In need of a fantasy football win? We aren’t too far from the midway point of our regular season, and you can’t afford to fall too far behind. I’m here to help you break those TE start/sit ties and have your team pointing in the right direction when Week 4 is all said and done.
Which Tight Ends Should Fantasy Managers Start in Week 4?
All stats are from TruMedia unless otherwise stated.
Mike Gesicki, Cincinnati Bengals (at CAR)
The Mike Gesicki mold might not be for everyone, but he’s essentially a receiver in an offense that we believe, on any given week, has top-10 upside. Gesicki’s usage this season has been in line with what we’ve come to expect (play roughly half the snaps and run a route on north of 90% of his reps). That’s allowed him to catch at least three passes in all three weeks this season.
If that sounds like an incredibly low bar, that’s because it is. That said, it’s one that only five other tight ends have cleared this season, something that speaks to the value of a skill set like Gesicki’s.
He’s not a game-breaker, but Gesicki is someone who Joe Burrow trusts. By spending 55.3% of his time in the slot this season, Gesicki seems to be the answer as to who will fill the Tyler Boyd role.
I don’t think you’re losing ground on the majority of your league by plugging him in. And if you can survive the TE position with relatively no investment, you’re moving in the right direction.
Tyler Conklin, New York Jets (vs. DEN)
Tyler Conklin had more receiving yards against the Patriots (93) than any two of his teammates combined, a performance that certainly doesn’t project as sticky in the least. That said, the tight end position is currently a mess, and we know that Aaron Rodgers has the ability to lead an efficient red-zone offense.
Robert Saleh also spoke effusively about Conklin when speaking to the media this week, talking about his leadership, calling him an elite human, and “everything you want out of a Jet.”
#Jets HC Robert Saleh told @ZackBlatt that TE Tyler Conklin ‘is everything you want out of a Jet.’ 🥹
PLEASE RE-SIGN THIS MAN!
🎥 @nyjets #JetUp @T_Conk1 pic.twitter.com/WPp2GCbs4r
— Paul Andrew Esden Jr (@BoyGreen25) September 25, 2024
Conklin accounted for 40 of Rodgers’ 88 yards outside of the pocket in the win over the Patriots, offering the type of check-down option that could sneak into the top 12 at the position on a semi-regular basis.
Conklin also saw an end-zone target in Week 3, lending credence to the idea that he carries some touchdown equity. I find it unlikely that he ever gives you a top-five week at the position, but if he’s in the 8-10 PPR point range on a consistent basis, that holds value.
Which Tight Ends Should Fantasy Managers Sit in Week 4?
Mark Andrews, Baltimore Ravens (vs. BUF)
Cade Stover: Kitchen appliance salesman or NFL player?
Dan Eaton: Local food expert or NFL player?
Payne Durham: WWE stage name or NFL player?
Jake Tonges: Ear, nose, and throat doctor or NFL player?
Three of those four are NFL players who ran more routes in Week 3 than Mark Andrews, and one isn’t. Can you tell the difference?
The casual fan might not be able to, which is alarming for Andrews’ status moving forward. It’s not as if Isaiah Likely was out there running circles around the Cowboys, yet he ran 11 routes to Andrews’ six on 17 Lamar Jackson dropbacks — meaning the two TE sets, for a week at least, were a thing of the past.
Of course, Baltimore’s control of this game and recording three times as many rush attempts as passes are to blame for this in a significant way. But I wouldn’t have said a snap share/route participation metric like that was even within the range of outcomes for the not-so-long-ago Tier 1 tight end.
The state of the position means Andrews remains borderline startable in a game that should see plenty of points put on the board. Unfortunately, any hope of returning value on your summer investment is long gone.
Each of Baltimore’s next four games comes against offenses that can function at a high level and, thus, demand offensive aggression from the Ravens or a complete disaster on the defensive end.
Andrews has a chance to rebound in short order and is a viable buy-low option for aggressive managers who are confident in their ability to stream the position should these struggles continue.
Jonnu Smith, Miami Dolphins (vs. TEN)
Jonnu Smith was a popular sleeper in August, being labeled as cheap exposure to an elite offense. That thought process was fine, but with the Dolphins’ offense about as far as possible from “elite”, you don’t need to be tempted by this athletic profile.
For the season, Smith has nine catches, three of which came in a single quarter (two on a single drive). He’s been held under 20 yards in two of three games and carries very little scoring equity until there is improved play under center.
If Tua Tagovailoa comes back in the second half of the season, we can revisit this situation. Until then, there isn’t a league deep enough for me to go this direction.