Week 1 Tight End replacements 

Week one started off on Thursday with the consensus #1 tight end and first round pick, Travis Kelce being inactive. Thursday was the first time since 2014 in which Kelce was sidelined due to injury, and it clearly showed on the Chiefs offense. In addition to Kelce, a number of other tight ends have been slapped with questionable tags, leaving fantasy managers scrambling to find an adequate replacement in what has been deemed an already weak fantasy position. Darren Waller, Mark Andrews and George Kittle are the other top tight ends that are in question for this week, so here are some options that may be available for you for week 1. 

  1. Tyler Higbee (LAR): If you drafted in late August or early September, Higbee is most likely not available to you. In the event he is, pick him up and get him in your lineup NOW! With Cooper Kupp out for week one, and now placed on IR, Higbee will be the biggest benefactor of Kupp’s absence. Even with Kupp on the field, Higbee received an over 20% target share of the team’s total targets. That number is surely going to improve in an offense that needs pass catchers. 
  2. Gerald Everett (LAC) Despite all the tight end news over the past couple of days, Gerald Everett is still only rostered in 44% of Yahoo leagues. Everett may not be the target monster that Higbee will be, but he will be involved in a game that is the highest point total on the Sunday slate. Everett received 87 targets for the Chargers last season and will be a mismatch for the Dolphins linebackers.  
  3. Juwan Johnson (NO): Johnson may be a hit-or-miss option for this week, but the “hit” could win your week for you. The converted wide receiver is a nightmare for defenses and we know that new Saints QB, Derek Carr, likes throwing to his receivers. 
  4. Luke Musgrave (GB): I’m usually not a big fan of rookie tight ends, but this season may be different. Musgrave is only rostered in 17% of Yahoo leagues and could have a major role in his first NFL game. Fellow rookie Sam LaPorta was on the field for 83% of the teams snaps on Thursday night, but not only can Musgrave top that, but he should also be more involved in the offense than LaPorta was. Packers #1 wide receiver Christian Watson has already been ruled out and Romeo Doubs is currently questionable. Jordan Love may be looking for Musgrave and fellow rookie Jayden Reed to help him out this week.    
  5. Jake Ferguson (DAL): The second year player is now the starting tight end for the Dallas Cowboys. Yes, the Cowboys have a lot of other weapons in the offense with CeeDee Lamb, Michael Gallup, Brandon Cooks, and Tony Pollard, but Dak has always been one to throw to the tight end position. Dalton Schultz (now with Houston) received over 20% of the QB targets when on the field in 7 of 15 games last season. 

Others to Consider: 

Greg Dulcich

Hunter Henry

Hayden Hurst

Irv Smith