Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em is the ultimate look at the best and worst matchups based on a PPR scoring system in fantasy football. This column will not cover the elite players in the NFL like Patrick Mahomes, Christian McCaffrey or Justin Jefferson. Instead, I'll look at the players you have questions about who could exceed or fail to meet expectations at each position. For all of your final fantasy lineup decisions, be sure to check out my weekly player rankings which will be updated daily throughout the 2023 NFL season.
Fabs’ Top 10 Tight Ends
1. Travis Kelce vs. Bills
2. T.J. Hockenson at Raiders
3. Sam LaPorta at Bears
4. George Kittle at Seahawks
5. Dalton Kincaid at Chiefs
6. Jake Ferguson vs. Eagles
7. Taysom Hill vs. Panthers
8. Evan Engram at Browns
9. Cole Kmet vs. Lions
10. Isaiah Likely vs. Rams
Week 14 Start ’Em, Sit ’Em: QUARTERBACKS | RUNNING BACKS | WIDE RECEIVERS | TIGHT ENDS | KICKERS & TEAM DEFENSES
Byes: Cardinals, Commanders
Week 14 Start ’Em: Tight Ends
Start of the Week
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Jake Ferguson vs. Eagles (8:20 p.m. ET, NBC): Ferguson is coming off a huge game against the Seahawks, posting a touchdown and 19.7 points. He’ll be a top-12 option this week, too, as he faces a plus matchup against the Eagles. The last time he faced them, Ferguson posted a season-high 91 yards and 22.1 points. In all, Philadelphia has allowed the ninth-most points and the fifth-high catch rate.
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Start ’Em
Taysom Hill vs. Panthers (1 p.m. ET, Fox): Hill can be volatile, but he’s getting enough work as a quarterback, running back and receiver to be a weekly starter in fantasy leagues. He’s coming off a 15.4-point performance against the Lions, and he’s now scored double digits in five of his last seven games. The Panthers, who are bad against the run, should be a plus matchup for the versatile playmaker.
Isaiah Likely vs. Rams (1 p.m. ET, Fox): Likely will be a viable starting option this week, as he’s playing a much bigger role in the Ravens offense with Mark Andrews out. He also has a nice matchup next on the schedule, as the Rams have allowed 10-plus fantasy points to tight ends eight times. In all, their defense has given up six touchdown catches and the third-most fantasy points per game to tight ends.
Gerald Everett vs. Broncos (4:25 p.m. ET, CBS): Everett has been getting plenty of run over the last two weeks, playing 81 snaps and scoring a combined 22.7 PPR points. He’s a viable streamer this week, too, as he faces a Broncos team that’s allowed nine-plus points to tight ends 10 times including two with more than 20. In all, Denver has allowed the second-most points and the fourth-highest catch rate.
More Starts
Cole Kmet vs. Lions (1 p.m. ET, Fox)
Kyle Pitts vs. Buccaneers (1 p.m. ET, CBS)
Cade Otton at Falcons (1 p.m. ET, CBS)
DFS Bargains (DraftKings)
Cade Otton at Falcons ($3,100)
Brevin Jordan at Jets ($3,100)
Tyler Conklin vs. Texans ($3,000)
Week 14 Sit ’Em: Tight Ends
Sit of the Week
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Evan Engram at Browns (1 p.m. ET, CBS): Engram is difficult to sit at what is a thin position, but I’d temper expectations in a tough matchup against the Browns. Their defense has allowed one tight end (Mark Andrews) to beat them for more than 7.8 fantasy points this season, and it’s held Trey McBride, Pat Freiermuth and George Kittle to fewer than six fantasy points in games played in Cleveland.
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Sit ’Em
Pat Freiermuth vs. Patriots (Thur. 8:15 p.m. ET, Prime Video): Freiermuth was a huge dud last week, scoring just 5.9 points one week after a 21-point explosion against the Bengals. I’d be wary of him this week, too, as the veteran faces a tough Patriots defense that’s allowed just one tight end (Dalton Kincaid) to beat them for more than 8.4 points this season. I’d consider Freiermuth a low-end option at best.
David Njoku vs. Jaguars (1 p.m. ET, CBS): The bubble burst on Njoku last week, as he was held to 3.7 points in a loss to the Rams. It was his first game with Joe Flacco under center, too, and Harrison Bryant was more involved in the pass attack. The Jaguars have allowed just three touchdowns and the second-lowest catch rate to tight ends this season, so Njoku should be considered a risky starter this week.
Tyler Higbee at Ravens (1 p.m. ET, Fox): Higbee saw his totals drop last week, as he scored just 5.5 points a week after exploding for two touchdowns against the Cardinals. Next up is a date with the Ravens, who have allowed just two scores to tight ends this season. Higbee was also checked for a concussion in his team’s win over the Browns, so he’ll likely be questionable to face Baltimore this weekend.
