NFL Fantasy 2025 Start 'Em, Sit 'Em: Tight ends for Week 9

Last week was a down one for Warren, who scored just 9.3 fantasy points -- that's more like what you'd expect out of a streamer, not from someone who registered 14-plus fantasy points in his prior four games. I expect the stud rookie to bounce back against the Steelers, who have allowed the second-most touchdowns and fantasy PPG and third-most yards to tight ends. Plus, they play man at the third-highest rate in the NFL, and Warren is tied for the team lead in receiving touchdowns against that coverage. 

Gadsden has been on fire, averaging 20 fantasy PPG in the last three weeks, soaking up a 19 percent target share and 21 percent air-yard share in that span. He tied for the team lead in targets against zone coverage in that time, with nearly double the yards of any other Charger against that coverage. Notably, the Titans play zone nearly 80 percent of the time. One more enticing tidbit: The Titans have had yards-after-catch issues, ranking sixth in the NFL in YAC allowed over expectation, and Gadsden leads the Bolts in YAC over their past three games.

Putting up a donut in fantasy points on National Tight Ends Day is rough, but don't hold it against Ferguson too much -- the Broncos' defense can do that to anyone. I do not love that he has just a 12 percent target share and 7 percent air-yard share in the games since CeeDee Lamb returned to action, signs that he's been relegated to the clear third option after serving as a consistent top-two target previously. But I think we could see him utilized more against the Cardinals, who have struggled against tight ends, allowing the sixth-most fantasy PPG to the position.

I know I said I am no longer the Kyle Pitts guy -- and now here I am, recommending him as a start for a third straight week. Pitts did come through by topping 13 points in each of his previous two games, so let's go for the three-peat from a player who is seeing more consistent usage, ranking second on the Falcons in targets since Week 7. He is also seeing shorter, more reliable targets -- the kind of passes that have a high probability of completion while also setting him up for catch-and-run opportunities. Plus, the Pats have allowed the fourth-most yards and fifth-most fantasy PPG to tight ends.

This is about two things. The expected return of Lamar Jackson is the biggest thing; the matchup is the other. The Dolphins have allowed the sixth-most yards and 11th-most fantasy PPG to tight ends this season. Given the pliability of the defenses on both sides, this has the potential to be a high-scoring matchup. Thus, Andrews has a good chance of scoring a touchdown this week, something he has struggled to do for much of this season.

Johnson has done enough to be in the streaming picture, but not enough to be a straight-up start. This is more about his matchup against a very banged-up 49ers defense that has issues getting to the QB. They've been in the middle of the pack against tight ends, but they have allowed the second-most yards to players lined up in the slot. Johnson has run 38.1 percent of his routes from the slot, the second-highest rate on the team.

With Cole Kmet out in Week 8, Loveland ran 30 routes, had five targets and finished with 38 yards and 6.8 fantasy points. The opportunity is what matters, though. If Kmet remains out his week, Loveland will be in play, due to the matchup with the Bengals, who have allowed the most yards, touchdowns and fantasy PPG to tight ends.

Kincaid has not had a lot of success in this matchup, failing to top 50 yards or score a touchdown in any game against the Chiefs out of three career tries. Kansas City, meanwhile, has allowed the fifth-fewest yards and fourth-fewest fantasy PPG to tight ends this season, along with just one touchdown. Perhaps Kincaid gets to strike back at the Chiefs; you might remember that the Bills' 2024 season ended against them in the playoffs, with a last-ditch fourth-down pass hitting off Kincaid's hands. But I do not want to risk it in fantasy if I do not have to.

I keep waiting for Engram to break out, and it just is not happening -- he has yet to top 50 yards in a game this season, and he has scored just one touchdown. So much for being the Joker and the best tight end to play under Sean Payton since Jimmy Graham. And with the Denver receivers performing as well as they are, there is always the possibility that his volume will dip -- especially this week, as the Texans do not allow much pass-game production, giving up the fourth-fewest yards and fifth-fewest fantasy PPG to tight ends.

Henry caught a touchdown in Week 8, but it was his lone target, and he finished with just 7 yards. Since Week 4, he has logged just a 13 percent target share and 10 percent air-yard share. He has one end-zone target in that span. It is hard to have fantasy success in any week given that sort of volume, but it will be especially so this week; the Falcons have allowed the fewest yards and fantasy PPG to tight ends this season.

Just like Evan Engram, Hockenson does not have 50 yards in a game this season, relying on catches for his value, as he, too, only has one touchdown so far. Plus, with J.J. McCarthy on tap to return to the QB1 role for Minnesota, consider this stat line: seven targets, four catches, 27 yards. That would be a disappointing week, no? Well, it's what Hockenson managed to put up total in two games with McCarthy to start the season. The Lions rank in the middle of the pack against tight ends, but I do not want to trust Hockenson in this one.