Fantasy Football: Tight Ends to start and sit in Week 3

Week three of the NFL season is upon us and there is plenty of value to be had at the tight end position. Just because you don’t have a top tier guy doesn’t mean you can’t play the waiver wire to try and find a favorable matchup. Below are three players to start, four to sit, and four suggestions to fill in for those players to sit for week three.

Start:

Kyle Rudolph

The Vikings may have just lost Adrian Peterson for the season but Sam Bradford looked, dare I say, good on Sunday night. Rudolph is a reliable target and with the emerging Stephon Diggs at wide receiver to take pressure away from him, Rudolph could have another big game.

Antonio Gates

The Chargers are traveling to Indianapolis to take on a struggling Colts team that isn’t exactly known for its defense. The offense is still predicated on Phillip Rivers airing it out 30 times a game and Gates has proven a reliable target.

Dwayne Allen

The Chargers defense has given up double digit points to tight ends twice so far this season. Allen is a great red zone target for Andrew looks and should get a lot of targets in what could be a high scoring game.

Sit:

Jesse James

I was impressed by the Outlaw in week two as much as most Steelers fans, but I want to see him build more of a rapport with Roethlisberger before I feel comfortable starting him. Don’t let your black and gold tinted glasses steer you wrong.

Start instead: Coby Fleener NO

Martellus Bennet

Bennet did nothing week one then exploded week two. Rob Gronkowski might be back this week which will take away from his targets. Even if Gronk can’t play, the Patriots aren’t preparing to start their third string quarterback. I’d stay away from Bennet this week.

Start Instead: Jacob Tamme ATL

Gary Barnridge

So far Barnridge hasn’t done anything to instill confidence that he can match last year’s numbers. The Browns area dumpster fire on offense and could still get much worse since they are about to start their third different quarterback in three weeks. Not an ideal level of consistency.

Start instead: Jason Witten Dal

Jimmy Graham

The days of being considered on par with Rob Gronkowski are long gone for Jimmy Graham. Seattle’s offense has not been in sync this year and with Russell Wilson now nursing an ankle injury it’s not likely to get better anytime soon. Seattle likes to use a run first attack which require Graham to do more blocking than receiving. I’m officially off the Graham comeback bandwagon, not that there was any reason to be on it in the first place.

Start Instead: Delanie Walker