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
Regardless of playing just 46 percent of the snaps last week, Hockenson tied for the team lead with nine targets, while leading the Vikings with eight catches for 72 yards. He scored 15.2 fantasy points and finished as the TE5 on the week in just his second game of the season. I expect his snap count to increase moving forward. Recovered from last season's torn ACL, Hockenson is back to being a tight end you can start weekly, as the volume and upside he brings are too good to get away from at the position. The Titans are a tough matchup on paper this season, but they have not been as stingy of late.
Kraft may not see a ton of volume, but that has not prevented him from being a strong fantasy asset. He comes with a low floor, but has averaged 13.7 fantasy PPG in his last six games. He has scored five touchdowns in that span and provided significant gains on catch-and-run plays. This week, he gets the Bears, who have allowed the fourth-most yards to tight ends since Week 6. The upside is too good to get away from Kraft.
Goedert just returned after nearly a month away and immediately found the end zone, finishing the week as a top-10 tight end. He only saw three targets, but it was a blowout in which Jalen Hurts threw just 20 passes. In his last two full games prior to last week, Goedert received 19 combined targets. In his last three full games including last week, he has averaged 16.9 fantasy PPG and reached double figures each time out. There is too much upside at a thin position to get away from Goedert, especially in what could be a high-scoring battle for first place in the NFC East.
Last week was a flop for Henry, but that does not take away the fact that there has been more good than bad for him with Drake Maye at quarterback. In the five games Maye has started, Henry is averaging 11 fantasy PPG. He has seen consistent volume and is clearly a top weapon for the talented rookie QB. This could be a nice bounce-back week, as the Rams have struggled at times against tight ends, allowing the ninth-most fantasy PPG to the position. Henry is in play as a bye-week replacement.
Despite leaving early due to a shoulder injury last Sunday night, LaPorta put up a season-high 66 yards. He scored his third touchdown of the 2024 campaign and tied his season-high with six targets. Encouraging stuff for the first tight end drafted in the majority of leagues -- it was great to see LaPorta look like himself again and remind everyone of the weekly upside he still brings. This week, the Lions face the Jaguars, who have allowed the fourth-most yards this season to tight ends (and second-most since Week 6). So, if LaPorta plays for Detroit, he should play for your fantasy team.
If you need a streamer ...
This is for those of you in need of a streamer -- and only if Dalton Kincaid (knee) is out this week. The emergence of Kincaid has made Knox a lower-tier weapon for the Bills, taking him completely off the fantasy map. If Kincaid is out, though, Knox will be the top tight end for the Bills. He is a player Josh Allen trusts, especially in the red zone. Plus, it is a fantastic matchup, as the Chiefs have allowed the most yards and second-most fantasy PPG to tight ends this season.
Sit 'Em
Engram was the one Jaguar who somewhat came through for fantasy purposes last week, catching six passes for 40 yards -- good for 10 fantasy points. That would typically be considered a floor game with Trevor Lawrence under center. We are still figuring life out with Mac Jones as the starter, but it seems clear that all the pass catchers will take a hit. Now Engram gets a tough matchup, to boot, as the Lions have allowed the fifth-fewest yards, lowest passer rating and zero touchdowns to tight ends since Week 6. Not a must-sit, but if you can get away, I would.
This is not a Jake Ferguson problem; it is a QB problem. That clarification doesn't matter for fantasy football, though. Ferguson was Dallas' leading receiver last week with all of 24 yards. It seems very difficult to trust any Cowboys moving forward. Not to mention, the Texans have allowed the fewest yards to tight ends. They've given up by far the lowest passer rating and completion percentage on passes to tight ends. Get away from Fergie and the Cowboys this week.
You notice a trend yet? There are certain offenses I am just looking to avoid for fantasy football purposes. Such as those of the Bears, Cowboys and Jaguars. And last I checked, Cole Kmet is still a Bear. In his last three games, he has just five targets, three catches and 27 yards, failing to reach five fantasy points in any of those. He has posted single digits in seven of nine games. Green Bay has been middle of the pack against tight ends, but this is about avoiding Chicago's offense.
Last week, Schultz scored a season-high 9.6 fantasy points. That's right, he has yet to reach double digits in any of his first 10 games. And now it appears Nico Collins is about to return and claim a good chunk of the passing-game volume. We have seen that when two of the top receiver targets are healthy for Houston, it is very difficult for Schultz to see enough volume to be fantasy relevant. The floor is very low, and we have yet to see much upside this season. Stay away.
Sitting Ertz in a revenge game that also happens to be a battle for first place? That is no fun -- I know! Ertz has been a bit up and down this season, but has struggled to produce on the fantasy front over the past two weeks. This is more about the matchup, though. The Eagles have allowed the fifth-fewest yards to tight ends this season and have yet to allow a touchdown. (The Chargers are the only other team that hasn't allowed a TD to a TE.) Due to the matchup, I would avoid Ertz.