Start 'Em & Sit 'Em is the ultimate weekly look at NFL matchups and how they'll affect your fantasy football team. Fantasy superstars such as Patrick Mahomes and Christian McCaffrey will not be featured in this column. All player matchups are based on a PPR scoring system. For your final starting lineup decisions, check my weekly fantasy football lineup rankings.
Byes:New York Jets, San Francisco 49ers
Start 'Em
Start of the Week
Waller has been a fantasy baller, as he leads the Raiders in most receiving categories and has a 30 percent target share. This week he faces the Colts, who have surrendered an average of more than 16 fantasy points per game to opposing tight ends so far in 2019.
Andrews came crashing back down to earth last week, scoring a mere 4.5 fantasy points in a loss to the Chiefs. I'd keep the faith in him, however, as he'll face a banged up Browns defense next that gave up two touchdowns to Delanie Walker back in the season opener.
Walker continues to be one of the top options for Marcus Mariota, as he ranks first on the team in targets and ranks second in routes run. Mariota also has a 128.7 passer rating when targeting Walker, so look for the talented veteran to see plenty of work against Atlanta.
Dissly, listed as a sleeper last week, has graduated to a start in this week's amazingly good matchup against the Cardinals. This defense has given up almost 30 fantasy points per game to tight ends after three weeks, so add and start Dissly if you're in need this week.
Start 'Em:Greg Olsen at Houston Texans, Austin Hooper vs. Tennessee Titans
Sleepers:T.J. Hockenson vs. Kansas City Chiefs, Vernon Davis at New York Giants
Sit 'Em
Sit of the Week
Cook has done a Houdini act in the stat sheets this season, as he ranks outside of the top 30 at tight end based on fantasy points and has averaged a mere four targets per game. Without Drew Brees under center, Cook is a hard fade for me against Dallas.
Howard showed some signs of life last week, as he put up 66 yards in a loss to the Giants. Still, he's only been targeted nine times in three games and a road matchup against the Rams is anything but favorable. If you do start Howard, temper your expectations.
Burton might have ranked in the top 10 in fantasy points among tight ends a season ago, but it's tough to trust him when you look at his snap and route totals after three weeks. A matchup against the Vikings isn't favorable either, so I'd sit Burton once again.
Rudolph has become non-existent as a pass catcher in the Vikings' offense, as he's averaged just 16.7 routes run per game while also seeing just six combined targets. If that's not enough to sit him, well, a matchup against the Bears' aggressive defense should do it.
Sit 'Em:Jason Witten at New Orleans Saints, Jordan Akins vs. Carolina Panthers
Busts:Tyler Eifert at Pittsburgh Steelers (Mon.), Jordan Akins vs. Carolina Panthers
Michael Fabiano is an award-winning fantasy football analyst on NFL.com and NFL Network and a member of the Fantasy Sports Writers Association (FSWA) Hall of Fame. You can follow Michael on **Twitter**, **Facebook**, **YouTube** and **Instagram** for all of the latest fantasy football news, notes and in-depth analysis!
