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
Ferguson was a breakout pick of mine during the preseason and he has looked the part since he returned from injury in Week 3. He has seen 18 targets in his last two games and reached double-digit fantasy points in his each of those contests. He is the No. 2 target for Dak Prescott on a Cowboys offense that has thrown on 68 percent of its plays, the second-highest rate in the NFL. He is a must-start tight end.
The Texans are one of the toughest matchups for a tight end so far those season, but I don’t care. Kincaid has been a top two target for Josh Allen in three straight games. He has averaged 11.4 fantasy PPG in the last two weeks, which is elite in this tight end landscape. He is seeing volume in one of the league’s best offenses, and this game could be one of the higher-scoring matchups of the week. You have to keep riding with Kincaid.
Maybe the fantasy community (including yours truly) got a little too excited over Bowers after the first two games. In the last two weeks, he has just 60 receiving yards and 12.2 fantasy points. He is still second among all tight ends in targets and is averaging five yards of separation on those targets. The usage and upside are simply too good to get away from at the thinnest position in the game. The Broncos are a middle-of-the-pack defense against tight ends. I will continue starting Bowers in leagues where he’s on my roster.
After missing the last three games with a hamstring injury, Week 5 looks promising for Engram’s return, per Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson. The Jaguars certainly can use him. The Colts have allowed the fifth-most receiving yards and are tied for most touchdowns allowed to tight ends this season. Also, Engram averaged double-figure fantasy points against the Colts last season. Keep an eye on his status, but he's worth a start if he plays.
After providing nothing but floor games through three weeks, Freiermuth finally showed some upside. He finished with 16.7 fantasy points after going for 57 yards and a touchdown against the Colts last week. Now he gets a very banged-up Cowboys defense in a game where the Steelers might be chasing points. A floor of around seven fantasy points is better than most tight ends can offer, but there is a chance we see more upside this week.
Sit 'Em
The usage is not there for Andrews and Likely right now. Andrews has played less than 50 percent of the snaps and ran single-digit routes in two straight games. Despite being on the field more, Likely is not seeing volume. He has just six targets in the last three games. Andrews has just two targets in his last two games and has not scored a fantasy point since Week 2. I would try to buy low and hope they can figure it out as the season goes on, but until we see them utilized more, it is time to sit them.
It pains me to say this, but it’s simply not happening for Pitts. Through the first month, 58% of Pitts’ fantasy points came from two plays. He had a long catch against the Chiefs in Week 3 and a wide-open touchdown reception against the Steelers in the season opener. He is averaging just 6.1 fantasy PPG on 3.8 targets per game. You may not have a better option because the tight end position is so weak, but if you do, take it.
After a huge Week 3, Kmet came back down to earth in Week 4, as he scored just 6.4 fantasy points. He has fewer than 35 yards and seven fantasy points in three of four games. With Keenan Allen back, Kmet is fighting to be anything higher than fourth in the target pecking order. The Panthers are not a scary matchup for him, but I do not feel confident in the Bears’ passing attack sustaining multiple successful receiving options at this point. I will look to go in another direction this week.
The Vikings defense has been very good, for the most part, this season. Plus, this game will be played in London, where only one team has reached 28 points since 2021. Conklin has fewer than six fantasy points in three of four games. He has two or fewer in two games. The only time we saw him put up numbers was against a weak Patriots team in Week 3. I would find another option this week.
You really are hoping for a rushing touchdown if you’re starting Hill. Well, he scored two last week, but that is not going to happen weekly. He had fewer than eight fantasy points in his two games without a touchdown combined. Plus, he is banged up now. You can’t count on him adding much in the passing game since the Saints use three tight ends. He has just two receiving yards this season. I would not chase the points.
EDITOR'S UPDATE: Saints head coach Dennis Allen told reporters on Thursday that Hill is dealing with rib fractures.
