MIAMI, Sept. 7 (UPI) — Logan Thomas of the Washington Commanders is one of my top four must-start tight ends for Week 1 of the fantasy football season.
Leading my rankings is Mark Andrews, and the complete list can be found below.
The tight end position is notoriously difficult to predict, and most players typically perform around 50 receiving yards per game. However, they can become top players if they manage to score touchdowns.
This week, Andrews, T.J. Hockenson, Kyle Pitts, and Dallas Goedert are my top-ranked tight ends. They should be in your lineup regardless of their match-ups, unless they are inactive.
All of my must-start recommendations are ranked within the top 14.
If you need rankings for quarterbacks, running backs, and wide receivers for Week 1, my updated rankings are available for you to prepare. These rankings have been adjusted based on Thursday’s game and will continue to be updated in response to any developments, including injuries.
T.J. Hockenson
While Justin Jefferson remains the primary target for Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins, Hockenson has shown the ability to produce alongside the wide receiver last season.
Hockenson was targeted the second-most times (129) among tight ends in the NFL, following only Travis Kelce. He also had a career-high 86 catches, which ranked 15th in the league.
The Vikings will face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday in Minneapolis. The Buccaneers allowed the sixth-most fantasy points to tight ends last season. Hockenson received at least seven targets in 10 games last season, and I expect him to receive around 10 targets in this high-scoring game, including opportunities in the red zone.
Tyler Higbee
Higbee is ranked as my number 5 tight end for Week 1. The Los Angeles Rams will be playing without wide receiver Cooper Kupp in their season opener.
Last season, Higbee had a career-high 108 targets and 72 catches. He turned that volume into 620 yards and three touchdowns. I expect Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford to target Higbee even more in this game due to Kupp’s absence.
The Rams will be facing the Seattle Seahawks, who allowed the most points and second-most receiving yards to tight ends last season.
Higbee was targeted 13 times in two games against the Seahawks in 2022. I anticipate him receiving close to 10 targets in Week 1.
Tight end Gerald Everett of the Los Angeles Chargers can be plugged into your lineup if you are in a league that requires starting the position. File Photo by Joe Marino/UPI
Gerald Everett
In Week 1, Everett and the Los Angeles Chargers will host the Miami Dolphins. Look for the Chargers’ tight end, who had a career-high 555 yards in 16 games last season, to catch one of several touchdown passes thrown by quarterback Justin Herbert on Sunday in Inglewood, California.
The Dolphins allowed the fourth-most fantasy points to tight ends last season. They also gave up the fourth-most touchdown catches (10) to the position. Everett was targeted eight times, which tied his third-highest total of 2022, the last time he faced the Dolphins. He should be the third or fourth passing option for Herbert.
Logan Thomas
Thomas is a bit of a risky play, but I believe he has a good chance of scoring for the Washington Commanders in Week 1. The Commanders will face the Arizona Cardinals, who allowed the most receptions (101) and touchdown catches (12), and the second-most fantasy points and receiving yards to tight ends in 2022.
Thomas, my number 13 option, had a career-high 670 yards and six touchdowns in 2020 when he played more than 13 games in a season. In the last two seasons, he failed to reach that yardage or touchdown total, with 519 yards and four touchdowns in 20 games.
The addition of offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy should improve quarterback Sam Howell’s performance and the Commanders’ efficiency. Look for Thomas to receive a fair amount of targets from Howell in Week 1 as the offense finds its rhythm. I expect him to have over 50 receiving yards. If he scores, he will be a top 10 play.
Baltimore Ravens tight end Mark Andrews leads my top 20 rankings. File Photo by David Tulis/UPI
Week 1 fantasy football tight end rankings
- Mark Andrews, Baltimore Ravens vs. HOU
- T.J. Hockenson, Minnesota Vikings vs. TB
- Kyle Pitts, Atlanta Falcons vs. CAR
- Dallas Goedert, Philadelphia Eagles at NE
- Tyler Higbee, Los Angeles Rams at SEA
- Darren Waller, New York Giants vs. DAL
- Evan Engram, Jacksonville Jaguars at IND
- George Kittle, San Francisco 49ers at PIT
- David Njoku, Cleveland Browns vs. CIN
- Gerald Everett, Los Angeles Chargers vs. MIA
- Pat Freiermuth, Pittsburgh Steelers vs. SF
- Cole Kmet, Chicago Bears vs. GB
- Logan Thomas, Washington Commanders vs. ARI
- Dalton Schultz, Houston Texans at BAL
- Juwan Johnson, New Orleans Saints vs. TEN
- Chigoziem Okonkwo, Tennessee Titans at NO
- Greg Dulcich, Denver Broncos vs. LV
- Irv Smith Jr., Cincinnati Bengals at CLE
- Taysom Hill, New Orleans Saints vs. TEN
- Dalton Kincaid, Buffalo Bills at NYJ
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