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You have lineup questions, we have lineup answers — at least we hope so. Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em is here to help fantasy managers make difficult roster decisions. And you know what is a good move? Starting CeeDee Lamb. But that’s too obvious, so you won’t see such simple analysis here. Instead, we’re exploring more debatable situations. And if you can’t find a player you are looking for, please check out the latest NFL Fantasy lineup rankings.
Start ‘Em
The star of Week 1 should be in the lineups of those managers lucky enough to add him off the waiver wire. Likely led the Ravens in targets (12), catches (9), yards (111), touchdown receptions (1), passer rating when targeted (130.9) and end zone targets (2) against the Chiefs. He was targeted on half of his routes and lined up in the slot for 52 percent of his snaps. Likely was Lamar Jackson’s first read on a team-high 35 percent of his throws, per Fantasy Points Data. The Ravens used 12 personnel (two tight end sets) on half of their offensive plays in Week 1. So not only do I think two tight ends can thrive in this offense, I would argue Likely was used more like a receiver — even as the WR1. There is no shot I am getting away from him after that elite usage.
There can still be enough passes to go around for Andrews, even after Isaiah Likely’s Week 1 breakout. Andrews played 60 percent of his snaps from the slot and while the usage was there, it’s worth remembering a few things. Andrews was playing in his first game after being involved in a mid-August car crash that caused him to miss valuable practice time. Plus, the Chiefs tend to have his number and defend him extremely well. I am not panicking on Andrews after one down game. If you used a high-end pick on Andrews, stick with him in what should be a better offensive showing for the Ravens.
I know, I know. Kincaid had a letdown fantasy performance in Week 1 (one catch for 11 yards). But do not panic. He played 88 percent of the snaps, ran the second-most routes on the Bills behind only Keon Coleman and 41 percent of his snaps came from the slot. Perhaps best of all, he saw limited snaps the first two drives and the Bills scored all of three points. He basically did not leave the field after that stretch and their offense got cooking. I am sticking with Kincaid in what could be a very high-scoring matchup on Thursday night. Remember, he had seven catches for 84 yards on eight targets against the Dolphins in Week 18 last season.
My guy, Kyle Pitts! He was the lone bright spot in the Falcons’ Week 1 passing attack. That is not saying much for a team that was held to 155 yards through the air, though. Pitts saw just three targets, but he found pay dirt and finished as a top-four fantasy tight end. The hope is for more volume and that Kirk Cousins starts to regain his old form. The good thing for Pitts is the bar for tight end success is so much lower than it is for, say, receiver success (sorry Drake London managers). I am rolling with Pitts again in what is a more favorable matchup on paper than the one he faced in Week 1.
Bowers was a sit last week after he missed a lot of practice this summer due to a foot injury. Well, let’s just say that did not end up mattering as much as I thought it would against the Chargers. Bowers finished with a team-high eight targets, making six catches for 58 yards. That was good for 11.8 fantasy points and a TE3 finish on the week. The Week 2 matchup is tough, but given the upside that Bowers brings and the state of the tight end position, I am willing to take a swing on the rookie.
Sit ‘Em
This is my first real big swing at the tight end position so far this season. I did not love the usage for Engram in Week 1. He saw four targets and 29 air yards as the Jaguars spread the ball around to six different pass catchers. Volume is what elevated Engram to elite status last year. In fact, his 114 catches were the second most by a tight end in a single season. However, his production spiked after Christian Kirk was injured. Given the Jags’ suddenly crowded passing attack, paired with the Browns’ defense being one of the toughest matchups for a tight end, I am taking the bold stance of saying sit Engram this week in fantasy.
My big concern with Schultz was whether he would see enough volume this season, and my worries proved valid in Week 1. Despite being on the field a bunch, Schultz was only targeted three times, turning them into 16 yards. With the top three Texans wide receivers taking so much of the volume — they commanded about two-thirds of the targets — it will be hard for another pass catcher to be start-worthy, especially considering Houston had 40 rushing attempts in the opener. There may be some Schultz spike weeks, but good luck figuring out when they will occur. Stay away in this tough matchup.
Speaking of offenses that I want little exposure to, may I present the Arthur Smith-led Steelers! Freiermuth, fresh off getting a contract extension, caught all four of his targets for 27 yards in Week 1. He had just 12 air yards. That is the thing — on an offense that is going to run the ball so much, you need to be able to make up for a lack of pass-game volume with big plays. Those are not coming with that sort of usage. Starting Freiermuth is hoping for a touchdown. It’s George Pickens or bust for me in the Steelers’ passing attack.
I know Hill is everyone’s favorite tight end. I totally get that if he ever starts at QB and you can plug him in at TE, it’s a huge advantage. However, as long as he is not playing QB, I am not all that interested. He carried the ball five times — the same number of times he ran a route in Week 1. The Saints rotate three tight ends and he is clearly fighting for snaps. Starting him is hoping for a rushing touchdown. Against the Cowboys, who could make life very tough on the Saints, I would go in a different direction.
Kmet only ran 12 routes and recorded one target in Week 1. His fellow Bears tight end, Gerald Everett, ran more routes (19). That is simply too little usage to trust in fantasy. Even with Rome Odunze suffering an MCL sprain, if Kmet is splitting reps at tight end and playing among two target vacuums in DJ Moore and Keenan Allen, Kmet is not worth starting, or perhaps even rostering, in fantasy.
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