Here are the Week 1 fantasy football tight end rankings for the 2026 NFL season, complete with DraftKings salaries, projected fantasy points and DFS value plays in full-PPR scoring.
Projections based on 2025 per-game DraftKings production, adjusted for Week 1 matchups, implied team totals and expected role.
Week 1 Tight End Rankings
| Rank | Player | Team | Opp | DK Salary | 2025 Opp PPG Allowed | Proj Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Trey McBride | ARI | @ LAC | $6,800 | 8.6 | 17.3 |
| 2 | Tucker Kraft (Q) | GB | @ MIN | $4,500 | 7.9 | 14.7 |
| 3 | George Kittle (Q) | SF | @ LAR | $4,800* | 11.0 | 14.4 |
| 4 | Brock Bowers | LV | vs. MIA | $6,900 | 11.0 | 14.5 |
| 5 | Sam LaPorta (Q) | DET | vs. NO | $4,400 | 9.4 | 13.4 |
| 6 | Dallas Goedert | PHI | vs. WAS | $4,100 | 11.6 | 12.7 |
| 7 | Kyle Pitts | ATL | @ PIT | $4,700 | 12.0 | 11.5 |
| 8 | Jake Ferguson | DAL | @ NYG | $3,900* | 10.6 | 11.9 |
| 9 | Travis Kelce | KC | vs. DEN | $4,000* | 9.5 | 11.2 |
| 10 | Tyler Warren (Q) | IND | vs. BAL | $4,900 | 11.5 | 10.9 |
| 11 | Colston Loveland | CHI | @ CAR | $5,300 | 9.7 | 10.7 |
| 12 | Dalton Kincaid | BUF | @ HOU | $4,600 | 9.3 | 10.5 |
| 13 | Juwan Johnson | NO | @ DET | $3,700 | 10.9 | 10.5 |
| 14 | Harold Fannin Jr. | CLE | @ JAX | $4,200 | 11.1 | 10.2 |
| 15 | Dalton Schultz | HOU | vs. BUF | $3,400 | 8.0 | 10.5 |
| 16 | Hunter Henry | NE | @ SEA | $3,800* | 10.1 | 10.1 |
| 17 | Oronde Gadsden II | LAC | vs. ARI | $3,500 | 11.5 | 9.7 |
| 18 | Brenton Strange | JAX | vs. CLE | $3,600 | 9.2 | 9.6 |
| 19 | Isaiah Likely | NYG | vs. DAL | $4,300* | 12.3 | 9.4 |
| 20 | Colby Parkinson | LAR | vs. SF | $3,500* | 11.6 | 9.3 |
| 21 | AJ Barner | SEA | vs. NE | $3,600* | 10.0 | 8.9 |
| 22 | Evan Engram | DEN | @ KC | $3,400* | 9.4 | 8.6 |
| 23 | Mark Andrews | BAL | @ IND | $3,900 | 11.6 | 8.1 |
| 24 | Cade Otton | TB | @ CIN | $3,700 | 11.3 | 7.7 |
| 25 | T.J. Hockenson | MIN | vs. GB | $3,300 | 10.1 | 7.6 |
| 26 | Greg Dulcich | MIA | @ LV | $3,500 | 10.1 | 6.8 |
| 27 | Mike Gesicki | CIN | vs. TB | $3,100 | 11.7 | 6.9 |
| 28 | Pat Freiermuth | PIT | vs. ATL | $3,400 | 10.2 | 6.8 |
| 29 | Chig Okonkwo | WAS | @ PHI | $4,000 | 8.7 | 6.6 |
| 30 | Kenyon Sadiq (Q) | NYJ | @ TEN | $3,800 | 11.2 | 6.5 |
* Salary from a non-Sunday DraftKings slate. These players appear on primetime or international game slates with different salary structures than the Sunday Main contest.
DraftKings DFS Value Plays
Sam LaPorta, Lions vs. Saints
Projected DraftKings points: 13.4
Salary: $4,400
2025 PPG: 11.9 DK fantasy points (9 games)
Game environment: DET -7, O/U 49.5 (29.5 implied team total)
LaPorta projects as the top value tight end on the Week 1 slate. He steps into the best game environment of any tight end this week, with DET-NO carrying a 49.5 Over/Under and Detroit as 7-point home favorites. His salary sits well below the TE1 tier despite his role as Jared Goff’s primary red-zone target.
Dallas Goedert, Eagles vs. Commanders
Projected DraftKings points: 12.7
Salary: $4,100
2025 PPG: 12.3 DK fantasy points (15 games)
Game environment: PHI -5.5, O/U 44.5 (25.0 implied team total)
Goedert projects at 12.7 this week at just $4,100. Philadelphia hosts Washington as 5.5-point favorites with a 44.5 Over/Under, giving Goedert a positive game script in an offense that consistently funnels targets to the tight end position. His $4,100 price tag is the lowest it has been for an opening-week slate.
Jake Ferguson, Cowboys @ Giants
Projected DraftKings points: 11.9
Salary: $3,900
2025 PPG: 11.1 DK fantasy points (17 games)
Game environment: DAL -3, O/U 48.5 (25.5 implied team total)
Ferguson played all 17 games in 2025, making his $3,900 Sunday Night salary one of the better tight end values on any slate this week. DAL-NYG carries a 48.5 Over/Under, the second-highest total involving a tight end in the top 15. Ferguson’s consistent route participation and red-zone usage give him both floor and ceiling in a high-scoring environment.
Dalton Schultz, Texans vs. Bills
Projected DraftKings points: 10.5
Salary: $3,400
2025 PPG: 10.5 DK fantasy points (17 games)
Game environment: HOU +1.5, O/U 44.5 (21.5 implied team total)
Schultz is the cheapest starting tight end on the Sunday Main slate while projecting at 10.5 DraftKings points. He played all 17 games in 2025 in a C.J. Stroud offense that spreads targets across multiple pass catchers. The BUF-HOU total (44.5) is neutral, but Schultz’s floor at this salary provides roster construction flexibility in both cash games and tournaments.
FAQ
Are these PPR rankings? Yes. These rankings use full-PPR scoring where each reception is worth 1 point. Tight end scoring is driven primarily by receptions (1 pt), receiving yards (0.1 pts/yd) and receiving touchdowns (6 pts) under DraftKings scoring rules.
Why are Week 1 rankings based on 2025 stats? No 2026 regular-season data exists yet. Projected points are calculated from 2025 per-game production adjusted for Week 1 opponent, game total and implied team scoring environment. Rankings will incorporate 2026 weekly performance starting in Week 2.
How should I use these rankings for DraftKings lineups? The rankings table reflects expected PPR production regardless of salary. Use the DFS Value Plays section for salary-efficient options. Players near the top of the rankings at lower salaries (LaPorta at $4,400, Goedert at $4,100, Ferguson at $3,900) offer the strongest combination of projected production and roster flexibility.
