5 TEs to start or sit

There’s not a lot of consistency in fantasy football – that Tight end position embodies this every week. The tight end position is truly a fantasy desert.

Despite the lack of options, fantasy players received some good news and strong performances last week. Cleveland Browns tight end David Njoku posted his best numbers of the season. Baltimore Ravens tight end Mark Andrews got off to a slow start. But he has started to improve in the last two weeks.

Still, Lions tight end Sam LaPorta and Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce continue to disappoint and fail to meet their ADP.

Fantasy teams that invested in the position early in their drafts have had to struggle to find the right play every week.

Fantasy teams are constantly faced with difficult starting seating decisions for their tight ends. Week 8 offers your team a new opportunity to make a statement. Here’s a breakdown of who you should start with and who you should root for in Week 8 of the fantasy football season.

Fantasy football start ’em: Week 8 TEs

Dalton Schultz, Houston Texans

The Texans face the Indianapolis Colts in Week 8. Houston will still be without star wide receiver Nico Collins, who is on IR, opening up opportunities for the Texans’ remaining pass-catchers. It was expected that Schultz and Tank Dell would see an increase in usage, and that’s exactly what happened.

However, neither received results last week. In the first game without Collins, the veteran tight end was second on the team in targets behind Dell. Last week, the Texans’ entire passing game struggled. Schultz was the leading receiver for Houston and made one catch for 28 yards. CJ Stroud only threw for 86 yards.

The Colts defense under Gus Bradley is always best attacked in the middle short areas of the field. Indy has allowed the fifth-most fantasy points per game to tight ends. They have the most touchdowns and second-most receptions allowed at the position. Some people are willing to ditch Schultz but start him this week.

Noah Fant, Seattle Seahawks

Noah Fant was close to a recommended start last week against the Falcons. He finished the game with four grabs for 65 yards. Heading into the Week 8 game against the Buffalo Bills, Seahawks star wide receiver DK Metcalf is dealing with a knee injury. When active, this can result in limited snapshots and more targets available on offense.

Buffalo was vulnerable at tight ends with linebacker Matt Milano out. The Bills are tied for third-most receptions allowed to tight ends. Seattle’s offense under new offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb ranks ninth in plays per game. Fant can offer some upside for fantasy managers this week.

FANTASY FOOTBALL TRADE VALUE TABLE: Fantasy Football Week 8: Trade Value Chart and Rankings for the Rest of the Season

Kyle Pitts, Atlanta Falcons

Some fantasy football owners were ready to give up on Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts after the first month of the season, but hopefully you held out. With the addition of Kirk Cousins under center, fantasy owners have received more stable production from Pitts. He is currently the sixth-best tight end through the first seven weeks of the PPR.

Atlanta will face the Buccaneers, who have allowed the third-most yards to tight ends. In Week 5 against Tampa, Pitts finished the game with seven receptions and a season-high 88 yards. Use it with confidence in Week 8. The Bucs defense just allowed Mark Andrews to have his best game of the season. Look for Pitts to continue building toward a rebound campaign.

Fantasy Football Sit ‘Em: Week 8 TEs

Grant Calcaterra, Philadelphia Eagles

The Eagles travel to Cincinnati to take on the Bengals in Week 8. Last week, Calcaterra was a recommended effort, and he finished the game with just one catch for five yards. Saquon Barkley dominated against his former team. Fantasy owners drafting Dallas Goedert may want to call on the third-year tight end on Sunday if Goedert is sidelined again with a hamstring injury he suffered in Week 6.

Calcaterra posted solid stats after Goedert was sidelined in Week 6, but he’s not plug-and-play against the Bengals. He should be back on the bench this week or hit waivers. The Bengals have been generous with tight ends (fourth-most fantasy points per game), but Calcaterra doesn’t have enough meat on their bones. When AJ Brown and DeVonta Smith are healthy in the Eagles’ offense, Goedert averages just 4.4 receptions for 48 yards and 0.2 touchdowns. In other words, the Eagles’ tight ends are underperforming this season.

Zach Ertz, Washington Commander

The Washington Commanders face the Chicago Bears on the road in Week 8. Veteran tight end Ertz has been a solid streaming option this season, but he’ll have to stay on the bench this week.

The Bears’ pass defense has been strong, ranking ninth overall at the position. Chicago has a very fast defense led by Tremaine Edmunds at linebacker. Washington could be without Jayden Daniels this week, leaving Marcus Mariota to start. That’s not ideal for Ertz’s Week 8 profile.

Fantasy Football: Start’em, Sit’ems, Week 8

Looking for more fantasy football advice? USA TODAY Sports offers you:

→ A good running back makes the difference. A bad running back can cost you a lot of points. Here’s who to start with and who to attend in Week 8.

→ Do you need an edge under the center? Here are the best quarterback options to start and sit in Week 8.

→ The wide receiver position has been decimated this season. Protect yourself in Week 8 with start ’em, sit ’em advice for wideouts.

→ Good defense can shut down your fantasy opponent’s offense. Here are some D/ST options for starting and participating in Week 8.

→ Kickers Are People Too: Here are some of the most clutch kickers your fantasy team should have in Week 8.

topicnews · October 25, 2024

5 TEs to start or sit