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
I will say it just like I did last week: Cade Otton has reached must-start status! He has double-digit targets in three straight games, topping 75 yards in all three and scoring three touchdowns in that span. That is elite volume and production for a wide receiver, let alone a tight end. The 49ers are a tough matchup for TEs, but Otton has been too good to get away from. Must-start means MUST-START. Keep the faith in the big fella.
Engram tied his season-high with 10 targets last week in Jacksonville's first game without Christian Kirk. Engram has now topped 11 fantasy points in three of his four games since returning from a hamstring injury. He brings a very safe floor and some upside -- that alone is enough to start him weekly. The Vikings have been tough on tight ends, but it does not matter. Keep riding with Engram.
After a three-game hot streak, Andrews put up a dud last week. He is a bit touchdown dependent, but I think this is a week to start him. The Bengals have allowed the second-most yards and the most touchdowns to tight ends since Week 5. On the year, they have give up the sixth-most fantasy PPG to the position. Andrews has played Cincinnati plenty in his career, enjoying some pretty big games. The matchup -- along with the QB and offense he is tied to -- keeps him in play.
Hockenson, who tore his ACL last December, made his season debut last week against the Colts. He played 45 percent of the snaps and received four targets, catching three passes for 27 yards. All things considered, it was a successful return for Hockenson. I would expect his snaps and usage to increase weekly, and the more he plays with Sam Darnold, the better chemistry they'll develop. This week, Hockenson gets the Jags, who are top five in yards and touchdowns allowed to tight ends since Week 5. Jacksonville gives up plenty of production weekly. The floor is low, but the ceiling is high for the Vikings tight end.
Kincaid saw a season-high 10 targets last week. He has received at least six targets in each of his last six games. He brings a floor of around seven or eight fantasy points. We could see more upside this week, though, against the Colts. In the wide receiver file, I talked about how Khalil Shakir is the zone breaker for the Bills. While that has been true, Kincaid is also heavily used against zone, which is important because Indianapolis plays zone at the second-highest rate in the NFL. The Colts have allowed the sixth-most yards to tight ends this season and the third-most fantasy PPG.
Henry continues to see consistent usage in the Patriots' offense. He clearly is one of the targets Drake Maye trusts most. In the last four games, Henry has averaged 13.1 fantasy PPG. That number jumps to 14.3 if you only count the three games Maye finished. The Bears are inside the top 10 in yards allowed to tight ends since Week 5. Henry is still sitting on some waivers, but he should be in lineups. If you missed out on Henry, the Bengals' Mike Gesicki (if Tee Higgins remains sidelined for Thursday night's game) and Giants' Theo Johnson are other streaming options.
Sit 'Em
It has come to this. LaPorta is averaging just 3.3 targets per game. He had his best game with Jameson Williams suspended, but even that felt a little manufactured. LaPorta had a 27 percent target rate and a 24 percent first-read share (per Fantasy Points Data) in the two games without Williams; he posted a 12 percent target rate and eight percent first-read rate with him. Plus, the Texans are the toughest matchup for a tight end, as they have given up the fewest yards and fantasy PPG this season. Houston has also allowed the lowest passer rating and completion percentage (by far) on throws to tight ends. You can sit LaPorta this week.
Did you know Cole Kmet played last week? Just testing you, because if you looked at the box score, you'd think he did not, given the zero targets. He has just one target in his last two games combined. Kmet's enjoyed two huge games this season, but been relatively quiet otherwise. With all three of the Bears' top receivers healthy, it is tough for him to see consistent volume. He is always capable of a big game, but good luck guessing when it will occur in this environment.
In two games with Russell Wilson under center, Freiermuth has five total targets. The Muth has reached double-digit fantasy points just once this season. There simply has not been enough upside or floor to trust Freiermuth, as he has scored fewer than four fantasy points in two of his last three. Not to mention, the Commanders have been pretty tough on tight ends, limiting their yardage at a top-10 rate. I would get away from Freiermuth.
Even with no Nico Collins or Stefon Diggs against the Jets, Schultz was limited to just three catches for 21 yards on six targets. He was not a top-25 tight end on the week. Now, Collins could return for this week's Sunday night tilt. Plus, the Lions have been elite against tight ends as of late, allowing the fewest yards and no touchdowns since Week 5. Detroit has yielded just a 41.1 passer rating on throws to TEs in that span. Avoid this matchup.
A week after getting a season-high 11 targets, Ertz saw a season-low one target. He clearly did not have much of a fantasy output. Ertz is more of a safe-floor play, but that gets lowered in a tough matchup, and that is exactly what I would call the Steelers' defense. Pittsburgh has allowed the seventh-fewest yards to tight ends this season. You can start your big-name Commanders against this defense, but Ertz is not that.
