Fantasy Football Week 1 Tight End Rankings

The 2025-26 NFL season is about to begin which means fantasy football is back! Most fantasy football team managers don’t make major lineup moves in the first week of the season. Typically managers will start the players they drafted in the earlier rounds. However, since every week is important it would be irresponsible to start a player with a rough matchup over a player with a more favorable one because he was drafted to be a starter. Here are fantasy football week 1 tight end rankings.

*Ratings are subject to change due to injury reports or possible move to the Injured Reserve List

(Check out the section below for details on players already rumored to possibly miss this week and how their replacement options rank for the week)

Key:

Must Start- a player who is in your lineup regardless of the matchup or most circumstances. They Will likely finish near the top of the league in points that week and in most weeks.

Starting TE1- a player who makes fantasy owners comfortable starting week after week. Regardless of the matchup, this player has a solid floor.

Touchdown Dependent Starter- a player who may not be a lock to start for a team every week, but will start more times than not because of depth at the position. Their production is based on whether they can get in the end zone or not. It can be the difference between a top 10 performance or a top 25 performance

Deep League Starter- a player whose ceiling isn’t high but should put up enough production to be started in deep leagues. When a player like this is started it is because their production though it will likely be low, will be better than a few options.

Leave on the Bench- a player who should be avoided in all lineups that week. Many times this player could even be left on waivers.

Fantasy Football Week 1 Tight End Rankings

Players that could miss this week’s game

TE18 Cade Otton, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Cade Otton was limited in practice on Wednesday with a groin injury. He suffered this injury about three weeks ago and it is unclear if this is something that could linger into the season. If Otton misses Week 1 against the Atlanta Falcons Payne Durham will likely start at tight end for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

TE21 Darren Waller, Miami Dolphins

Darren Waller missed practice on Wednesday with a hip injury. It is expected that this injury could affect Waller even if he was to play in Miami’s season opener. If Waller misses Week 1 against the Indianapolis Colts Julian Hill will likely start at tight end for the Miami Dolphins.

Players that are currently not expected to play

Isaiah Likely, Baltimore Ravens

Isaiah Likely is expected to miss the first week of the season due to a foot injury suffered in training camp. He could be back as soon as Week 2 or 3. While Likely is out Mark Andrews should see the lion’s share of the snaps at tight end. He could put up prime Mark Andrews numbers in fantasy while Likely is out.

Taysom Hill, New Orleans Saints

Taysom Hill was placed on the PUP list to begin the year while he recovers from a torn ACL. He could return in 4 to 6 weeks. It is unclear what Hill’s role could look like in Kellen Moore’s offense. It is likely that he gains a larger role as the season goes on. If New Orleans is on pace to pick early in the 2026 NFL Draft they could utilize Hill as a gadget player to spark some offense late in the season.

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