Week 1 Fantasy Football TE Rankings

Peppers & Picks ranks Trey McBride (ARI TE), our TE1 this week for Week 1 of the 2026 NFL season against bye, projecting 14.3 projected points with a nuclear Pepper Meter rating. 14.3 projected points is roughly 104% more than the TE baseline, and that gap is the entire argument for the spot at TE1. No game on the schedule this week, so the only decision is who replaces him. 100% of managers already start him, and the depth-chart role behind that number looks stable. Add it up and you get a Nuclear reading on the Pepper Meter — Sally isn't hedging on this one.

Sally's original analysis from our own projection, usage and status data. Stats and injury designations as of Sep 13, 2:52 AM ET — statuses change fast, verify before kickoff.

Peppers & Picks ranks Tyler Warren (IND TE), our TE2 this week for Week 1 of the 2026 NFL season against bye, projecting 12.4 projected points with a nuclear Pepper Meter rating. No game on the schedule this week, so the only decision is who replaces him. 95% of managers already start him, and the depth-chart role behind that number looks stable. Warren clears the TE bar by about 77%, which is why he sits this high on my board. Sally has him at Nuclear on the Pepper Meter, and she'll wear the result either way.

Sally's original analysis from our own projection, usage and status data. Stats and injury designations as of Sep 13, 2:52 AM ET — statuses change fast, verify before kickoff.

Peppers & Picks ranks Colston Loveland (CHI TE), our TE3 this week for Week 1 of the 2026 NFL season against bye, projecting 12.1 projected points with a nuclear Pepper Meter rating. 98% of managers already start him, and the depth-chart role behind that number looks stable. I have him at TE3 because the projection lands about 73% clear of what a typical TE banks in a week. He's without an opponent this week, which caps this at a roster-hold conversation. That combination is why the Pepper Meter has him at Nuclear this week.

Sally's original analysis from our own projection, usage and status data. Stats and injury designations as of Sep 13, 2:52 AM ET — statuses change fast, verify before kickoff.

Peppers & Picks ranks Sam LaPorta (DET TE), our TE4 this week for Week 1 of the 2026 NFL season against bye, projecting 11.1 projected points with a on fire Pepper Meter rating. The math is unsexy and convincing: 11.1 points, 59% above what the position pays out on average. He's without an opponent this week, which caps this at a roster-hold conversation. 82% of managers already start him, and the depth-chart role behind that number looks stable. Add it up and you get a On Fire reading on the Pepper Meter — Sally isn't hedging on this one.

Sally's original analysis from our own projection, usage and status data. Stats and injury designations as of Sep 13, 2:52 AM ET — statuses change fast, verify before kickoff.

Peppers & Picks ranks Harold Fannin Jr. (CLE TE), our TE5 this week for Week 1 of the 2026 NFL season against bye, projecting 11.1 projected points with a on fire Pepper Meter rating. No game on the schedule this week, so the only decision is who replaces him. 86% of managers already start him, and the depth-chart role behind that number looks stable. Jr. clears the TE bar by about 59%, which is why he sits this high on my board. Sally has him at On Fire on the Pepper Meter, and she'll wear the result either way.

Sally's original analysis from our own projection, usage and status data. Stats and injury designations as of Sep 13, 2:52 AM ET — statuses change fast, verify before kickoff.

Peppers & Picks ranks George Kittle (SF TE), our TE6 this week for Week 1 of the 2026 NFL season against bye, projecting 10.9 projected points with a on fire Pepper Meter rating. 48% of managers already start him, and the depth-chart role behind that number looks stable. 10.9 projected points is roughly 56% more than the TE baseline, and that gap is the entire argument for the spot at TE6. No game on the schedule this week, so the only decision is who replaces him. That combination is why the Pepper Meter has him at On Fire this week.

Sally's original analysis from our own projection, usage and status data. Stats and injury designations as of Sep 13, 2:52 AM ET — statuses change fast, verify before kickoff.

Peppers & Picks ranks Kyle Pitts Sr. (ATL TE), our TE7 this week for Week 1 of the 2026 NFL season against bye, projecting 10.8 projected points with a on fire Pepper Meter rating. 83% of managers already start him, and the depth-chart role behind that number looks stable. Sr. clears the TE bar by about 54%, which is why he sits this high on my board. No game on the schedule this week, so the only decision is who replaces him. That combination is why the Pepper Meter has him at On Fire this week.

Sally's original analysis from our own projection, usage and status data. Stats and injury designations as of Sep 13, 2:52 AM ET — statuses change fast, verify before kickoff.

Peppers & Picks ranks Travis Kelce (KC TE), our TE8 this week for Week 1 of the 2026 NFL season against bye, projecting 10.5 projected points with a on fire Pepper Meter rating. No game on the schedule this week, so the only decision is who replaces him. 56% of managers already start him, and the depth-chart role behind that number looks stable. 10.5 projected points is roughly 50% more than the TE baseline, and that gap is the entire argument for the spot at TE8. Sally has him at On Fire on the Pepper Meter, and she'll wear the result either way.

Sally's original analysis from our own projection, usage and status data. Stats and injury designations as of Sep 13, 2:52 AM ET — statuses change fast, verify before kickoff.

Peppers & Picks ranks Dallas Goedert (PHI TE), our TE9 this week for Week 1 of the 2026 NFL season against bye, projecting 10.4 projected points with a on fire Pepper Meter rating. He's without an opponent this week, which caps this at a roster-hold conversation. 62% of managers already start him, and the depth-chart role behind that number looks stable. I have him at TE9 because the projection lands about 49% clear of what a typical TE banks in a week. Sally has him at On Fire on the Pepper Meter, and she'll wear the result either way.

Sally's original analysis from our own projection, usage and status data. Stats and injury designations as of Sep 13, 2:52 AM ET — statuses change fast, verify before kickoff.

Peppers & Picks ranks Tucker Kraft (GB TE), our TE10 this week for Week 1 of the 2026 NFL season against bye, projecting 10.1 projected points with a on fire Pepper Meter rating. I have him at TE10 because the projection lands about 44% clear of what a typical TE banks in a week. He's without an opponent this week, which caps this at a roster-hold conversation. 60% of managers already start him, and the depth-chart role behind that number looks stable. Add it up and you get a On Fire reading on the Pepper Meter — Sally isn't hedging on this one.

Sally's original analysis from our own projection, usage and status data. Stats and injury designations as of Sep 13, 2:52 AM ET — statuses change fast, verify before kickoff.

Peppers & Picks ranks Mark Andrews (BAL TE), our TE11 this week for Week 1 of the 2026 NFL season against bye, projecting 10.0 projected points with a on fire Pepper Meter rating. The math is unsexy and convincing: 10 points, 43% above what the position pays out on average. He's without an opponent this week, which caps this at a roster-hold conversation. 34% of managers already start him, and the depth-chart role behind that number looks stable. Add it up and you get a On Fire reading on the Pepper Meter — Sally isn't hedging on this one.

Sally's original analysis from our own projection, usage and status data. Stats and injury designations as of Sep 13, 2:52 AM ET — statuses change fast, verify before kickoff.

Peppers & Picks ranks Jake Ferguson (DAL TE), our TE12 this week for Week 1 of the 2026 NFL season against bye, projecting 9.8 projected points with a on fire Pepper Meter rating. 42% of managers already start him, and the depth-chart role behind that number looks stable. The math is unsexy and convincing: 9.8 points, 40% above what the position pays out on average. He's without an opponent this week, which caps this at a roster-hold conversation. That combination is why the Pepper Meter has him at On Fire this week.

Sally's original analysis from our own projection, usage and status data. Stats and injury designations as of Sep 13, 2:52 AM ET — statuses change fast, verify before kickoff.

Peppers & Picks ranks T.J. Hockenson (MIN TE), our TE13 this week for Week 1 of the 2026 NFL season against bye, projecting 9.3 projected points with a hot Pepper Meter rating. The math is unsexy and convincing: 9.3 points, 33% above what the position pays out on average. He's without an opponent this week, which caps this at a roster-hold conversation. 14% of managers already start him, and the depth-chart role behind that number looks stable. Sally keeps the Pepper Meter at Hot here because the ceiling is capped, not the role.

Sally's original analysis from our own projection, usage and status data. Stats and injury designations as of Sep 13, 2:52 AM ET — statuses change fast, verify before kickoff.

Peppers & Picks ranks Isaiah Likely (NYG TE), our TE14 this week for Week 1 of the 2026 NFL season against bye, projecting 9.2 projected points with a hot Pepper Meter rating. He's without an opponent this week, which caps this at a roster-hold conversation. 34% of managers already start him, and the depth-chart role behind that number looks stable. The math is unsexy and convincing: 9.2 points, 31% above what the position pays out on average. Hot heat, high rank: reliable points without the fireworks.

Sally's original analysis from our own projection, usage and status data. Stats and injury designations as of Sep 13, 2:52 AM ET — statuses change fast, verify before kickoff.

Peppers & Picks ranks Dalton Kincaid (BUF TE), our TE15 this week for Week 1 of the 2026 NFL season against bye, projecting 9.2 projected points with a hot Pepper Meter rating. 9.2 projected points is roughly 31% more than the TE baseline, and that gap is the entire argument for the spot at TE15. No game on the schedule this week, so the only decision is who replaces him. 20% of managers already start him, and the depth-chart role behind that number looks stable. Sally keeps the Pepper Meter at Hot here because the ceiling is capped, not the role.

Sally's original analysis from our own projection, usage and status data. Stats and injury designations as of Sep 13, 2:52 AM ET — statuses change fast, verify before kickoff.

Peppers & Picks ranks Hunter Henry (NE TE), our TE16 this week for Week 1 of the 2026 NFL season against bye, projecting 9.1 projected points with a hot Pepper Meter rating. The math is unsexy and convincing: 9.1 points, 30% above what the position pays out on average. He's without an opponent this week, which caps this at a roster-hold conversation. Only 55% of leagues roster him, so this is cheap production before the price goes up. Sally keeps the Pepper Meter at Hot here because the ceiling is capped, not the role.

Sally's original analysis from our own projection, usage and status data. Stats and injury designations as of Sep 13, 2:52 AM ET — statuses change fast, verify before kickoff.

Peppers & Picks ranks Juwan Johnson (NO TE), our TE17 this week for Week 1 of the 2026 NFL season against bye, projecting 8.6 projected points with a hot Pepper Meter rating. Only 52% of leagues roster him, so this is cheap production before the price goes up. Johnson clears the TE bar by about 23%, which is why he sits this high on my board. No game on the schedule this week, so the only decision is who replaces him. Hot on the Pepper Meter reflects a steady weekly floor rather than a boom week — that's still a start.

Sally's original analysis from our own projection, usage and status data. Stats and injury designations as of Sep 13, 2:52 AM ET — statuses change fast, verify before kickoff.

Peppers & Picks ranks Kenyon Sadiq (NYJ TE), our TE18 this week for Week 1 of the 2026 NFL season against bye, projecting 8.6 projected points with a hot Pepper Meter rating. He's without an opponent this week, which caps this at a roster-hold conversation. Only 35% of leagues roster him, so this is cheap production before the price goes up. The math is unsexy and convincing: 8.6 points, 23% above what the position pays out on average. Hot heat, high rank: reliable points without the fireworks.

Sally's original analysis from our own projection, usage and status data. Stats and injury designations as of Sep 13, 2:52 AM ET — statuses change fast, verify before kickoff.

Peppers & Picks ranks Brenton Strange (JAX TE), our TE19 this week for Week 1 of the 2026 NFL season against bye, projecting 8.4 projected points with a hot Pepper Meter rating. He's without an opponent this week, which caps this at a roster-hold conversation. Only 23% of leagues roster him, so this is cheap production before the price goes up. The math is unsexy and convincing: 8.4 points, 20% above what the position pays out on average. Hot heat, high rank: reliable points without the fireworks.

Sally's original analysis from our own projection, usage and status data. Stats and injury designations as of Sep 13, 2:52 AM ET — statuses change fast, verify before kickoff.

Peppers & Picks ranks Pat Freiermuth (PIT TE), our TE20 this week for Week 1 of the 2026 NFL season against bye, projecting 8.0 projected points with a hot Pepper Meter rating. The math is unsexy and convincing: 8 points, 14% above what the position pays out on average. He's without an opponent this week, which caps this at a roster-hold conversation. Only 15% of leagues roster him, so this is cheap production before the price goes up. Sally keeps the Pepper Meter at Hot here because the ceiling is capped, not the role.

Sally's original analysis from our own projection, usage and status data. Stats and injury designations as of Sep 13, 2:52 AM ET — statuses change fast, verify before kickoff.

Peppers & Picks ranks Dalton Schultz (HOU TE), our TE21 this week for Week 1 of the 2026 NFL season against bye, projecting 7.8 projected points with a spicy Pepper Meter rating. Only 20% of leagues roster him, so this is cheap production before the price goes up. 7.8 projected points is roughly 11% more than the TE baseline, and that gap is the entire argument for the spot at TE21. No game on the schedule this week, so the only decision is who replaces him. Spicy on the Pepper Meter reflects a steady weekly floor rather than a boom week — that's still a start.

Sally's original analysis from our own projection, usage and status data. Stats and injury designations as of Sep 13, 2:52 AM ET — statuses change fast, verify before kickoff.

Peppers & Picks ranks Gunnar Helm (TEN TE), our TE22 this week for Week 1 of the 2026 NFL season against bye, projecting 7.5 projected points with a spicy Pepper Meter rating. Only 6% of leagues roster him, so this is cheap production before the price goes up. Helm clears the TE bar by about 7%, which is why he sits this high on my board. No game on the schedule this week, so the only decision is who replaces him. Spicy on the Pepper Meter reflects a steady weekly floor rather than a boom week — that's still a start.

Sally's original analysis from our own projection, usage and status data. Stats and injury designations as of Sep 13, 2:52 AM ET — statuses change fast, verify before kickoff.

Peppers & Picks ranks Chig Okonkwo (WSH TE), our TE23 this week for Week 1 of the 2026 NFL season against bye, projecting 7.1 projected points with a spicy Pepper Meter rating. I have him at TE23 because the projection lands about 1% clear of what a typical TE banks in a week. He's without an opponent this week, which caps this at a roster-hold conversation. Only 8% of leagues roster him, so this is cheap production before the price goes up. Sally keeps the Pepper Meter at Spicy here because the ceiling is capped, not the role.

Sally's original analysis from our own projection, usage and status data. Stats and injury designations as of Sep 13, 2:52 AM ET — statuses change fast, verify before kickoff.

Peppers & Picks ranks Greg Dulcich (MIA TE), our TE24 this week for Week 1 of the 2026 NFL season against bye, projecting 7.0 projected points with a spicy Pepper Meter rating. He's without an opponent this week, which caps this at a roster-hold conversation. Only 3% of leagues roster him, so this is cheap production before the price goes up. I have him at TE24 because the projection lands about 0% clear of what a typical TE banks in a week. Spicy heat, high rank: reliable points without the fireworks.

Sally's original analysis from our own projection, usage and status data. Stats and injury designations as of Sep 13, 2:52 AM ET — statuses change fast, verify before kickoff.

Peppers & Picks ranks Colby Parkinson (LAR TE), our TE25 this week for Week 1 of the 2026 NFL season against bye, projecting 6.8 projected points with a spicy Pepper Meter rating. He's without an opponent this week, which caps this at a roster-hold conversation. Only 1% of leagues roster him, so this is cheap production before the price goes up. The projection sits about 3% under what a startable TE returns, so I can't pretend the price tag matches the output. Sally keeps him at Spicy until the usage says otherwise.

Sally's original analysis from our own projection, usage and status data. Stats and injury designations as of Sep 13, 2:52 AM ET — statuses change fast, verify before kickoff.

Peppers & Picks ranks AJ Barner (SEA TE), our TE26 this week for Week 1 of the 2026 NFL season against bye, projecting 6.7 projected points with a spicy Pepper Meter rating. Only 7% of leagues roster him, so this is cheap production before the price goes up. The projection sits about 4% under what a startable TE returns, so I can't pretend the price tag matches the output. He's without an opponent this week, which caps this at a roster-hold conversation. The Pepper Meter cools him to Spicy, and that reading is doing its job.

Sally's original analysis from our own projection, usage and status data. Stats and injury designations as of Sep 13, 2:52 AM ET — statuses change fast, verify before kickoff.

Peppers & Picks ranks Darren Waller (CAR TE), our TE27 this week for Week 1 of the 2026 NFL season against bye, projecting 6.7 projected points with a spicy Pepper Meter rating. Nothing in the projection defends him — 4% below positional par is a bench line for me. No game on the schedule this week, so the only decision is who replaces him. Only 4% of leagues roster him, so this is cheap production before the price goes up. Spicy on the Pepper Meter is generous, honestly.

Sally's original analysis from our own projection, usage and status data. Stats and injury designations as of Sep 13, 2:52 AM ET — statuses change fast, verify before kickoff.

Peppers & Picks ranks Evan Engram (DEN TE), our TE28 this week for Week 1 of the 2026 NFL season against bye, projecting 6.3 projected points with a spicy Pepper Meter rating. No game on the schedule this week, so the only decision is who replaces him. Only 3% of leagues roster him, so this is cheap production before the price goes up. 6.3 points is roughly 10% short of the TE baseline, and I rank on output, not name recognition. Sally keeps him at Spicy until the usage says otherwise.

Sally's original analysis from our own projection, usage and status data. Stats and injury designations as of Sep 13, 2:52 AM ET — statuses change fast, verify before kickoff.

Peppers & Picks ranks Terrance Ferguson (LAR TE), our TE29 this week for Week 1 of the 2026 NFL season against bye, projecting 6.2 projected points with a spicy Pepper Meter rating. The projection sits about 11% under what a startable TE returns, so I can't pretend the price tag matches the output. He's without an opponent this week, which caps this at a roster-hold conversation. Only 28% of leagues roster him, so this is cheap production before the price goes up. Spicy on the Pepper Meter is generous, honestly.

Sally's original analysis from our own projection, usage and status data. Stats and injury designations as of Sep 13, 2:52 AM ET — statuses change fast, verify before kickoff.

Peppers & Picks ranks David Njoku (LAC TE), our TE30 this week for Week 1 of the 2026 NFL season against bye, projecting 6.1 projected points with a spicy Pepper Meter rating. Only 5% of leagues roster him, so this is cheap production before the price goes up. 6.1 points is roughly 13% short of the TE baseline, and I rank on output, not name recognition. No game on the schedule this week, so the only decision is who replaces him. The Pepper Meter cools him to Spicy, and that reading is doing its job.

Sally's original analysis from our own projection, usage and status data. Stats and injury designations as of Sep 13, 2:52 AM ET — statuses change fast, verify before kickoff.