Fantasy football managers face crucial lineup decisions each week as they navigate the unpredictable landscape of player performances and matchups. The tight end position presents unique challenges this season, with limited reliable options forcing managers to make difficult choices.
Some players are emerging as must-start options despite tough matchups, while others who seem promising on paper may disappoint due to game flow concerns. Understanding when to trust your instincts versus when to play it safe can make the difference between victory and defeat in your weekly matchup.
Start ‘Em: Dallas Goedert, Philadelphia Eagles
Week 3 reminded us that the Philadelphia Eagles can, in fact, throw the ball. Faced with a negative game script, Jalen Hurts actually hit up all three of his top targets (A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith, Dallas Goedert) for touchdowns. It’s a reminder that this passing game is functional and very consolidated.
We know the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have an offense capable of forcing the Eagles to call pass plays. Plus, this is a pass funnel defense. The way to move the ball against the Bucs is through the air.
Goedert only caught one pass against the Rams, but it went for a 33-yard score. He’s now hit double-digit fantasy points in both games he’s played this season. With so few reliable TE1s, Goedert should be in fantasy lineups.
Juwan Johnson, New Orleans Saints
The question isn’t whether the Buffalo Bills will win this game; it’s by how many. The New Orleans Saints just got obliterated by the Seattle Seahawks in a game that was over in the first quarter. Yet, the Saints still battled. They played their football and just tried to score some points.
Juwan Johnson remains the second option in the passing game behind Chris Olave. Even in a blowout loss, the veteran tight end caught six of eight targets for 51 yards. Johnson has now hit double-digit fantasy points in every game this season.
The Bills have allowed the second-fewest fantasy points per game to tight ends. However, specifically at the TE position, those numbers can be so heavily impacted by what specific tight ends a team faces.
With a negative game script a certainty, there will be plenty of passing volume for the Saints. Johnson remains a must-start at a very weak TE position.
Sit ‘Em: Dalton Kincaid, Buffalo Bills
It’s been an excellent start to the season for Dalton Kincaid. He’s caught at least four passes in his first three games, including two touchdowns. The concern here is twofold.
First, this looks like one of those games where Josh Allen does not need to do much. The Buffalo Bills should be able to lean heavily on James Cook and the running game. We’ve seen these games where the Bills dominate their opponent, and Allen has 200 scoreless yards. A positive game script does not bode well for any Bills pass catchers.
Second, despite Kincaid’s strong start to the season, he is still only running a route on about 62% of the Bills’ pass plays. With no clear top option in the passing game and Allen’s propensity to spread the ball around, Kincaid increasingly relies on efficiency and touchdowns to produce fantasy points.
Fantasy managers probably do not have a better option than Kincaid. However, expectations must be tempered.
Kyle Pitts, Atlanta Falcons
For all the talk about Kyle Pitts finally putting it together this year, he hasn’t exactly done much this season. Pitts opened the season with seven receptions for 59 yards. Since then, he’s had two games of four receptions for 37 and 39 yards, respectively.
It’s encouraging that Pitts could produce passable fantasy numbers in a game where the Atlanta Falcons did not score any points. However, the performance of Michael Penix Jr. is incredibly concerning. His last two weeks have been so bad that the Falcons must seriously consider returning to Kirk Cousins.
The Falcons will score some points this week, but will Penix sustain enough drives to keep feeding his pass catchers? The Washington Commanders do not have the same miserable defense they did last season. Again, given the state of the tight end position, it will be challenging to bench Pitts. But if you can, you should.
