Bruno Boys Fantasy Football

The first week of the season is in the books and what a week it was, starting with the overtime thriller between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Tennessee Titans last Thursday. Then, finishing with the two Monday night games that featured fourth quarter comebacks by quarterbacks Tom Brady and Philip Rivers.

Week 1 also featured a very productive week for tight ends. When we were setting our lineups for the first fantasy football match-up of the season, most of our mind set was focused on which quarterbacks, running backs or wide receivers would help lead us to our first victory of the season, but in many cases it was the tight end position that really put us over the top last week. There were a total of 11 tight ends that posted nine points or more last week, with Seattle’s John Carlson and New England’s Benjamin Watson leading the way with 21 and 19 points respectively.

So, as you search for the tight end that can be a difference maker in your line-up this week, please enjoy the Bruno Boys Fantasy Football Week 2 Tight End Rankings.
 

1. Dallas Clark (Indianapolis Colts) @ Miami

As we stated above there were 11 tight ends to post at least nine points in Week 1, but Dallas Clark was not one of them. He only managed 4 four catches for 39 yards without a touchdown in the Colts victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars. One week does not make or break a fantasy football player and Clark faces a Miami defense that allowed Tony Gonzalez to score 13 points. Look for Clark to rebound with a double digit effort this week.
Point Projection: 13 points

2. Jason Witten (Dallas Cowboys) vs. New York Giants

Jason Witten led the Cowboys with five receptions in a Week 1 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He finished the game with 71 yards receiving, but he did not manage to get into the end zone. Witten remains a must start tight end this (and every) week, as the Cowboys host a New York Giants team that gave up 68 yards receiving and a touchdown to Washington’s Chris Cooley last week.
Point Projection: 12 points

3. John Carlson (Seattle Seahawks) @ San Francisco

John Carlson was happy to have a healthy Matt Hasselbeck back at quarterback Week 1. Carlson had a huge day for the Seahawks and fantasy football owners, catching six balls for 95 yards with two touchdowns. His 21 points not only led all tight ends, but he outscored all but two wide receivers. He should continue his hot start Week 2 against the 49ers, just don’t expect another 21 point performance.
Point Projection: 12 points

4. Chris Cooley (Washington Redskins) vs. St. Louis

In a Week 1 match-up versus a very tough New York Giants defense Chris Cooley had seven receptions for 68 yards with a touchdown. This week he gets to face a St. Louis Rams defense that Seattle tight end John Carlson posted 21 points against. Cooley should continue to be a focal point in Washington’s passing game and is a must-start TE1.
Point Projection: 11 points

5. Tony Gonzalez (Atlanta Falcons) vs. Carolina

Tony Gonzalez sure did not disappoint in his first game as an Atlanta Falcon. He finished the game with five receptions for 73 yards with a touchdown, and he proved to be the weapon that the Falcons and their fans were hoping for when the team traded for the future Hall of Fame tight end during the off-season. Gonzalez continues to be a must-start this week when the Falcons host the Carolina Panthers.
Point Projection: 11 points

6. Antonio Gates (San Diego Chargers) vs. Baltimore

After dealing with injuries throughout the season in 2008, Antonio Gates looks to be healthy to start this season. He had five catches for 83 yards Week 1 against the Oakland Raiders. He did not get into the end zone, although he did get close as he was tackled at the one-yard line. Gates remains a must-start this week, even with a tough match-up on the road against the Baltimore Ravens.
Point Projection: 10 points

7. Visanthe Shiancoe (Minnesota Vikings) @ Detroit

Visanthe Shiancoe only managed three receptions for 26 yards versus the Cleveland Browns last week. Fantasy owners were hoping for a bigger day from the tight end, but running back Adrian Peterson stole the show with 180 rushing yards and three touchdowns. The Vikings travel to Detroit to face the defensively challenged Lions in Week 2, which will make fantasy owners smile. Shiancoe should have a solid game against a Lions’ defense that allowed New Orleans’ Jeremy Shockey to score two touchdowns last week.
Point Projection: 9 points

8.  Zach Miller (Oakland Raiders) @ Kansas City

As expected Zach Miller was JaMarcus Russell’s favorite target Week 1. Miller caught a team high six catches for 96 yards. Not only did the sure-handed tight end catch every pass thrown his way, all six of his receptions went for at least 11-yards, which included a long of 30-yards. Fantasy owners would like to see Miller find the end-zone, but he will likely be Russell’s favorite target most weeks. He has a nice match-up this week as the Raiders head to Kansas City to face the Chiefs.
Point Projection: 9 points

9. Jeremy Shockey (New Orleans Saints) @ Philadelphia

After a pretty disappointing first season with the Saints in 2008, Jeremy Shockey had a nice game against the Detroit Lions Week 1. He had four catches for 31 yards with two touchdowns. It was nice to see Shockey find the end-zone after being held without a single touchdown last season. Shockey and the Saints get a much tougher test Week 2 when they travel to Philadelphia to take on the Eagles. Consider Shockey a low-end TE1 this week.
Point Projection: 9 points

10. Greg Olsen (Chicago Bears) vs. Pittsburgh

Quarterback Jay Cutler struggled mightily in his Chicago Bears debut in a Week 1 loss to the Green Bay Packers and tight end Greg Olsen might have been affected more than anyone, catching just one pass for eight yards. Olsen was pegged as a must-start fantasy tight end during the preseason and he should rebound this week. The Bears do have a tough match-up in Pittsburgh against the Steelers and the Bears offense will need Cutler to be much better. Consider Olsen a low-end starting fantasy tight end this week.
Point projection: 8 points

11. Owen Daniels (Houston Texans) @ Tennessee

Owen Daniels did not have the start many fantasy owners were hoping for Week 1. He did have four catches for 44 yards in a loss to the New York Jets, which led the Texans, but the entire Houston offense struggled against a much improved Jets defense. The Texans have another tough defensive match-up this week as they travel to Tennessee to face the Titans. Daniels should be considered a low-end TE1 this week.
Point Projection: 8 points

12. Todd Heap (Baltimore Ravens) @ San Diego

Todd Heap had his most productive yardage game in almost two seasons as he caught five passes for 74 yards with a touchdown in a Week 1 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs. Heap appears to be healthy for the first time since 2006 when he posted 73 receptions. Continue to be cautious with the oft-inured tight end, but with Joe Flacco at quarterback for the Ravens Heap remains a worthy starting tight end, as long as he can stay healthy.
Point Projection: 8 points

13. Dustin Keller (New York Jets) vs. New England

Dustin Keller proved to be a nice weapon for rookie quarterback Mark Sanchez. He hauled in four passes for a team high 95 receiving yards Week 1 against the Houston Texans. Keller should be considered a low-end starting option Week 2 against the Patriots as he had eight receptions for 87 yards in his last meeting against New England in 2008.
Point Projection: 8 points

14. Benjamin Watson (New England Patriots) @ New York Jets

The return of Tom Brady to the New England Patriots offense was as important to Benjamin Watson as it was to any other receiving option. In 2008 without an injured Brady, Watson only managed 22 catches for 209 yards with two touchdowns. In the Patriots opening week match-up with the Buffalo Bills, he had six receptions for 77 yards with two touchdowns. Consider Watson a low-end TE1 this week against a much improved New York Jets defense.
Point Projection: 7 points

15. Kellen Winslow (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) @ Buffalo

In his regular season debut with the Buccaneers, Kellen Winslow had a team-high five catches for 30 yards with a touchdown. He was brought in to be a focal point of Tampa Bay’s offense and it showed, as he was targeted eight times and added one rush for eight yards. Winslow is a TE1 fantasy talent, but with many question marks still surrounding the Buccaneers offense he remains a low-end starting option.
Point Projection: 7 points

16. Kevin Boss (New York Giants) @ Dallas

The Giants are looking for Kevin Boss to step up this season after parting ways with wide receivers Plaxico Burress and Amani Toomer in the off-season. He got off to a good start in the Giants’ first game of the season against the Washington Redskins with three catches for 62 yards. Boss could be used as a low-end TE1 against Dallas this week, if you don‘t have a better starting option.
Point Projection: 6 points

17. Brent Celek (Philadelphia Eagles) vs. New Orleans

Brent Celek led the Eagles with six catches against the Carolina Panthers Week 1. He finished with 37 receiving yards and a touchdown. With L.J. Smith now in Baltimore, Celek is the clear-cut No. 1 receiving tight end in Philadelphia. He is a low-end starting fantasy tight end, but the rib injury to quarterback to Donovan McNabb could hurt his value.
Point Projection: 6 points

18. Heath Miller (Pittsburgh Steelers) @ Chicago

Heath Miller was targeted eight times against the Titans Week 1, and he made eight catches. He proved to be a great outlet for quarterback Ben Roethlisberger every time the pocket collapsed around him. Miller finished the game with 64 receiving yards, but he did not manage to cross the goal line. Even with his eight catch performance Miller should still be considered a backup fantasy tight end, but if you are in a pinch Miller will make a nice spot starter.
Point Projection: 5 points

19. Vernon Davis (San Francisco 49ers) vs. Seattle

Vernon Davis had a team-high five receptions for 40 yards Week 1 against the Arizona Cardinals. The 49ers are expected to make Davis more of a focus in the offense this year and the reception totals were nice, but it would be nice to see him get into the end zone. Keep him reserved Week 2 against the Seahawks, but after his five catch performance he is worth a roster spot as a backup tight end with upside.
Point Projection: 5 points

20. Bo Scaife (Tennessee Titans) vs. Houston *CHECK INJURY STATUS*

Bo Scaife was having a nice game with five catches for 48 yards in the season opener against the Pittsburgh Steelers before leaving the game with a knee injury. Keep Scaife reserved this week against the Texans. He is solid bye week replacement when healthy, but make sure you check his injury status before inserting him into your line-up.
Point Projection: 4 points

21. Tony Scheffler (Denver Broncos) vs. Cleveland

Tony Scheffler only managed one catch for 29 yards in the Broncos Week 1 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals. The Broncos offense did not look very good in the first game of the season and you should keep Scheffler reserved until his role becomes more clearly defined in Denver’s new offense.
Point Projection: 4 points

22. Anthony Fasano (Miami Dolphins) vs. Indianapolis

Anthony Fasano had two catches for 10 yards in the Dolphins opener against the Atlanta Falcons, but he also had two lost fumbles. This was a very bad day for Fasano and things can only go up from here. We know that he is a much better tight end then this, but you would best be served to keep Fasano on your bench until he proves he can hang onto the ball.
Point Projection: 4 points

23. Robert Royal (Cleveland Browns) @ Denver

Veteran tight end Robert Royal became a favorite target of Browns’ quarterback Brady Quinn in a Week 1 loss to the Minnesota Vikings. Royal finished the game with four catches for 60 yards and a touchdown. He is worth a flier as a reserve, just don’t get to excited and insert him into your starting lineup until his role in the Browns’ offense is clearly defined.
Point Projection: 4 points

24. Marcedes Lewis (Jacksonville Jaguars) vs. Arizona

Marcedes Lewis had three receptions for 23 yards in the Jaguars Week 1 loss to the Indianapolis Colts. He is a low-end TE2 and should remain reserved in all formats as he is not a big part of Jacksonville’s offense.
Point Projection: 3 points

25. Jermichael Finley (Green Bay Packers) vs. Cincinnati

After a nice preseason that put Jermichael Finley on the fantasy radar, the rookie only managed one catch for six yards in a Week 1 victory over the Chicago Bears. Keep Finley reserved in all formats Week 2.
Point Projection: 3 points

26. Randy McMichael (St. Louis Rams) @ Washington

Randy McMichael posted four receptions for 44 yards Week 1 versus the Seattle Seahawks. Playing for the offensively inept Rams he has very little fantasy value. Consider the veteran tight end as a backup, best served as a bye week or injury replacement if you are desperate.
Point Projection: 3 points

27. Shawn Nelson (Buffalo Bills) vs. Tampa Bay

Buffalo Bills rookie tight end had two catches for 13 yards with a touchdown in the first half of the Bills’ opener Monday night versus the New England Patriots. Despite the touchdown catch, Nelson has minimal fantasy value at this time. Keep him reserved until he gets an expanded role in the offense.
Point Projection: 3 points

28. Martellus Bennett (Dallas Cowboys) vs. New York Giants

Martellus Bennett had one catch for 13 yards in the Cowboys first game of the season. He is worth a roster spot as he has proved to be a nice red zone target in the past, but he has minimal fantasy value at this time. He is clearly the No. 2 tight end behind Jason Witten and about the seventh option in the Cowboys explosive offense.
Point Projection: 2 points

29. Desmond Clark (Chicago Bears) vs. Pittsburgh

Desmond Clark only had one catch for 23 yards in a Week 1 loss to the Green Bay Packers. He has minimal fantasy value as he is used primarily as a blocking tight end. Even though Greg Olsen did not record a point last week, he is still the Bears primary pass catching tight end.
Point Projection: 2 points

30. Brandon Pettigrew (Detroit Lions) vs. Minnesota

The Lions rookie did not record a catch Week 1 against the New Orleans Saints. Pettigrew does not have much fantasy value at this time, but he is worth hanging on to if you have the roster space available.
Point Projection: 1 point

Week 2 Rankings:  QB | RB | WR | TE | K | DEF  (click to read)

Week 2 Start & Sit:  Start ‘Em | Sit ‘Em  (click to read)

Week 2 Waiver Wire Advice:  Pick Them Up  | Cut Them Loose

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