NFL Player News

Jimmy Graham's best game last season was his home matchup against the Falcons in Week 10, when he caught seven passes for 146 yards and two touchdowns, so you have to like his potential for Week 1, when the Saints are again hosting the Falcons.

Of course, since you most likely invested a second-round pick in him, you have to like Graham's potential against just about anybody.

Tight end just so happens to be the position the Falcons had the hardest time defending last year. Even though they allowed the fewest passing touchdowns of all 32 teams, they gave up the seventh-most Fantasy points to tight ends.

Not surprisingly, Jamey Eisenberg, Dave Richard and Nathan Zegura all rank Graham first among tight ends for this week, though again, the matchup probably has little to do with it. Now fully healthy after contending with a wrist injury for the second half of last season, Graham could be in line for monster numbers this year.

Patriots tight end Zach Sudfeld comes into the season as a popular sleeper based on his preseason performance and expected role in the offense. But now Fantasy owners want to know if they should start him in Week 1 at the Bills.

Sudfeld has six receptions for 90 yards and a touchdown in three preseason games. With Rob Gronkowski (back) likely out, Sudfeld has the chance to be the primary tight end for this matchup.

We consider Sudfeld a starter this week. New England tight ends combined for nine catches, 152 yards and two scores against Buffalo last season, and the Patriots could feature Sudfeld this week.

He might not be your primary tight end -- at least not now -- but if you have a shaky starting option then consider Sudfeld a great replacement against the Bills.

The calf issue that has hindered Jaguars tight end Marcedes Lewis apparently won't go away. He left practice on Wednesday with what looks to be a worsening of the injury, according to Associated Press.

Lewis missed the last three preseason games with the calf problem and had been listed as questionable for the season opener against the Chiefs. His departure from practice could prove to be a setback.

Dwayne Allen and Coby Fleener both play tight end for the Colts, they have both recovered from knee injuries and they will both play Sunday against Oakland, reports the Indianapolis Star. Chuck Pagano gave both players the thumbs up Wednesday.

Allen, who was snagged in the third round of the 2012, is the starter after having outperformed Fleener, who was taken a round earlier in the same draft. Allen finished the season with 45 catches for 521 yards and three touchdowns. Fleener managed 26 catches for 281 yards and two scores. It remains to be seen how much playing time Fleener will receive this year.

Eagles backup tight end Zach Ertz will make his NFL debut on Monday night Week 1 in Washington. He'll have a favorable matchup in his first regular season game. 

Ertz will be facing a team that allowed the second-most Fantasy points per game to opposing tight ends last season. Brent Celek, the starter for the Eagles, combined for eight catches for 81 yards without a score last season in two games against the Redskins. 

Michael Vick may like throwing Ertz's way, but there are far too many unknowns here for us to recommend his usage in Fantasy in the first week of the season.

With starting tight end Heath Miller (knee) sidelined, Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said Tuesday the team will use a "committee" approach at tight end. The Steelers have five tight ends on the roster -- Miller, Matt Spaeth, David Johnson, David Paulson and Michael Palmer.

Though, Spaeth (foot) could join Miller on the sidelines. Tomlin said Tuesday Spaeth is an option to be placed on the injured reserve-designated to return list.

The Colts waived tight end Justice Cunningham, the 254th and final pick in April's draft.

The Seattle SeahawksSeahawks signed eight players to their practice squad: defensive tackles Sealver Siliga and Michael Brooks, tight end Cooper Helfet, linebacker Ty Powell, guards Jared Smith and Ryan Seymour, defensive back DeShawn Shead and wideout Bryan Walters.

The " data-canon="Kansas City Chiefs" data-type="SPORTS_OBJECT_TEAM" id="shortcode0"> claimed seven players off waivers: wideout Chad Hall (San Francisco), tight end Sean McGrath (Seattle), linebackers Dezman Moses (Green Bay) and James-Michael Johnson (Cleveland), defensive backs Ron Parker (Seattle) and Marcus Cooper (San Francisco) and defensive lineman Jaye Howard (Seattle).

To make room, Kansas City released wideout <player idref=, tight end <player idref=, defensive lineman <player idref=, linebacker <player idref= Zac Diles and defensive backs <player idref= Jalil Brown and <player idref=Bradley McDougald.

TheFalcons signed eight players to their practice squad: fullback Patrick DiMarco, quarterback Seth Doege, wideouts Darius Johnson and James Rodgers, cornerback Jordan Mabin, guard Phillipkeith Manley, defensive tackle Adam Replogle and tight end Mickey Shuler.