Making lineup decisions can be the most frustrating — or most rewarding — part of fantasy football. We’re to help you make those decisions with our early fantasy start ’em/sit ’em picks.
It’s now Week 12. We have more than enough in-season data and can play matchups based on reliable information. With that in mind, let’s take a look at our top Week 12 tight end start/sit plays.
If you’re looking for all positions, head to our Week 12 Fantasy Football Start-Sit Cheat Sheet.
Will Dissly | LAC (vs. BAL)
Start ‘Em
If you think I am picking on the Ravens’ defense with my start recommendations, you’re correct. Herbert is an elite option this week, and so is his favorite tight end, Will Dissly. The former Seattle Seahawk has been rejuvenated as the Chargers’ TE1.
Dissly, whose nickname according to pro football reference is “Uncle Will” (which is phenomenal, by the way), is still nowhere close to an every-down player. However, when he’s on the field, he’s typically running routes, doing so more than triple his backup, Tucker Fisk.
Will Dissly has seen target shares of 29.7%, 23.3%, 11.5%, 33.3%, and 18.2% over his last five games.
— JJ Zachariason (@LateRoundQB) November 18, 2024
Dissly caught four passes for 80 yards and an excellent up-the-seam touchdown against the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday night in Week 11. It was his second 80-yard game in his last five.
Herbert finds Dissly up the seam! 29-yard touchdown!
📺: #CINvsLAC on NBC/Peacock
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/zBH6Cpwcm4— NFL (@NFL) November 18, 2024
Now, Dissly gets a Baltimore defense allowing the 10th-most fantasy ppg to tight ends. With Herbert really hitting his stride and this game likely to be high scoring, Dissly is firmly on the TE1 radar this week.
Sam LaPorta | DET (at IND)
Start ‘Em
After what the Detroit Lions did to the Jacksonville Jaguars last week, my concerns over positive game script neutralizing the passing game have been assuaged a bit. The Lions simply did not care and did whatever they wanted whenever they wanted.
This projects to be another game the Lions can control, but that doesn’t necessarily mean there won’t be any passing.
Sam LaPorta missed last week’s game with a shoulder injury that head coach Dan Campbell described as day-to-day. Although he didn’t practice at all, part of me thinks Detroit knew they could easily beat the worst team in football without him and, thus, played it safe.
If LaPorta is able to return to this week, he’s in a great spot against an Indianapolis Colts defense allowing the sixth-most fantasy points per game to tight ends. It may not be heavy volume, but LaPorta will be a good bet to score.
In the event he cannot play, Brock Wright is a desperation streamer.
Cade Otton | TB (at NYG)
Sit ‘Em
Let me open by saying you don’t need to necessarily bench Cade Otton. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ starting tight end has been incredible over his last four games, averaging 19.3 fantasy points per game.
With that said, it’s worth noting that his worst outing (still a respectable 8.5 fantasy points) came just before the bye against the San Francisco 49ers, the best defense against tight ends he had faced.
This week, Otton gets the New York Giants, who allow the fewest fantasy points per game to the position. As if that isn’t enough of a concern, there’s also the likely return of Mike Evans.
Meanwhile, the Giants are starting Tommy DeVito at quarterback. This game may not be particularly competitive, allowing the Bucs to lean on Bucky Irving and the run game.
Otton is still a top-12 TE because of how good he’s been, but fantasy managers need to temper expectations this week.
Tucker Kraft | GB (vs. SF)
Sit ‘Em
Whatever the opposite of point-chasing is, please don’t accuse me of it! This is about matchup. However, the fact that Tucker Kraft did not catch a pass on a single target last week certainly doesn’t hurt the sit recommendation.
I just mentioned how the 49ers were able to contain Otton. This defense has been very good against tight ends all year, allowing the seventh-fewest fantasy points per game to the position. Just 18% of San Francisco’s total receiving yards allowed has gone to the TE position.
With Jordan Love not playing anywhere near his best football and Kraft’s role in the passing game seemingly having vanished, he’s very difficult to trust in fantasy lineups this week.