Who Should I Start? Travis Kelce or Jake Ferguson

Friday, September 6, 4:28 AM

Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce ended the night with three catches for 34 yards on four targets in the Chiefs 27-20 win against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 1. Kelce is a focal point of the Chiefs offense, but he was not a difference-maker in this contest. Kelce did not see a single target until halfway through the second quarter. The star tight end finished the game with four targets, good for second-most on the team, but was fourth in receiving yards. The tough Baltimore defense likely learned from their mistakes in the 2023 AFC Championship game, when Kelce had 11 catches for 116 yards and a touchdown. The 34-year-old may be a declining talent while the rest of the Chiefs offense around him is ascending, but it will take more than one bad game to reach that conclusion. Kelce will get a chance to bounce back in Week 2 against the Cincinnati Bengals. The Bengals gave up the third-most receiving yards per game to opposing tight ends in 2023. Kelce will still be ranked as a TE1 until proven otherwise.

Tuesday, September 10, 1:15 PM

Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said he's optimistic about tight end Jake Ferguson (knee) playing in Week 2 against the New Orleans Saints. Ferguson was injured in the Week 1 victory over the Cleveland Browns on Sunday and was diagnosed with an MCL sprain and bone bruise. For now, the 25-year-old is being called week-to-week, but if he's able to practice later this week, he could have a shot to suit up this Sunday to face the Saints. Fantasy managers need to have a backup plan in place at the position in case Ferguson is out, which is probably more likely. If Ferguson misses Week 2, Luke Schoonmaker and fullback Hunter Luepke should be more involved in Dallas' offense, although it's tough to recommend them as starting fantasy options, even in the deepest of leagues. After a Pro Bowl season in 2023 in which he had 761 receiving yards and five touchdowns, Ferguson needs to be stashed in fantasy.