As always, Start 'Em, Sit 'Em is geared toward helping fantasy managers make difficult roster decisions. You won't see "start Jahmyr Gibbs" here. Instead, I'm exploring the players closer to the perceived fringe and aiming to optimize your lineup for a win each week. Importantly, the new "Start of the Week" and "Sit of the Week" are the calls I have deemed the most notable in each category, not necessarily the most essential players to start or sit.
Also, you'll see quite a few references in this year's column to NFL Pro, spotlighting insights provided through Next Gen Stats data dashboards, matchup evaluations, All-22 film and the uniquely trained Fantasy AI Assistant. You can get access to all of those tools yourself with an NFL+ Premium subscription!
P.S. Feel free to follow me on X (@MattOkada) or Instagram (@mattokadaNFL) and hit me with your questions, congratulations or complaints throughout the year.
Start 'Em
Start of the Week
Kraft has received five or more targets in four of five games, snagged five-plus catches in consecutive weeks and topped 60 yards twice, including last Sunday against Chicago. While his ceiling has been somewhat capped by the massive involvement of Christian Watson and Matthew Golden, a matchup with Dallas could bring enough upside for everyone. Cowboys games have produced the fourth-most combined real-life points on average and Dallas' defense has allowed the third-most yards per pass attempt (8.3). In a prospective track meet, we’re starting anyone relevant. Kraft makes the list.
Notable starts
Despite my every effort, Likely was started in just 61% of ESPN leagues last week, when he led all tight ends with 32.4 fantasy points. He’s the TE3 in points per game this season, trails only Trey McBride in targets at the position and is a weekly must-start, regardless of matchup.
In two fully healthy games this season, Goedert has 10 catches on 14 targets for 115 yards and two touchdowns. He’s a reliable target for Jalen Hurts -- with DeVonta Smith dealing with a hamstring injury -- and should be started in the vast majority of leagues.
Strange has stepped up in recent weeks for Jacksonville, logging seven catches on eight targets in consecutive games, good for 163 yards combined. Houston surrendered big games to both Dalton Kincaid and Tyler Warren, and Strange could follow suit with another high-volume day in London.
Sit 'Em
Sit of the Week
After Pitts managed 40-plus yards in back-to-back games -- and his first touchdown of the season in Week 5, resulting in 15.2 fantasy points -- you might be breathing a sigh of relief and inserting him back into the starting lineup. Don’t be hasty. Monday night was his first game with more than three targets, and the Bears have allowed the third-fewest fantasy points per game to tight ends. Only Tucker Kraft has scored more than six fantasy points against this defense. When Pitts ranks higher than fourth on the team in target share (behind Jahan Dotson) and has a softer matchup, we can talk. Until then, try to find a streamer.
Notable sits
Schultz tagged the TE-friendly Bengals for 26 fantasy points but has totaled just 22.4 in his other four games. With Nico Collins back healthy, C.J. Stroud does not need the Schultz safety valve. He belongs on the bench until further notice.
Loveland appeared to be making progress in this offense with a six-catch, 57-yard outing against the Jets. Then he caught two passes for 19 yards against Green Bay. He’s tied for 37th in points per game among tight ends. Starting him is blindly clinging to August draft capital.
This one’s bold, and Kelce’s not as necessary a "sit" as the names above. That said, he’s coming off 3.5 fantasy points in Week 4 and facing a Chargers defense that’s held every tight end outside Trey McBride (the best TE in fantasy) to single-digit fantasy points.
