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Some tight ends stand out as must-start fantasy football options most weeks while others come and go depending on matchups and other factors. Hitting on under-the-radar plays is big in season-long fantasy and DFS. We’ve identified two tight ends worth starting and two to consider sitting ahead of Week 13 to help you achieve fantasy success this weekend.
Tight End Starts
Trey Burton, Indianapolis Colts vs. Houston Texans
I’ve finally come around on Burton. He can’t seem to stop scoring despite all the competition at his position. While he’s played less than 50 percent of the Colts’ offensive snaps in four of his eight games, he’s found the end zone five times. He’s showcased some serious versatility this season with three touchdown catches and two rushing scores. It’s impossible to predict what pass catchers will perform at a high level for the Colts, but their tight ends have combined for 10 of their 28 touchdowns.
T.J. Hockenson, Detroit Lions vs. Chicago Bears
Hockenson has thrived as Matthew Stafford’s go-to guy over the past couple weeks but the Lions could get Kenny Golladay and D’Andre Swift back for Week 13. I don’t think that’ll cut into Hockenson’s effectiveness though, as Chicago has been one of the worst teams in the NFL when it comes to defending tight ends. The Bears rank 31st against opposing tight ends of DraftKings and have allowed at least one tight end score in four of their last five games.
Tight End Sits
Dallas Goedert, Philadelphia Eagles vs. Green bay Packers
Goedert has scored touchdowns in back-to-back games, but Zach Ertz has off the IR and could cut into Goedert’s snaps significantly. Goedert is already ceding targets to Richard Rogers, so adding a third option to the equation could limit his ceiling. Green Bay ranks seventh against quarterbacks and sixth against tight ends on DraftKings but 30th against running backs. This seems like more of a Miles Sanders game.
Robert Tonyan, Green Bay Packers vs. Philadelphia Eagles
Tonyan has been a pleasant surprise this season and is a top five tight end in standard and PPR formats. He’s very streaky though and has scored in two straight weeks after failing to reach the end zone for five games. Green Bay’s health at wide receiver is on the rise. Allen Lazard’s involvement in the Packers’ offense is bound to increase in the coming weeks.