Tight ends have been somewhat of an enigma around fantasy football for the last two seasons or so. From injuries to some of the better options at this position, including Rob Gronkowski and Antonio Gates to lackluster performances from some uber-talented youngsters such as Jermichael Finley, Jermaine Gresham and Brandon Pettigrew, it really is hard to acquire an understanding of where the value is here.
As it is, eDraft has you covered. Here are our five fantasy football tight ends to sit for Week 2 of the 2013 NFL regular season.
Brent Celek, Philadelphia Eagles
2013 Statistics: (Celek) Two receptions, 56 yards and one touchdown
One would think that Celek is a solid TE1 option this week. After all, he did score a touchdown last week against the Washington Redskins and is being featured in Chip Kelly's new up-tempo offense with a lack of wide receiver depth on the outside. Those indicators are fine and dandy, but the San Diego Chargers have been solid against fantasy tight ends of late. While Owen Daniels did put up five receptions and two scores against this defense in Week 1, the Chargers allowed the third-fewest fantasy points to tight ends last season. A lot of that has to do with the play of safety Eric Weddle over the top.
In addition, look for Michael Vick to attempt to exploit what has to be considered questionable cornerback play in San Diego's secondary. While I am a fan of Derek Cox, he struggled last week against Andre Johnson and tends to have issues with shiftier receivers, a mold that DeSean Jackson fits well.
Jermaine Gresham, Cincinnati Bengals
2013 Statistics: Five receptions, 35 yards and zero touchdowns
Not only is Gresham splitting reps and targets with Tyler Eifert in Cincinnati this season, he has to contend with one of the best young receivers in the game in the form of A.J. Green for looks. This is only going to be magnified against a Pittsburgh Steelers defense that has dominated opposing tight ends in the past. They allowed the sixth-fewest fantasy points to tight ends last season, an average of just 45 yards and 6.43 points. With Eifert slated to receive a few targets this week, that stat line is pretty much the best Gresham owners can hope for.
Kyle Rudolph, Minnesota Vikings
2013 Statistics: Two receptions, 27 yards and zero touchdowns
Two words... Christian Ponder. I have a hard time suggesting that anyone catching passes from this struggling quarterback is a viable fantasy option. While Rudolph's ADP (average draft position) prior to the season suggests he is a TE1 option, that's just not going to be the case this week. Chicago does a solid job covering between the hashes, something that will be magnified even more with its influx of young linebackers. Look for similar production as we saw last week against what was a weaker Detroit Lions pass defense.
Zach Miller, Seattle Seahawks
2013 Statistics: Three receptions, 42 yards and zero touchdowns
Miller has been somewhat of an enigmatic figure in the Pacific Northwest since signing a huge contract a few seasons back. Some fantasy owners decided to take a late-round shot on him this season as an under-the-radar TE1 option. While that might still be the case moving forward, don't expect him to make much of an impact going up against the San Francisco 49ers. NaVorro Bowman and Patrick Willis are among the top coverage linebackers in the NFL and will be helped by the emergence of rookie free safety Eric Reid. It's hard to imagine Miller putting up more than three or four catches in this one.
Brandon Pettigrew, Detroit Lions
2013 Statistics: Two receptions, six yards and zero touchdowns
Pettigrew is actually a solid drop option at this point. He was pretty much benched in lieu of Joseph Fauria last week, at which point Fauria caught a touchdown from Matthew Stafford in the fourth quarter. Pettigrew is quickly falling out of favor in Detroit due to an inability to actually catch the damn football. Some of you may be angry (join the club) because the talent is most definitely there. Even when the former first-round pick is on the field he'll have to contend with Calvin Johnson, Reggie Bush and Nate Burleson for the ball. Yeah, that's not a recipe for fantasy success.