Fantasy Football Week 1 Tight End Rankings (PPR, Half-PPR, Non-PPR)

The tight end position remains the thinnest and most volatile in fantasy football, with value dropping off quickly after the top-tier options. That said, you can reliably anchor your Week 1 lineup—and beyond—around Brock Bowers and Trey McBride.

Last night, the NFL season officially kicked off and while neither tight end found the end zone (in fact, there were no passing touchdowns the entire game), Dallas Goedert put up respectable numbers in PPR formats, finishing with seven receptions for 44 yards. Meanwhile, Jake Ferguson tallied five catches for 23 yards. The receptions saved his day in PPR formats.

Let's take a look at how the other tight ends stack up as we gear up for Week 1 action.

Brock Bowers Reigns Supreme As The Top Tight End In Week 1

Grasping the true value of an elite tight end can be deceptively tricky, especially late in the season when championships are on the line. Bowers offers a floor of roughly 100 receptions, comfortably eclipsing 1,000 yards while consistently delivering top-tier scoring. In 2024, only seven wide receivers outpaced Bowers in PPR formats—underscoring just how much of a game-changing weapon he can be for your lineup.

NFL Top 100 Players of 2025: @Raiders TE Brock Bowers makes his debut at No. 24! @NFLFilms pic.twitter.com/BcSBWOE3oa
— NFL (@NFL) August 21, 2025

In Week 1, Bowers takes on a New England Patriots defense that ranked in the middle of the pack against opposing tight ends in 2024. Despite a stingy matchup, Bowers is the top target for new signal-caller Geno Smith. If the Raiders fall behind early, Bowers will be peppered with targets. Ashton Jeanty will be a huge piece of the game plan but in his NFL debut, Vegas may opt to get the ball in Bowers’ hands as much as possible until the rookie gets accustomed to the pace at the next level.

David Njoku Will Produce Top-5 Numbers In His Season Debut

The Browns’ passing game could easily exceed expectations in Week 1, especially if Cincinnati jumps out to an early lead. Joe Flacco should throw 35+ passes, and Cleveland’s pass catchers have plenty of upside if the game turns into a shootout. Njoku is set up for a strong outing, with the potential for a big-impact day if the flow of the game tilts in his favor.

We know the Bengals employ one of the best offenses in the NFL but unfortunately for Cincinnati, they also have one of the worst defenses in the league. The Bengals allowed the second-most fantasy points to opposing tight ends in 2024, just behind the Los Angeles Rams. This could be the highest-scoring affair in Week 1 and Njoku will produce fantasy fireworks. Cleveland lacks any true difference makers in the wide receiver room outside of Jerry Jeudy, resulting in Njoku being the second option in the passing game.

Njoku is the TE4, just ahead of Travis Kelce.

Kyle Pitts Is A Fringe TE1 In Week 1

Kyle Pitts could finally break out in the Falcons’ offense this Week 1 with Darnell Mooney sidelined. Expect Pitts to command the second-most targets for Atlanta behind Drake London, giving him plenty of opportunities to make big plays. A more prominent role could translate into a highlight-reel touchdown and at least one long reception, making him a high-upside fantasy option right out of the gate.

There’s no more excuses for the former first-round pick and if he fails this year, the fantasy community will finally give up on him. That being said, his Week 1 matchup against a Tampa Bay Buccaneers secondary that allowed the fifth-most fantasy points to opposing tight ends last year could be just what the doctor ordered.

Final Week 1 Updates (9/7):

Mark Andrews slides up a couple of spots
Sam LaPorta drops to TE8 despite a possible shootout. Expect the running backs to get the bulk of the action and even if the Lions fall behind against a tough Green Bay opponent, Jameson Williams and Amon-Ra St. Brown could soak up the majority of the targets.
Tyler Warren catapults into the top-12 conversation as a fringe TE1.
Cade Otton is looking likely to suit up, which means he's in the TE2 conversation.
Both Steelers tight ends (Pat Freiermuth and Jonnu Smith) are backend TE2 options and should be second and third in the passing attack pecking order behind DK Metcalf.
Juwan Johnson jumps up several spots in what should be a favorable matchup against an Arizona Cardinals secondary that always seems to allow big days to opposing tight ends.

Fantasy Football Week 1 Tight End Rankings (PPR, Half-PPR, Non-PPR)

Brock Bowers Reigns Supreme As The Top Tight End In Week 1

David Njoku Will Produce Top-5 Numbers In His Season Debut

Kyle Pitts Is A Fringe TE1 In Week 1

Final Week 1 Updates (9/7):

Week 1 Fantasy Football Tight End Rankings (PPR, Half-PPR, Non-PPR)

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