Get ready, because Week 1 is staring us down, and if you’re not paying attention to the tight end position, you’re gonna get hurt again. Seriously, we’ve heard it before: “tight end is deeper than ever!” And yeah, most times, we end up laughing at ourselves midseason. But listen up: this year feels different. My Week 1 projections have 19 tight ends scoring at least 9.5 PPR Fantasy points. And get this: six of them , Trey McBride, Brock Bowers, Colston Loveland, Sam LaPorta, Kyle Pitts, and Tyler Warren , are projected for at least 12 PPR Fantasy points. That’s a serious group, and honestly, I’ve never been this high on the position’s potential.
Kittle’s Comeback and What It Means
Now, for the one guy I’m not feeling super confident about, at least for Week 1: George Kittle. Look, it sounds like he’s fully recovered from his torn Achilles, which is awesome, but “fully recovered” doesn’t automatically mean “full role” right out of the gate. Remember last year? His first game back from injury, Week 7 against the Falcons, he played 80% of the snaps, saw only two targets, and didn’t even catch a pass. Add to that the fact the 49ers are facing a Rams defense that might be the best of the last decade, and I’m telling you, I want to stay away from Kittle for now. If you drafted him, chances are you grabbed a second tight end. If so, I’d suggest pretending he’s not even playing Week 1. If you don’t have a backup, there are some great streaming options out there you should consider starting over him. Kittle isn’t a must-sit, by any means, but with so many other solid choices in Week 1, why risk it?
Crucial Numbers You Need to Know
Here are some key stats that are gonna shape how these tight ends perform in Week 1 and beyond:
* **27%**: Both Kevin Stefanski and Drew Petzing have offenses that consistently funneled 27% of their targets to tight ends over the last three seasons. This is huge! Keep a close eye on Kyle Pitts and Sam LaPorta. If they’re in those schemes, they could see a target bump.
* **8.1**: Isaiah Likely has averaged a killer 8.1 yards per target throughout his career. If he truly steps up as the number two target for Jaxson Dart, he’s instantly a must-start tight end in fantasy football. That kind of efficiency is no joke.
* **9.1**: Tucker Kraft is the only non-running back in the NFL since 2023 to see at least 150 targets and still average over nine yards after catch per reception. That’s pure YAC monster territory, making him a major threat once he’s 100% and getting full snaps.
* **106**: Dalton Schultz hauled in 106 targets last year, and guess what? He’s got even less target competition in 2026. This dude could be an absolute volume hog, and that’s exactly what you want in fantasy.
* **2.83**: Dalton Kincaid led all tight ends with an insane 2.83 yards per route run in 2025. If he gets more playing time, which he should, a top 10 finish is absolutely within reach. We’re talking serious efficiency when he’s on the field.
So, as we head into Week 1, keep your eyes peeled on these situations. It’s not just about the big names; the underlying numbers are telling a story. Don’t fall for the old traps, and let’s see which tight ends truly emerge this season!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
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