Football season is back, and so is daily fantasy.
Every week, we’ll be breaking down each position, giving you the information you’ll need to select the best daily fantasy team you can on Sunday.
Today, it’s the tight ends (all prices courtesy of DraftKings):
DraftKings’ Top-10 Tight Ends for Week 1:
- Rob Gronkowski (vs. ARI) — $7,400
- Jordan Reed (vs. WAS) — $6,600
- Travis Kelce (vs. SD) — $5,000
- Coby Fleener (vs. NO) — $4,900
- Gary Barnidge (vs PHI) — $4,700
- Delanie Walker (vs. MIN) — $4,500
- Zach Ertz (vs. CLE) — $4,300
- Antonio Gates (vs. KC) — $4,200
- Jason Witten (vs. NYG) — $4,100
- Eric Ebron (vs. IND) — $3,900
Best Value: Clive Walford ($3,000)
At $3,000, Clive Walford cost less than 19 other options this week, which means you need to say thank you and make sure he’s on your team.
Walford isn’t the most well-known tight end in the NFL. A third-round selection a year ago with 28 receptions to his name, he didn’t exactly light the world on fire as a rookie. But if you watched him closely, the talent was clearly there, and going against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, he’s in line for a breakout performance.
According to Football Outsiders, the Saints were the worst team in the NFL last season defending the tight end, and they didn’t do much this offseason to change that.
Most Overpriced: Rob Gronkowski ($7,400)
Rob Gronkowski is a freak of nature, and in most scenarios, I’d love to have him on my fantasy team, but this simply isn’t good value.
Not only is Gronk going to be receiving passes from Jimmy Garoppolo, but he’ll be facing off against one of the best defenses in the NFL, the Arizona Cardinals.
Now, will Gronk put up numbers? Sure. He’s that good. But is he going to have one of his 10-reception, 100-yard, two-touchdown games? No. And at that price, that’s what you’re looking for.
Injury Corner: Jimmy Graham
Jimmy Graham is clearly one of the most talented pass-catching tight ends in the NFL, but right now, there are a lot of things working against the former All-Pro.
For one, we’re still not really sure how well Graham fits into the Seahawks offense. From what we saw last year, the answer is not very well. At this moment, though, the biggest concern surrounding Graham is his ability to be on the field.
Graham underwent surgery on a torn patellar tendon last year, and we’ve yet to see him return to the field this offseason. Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll says there’s a chance Graham will play this Sunday against the Dolphins, but he’s not making any promises.
Even if he is cleared to play, Graham’s not likely to have a great game. But if he’s not cleared, you better make sure he’s not still in your lineup come game time.
Broncos Spotlight: Virgil Green ($2,900)
A lot of people, including the Denver Broncos, are banking on Virgil Green to have a breakout season, but it’s not starting this week.
The Carolina Panthers boasted the league’s best defense against tight ends last season, according to Football Outsiders, and with Green’s ceiling already being relatively low, there’s no need to gamble on him Week 1, even at that ridiculously low price.
With two rookie cornerbacks starting outside, the Broncos will be looking to feed Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders all night. They’ll do all they can to stay away from Luke Kuechly and the rest of Carolina’s linebacking corps.
If you’re itching to get your fantasy season underway, make sure you sign up for DraftKings’ Week 1 Fantasy Football Millionaire Contest! They’re giving away $5 million in prizes, including $1 million to first place, and you can enter for free with your first deposit.
Spots are filling up fast, so enter now!
