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.
NOTE: Unless otherwise indicated, all stats come from NFL Pro, Next Gen Stats or NFL Research.
Start 'Em
Earlier this season, I warned about Goedert's lack of volume and dependence on touchdowns. Then, over the past two games, he racked up 20 targets. And he's continued to score at a reliable clip, logging five TDs over his past four games. He’s been the overall TE1 in two of the last three weeks. The Vikings are a tough matchup for wideouts, and the Eagles have also struggled to integrate that position into the offense -- meaning a high number of targets could go Goedert's way again. Ride the hot hand.
Fannin Jr. saw big-time usage in Week 6, playing 81 percent of the Browns' offensive snaps while garnering 10 targets, the second-most on the team. He led Cleveland in catches (seven) and yards (81). He continues to be deployed all over the field, seeing snaps out the backfield, out wide, from the slot and in tight. Also, David Njoku exited the loss to the Steelers with a knee injury, and Browns coach Kevin Stefanski said he's "truly day to day" on Wednesday. Fannin has been the top-scoring Browns tight end four times in six games. Now he gets to face Miami, which has allowed the seventh-most fantasy PPG and third-most yards to tight ends.
Last week, Engram led the Broncos in targets, catches and receiving yards, and he's been a top-two target for Bo Nix in each of the last three games. This week, he gets to face the Giants, who just allowed an overall TE1 finish to Dallas Goedert. They have also allowed the fourth-most yards to players lined up in the slot, where Engram has run 70.8 percent of his routes, the highest rate on the team. Though he has shown to be more of a safe play this season, this could be an upside week.
Waller’s playing time climbed to 70 percent of Miami's offensive snaps last week, and he ran 29 routes, more than any other receiver or tight end. He also caught his fourth touchdown in three games with the Dolphins. As the go-to end-zone target -- four of the team's six end-zone targets since his debut have gone his way -- Waller has a chance to score each week. That is enough to keep him in play. And the Browns, it's worth noting, have allowed the third-most touchdowns to tight ends.
Like everyone else in Broncos-Jets last week, Taylor flopped for fantasy purposes. I blame that more on the offense and less on him. I expect better results against a Panthers defense that creates pressure at the lowest rate in the NFL and has allowed the most yards, the third-most touchdowns and the second-most fantasy PPG to tight ends. Plus, Taylor could be the top target for New York if Garrett Wilson is unable to suit up.
I am no longer the "Kyle Pitts guy," but I do think he is a good streaming option this week against the 49ers, with even more appeal if Darnell Mooney is out once again. The 49ers have been a middle-of-the-pack matchup for tight ends, but the impact of losing Fred Warner cannot be overstated. San Francisco has allowed the most yards in the NFL to players lined up in the slot, and Pitts leads the Falcons in routes run out of the slot.
THREE MUST-STARTS: Packers' Tucker Kraft (at Cardinals); Colts' Tyler Warren (at Chargers); Cowboys' Jake Ferguson (vs. Commanders).
Sit 'Em
Hockenson has been all floor to start the season, topping 10 fantasy points in just one game -- which was touchdown-enhanced. Since Jordan Addison's return to the lineup in Week 4, Hockenson has averaged 5.5 targets and 39 yards per game. The thing about floors is that it's even harder to get away from them in tough matchups -- and the Eagles have allowed the third-fewest yards and fantasy PPG to tight ends.
The targets have dried up for Henry, who has averaged just three per game in the last three weeks. Drake Maye is having a ton of success with the deep ball, so we are seeing the Pats QB prioritize the wideouts more. This week, Henry faces the Titans, who are in the bottom 10 in yards and fantasy PPG allowed to tight ends.
Over the first three weeks of the season, Johnson's fantasy value was largely being propped up by volume. That has shrunken over the last three weeks, during which he's averaged three targets per game. He's also been held to fewer than 20 yards in two straight games -- and now has to worry about getting Taysom Hill'd. The floor is low, and the ceiling no longer feels worth the risk.
After logging a fun seven targets in Week 5, Barner returned to his regularly scheduled three targets or fewer in Week 6. Yes, a long catch-and-run play boosted his numbers, but it's hard to rely on that moving forward. The Texans have allowed the fourth-fewest yards and sixth-fewest fantasy PPG to tight ends. Even more importantly, they have yielded just one touchdown to the position. I would go in another direction.
Johnson has proven to be touchdown-reliant, as he has fewer than 40 yards in every game this season. He has just one game with more than five targets. Now he gets the Broncos, who have allowed the sixth-fewest yards and fourth-fewest fantasy PPG to tight ends. They’ve given up just one touchdown to a TE.
