Consider this article your weekly one stop shop for everything you need to know about the quarterback and tight end position for the upcoming week. Suffered an injury at either position? No sweat, I have you covered. I will highlight a few names that might be available on the waiver wire in your league. Additionally, I will feature a handful of starts/sits for the week.

Now don’t come here and expect to see me recommending for you to start Rob Gronkowski, Jordan Reed, and Cam Newton. If you need someone to tell you to start those guys, please feel free to send me an invite to your league. I will be focusing on the mid-tier players, as well as fringe starters for this section.

Let’s get to it.

Week 1: Workin’ the Wire

Hopefully your draft was good enough that you don’t have to turn to the wire yet, but I have a pair of tight ends that will be showing up on this list soon enough. If you want to get a jump on your competition stash them now if you have a deep bench.

Vance McDonald – 49ers

Blaine Gabbert’s best buddy. Down the stretch McDonald had 60+ receiving yards in three of his final six games. He also scored a touchdown in each one of those games. With limited receiving options, McDonald should see enough targets to make an impact.

Jesse James – Steelers

With Ladarius Green out for at least the first six weeks, James will be the team’s primary tight end. With not much of a book on this guy, you just have to base it off of the situation that he is falling into. I have gone on record saying that I think the Steelers will have the best offense in the league in 2016, so if I can get a piece this cheap, sign me up.

Start’em

Derek Carr @ N.O.

I know that defenses change from year to year, but the Saints were 31st in the league against the pass in 15′. Even with all the changes they made to their defense, it is hard to envision them doing a complete 180. I have a feeling the Saints will be involved in plenty of shootouts this season and Carr owners should hope for one this weekend. For those of you that drafted Carr and paired him with another quarterback in the 10-15 range with the intention of playing matchups, this week Carr will be the one that you should have in your lineup.

Kirk Cousins vs. PIT

Speaking of shootouts, I could see both teams going up and down the field in game one of the MNF doubleheader. Cousins finished the season red-hot throwing for 300+ yards in four of his final five games. The 13 touchdown passes compared to just one interception over that stretch kept his fantasy owners smiling as well. The Steelers are expected to have an improved secondary, but they will be tested by the speed/size combination that DeSean Jackson and Jordan Reed bring to the table.

Zach Ertz vs. CLE

Pretend you are a rookie quarterback making your first NFL start. I don’t know about you, but I am going to be as safe with the ball as possible. Zach Ertz would probably be my best friend, and I expect the same from Carson Wentz. I look for Ertz to work the middle of the field and provide Wentz with a big target on conservative routes.

Martellus Bennett @ ARI

Okay, imagine the scenario that Wentz is in and multiply it by two for Garoppolo. For Wentz, no one really expects the Eagles to contend this year, but the Patriots on the other hand are still the Super Bowl favorites out of the AFC. Garoppolo is expected to hold things together until Brady can comeback in Week 5. I don’t envision him slinging the ball all over the field, but rather taking a conservative approach and making short, smart throws. As always, defenses are going to be keying on Gronk, which should give Bennett some favorable matchups. Playing time won’t be a problem, the expectation is for the Patriots to operate out of two tight end sets for 80% of their offensive snaps.

Coby Fleener vs. OAK

Remember how terrible Oakland was against the tight end last year? I know the past is in the past, but until they show me that they made some offseason adjustments, the Raiders opposing tight end is always going to be on my radar. The fact that he has Drew Brees throwing him the ball doesn’t hurt either. Drew Brees at home…even better. Last season, he averaged 356 yard and just a hair under three touchdown passes per game in the friendly confines of the dome. I expect Fleener to get his hands on some of that.

Sit’em

Andy Dalton @ NYJ

Marvin Jones is gone.

Mohamed Sanu is gone.

Tyler Eifert is highly unlikely to play.

A.J. Green is back, but his Week 1 starts with a vacation to Revis island. Dalton, and the Bengals offense will be fine for the long-haul, but it might take a few weeks to get everyone on the same page.

Marcus Mariota vs. MIN

Is the clock ever going to stop in this game? With Shaun Hill likely starting for the Vikings it is going to be a heavy dose of Adrian Peterson and short, safe passes. On the other side of the ball the Titans have turned back the clock and instituted a smash-mouth style ground attack that will grind the clock down. Add in the fact that the Vikings defense is going to be a tough matchup for all quarterbacks they face this year and this is a week to keep Mariota on the bench. This game has a slow-paced, low-scoring feel to it. If you’re looking for action, turn the channel.

Greg Olsen @ DEN

You probably spent a 5th round pick on Olsen, so I am sure it is going to be hard to bench him, but if you have another quality option at least consider it. The Broncos defense is fast, athletic, and any other positive adjective you want to throw in at all three levels. He posted 4/41 in the Super Bowl, I could see a similar output in this game.

Delanie Walker vs. MIN

I covered how I thought this game was going to play out in the Mariota breakdown. When the Titans do decide to throw, the yards will be tough to come by. Anthony Barr is one of the best linebackers in coverage in the league and Harrison Smith helping over the top will make it tough for Walker to get anything down the seam. I like Walker in 2016, just not in Week 1.

“Sit’em” might not be the right phrase for Olsen and Walker. They were more than likely two of the top 5 tight ends off the board in your fantasy draft, so benching them in Week 1 because of a tough matchup might be a bit strong. However, I would temper expectations for this week and stay far away in DFS formats.

Stack Play: Brees to Fleener

I touched on it above, but Brees in the dome is automatic. The nice part about being invested in the Saints passing game is that their defense isn’t good enough to keep the opposition off the board. Therefore, the Saints are rarely ever in a spot to take the air out of the ball (not literally, Pats fans). Brees will be chucking it all four quarters and I expect Fleener to be a major contributor despite still getting comfortable with the offense.

Good luck in Week 1…here’s to 1-0.

______________________________________________________________________________________________________

(Click the RED link below to listen)

Major League Fantasy Sports: Join Ej Garr, Corey D Roberts, and Coach Jeff Nelson live Sunday September 11th, 2016 from 11am-12:30pm EST for episode #67 of Major League Fantasy Football Radio. This is a live broadcast and we take callers at 323-870-4395 press 1 to speak with the hosts. We will be breaking down key matchups, discussing fantasy start/sit, some DFS, and handicapping as well.

You can find our shows on I-Tunes. Just search for Major League Fantasy Sports in the podcasts section. For Android users go to “Podcast Republic,” then download that app, and search for “Major League Fantasy Sports Show”

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