You have lineup questions, we have lineup answers -- at least we hope so. Start 'Em, Sit 'Em is here to help fantasy managers make difficult roster decisions. And you know what is a good move? Starting Justin Jefferson. But that's too obvious, so you won't see such simple analysis here. Instead, we're exploring more debatable situations. And if you can't find a player you are looking for, please check out the latest NFL Fantasy lineup rankings. Unless otherwise noted, all stats come from NFL Pro, Next Gen Stats or NFL Research.
Start 'Em
Through Week 6, Bowers leads all NFL tight ends in targets (46), receiving yards (384) and YAC (206). He is second in fantasy points (82.6) and yards per route run (2.43). He collected 10 targets last week and 22 in his last two games. He's logged eight or more targets in four of his six appearances this season. Volume like that makes him an elite option -- well, that and having scored 16-plus fantasy points in half his games. He has a good matchup in front of him this week, as the Rams have allowed the second-most fantasy PPG to tight ends.
Any tight end who can record double-digit targets in a game is worth starting in this landscape, with appealing options at a premium. Engram returned last week from a hamstring injury that cost him four games and caught all 10 of his targets for 102 yards, leading the Jags in both categories and showing once again that he is a favorite of Trevor Lawrence's. While the volume alone is enough to keep him in play, the matchup makes him even more attractive. Yes, the Patriots rank in the middle of the pack in terms of fantasy points allowed to tight ends, but there is one potentially significant advantage to consider: The Jags stayed in London all week after playing there in Week 6, whereas the Patriots will have made the trip this week. In similar circumstances last season, Jacksonville appeared to have a real upper hand over the Bills.
Surprise! Pitts is a start this week. In Week 6, Pitts tied for second in targets among Falcons players. Atlanta has been using him downfield more as of late, leading him to put up some big plays, providing one avenue for him to overcome target competition in the passing attack. It also provides him with upside -- which is what you are looking for in a tight end -- to balance out his low floor. Pitts has scored double-digit fantasy points in two straight games. In a good matchup against the Seahawks (who have allowed the sixth-most FPPG to tight ends), he is once again in play.
In Week 5, his first game back after missing three games with an ankle injury, Njoku was held in check. Last week, he took a step forward, leading the Browns with seven targets and five catches. He finished with 31 yards and 8.1 fantasy points. The volume is what matters, at least at the tight end position. Njoku is a safe pass-catching option that Deshaun Watson can target quickly, which is key, considering the QB is constantly under pressure. This week, Njoku could do even more with that volume against a Bengals defense that has allowed the 10th-most FPPG to tight ends. And following Amari Cooper's trade to Buffalo, there should be even more targets up for grabs. In Cleveland's offense, I would much rather trust Njoku over a receiver, given that the bar for fantasy success is much lower at tight end.
Otton has averaged seven targets per game in the last four weeks. That has led to him averaging 9.5 FPPG. He does not have the highest ceiling, but he has shown a safe floor, which is not something many tight ends offer. He is tied to a good offense and QB. Plus, the Ravens have allowed the fifth-most FPPG to tight ends. Otton is in play as a streaming option this week.
Sit 'Em
Week 1 was so much fun, and it looked like we may be on the verge of something special. But after that huge performance (12 targets, nine catches, 111 receiving yards and a TD) against the Chiefs, things just aren’t happening for Likely. Since Week 2, he is averaging just 2.6 targets per game, 19 yards per game and 6.1 FPPG. Likely did have a two-TD game in Week 5, making him purely a touchdown-or-bust option right now. With Mark Andrews coming on strong the last few weeks, he could continue taking more opportunities away from Likely.
There is a chance Hockenson will return this week. It would be great if he does make his 2024 debut on Sunday against the Lions, but I wouldn’t recommend throwing him into your starting lineup immediately. It will be his first game since tearing his ACL in Week 16 of last season, so it could take time for him to return to old form. It’s also worth waiting to see how much usage he will get initially. Play it safe, and be patient with Hockenson.
Freiermuth was limited to just two catches for 16 yards on three targets last week, finishing with a season-low 3.6 fantasy points. Registering single-digit fantasy points in all but one game this season, Freiermuth has had fewer than 25 yards in two straight games and has cleared 40 receiving yards only once in 2024. The floor is low, and big games seem few and far between at the moment. Plus, Pittsburgh faces a tough Jets defense, which is allowing the seventh-fewest FPPG to tight ends. I would stay away from Freiermuth this week.
Even with Nico Collins on injured reserve, Schultz could not get going against the Patriots. He finished with just 27 yards and 6.7 fantasy points in Week 6. Schultz has been held to less than 35 yards and eight fantasy points in every game this season. This could be a high-scoring game on Sunday, but you cannot trust Schultz. There has been no upside. I would stream elsewhere.
Not only does Gesicki have to compete with Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins for targets, but he is now competing with other tight ends for snaps. The Bengals used four tight ends in Week 7 (Gesicki, Drew Sample, Erick All and Tanner Hudson). Gesicki played just over one-third of the snaps and did not see a target. He was useful when Higgins was sidelined early in the season, but there is no way you should use him in fantasy right now.
