Fantasy Football Waiver Wire: Tyler Eifert Jumps to Near the Top of the Tight End Heap

Tyler Eifert was the 21st overall pick in the 2013 NFL Draft. He had a decent season as a rookie, then played in only one game last year due to injury. I had him as a borderline TE1 in my rankings, and targeted him in some drafts, but his performance on Sunday shattered those expectation. He could carry on the Bengals tight end tradition of guys like Bob Trumpy, Dan Ross, and Rodney Holman.

Keep in mind that besides Gronkowski, the tight end rankings were fairly flat this year. With his performance in week 1, especially considering just how often Dalton looked his way, Eifert jumps into a top 5 starting option at TE for the foreseeable future. He’s the one clear slam dunk free agent pick up.

Of course, Eifert is owned in 59% of leagues (according to CBS Sports data), so there’s a good chance he might not be available. As with past years, I try to present info on shallow, average and deep leagues, for a variety of options.

I’ll denote players according to the following:

Shallow Leagues: owned in 50-70% of all leagues

Moderate Leagues: owned in 25-49%

Deep Leagues: owned in 24% or fewer

QUARTERBACKS

Shallow and Average Leagues: Nick Foles (33%) is probably the top matchup option against Washington. Both rookies, Marcus Mariota (43%) and Jameis Winston (48%) (particularly if Mike Evans returns) can be thought of as QB2 options and starters if necessary.

Deep: Ryan Fitzpatrick (15%) is probably your best option in a deep league if you are already in desperate teams or in a start 2 situation.

RUNNING BACKS

Shallow Leagues: DeAngelo Williams (60%) will get the full load with Le’Veon Bell out for one more week, and looked good in week 1. It just won’t last long. Danny Woodhead (59%) got almost the same number of touches as Melvin Gordon AND got the red zone TD’s, so he’s an option in Flex spots in PPR leagues. Ronnie Hillman (60%) could see plenty of work on Thursday with C.J. Anderson having a foot injury, which may make his appearance in a short week questionable.

Average Leagues: David Johnson (40%) had the big TD catch on his only touch for Arizona. Keep in mind that Chris Johnson got a lot more carries, and so while David may see an increase, don’t expect starter results with Andre Ellington likely out for a few weeks . . . yet. Still worth a stash.

Benny Cunningham (27%) is a better short term option, but it won’t last long. For week 2, he can be a serviceable RB2 against Washington, as Mason and Gurley will probably not be playing (or if Mason does, he will be limited).

Deep Leagues: Chris Johnson (19%) will have one last shot to show that he has anything left with Ellington sidelined. He’s a flex start this week.

Dion Lewis (7%) easily had the most touches, but Blount comes back for New England. Still, Lewis –and not James White– looks like the choice to play the Vereen/Woodhead role for the Patriots, which can make him a flex option going forward, and more valuable in PPR.

Karlos Williams (10%) looks like the clear backup choice in Buffalo. He’s not worth starting unless McCoy is hurt, but could immediately shoot to RB2 status if that happens. Lance Dunbar (12%) had 8 catches for 70 yards (no rush attempts). Given the uncertainty in the backfield and the loss of Dez Bryant, Dunbar may continue to be a valuable PPR option. Khiry Robinson (11%) could turn into a flex option given the matchup with Tampa, if Spiller is still not back this week.

WIDE RECEIVER

Shallow and Average Leagues: Brandon Coleman (33%) had the Saints’ receiving touchdown last week, and had almost as many targets as Brandin Cooks. He’s 6’6″ and could play a larger role going forward given Colston’s decline and the loss of Graham, particularly as a red zone threat.

Steve Johnson (40%) is back to starting, now for San Diego, and had a solid first game with Philip Rivers throwing to him. Definitely someone who can be a WR3 going forward. Markus Wheaton (49%) is a shorter term option as a WR3 while Martavis Bryant is suspended.

I won’t dissuade you from James Jones (37%) because Aaron Rodgers is throwing the passes, but he only had 4 targets, so I wouldn’t expect 2 TDs every week, and he’s the clear third receiving option in the short term.

Deep Leagues: Donte Moncrief (15%) got way more snaps than Philip Dorsett (22%). Given TY Hilton’s injury that may keep him out this week, and Andre Johnson’s lackluster start in Indy, both present both short term and long term potential in Indy at a cheap price.

Jerricho Cotchery (7%) looks like the top receiver in Carolina, for whatever that’s worth. Jordan Norwood (0%) and not Cody Latimer was the clear 3rd choice in Denver in the opener.

TIGHT END

Shallow Leagues: Tyler Eifert, go big on him.

Average Leagues: Plenty of options here. Austin Sefarian-Jenkins (43%) had two TD’s from Winston, just remember his targets could shrink a bit when Mike Evans returns. Jordan Reed (36%) similarly benefited from DeSean Jackson going out early. Jared Cook (40%) led the Rams in targets; it’s just not a particularly high volume offense. All three, though, are TE starting rotation options going forward.

Deep Leagues: I picked up Ladarius Green (15%) in one league where I had injuries and started him last week, getting a TD. He’s a good option while Gates is suspended for the first four weeks.

OVERALL PICKS

Immediate Impact Rankings for this week:

Tyler Eifert, TE, CIN
DeAngelo Williams, RB, PIT
Benny Cunningham, RB, STL
Chris Johnson, RB, ARI
Austin Sefarian-Jenkins, TE, TB
Jordan Reed, TE, WAS
Donte Moncrief, WR, IND
Ladarius Green, TE, SD
Steve Johnson, WR, SD
Danny Woodhead, RB, SD
Brandon Coleman, WR, NO
Ronnie Hillman+, RB, DEN
Nick Foles, QB, STL
David Johnson, RB, ARI
Khiry Robinson, RB, NO

Longterm Impact

Tyler Eifert, TE, CIN
Brandon Coleman, WR, NO
Danny Woodhead, RB, SD
Jordan Reed, TE, WAS
Austin Sefarian-Jenkins, TE, TB
Steve Johnson, WR, SD
Dion Lewis, RB, NE
David Johnson, RB, ARI
Donte Moncrief, WR, IND
Lance Dunbar, RB, DAL
Marcus Mariota, QB, TEN
Jameis Winston, QB, TB
Ronnie Hillman, RB, DEN
Karlos Williams, RB, BUF
Nick Foles, QB, STL
Chris Johnson, RB, ARI

[images via USA Today Sports Images]