Let's take a look at what tight ends you should start today and tomorrow. If you are having difficulties making last minute adjustments to your lineup, much like myself, these types of articles do come in handy.
Some of these players are pretty damn obvious (see: Rob Gronkowski). That being said, it is important to look at other options and matchups as they relate to fantasy football. So let's have a look.
Fred Davis, Washington Redskins
The New Orleans Saints are going to struggle covering the hashes with both Curtis Lofton and David Hawthorne banged up. Additionally, Roman Harper and Malcolm Jenkins probably don’t scare the ‘Skins all too much.
You also have to take into account that Robert Griffin III is going to definitely be zoning on in Davis early in his NFL career. In what is a continuing theme, young quarterbacks love relying on their tight ends.
One thing to also note is the fact that this promises to be a high scoring game with Washington playing from behind. That means more targets for Davis.
Vernon Davis, San Francisco 49ers
Alex Smith has built something really nice with his teammate. You can expect the quarterback to go to Davis early and often this afternoon. Up-and-coming Packers’ linebacker Desmond Bishop is out for the season, which leaves linebacker coverage duties to both A.J. Hawk and D.J. Smith…Not exactly a fearsome comb in the middle.
Davis will exploit this matchup. Heck, I am not even sure a zone coverage scheme or implementing Sam Shields on him will work too well. This is a no-brainer.
Antonio Gates, San Diego Chargers
The Oakland Raiders pass defense is going to be atrocious this season. Their short fallings are going to be magnified when it comes to covering tight ends between the hashes. Add to the equation the future Hall of Famer Gates, who will cause major mismatches.
Does anyone realistically think Oakland can defend Gates with Rolando McClain, Michael Huff or Joselio Hansen? I sure the heck don’t!
Magnified by all this is the fact that San Diego has some solid receiving options on the outside, which disables the Raiders’ ability to play zone between the hashes.
Rob Gronkowski, New England Patriots
Why not? Gronkowski is a must start every single time he puts on those cleats. The 2011 record-breaking tight end may not put up the same numbers this season, but you can sure bet he will be the No. 1 fantasy tight end in the National Football League.
It really doesn’t matter who the Patriots are going up against either.
Opposing defenses cannot simply sit extra defenders in the middle of the field, leaving Wes Welker and Brandon Lloyd in one-on-one situations on the outside.
What is a nightmare scenario for defenses it euphoria for fantasy players that hold the rights to Gronkowski.
Jared Cook, Tennessee Titans
As bad as the Patriots pass defense was last season they did a decent job against opposing tight ends. That being said, Cook is an up-and-comer at this position. The former third-round pick averaged over 15 yards per catch in his third NFL season. He is a legitimate big play threat.
You also have to look at the fact that Jake Locker is going to be the Titans’ starting quarterback in 2012. He loves to utilize the middle of the field with his tight ends. Don’t expect the young quarterback to stray away from that today against a lackluster Patriots’ defense.