Week 1 Tight End Value Rankings
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Here are theScore's wide receiver value rankings for Week 1 of the NFL season (the Thursday opener between Carolina and Denver is not included):
Value Rankings
QB | RB | WR | TE
Top Options
| Name | Opponent | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Zach Ertz (PHI) | vs. CLE | 9 |
| Crockett Gillmore (BAL) | vs. BUF | 8 |
| Jordan Reed (WAS) | vs. PIT | 8 |
Short passes to Ertz should be a staple of the Philadelphia offense with either Chase Daniel or Carson Wentz under center. Ertz closed 2015 by catching between eight and 13 passes in each of the last three games.
Barely above the minimum price, Gillmore should see the bulk of the work at the position after Ben Watson's season-ending Achilles injury. No team threw the ball more than the Ravens last season, and Gillmore had at least 40 yards receiving in five of his 10 games, along with four TDs.
Reed is essentially a wide receiver in a tight end's body. Health has been an issue for him at times, but he's fine to begin the season. With Pittsburgh-Washington having a high projected point total, he should live up to his premium price tag in a shootout.
Mid-Tier Targets
| Name | Opponent | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Gary Barnidge (CLE) | at PHI | 7 |
| Martellus Bennett (NE) | at ARI | 7 |
| Vance McDonald (SF) | vs. LA | 7 |
| Delanie Walker (TEN) | vs. MIN | 7 |
| Clive Walford (OAK) | at NO | 7 |
| Jesse James (PIT) | at WAS | 7 |
| Julius Thomas (JAX) | vs. GB | 6 |
| Austin Seferian-Jenkins (TB) | at ATL | 6 |
| Antonio Gates (SD) | at KC | 6 |
| Zach Miller (CHI) | at HOU | 6 |
| Travis Kelce (KC) | vs. SD | 6 |
| Coby Fleener (NO) | vs. OAK | 6 |
| Rob Gronkowski (NE) | at ARI | 5 |
| Kyle Rudolph (MIN) | at TEN | 5 |
| Charles Clay (BUF) | at BAL | 5 |
| Jason Witten (DAL) | vs. NYG | 5 |
Barnidge should be the Browns' preferred target in the passing game with WR Josh Gordon suspended for the first four games.
Walford has a favorable matchup with the Saints, who allowed 45 passing TDs last season. He's a boom-or-bust option, but should have a solid chance of finding the end zone.
James should start with Ladarius Green opening the season on the PUP list. Known as more of a blocker, he could nevertheless catch the odd touchdown if given enough snaps, and as noted earlier, Pittsburgh-Washington is expected to be one of the highest-scoring games of the day.
Fleener may need some time to fit into the Saints' offense. He'll surely be a fine addition as the season unfolds, but is a risky selection for Week 1.
Without the suspended Tom Brady at the helm, it will be tough for Gronkowski to live up to his position-leading price tag against a tough Arizona defense.
Nothing to See Here
| Name | Opponent | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Dwayne Allen (IND) | vs. DET | 4 |
| Richard Rodgers (GB) | at JAX | 4 |
| Jared Cook (GB) | at JAX | 4 |
| Lance Kendricks (LA) | at SF | 3 |
| Jordan Cameron (MIA) | at SEA | 3 |
| Will Tye (NYG) | at DAL | 3 |
| Eric Ebron (DET) | at IND | 2 |
| Jimmy Graham (SEA) | vs. MIA | 2 |
Good luck making the correct choice between Rodgers and Cook each week. Rodgers had his share of big games last season, but wasn't consistently productive; Cook is enjoying a significant amount of preseason hype.
Graham and Ebron are battling injuries that may yet rule them out for Week 1. The other names in this tier are low-upside plays that lack the potential of other similarly-priced options.