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 at Jets
2. Mark Andrews at Browns
3. T.J. Hockenson at Panthers
4. George Kittle vs. Cardinals
5. Darren Waller vs. Seahawks (Mon.)
6. Evan Engram vs. Falcons (London)
7. Sam LaPorta at Packers (Thur.)
8. Dallas Goedert vs. Commanders
9. Pat Freiermuth at Texans
10. Luke Musgrave vs. Lions (Thur.)
Complete Week 4 tight end rankings
Week 4 Start ’Em, Sit ’Em: QUARTERBACKS | RUNNING BACKS | WIDE RECEIVERS | TIGHT ENDS | KICKERS & TEAM DEFENSES
Week 4 Start ’Em: Tight Ends
Start of the Week
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Evan Engram vs. Falcons (London, 9:30 a.m. ET, NFL Network): This is a bit of low-hanging fruit, but tight end is a nightmare and Engram isn’t an “elite” option. I think he’ll have a solid stat line against the Falcons, who have allowed nine touchdowns and the fourth-most fantasy points to enemy tight ends since the start of last season. Look for Engram to find statistical success across the pond.
Start ’Em
Luke Musgrave vs. Lions (Thur. 8:15 p.m. ET, Prime Video): Musgrave had a nice stat line last week, posting six catches on eight targets in a win over a tough Saints defense. He also played 67 snaps, 46 of which resulted in a passing play. The Lions have allowed 12 touchdowns (tied for most in the league) to tight ends since the start of last season, so Musgrave is in a good spot this week.
Pat Freiermuth at Texans (1 p.m. ET, CBS): Freiermuth is coming off a strong game with a touchdown and 13.1 fantasy points in a win over the Raiders. He’ll be in the starting conversation this week, too, as the veteran will face a Texans pass defense that’s allowed 10-plus points to two tight ends in their first three games. That includes allowing 13.7 points to Engram in last week’s surprising win.
Dalton Kincaid vs. Dolphins (1 p.m. ET, CBS): Kincaid put up a stinker in last week’s win over the Commanders, scoring 2.3 points and playing in a season-low 35 snaps. Still, the rookie is worth a look as a streamer this week based on a great matchup against the Dolphins. Their defense has allowed 12 touchdowns (tied for the most in the NFL) to enemy tight ends since the start of last season.
More Starts
Sam LaPorta at Packers (Thur. 8:15 p.m. ET, Prime Video)
Taysom Hill vs. Buccaneers (1 p.m. ET, Fox)
Gerald Everett vs. Raiders (4:05 p.m. ET, CBS)
DFS Bargains (DraftKings)
Pat Freiermuth at Texans ($3,400)
Dalton Kincaid vs. Dolphins ($3,200)
Cole Turner at Eagles ($2,700)
Week 4 Sit ’Em: Tight Ends
Sit of the Week
Dalton Schultz vs. Steelers (1 p.m. ET, CBS): Schultz is playing a ton of snaps and running a lot of routes, but he’s not producing points. He’s averaging just 3.9 points per game, and C.J. Stroud is throwing more often to his receivers. In fact, the rookie is throwing to his wideouts 64.5% of the time and to his tight ends at a 16.5% clip. Schultz is a clear sit, and maybe soon waiver-wire fodder.
Sit ’Em
Brett Davis/USA TODAY Sports
Kyle Pitts at Jaguars (London, 9:30 a.m. ET, NFL Network): Sitting Pitts isn’t about the matchups anymore, he’s just simply not a player who’s going to put up good numbers often. He’s averaging a mere 6.2 points, and he’s scored in double digits three times in his last 13 games! If tight end weren’t a complete dumpster fire as a position, Pitts would be on the waiver wire in a lot of fantasy leagues.
Hunter Henry at Cowboys (4:25 p.m. ET, Fox): Henry had a hot start but came back to earth last week, scoring a mere 3.7 fantasy points in a win over the Jets. Next up is a tough matchup against the Cowboys, who have held Darren Waller and Zach Ertz to fewer than seven points in two of their first three games. Dallas has also allowed the second-fewest points to tight ends since last season.
David Njoku vs. Ravens (1 p.m. ET, CBS): Njoku has not lived up to heightened expectations, scoring fewer than seven fantasy points in all of his first three games. While he’s averaged close to 11 points in seven career games against the Ravens, their defense has allowed just six touchdowns and the sixth-fewest points to tight ends in their last 20 games. Njoku is a risk-reward option this week, at best.
