With some big injuries at the tight end position last week, fantasy football managers could be scrambling for starting options this week. Unless you want to get into the Isaiah Likely sweepstakes, the best option might be to stream tight ends for a couple of weeks. Who are the best options to consider?
Let’s take a look at why Colby Parkinson, Zach Ertz, and Tucker Kraft could crack your lineup.
Top TE Streaming Options for Week 2
Colby Parkinson, Los Angeles Rams
The potential loss of Puka Nacua in this offense combined with Tyler Higbee’s current residency on the PUP list means there could be an opportunity for another pass catcher to emerge from this passing attack.
Parkinson’s role in the first half of the 2024 season opener is enough to put him in the TE streaming conversation entering the Los Angeles Rams’ Week 2 matchup against the Arizona Cardinals.
Parkinson hauled in three receptions for 45 yards in the first half against the Detroit Lions. Additionally, he was the only tight end to catch a pass through the first three quarters of the contest.
You won’t hear me make a compelling argument regarding Parkinson’s athletic profile or dynamic RAC upside, but his understanding of this scheme, reliable hands, and target-share opportunity all make him an intriguing option against a bad defense.
Zach Ertz, Washington Commanders
It was a bit of a rough outing for the Washington Commanders’ passing attack in the 2024 season opener against a vulnerable Tampa Bay Buccaneers secondary. However, Ertz still caught three of his four targets for 28 yards.
Rookie QB Jayden Daniels will face a better pass rush against the New York Giants in Week 2, which should force him to get the ball into the hands of his playmakers on the perimeter a bit more often. This is also a Giants defense that got diced up by the likes of journeyman QB Sam Darnold last week — which makes me willing to stream a proven veteran with a lengthy track record of production in an offense devoid of a true WR2.
Another encouraging sign for Ertz’s case was the fact rookie TE Ben Sinnott didn’t see a single target in his NFL debut. If there is a TE to start in this offense, Ertz is the correct answer at the moment.
Tucker Kraft, Green Bay Packers
The streaming options at the TE position get pretty thin quickly, but one player whose stock should be going up after seeing his usage in the season opener is Kraft. He was on the field for 96% of the Green Bay Packers offensive snaps in the Week 1 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles.
Kraft’s final stat line at two receptions for 37 yards didn’t do much for fantasy managers last week. Still, he appears to have secured the TE1 role over Luke Musgrave for now.
The fantasy outlook would be far more exciting if it were Jordan Love under center against the Indianapolis Colts, but instead, it would appear Kraft will be forced to catch passes from Malik Willis in Week 2 — not an exciting proposition.
Yet, if you are simply in need of a talented pass catcher who is on the field enough to make a difference if Matt LaFleur can manage to scheme him up a couple of looks, Kraft should be on your streaming radar for Week 2.
Tight End Rankings for Week 2
The following rankings are from Kyle Soppe and may not directly reflect the advice above.
1) Sam LaPorta | Detroit Lions (vs. TB)
2) Trey McBride | Arizona Cardinals (vs. LAR)
3) Travis Kelce | Kansas City Chiefs (vs. CIN)
4) Dalton Kincaid | Buffalo Bills (at MIA)
5) Evan Engram | Jacksonville Jaguars (vs. CLE)
6) Kyle Pitts | Atlanta Falcons (at PHI)
7) George Kittle | San Francisco 49ers (at MIN)
8) David Njoku | Cleveland Browns (at JAX)
9) Jake Ferguson | Dallas Cowboys (vs. NO)
10) Mark Andrews | Baltimore Ravens (vs. LV)
11) Brock Bowers | Las Vegas Raiders (at BAL)
12) Isaiah Likely | Baltimore Ravens (vs. LV)
13) Dallas Goedert | Philadelphia Eagles (vs. ATL)
14) Taysom Hill | New Orleans Saints (at DAL)
15) Dalton Schultz | Houston Texans (vs. CHI)
16) Pat Freiermuth | Pittsburgh Steelers (at DEN)
17) Jonnu Smith | Miami Dolphins (vs. BUF)
18) Hunter Henry | New England Patriots (vs. SEA)
19) Tyler Conklin | New York Jets (at TEN)
20) Cade Otton | Tampa Bay Buccaneers (at DET)
21) Cole Kmet | Chicago Bears (at HOU)
22) Mike Gesicki | Cincinnati Bengals (at KC)
23) Zach Ertz | Washington Commanders (vs. NYG)
24) Noah Fant | Seattle Seahawks (at NE)
25) Colby Parkinson | Los Angeles Rams (at ARI)
26) Tucker Kraft | Green Bay Packers (vs. IND)
27) Greg Dulcich | Denver Broncos (vs. PIT)
28) Juwan Johnson | New Orleans Saints (at DAL)
29) Luke Musgrave | Green Bay Packers (vs. IND)
30) Ja’Tavion Sanders | Carolina Panthers (vs. LAC)
31) Dawson Knox | Buffalo Bills (at MIA)
32) Michael Mayer | Las Vegas Raiders (at BAL)
33) Gerald Everett | Chicago Bears (at HOU)
34) Ben Sinnott | Washington Commanders (vs. NYG)