NFL Fantasy 2024 Start 'Em, Sit 'Em: Tight ends for Week 9

Oh, man! I have been chasing this for YEARS, and it is finally happening: Kyle Pitts is breaking out! Last week, Pitts had 91 yards (his fourth-most in a game in his career) and two touchdowns (a first for the fourth-year pro). He has become a consistent part of Atlanta's offense with 65-plus yards in four straight games. Pitts has reached double digits in five of his eight games. Even in what is a tough matchup on paper, you have to start him. We have finally made it here: Pitts is a must-start!

Speaking of someone you can play despite a tough matchup, I present to you ... Evan Engram! He has shown to have a safe floor and high ceiling. Since returning from injury in Week 6, he has averaged 13.4 fantasy PPG. With Christian Kirk now out for the season, Engram could reach another level of production. Last season, he jumped from 7.6 targets and 11.6 fantasy PPG with Kirk to 10.4 targets and 19.3 fantasy PPG without him. And if Brian Thomas Jr. (chest injury) misses this Sunday's game at Philadelphia, Engram should receive even more volume. He is a must-play this week.

Two weeks ago in this space, I listed Otton as a quality streamer. He quickly has ascended into a must-start option. With the top two Bucs receivers out this past Sunday, Otton led the way with 10 targets. In fact, it was his second straight game with 10 targets. He has scored 18 and 29.1 fantasy points in those games. He already showed to be a safe-floor TE, but there is clearly big upside now with so many targets up for grabs in Tampa. This could be another big week, as the Chiefs have allowed the second-most yards and the most fantasy PPG to tight ends this season.

National Tight Ends Day was kind to Sam LaPorta, as he posted season highs in targets (six), catches (six) and fantasy points (16.8). But this wasn't just due to last Sunday being his position's holiday -- the absence of Jameson Williams (two-game suspension) led to more volume for LaPorta. Williams will be out again this Sunday. Not only that, but the Packers have been tough on receivers this season. At the same time, they have allowed the fifth-most yards and the eighth-most fantasy PPG to tight ends. Keep riding with LaPorta.

Last season, Schultz was a very good fantasy tight end whenever one of the top two Texans receivers was hurt. He scored over nine fantasy points in five of those six games and twice scored 14 or more. With Nico Collins still on injured reserve and Stefon Diggs now out for the season, Tank Dell and Schultz will lead Houston's passing attack in Week 9. Dell, though, will have to deal with a Jets secondary that's tough on wideouts. Meanwhile, Gang Green has allowed a 103 passer rating on throws to tight ends.

This is for those in need of a streamer! The Rams have improved against receivers, instead struggling against tight ends of late. In recent weeks, Los Angeles allowed Tucker Kraft to explode for 25.8 fantasy points, Brock Bowers to hit 19.3 and Josh Oliver to find the end zone. On the season, the Rams have now allowed the third-most fantasy PPG to tight ends. Fant has seen more consistent usage recently, topping 60 yards in two of his last three games.

Hockenson is all set to make his season debut this week in Sunday Night Football against the Colts. It will be great to have him back, and I am excited to watch him again. It's just ... I do not love starting players in the first game back from a major injury. Hockenson did not have surgery on his torn ACL until late January, so he is only nine months removed. There are always questions of how much usage a returning player gets in the first game. Is there any rust to shake off? Will it take time for him to mentally trust that leg again? These situations often come down to needing a big play or touchdown. Hockenson is certainly capable of doing so, but you have gone this far without him, so you have other options. I would opt to play it safe. If he plays well, you have an every-week starter the rest of the way.

There is certainly reason to be optimistic about Henry, given both his usage and production as of late. There will be weeks to start him; I am just not sure this is one of them. There is a chance he will be playing with Jacoby Brissett, not Drake Maye (concussion). Plus, the Titans have been very stingy against tight ends, allowing the third-fewest yards to the position. They have yielded just two touchdowns and the fifth-fewest fantasy PPG to TEs. Go in another direction this week.

The Giants' defense is so much better than it gets credit for, probably thanks to Big Blue's offensive woes. New York's D has been especially stingy vs. tight ends, allowing the sixth-fewest yards (and no touchdowns) to the position this season. In total, the Giants have allowed the fourth-fewest fantasy PPG to the position. Ertz has been a pleasant surprise this fantasy season, proving to be a safe-floor tight end. Tough matchups tend to lower floors, though. Get away from Ertz in this one.

Likely just racked up the most yards in a game (47) since his 111-yard performance in Week 1. He has now seen four targets in three straight weeks. Since Week 2, though, he is still averaging just three targets and 6.1 fantasy PPG. There is simply not enough usage or production to be able to trust Likely right now. The Broncos are middle of the pack against tight ends, but this is more about the Ravens having a lot of options in the offense -- including the latest acquisition, Diontae Johnson -- and there not being enough volume to sustain two tight ends. Likely can hit the bench.

The good news: Conklin keeps catching touchdowns. The bad news: The floor remains low if/when he does not. Conklin has seen just four targets in each of the two games since Davante Adams' arrival. He has 49 yards total in those two games. Now he has an awful matchup against the Texans, who have allowed the fewest yards to tight ends this season. A league-low 51.2 percent of passes to TEs have been completed against Houston. Stay far away from this matchup. Stream elsewhere this week.