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We have made it through “BYE-mageddon” which saw a lot of plug-ins for tight ends that were on bye. Good news, bad news for Week 8. The good news, there are only two teams on bye this week. The bad news is that those teams’ tight ends are Mark Andrews and Darren Waller who are weekly set-it and forget-it pieces. Here are two tight ends that you should start this week and two that you should fade as you make your Week 8 fantasy football lineups.
Tight End Starts
Hunter Henry, New England Patriots vs. Los Angeles Chargers
The New England Patriots keep switching the hot hand for the tight ends, but this week it will likely be Hunter Henry in his revenge game. He is third on the Patriots in targets and fourth in receiving yards, but he leads the team in receiving touchdowns. Henry has a receiving touchdown in four straight games which isn’t sustainable. But, being a reliable redzone target is never a bad thing so look for Henry to continue connecting with Mac Jones. The Chargers are also giving up the most fantasy points per game to opposing tight ends so the matchup for Henry is great.
Tyler Higbee, Los Angeles Rams vs. Houston Texans
It was only a matter of time before Higbee and quarterback Matthew Stafford got on the same page. He has at least five targets in five games so far this season. Most recently, Higbee caught five of eight targets for 46 yards. He has only found the endzone twice this year which is a downer, but I think his usage inspires confidence. The Texans are giving up the third-most fantasy points per game to opposing tight ends so Higbee has a great matchup to continue his high involvement in this dangerous Rams offense.
Tight End Sits
Robert Tonyan, Green Bay Packers vs. Arizona Cardinals
A couple of things at play with this pick. The Packers are on a short week and are going to miss at least wide receiver Allen Lazard due to Covid-19 and may miss star receiver, Davante Adams. Either way, Tonyan would be expected for a larger target share. Tonyan is also coming off his best game of the season with 63 yards and a touchdown. Unfortunately, Tonyan’s best performance outside of the two games he has scored a touchdown has been two receptions for 10 yards. The Cardinals are giving up the fewest fantasy points per game to opposing tight ends so even if he does see that larger volume, I don’t think it amounts to much.
Ricky Seals-Jones, Washington Football Team vs. Denver Broncos
Seals-Jones isn’t exactly a household name, but he has been a popular tight end fill-in due to his usage. He has taken over from injured starting tight end Logan Thomas. Seals-Jones is third on the team in receptions, targets and receiving yards. He has at least six targets over the last three games. Unfortunately, he and the Washington Football Team take on the Broncos who are giving up the fourth-fewest fantasy points per game to opposing tight ends. Even with the volume, this will be a tough matchup for Seals-Jones so look for other options.