Tight end can be one of the hardest positions to figure out early in the fantasy football season. A lot of tight ends need a touchdown to become legitimate fantasy contributors, which means the Week 1 scoring leaders can look completely different from what we see a few weeks from now. One big play or trip into the end zone can quickly change the waiver-wire landscape.
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Week 2 Tight End Streamers
Michael Mayer – Las Vegas Raiders
With Brock Bowers having just had meniscus surgery, the team is calling him “Day-to-Day.” I’m not sure about all of you, but trusting Clint Kubiak with what he says is like a teenager saying they’re coming home on time. Definitely keep track of Bowers’ status. For now, the Raiders gave Mayer a three-year, $45 million contract extension, showing they clearly have plans for him moving forward.
Mayer didn’t put up huge numbers in Week 1, but the opportunity was encouraging. Las Vegas controlled the game against Miami for most of the afternoon, yet Mayer still received five targets and caught four passes for 26 yards through the first three quarters.
The matchup should create even more opportunity in Week 2. Las Vegas squares off against division rival the Los Angeles Chargers. LA is favored by 9.5 currently. Mayer should see decent volume and more chances to be the team’s top receiving option.
Mike Gesicki – Cincinnati Bengals
Gesicki was basically Cincy’s WR3 vs. the Bucs in Week 1. According to PFF, Gesicki ran 81% of his routes from the slot and another 18% out wide. That usage translated into seven targets, five receptions, 78 yards, and a touchdown. You can’t put too much stock into Week 1 games, but curious to see if this can stick.
Ja’Marr Chase is obviously going to be much more involved as the season progresses, so expecting another 18.8 fantasy points from Gesicki would be unrealistic. Still, the route participation and target volume make him a legitimate streaming option.
Cincinnati faces Houston in Week 2, and the matchup could be better than it initially appears. The Bills just put up 36 points and 410 total yards against the Texans. Dalton Kincaid had a massive day, going for 5 recs and 130 receiving yards.
Make sure to check out all of our Week 2 Fantasy Football Rankings and Analysis!
Week 2 Tight End Sleepers
Pat Freiermuth – Pittsburgh Steelers
Freiermuth has been an inconsistent fantasy option since entering the league in 2021, but he got off to an encouraging start in 2026. He caught all five of his targets for 46 yards and a touchdown in Week 1.
The volume is what stood out most. Freiermuth caught every target thrown his way and also received two red-zone opportunities, while the Steelers’ wide receivers didn’t receive a single red-zone target. Freiermuth gets a matchup with the Patriots in Week 2 who were middle of the pack in stopping tight ends in 2025.
Kenyon Sadiq – New York Jets
Kenyon Sadiq didn’t have the smoothest offseason. He missed valuable training-camp time after experiencing a setback following hernia surgery. However, in Week 1 he immediately showed some of the upside that made him a first-round pick. Sadiq caught all three of his targets for 21 yards and also scored a three-yard rushing touchdown on his only carry. He only played 42% of the offensive snaps, trailing both Mason Taylor and Jeremy Ruckert. New York’s plan is still to ease him in. Sadiq is someone you should scoop and be patient on.
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