with now the Keenan Allen news and everything going on, it's hard to imagine that he's not going to be
4:06a volume monster, no matter what you think of the Colts offense at large.
4:10So Tyler Warren should start out hot here. Yeah, no question.
4:14Like you said, another easy start. This is where it gets a little bit more open-ended, but at five, we have Sam
4:20Laporta playing at home against the Saints. And we've talked about it in previous ranking episodes.
4:24We just want as many pieces from this game as we can get.
4:28So Sam Laporta is no exception. He's starting to kind of feel like the forgotten man in Detroit with all of these
4:34great weapons they have, but he's been a rock solid.
4:37Yeah, people are kind of like throwing him to the wayside, but he's a guy who's had a tight end one finish on a season before.
4:44He's always been rock solid when healthy and on the field throughout his career.
4:48We think there's going to be a lot of points in this game.
4:52If that comes to fruition, he could be one of the biggest beneficiaries.
4:56Yeah, I think the thing that you said that sticks with me is just how much we've talked about the game environment between New Orleans and Detroit.
5:03And we'll get into that a lot more on Thursday, but I just, I want every piece of this game.
5:09And I think that the Lions are going to find the end zone a lot.
5:13And like, if I'm taking my shots on who it's going to be, it's Jameer Gibbs and then it's Amin Ra.
5:19And then third up on that pecking order is, is Sam Laporta.
5:22So I think he's the perfect guy to slot in here at five, once you're kind of in that ambiguous tight end range.
5:29But here at number six, a guy we're a little bit higher on than consensus.
5:33My guy, Isaiah Likely, literally one of my, my guys that I named for this season.
5:38We've gotten extensive reports at this point that he should be operating as Jackson Darts wide receiver too, for lack of a better term.
5:45And what projects to be an explosive game environment.
5:47We saw it last year in week two of the NFL season.
5:50These are teams with bad defenses and offenses that are good enough to take advantage of it.
5:55I want the guy that should be getting the second most amount of targets from Jackson Dart in this game.
6:01And that's Isaiah Likely. And who knows with some of the ambiguity around Malik neighbors right now, maybe the most targets, like
6:07it's not more valuable than you think. Yeah, exactly.
6:10And then we have them even higher than we already do, which is higher than consensus.
6:14Another guy we have higher than consensus though, is Dallas Goddard playing well above, well above consensus as our tight end set
6:20in week one going against the commanders. Until Makai Lemon starts to get more comfortable and familiar with the offense, I still
6:27think Dallas Goddard is the number two receiver on this team, which all of the reports are, you know, Makai Lemon's still coming along.
6:33He's not quite there. So with Goddard, you get the number two receiver on the team, probably the number one red zone weapon through the air at least.
6:41And I think the Eagles are going to be firing on all cylinders against this Washington defense, which they've historically kind of beat up on.
6:48So I love Dallas Goddard in week one. Yeah, I think it feels very contrarian to put him here.
6:54I think there's so much talk obviously about the age and they bring in Eli Stowers.
6:58Obviously they bring in Makai Lemon. There's a lot of target competition was the 11 touchdowns last year fluky.
7:04But those two guys Stowers were obviously hearing like so many things about him not coming along quickly.
7:09Makai Lemon's having his own issues. I think regardless of what you feel about Dallas Goddard season long, this should be a
7:15smash spot and a guy that Jalen Hurts is comfortable with.
7:18And this team's going to be doing anything they can to keep Jalen Hurts comfortable and confident early.
7:23On to tight end eight. Let's talk about Harold Fannin Jr.
7:26taking on the Jacksonville Jaguars. This is a guy who had a genuinely historic target share as a rookie.
7:32And this game script should keep them throwing. But with so many new mouths to feed and that guy that they named
7:38as the starter at quarterback who will be throwing him the ball.
7:41I just I want to see if he can keep it up here in year two before we rank him any higher.
7:47Like if they go out and he's still commanding like 25 to 30 percent of the target share, then like, yeah, maybe
7:54we're wrong and we've got to rank Harold Fannin higher week in and week out.
7:58But for me, I just I really got to see it before I feel confident slotting him above those other guys.
8:04I'm in the same boat. Like I'm still starting him just because of the nature of the position, but I'm not as
8:10confident as I know you're not as confident as most people are.
8:13So we'll see what that target share starts to look like after a few weeks here.
8:18Our number nine guy in the week is Mitch's boy Kyle Pitts at Pittsburgh.
8:22Pittsburgh had the fourth most points allowed to the tight end position last season.
8:26So that's obviously very favorable for Pitts. What's not favorable is this disgusting quarterback situation in Atlanta.
8:31That does not make me feel good at all, whoever they end up rolling out under center.
8:36But there's clearly plenty of upside for a guy who had a huge blow up spots last year and is going against
8:42this defense that, again, was not very good against the tight end last year.
8:46So there's upside in week one for Kyle Pitts.
8:48I like feel like I'm going to be in that little Sasquatch video where he's just like watching ESPN and there's going
8:54to be some like breaking news that the Falcons just signed me at quarterback and like, wait, what?
9:00Yeah, no, I don't know how this happened. Yeah, that's obviously the huge knock on Kyle Pitts, but the situation's good.
9:05And like, I think he can be a big, reliable, easy target for a bad quarterback.
9:10And I think there's a lot of upside there in a game that outside of that, there's not a ton of excitement.
9:16But moving on to number 10, a tight end we had very highly ranked and that's Tucker Craft taking on Minnesota.
9:22This is, I think you would agree, the toughest guy to rank.
9:26Obviously the questions around if there will be limited snaps here in week one and just early on in the season.
9:31If not, this is the guy who was the tight end one in points per game before his injury last year in
9:38an offense that now projects to throw more with no Josh Jacobs.
9:41And so I'm firing him up if I'm feeling confident that he's going to get the majority of snaps.
9:46Yeah, you're probably starting him regardless unless you have like some sort of luxurious tight end situation in your league.
9:52And then you want to start someone a little safer.
9:55I love Tucker Craft. It's just, we'll see where the snaps and the usage is.
9:59I just, I can't imagine a world where they're keeping him off the field enough that he's not better than a lot
10:05of the guys were saying after him. Exactly. And that's probably why I'm starting him unless I have one of those other guys we talked about earlier.
10:13Yeah. Yeah. Tight end 11, we have Travis Kelsey going against the division rival Broncos, a team he's played probably a billion,
10:19maybe two billion times on his career to this point.
10:22On paper, it's a tough matchup just given how good Denver's defense has been the last couple of years.
10:27But I don't think it's as tough as people might think off the top of their head.
10:32For what it's worth, in week 11 last year, Kelsey erupted for nine receptions, 91 yards, and a touchdown against Denver.
10:38Now, I don't expect that again here in week one, but regardless, he will undoubtedly be one of the biggest pieces in this Chiefs offense.
10:45Yeah. And I know that everyone's not super excited about getting AARP member Travis Kelsey on their team.
10:50But like, you do got to remember, like him and Mahomes have the rapport, obviously, and he was the tight end three last year.
10:57This offense should be better if Mahomes can get up to speed quickly.
11:01And so I don't think Travis Kelsey is the worst start week in and week out.
11:05He just kind of lacks that like true high end upside on a week to week basis.
11:10On to number 12, though, let's talk about Jake Ferguson.
11:13And let's get back to that incredible game environment between Dallas and New York.
11:17Opposite Isaiah likely, obviously here. But I think there's a world where it feels like he's such a boring start and he has such a boring game.
11:25But then you check the box score after he has like four for 40 and a touchdown.
11:29There's just so many weapons, I think, in Dallas that he feels like a real forgotten man to me.
11:35But he's kind of the perfect tear cut off to me as like the last true tight end one.
11:40Every game day, you show up for your team.
11:43Now it's your time. Ask your prescriber about Wegovi.
11:45Some maglutide injection 2.4 milligrams. A GLP-1. Call 1-833-4-WEGOVI or visit wegovi.com to view the medication guide and to learn more about Wegovi.
11:52Why wait? Football is back, baby. And whether you've been betting for years or you're just looking to put a little action
11:58on the games, my bookie needs to be added to your list of places to go line shopping.
12:03We've been talking about the teams we like and don't like for months.
12:07We're in on this Jets offense more than almost anybody.
12:09And we're terrified of this Falcons offense. Even though you got Bijan, you got Kyle Pitts, you got Drake London.
12:15But you got two bad left-handed quarterbacks. And you certainly don't need to be tailing some fake betting expert on social media.
12:21Go to my bookie and find the plays you already know you like and take a shot.
12:26That's what's cool about my bookie. You can find the action you want and bet it wherever you are when the game kicks off.
12:33And if you're new to the club, the bet back bonus gives you protection on your first play.
12:38Sign up with promo code PLAYER to opt into the bet back bonus and take your first shot with a safety net.
12:44If your wager loses, you get it right back.
12:47No questions asked. Football is finally here. Get in now and cash in on the season with my bookie with promo code
12:53PLAYER to get that bet back bonus. Bet on anything, anytime, anywhere.
12:56You're welcome. Yeah, and because of the matchup especially, I'm happy to start him.
13:00The one thing I don't like is just how different his numbers were with both Pickens and CeeDee on the field last year versus when CeeDee was out.
13:08So I don't like that they'll both be on the field.
13:11He might not have the target share you want, but still in this matchup, I'm happy starting him.
13:16Tight end 13. We have a guy whose target share I feel pretty good about right now, and that is Jawan Johnson at Detroit.
13:23I don't expect Jawan Johnson season long to be the same level of fantasy asset as he was last year, but I
13:29do really like this spot for him. Like, we keep talking about this game.
13:33Like, we want pieces of this game, and especially with Jordan Tyson on IR.
13:37Jawan Johnson should be the number two receiver for the Saints in a dome game where we expect a lot of points,
13:44so I don't mind starting him one bit. No, I don't mind it either.
13:48It feels kind of gross, but like, if you truly punted tight end, you might be able to get away with it here.
13:54This also just reminds me, I'm so excited to talk about a really gross weapon that I'm going to be firing up
14:00in DFS in this game, and you just got me pumped for it.
14:04Hell yeah. On to number 14. Let's talk about AARP member.
14:07This is like dinosaurs before they were extinct member.
14:10Mark Andrews taking on the Indianapolis Colts. He, to me, is just truly a touchdown play.
14:14Start him if you don't have anybody else, but don't expect a lot of volume.
14:18If you play Andrews, you're hoping he soaks up a few red zone targets and converts one of them, and you kind
14:25of get out of the situation unscathed. But I just don't have a ton of confidence in him, specifically not in PPR leagues.
14:31No, he's going to have two receptions on three targets for 14 yards.
14:35It just matters if one of those receptions is a touchdown, which is a pretty high chance compared to most players.
14:41But if he doesn't get it, you're screwed. That's just what Mark Andrews has become at this point in his career.
14:47Tight end 15, another guy we have well above consensus.
14:49That is Greg Dulcich at the Las Vegas Raiders.
14:52We do like him more than consensus, and we won't apologize for it.
14:56We are Greg Dulcich guys. And it's largely because somebody besides Devon Achan has to catch the ball for the Dolphins.
15:02And Dulcich seems to be getting a lot of that buzz, so it very well could be him.
15:07And this matchup is just phenomenal. Las Vegas last year had pro football focuses.
15:11Single lowest graded defense. This is as beautiful of a situation you're going to get.
15:15Dulcich is a sneaky great start at tight end if you're desperate.
15:18I actually love this pick so much. I just think this is a true you could maybe get away with a guy if you're starting him.
15:26He's a great guy if you want to put some props on him or throw him in a DFS lineup.
15:31It reminds me a lot of the Isaiah Likely situation in terms of what the reports have looked like this summer, where
15:37it's like Malik Willis is wide receiver two, is Greg Dulcich.
15:41His wide receiver one is, of course, Devon Achan.
15:43And the rest of them are wide receiver five, six, seven, eight.
15:47But he should be in line for a lot of targets in a game that they're still somehow underdogs, but they'll be
15:53able to keep pace and keep it interesting. On to number 16.
15:56And this is one that we are going to have to monitor down to the last minute.
16:01But George Kittle taking on the LA Rams. The situation right now is that they expect him to play.
16:06But similar to Tucker Craft, it's just kind of a tough ranking because one, we don't know how many snaps he's going to get.
16:13And two, we really don't know how healthy he'll look.
16:16But with how depleted this 49ers team is, I think if he's out there, he should get enough volume to make him a viable starter.
16:23We just have him ranked here because there's better options you could be more comfortable with.
16:28Yeah. As somebody who loves George Kittle, like truly one of my favorite players to watch of all time, I just don't trust it.
16:34Like at his age, tearing your Achilles in January to be ready for week one alone is just miraculous.
16:40Even if he's out there, I'm probably looking another way.
16:42But it's tough. It's easier to say than do because it's George Kittle.
16:46And if George Kittle is on the field, it's very difficult not to start him.
16:50Yeah. It's been less than 200 days since a 32-year-old tour as Achilles.
16:54And I'm still getting over like rolling my ankle 12 years ago.
16:57I coughed like two hours ago and my ribs still hurt.
17:01So I don't... It makes me feel pathetic. Moving on to tight end 17, we have Dalton Kincaid at Houston.
17:06I personally have trouble trusting a tight end who's on the field for fewer than 50% of snaps.
17:11I just don't like that, which is why we're lower than consensus, I think, in week one as well as season long.
17:18But I will admit Houston's defense, while it seems elite and it is elite, they did allow the 13th most fantasy points to opposing tight ends last year.
17:25Not that that's putrid, but it's, I think, worse than people would guess given that it's Houston.
17:30And we've seen Kincaid have big blowup spots before.
17:33We've seen him have big games. So he's not a bad ceiling play.
17:36But I'm personally looking elsewhere if you want to bet on consistent volume.
17:40Yeah, I just think if you're reaching to put a guy in your lineup and he's playing against the Houston Texans defense, that feels like a bad idea.
17:48It feels like I'm always comfortable playing the premium guys against them.
17:51And then otherwise, I don't really want to touch anyone.
17:54And for me, that's how I feel with Dalton Kincaid.
17:57On to number 18, though, a lineup favorite. We're talking about our guy Chigakonkwo taking on the Philadelphia Eagles.
18:02This might just be Jaden Daniels' new favorite target, Melo.
18:05We've been on the hype train all summer long.
18:08And I'm just so excited to see what this actually looks like.
18:11I think this could be the start to a serious post-type sleeper campaign.
18:15For week one, I'm probably leaving him on the bench.
18:18But if I have him sitting on my bench, I'm going to be watching intently, hoping that we're going to actually get
18:24the real breakout we've been hoping for. Yeah, I think the dig signing put a little bit of a damper on it,
18:30but not enough where I'm like out. Like, I still think Okonkwo is a guy who could sneaky just be the tight
18:36end eight this year, the tight end nine this year.
18:39Who knows? Maybe even better. So I don't mind giving him a shot in week one if you're truly reaching deep into the barrel.
18:46Similar to our tight end 19 here, AJ Barner going against the Patriots.
18:50Mitch, I know you've been a big AJ Barner guy.
18:53I'm starting to heat up myself too as somebody who's been pretty close to out.
18:57Season long and just in week one, we saw the target share creep up toward the end of last year.
19:02And the last time he played this Patriots team, which was obviously the Super Bowl, he logged 54 reception or 54 receptions.
19:09That'd be crazy. 54 yards on four receptions and a touchdown.
19:12He did find the end zone. So he's somebody I do think could be someone you can start again if you're desperate
19:18as we're kind of saying with all these guys.
19:20There's definitely a lot better options, but there's many worse ones as well.
19:24I think of the last few guys we talk about here.
19:27He's one of the ones I can truly say I like more on a season long basis than week one.
19:33We're going to talk here about Dalton Schultz, who quietly was a tight end one last year.
19:38But like, yeah, I just I have no interest in him.
19:41That really just came from like availability being the best ability.
19:44And then you look at the week one matchup and like the bills are brutal against tight ends.
19:49So I would really not try to start him or if we're being fully honest, try to roster him.
19:54Yeah, I agree. This is just like I mean, if you're in a weird format with like two tight ends and you
20:01just want like a full floor play out of your tight end to like that.
20:05That's where Dalton Schultz is for me. Other than that, like I'm not.
20:09Also, that's a redraft comment. If you haven't been dying to see, I'm not going to tell you to cut him.
20:14But in redraft, there's there's better guys that can be filling up your bench.
20:18Absolutely. Very good point. Kind of a similar guy here at 10 in 21 Hunter Henry in that same game we were
20:25talking about earlier, the Patriots and Seahawks. I'll be the first to admit as a pass fan.
20:29Hunter Henry is as boring as they come at this point.
20:33Yeah, he is. But he's a relatively safe options who gets targets.
20:36If you're just looking for a floor play, he very sneaky was the tight end nine overall last year in PPR tight end seven and half point PPR.
20:44It wasn't always glamorous. It's kind of boring and, you know, low ceiling kind of play.
20:48But I mean, go for it if that's what you're looking for.
20:52I feel like every person who plays fantasy football has a story from the past five years that they desperately needed a tight end during a bye week.
21:00And Hunter Henry like crushed for them. Yeah. Like I think every single person has that story.
21:04But on to number 22, Brenton Strange taking on the Cleveland Browns.
21:08I think if you want a cheap piece of this offense, here it is.
21:12This is a guy they paid a lot of money to this offseason.
21:16But to me, he just doesn't like inspire a whole lot of confidence.
21:19Like I want pieces of Jaguars. I don't want to spend an arm and a leg for them.
21:24I think there's just like such a drop off in what I expect for volume with Brenton Strange.
21:29And so specifically in this game against Cleveland, if they get off to a hot start, we could see a situation where
21:36they're running the ball down their throats and Brenton Strange doesn't get a ton of volume.
21:40So he is startable. I think just like start with caution knowing there's a really low floor.
21:45Yeah. He's probably someone I'm not starting. Like fine players.
21:48Just like you said, if you want a cheap piece of this Jags offense, like that is your cheap piece.
21:53But I'm I'm probably not starting him similar to our tight end 23 TJ Hawkinson going against the Green Bay Packers.
21:59This one's a real gamble. Yeah. And the gamble is that he's fully healthy now and he's back to his old self
22:06what he was two or three years ago. So and also that Kyler Murray can support at least two pass catchers, if
22:12not three, when you account for the fact that Jordan Addison is there as well.
22:16You know, what will his target share look like?
22:19So with all of that, like I said, it is a big gamble, but it is one I will admit has upside
22:25against this Packers defense that has a lot of holes and question marks right now.
22:29I'm not really sure what this defense is going to look like early on in the year without Micah Parson.
22:35So, I mean, if you just want to swing for the fences, go for it.
22:39It's just I don't know the risk is worth the reward.
22:42We are in that range where you simply have to have someone better.
22:46If you're playing in a too tight end league, though, I do love the swing on TJ Hawkinson.
22:51Let's move on to number 24, though, and wrap this thing up.
22:54This guy is one that this is like the definition of I love him week one and there's just no shot.
23:00I have any interest for the rest of the season.
23:03Kate Auden against Cincinnati. Like I do not hate him in this game environment with a healthy Baker Mayfield, some cue tags
23:09across the wide receiver room and just feels like a sneaky spot that makes everybody on Twitter be like, is Kate Auden back?
23:16And then you start in week two and he has like one catch for 12 yards.
23:20Um, so I like him this week. I think if you're playing DFS, if you're trying to make prop picks or whatever,
23:26Kate Auden's a guy to look like. I just wouldn't expect much past this game in this game environment.
23:32Was Kate on never here? Did I miss the memo?
23:35He's back. He was here. Was that two years ago?
23:37He had that run at the end of the year.
23:40He had like four good games. No, I know what you're talking about.
23:44Uh, also anytime I think about tight ends playing against the Bengals, I will just for the rest of my life forever.
23:50Think about that. Colson Loveland. Yeah, forever. Forever. Like that could be Kate on week one.
23:55Maybe it will be. Maybe it will be. He'll be back.
23:58Those were our top 24 tight ends for week one of the NFL season.
24:02Mello, we've made it. If you have any start or sick questions or any questions about your lineup, leave them down below
24:08in the comments and we'll try to answer every single one.
24:11But Mello, before we get out of here, did we miss anything?
24:14I got nothing. All right. We'll catch you guys next episode.
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