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There are a few tight ends we feel have a chance to strike gold in Week 8 while others stand out as major bust candidates. We used last week’s performances, injuries, and matchups to come up with two tight ends and two to sit. Here’s who we have our eyes on for Week 8.
Tight End Starts
Rob Gronkowski, Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. New York Giants
Gronkowski is looking like his old self again and has caught touchdowns in two straight games. Chris Godwin won’t be available because of a finger injury and that could make Gronkowski more of a priority through the air. Gronk has been targeted 16 times in his last two games and that number could rise without a key wide receiver in the fold.
Jonnu Smith, Tennessee Titans vs. Cincinnati Bengals
Smith has had two straight subpar performances but still has five touchdown receptions on the year and will be up against a Bengals defense that forked up two touchdown passes to one tight end in Week 7. I don’t anticipate Anthony Firkser stealing the show from one of the most productive tight ends we’ve seen this season in a back-to-back weeks.
Tight End Starts
T.J. Hockenson, Detroit Lions vs. Indianapolis Colts
Hockenson is on a roll and has caught a touchdowns in three straight games but the Colts have the top defense against tight ends on DraftKings and have one of the best pass defenses in the NFL this season. Indianapolis has been one of the most consistent teams we’ve seen against the pass so far this year and should key in on a key red zone target like Hockenson.
Trey Burton, Indianapolis Colts vs. Detroit Lions
Burton could be a popular play after scoring two touchdowns his last time out, but I view his Week 7 performance as a major outlier. There’s a small chance he’ll get a taste of the running game again, and Jack Doyle will be a factor even with Moe Alie-Cox missing time because of his knee injury.