- Quarterbacks
- Running backs
- Wide receivers
- Tight ends
- Kickers
- Defenses
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 Justin Jefferson. 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. Unless otherwise noted, all stats come from NFL Pro, Next Gen Stats or NFL Research.
Start ‘Em
It’s happening! Kyle Pitts is happening! He has eight-plus targets and seven catches in two of his last three games. He has topped 60 yards in each of his last three games. Pitts is now the TE7 on the year and has scored double-digit points in three straight (and four of seven games total). His best effort of the season came against the Bucs in Week 5, when he went for 88 yards and topped 15 fantasy points. Tamp Bay has allowed the third-most yards and 10th-most fantasy PPG to TEs. Start Pitts.
It didn’t matter who was throwing the ball last week — it was going David Njoku’s way. He finished with a whopping 14 targets — three of which were in the end zone — piling up 10 catches for 76 yards and a touchdown. He should remain the top target for the Browns moving forward, with Amari Cooper now in Buffalo. Plus, this matchup is not nearly as scary as you think. Baltimore has allowed the most yards and sixth-most fantasy PPG to tight ends this season. Njoku is a must-start player.
Since returning from a hamstring injury suffered during pregame warmups in Week 2, Engram has had one ceiling game and one floor game. If he can give you somewhere between eight and 18 fantasy points on a weekly basis, he will be a must-start option. This could be an upside week. While the Packers are tough on receivers, they don’t exactly lock up tight ends. Green Bay has allowed the eighth-most yards and ninth-most fantasy PPG to tight ends. The Pack also score plenty, so the Jags could be throwing a bunch. If the receivers struggle to get open, Engram could see plenty of volume in the passing game. Start him.
So far this season, Kincaid has not lived up to the massive expectations placed on him by the fantasy community. Still, he has shown to have a relatively safe floor and is tied to a good QB/offense. Plus, I believe Amari Cooper‘s presence will help Kincaid. More target competition isn’t ideal, but Kincaid will no longer be the focal point of opposing defenses. Foes can’t solely focus on taking away the middle of the field. With Cooper creating more space, Kincaid will be able to operate better after the catch. Plus, the Seahawks have allowed the fourth-most yards and eighth-most fantasy PPG to tight ends. Give Kincaid another shot.
In the last month, Kraft has scored 17.3, 24.8, 3.5 and 12.3 points. Yeah, the 3.5 isn’t ideal, but generally speaking, that sort of upside is huge at the tight end position. It is worth starting the second-year pro weekly and living with the down games. This could be an upside week, though, as the Jags are just outside the top 10 in yards and touchdowns allowed to tight ends.
Sit ‘Em
Freiermuth finished with three targets in his first game with Russell Wilson. It was his third straight outing with just three targets. In seven contests this season, he’s only reached 40 receiving yards twice. The Giants have allowed the eighth-fewest yards and zero touchdowns to tight ends. They’ve given up the seventh-fewest fantasy PPG to the position. Things could get better with Russ, but we have to see it first.
Even with Nico Collins out, Schultz has struggled to produce in fantasy. He had just two targets and one catch last week. He has failed to reach 40 yards or eight fantasy points in a single game this season. Such limited usage makes it too difficult to trust him, even in a favorable matchup. Plus, he was limited to just 16 yards the last time he played the Colts back in Week 1. Stream elsewhere.
In order for a tight end to score fantasy points, he needs the ball to be thrown his way. And that just hasn’t been the case with Likely of late. Following a prolific season-opening performance (nine catches for 111 yards and a touchdown against the Chiefs), he has averaged just 2.8 targets per game. With Mark Andrews looking fully back, there could be even less work going Likely’s way. Plus, the Browns have allowed the seventh-fewest yards and zero touchdowns to tight ends. They’ve given up just a 62.1 passer rating on throws to the position. Get away from Likely.
In the first game with Davante Adams as a Jet, Conklin finished with 7 yards on four catches. He did score his first touchdown in nearly two years, but without that, the floor is very low. Given the stiff target competition now in New York, I would avoid starting Conklin in fantasy.
Don’t go chasing last week’s points, folks. The talented Okonkwo finally produced a little bit (four catches for 50 yards) with Mason Rudolph at quarterback. It could be an encouraging sign for other weeks, but the Lions are not a team to start tight ends against. They have allowed the fifth-fewest fantasy PPG to the position. Stream elsewhere this week.
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