Fantasy football lineups often come down to tough decisions at tight end, especially when big names are underperforming. This week’s cut candidates include a couple of familiar faces who have not lived up to expectations.
Their roles, usage trends, and scoring volatility raise fundamental questions about whether they still deserve a roster spot. The details might surprise you and could change how you manage your team going forward, prompting closer scrutiny of every marginal lineup choice, waiver-wire alternative, and bench stash you have been reluctant to drop.
Cut: Kyle Pitts, Atlanta Falcons
Rostered: 83%
Making his second consecutive appearance on this list, everything I said last week still applies.
It’s the same old Kyle Pitts. The former first-round pick has not improved. He just had a couple of games where he saw some volume.
We are now through 12 weeks, and Pitts has a total of four games with double-digit fantasy points, something he hasn’t accomplished since Week 8.
Pitts’ roster percentage actually ticked up a bit from last week, almost certainly because Drake London is hurt, with fantasy managers expecting more involvement from the tight end. Instead, Pitts commanded just five targets, catching two for 25 yards.
Last week, I said the following: “Drake London is likely to miss time with his knee injury, but that doesn’t even move the needle. With Kirk Cousins set to start in place of an injured Michael Penix Jr. and the Atlanta Falcons playing out a lost season, there’s little incentive to roster anyone on this team outside of London and Bijan Robinson.”
I guess Darnell Mooney is worth rostering. But Pitts has proven he is not.
T.J. Hockenson, Minnesota Vikings
Rostered: 71%
Another repeat tight end. It’s astounding how dismal T.J. Hockenson’s production has been. Everything about the Minnesota Vikings’ offense is down this season compared to last year. It may not entirely be Hockenson’s fault.
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Regardless of the reason, the numbers do not paint a pretty picture. Hockenson has not caught more than four passes in a game since Week 7. He’s hit double-digit fantasy points just twice all season.
A distant third option in the passing game behind Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison, JJ McCarthy isn’t good enough to feed any receiver, let alone three. You may not have a better option, but if you do, don’t feel compelled to hold Hockenson.
