Tight Ends Fantasy Football Start 'Em and Sit 'Em For Week 14 and Playoff Preview

In recent weeks, the tight-end position has been very productive. Jonnu Smith, Trey McBride, Brock Bowers, and David Njoku have been incredibly valuable for fantasy managers. While some of the names are slightly different than we expected, the tight-end position is starting to show some of the depth we were expecting this offseason.

You'll find my top 20 rankings for Week 14 in this article. These are broken down into four categories -- must start, strong start, preferred streamer, and desperation start. We'll also identify some tight ends with the best and worst matchups this week. Fantasy managers should attempt to target or avoid these players.

This article will also identify the tight ends with the best and worst matchups during the fantasy playoffs (Weeks 15-17). These should help you find the best streamers for each subsequent playoff week. To take advantage of our great premium tools and save yourself some money, please use promo code "BOOM" to receive a 10% discount.

• 2025 fantasy football rankings (redraft)
• Dynasty fantasy football rankings
• 2025 NFL rookie fantasy football rankings
• Best ball fantasy football rankings
• Quarterback fantasy football rankings
• Running back fantasy football rankings
• Wide receiver fantasy football rankings
• Tight end fantasy football rankings

Must Starts

1. Brock Bowers

2. Trey McBride

3. George Kittle

4. Travis Kelce

5. David Njoku

6. Jonnu Smith

7. Sam LaPorta

Strong Starts

8. T.J. Hockenson

9. Jake Ferguson

10. Evan Engram

Preferred Streamers

11. Tucker Kraft

12. Dalton Kincaid

13. Cade Otton

14. Will Dissly

15. Pat Freiermuth

Desperation Starts

16. Mike Gesicki

17. Cole Kmet

18. Juwan Johnson

19. Kyle Pitts

20. Grant Calcaterra

Matchups to Upgrade

Sam LaPorta, Detroit Lions

LaPorta has been much more involved in his last five active games for Detroit. He has registered six targets in four out of five contests. During that span, he’s averaging 9.84 half-PPR PPG. He scored 3.8 and 3.4 in two games but scored 13.8 and 14.1 twice in the other three.

His recent surge in fantasy production and offensive involvement aligns with a great Week 14 matchup. The Lions will host the Packers with an implied point total of 51.5, the highest of the week.

The last time these two teams played, LaPorta scored just 3.8 half-PPR points back in Week 9. However, that game was played in a steady-to-torrential downpour with high winds. Detroit also controlled that game from the onset and was able to play ball-control offense the entire second half.

Sam LaPorta had 2-28 vs the Packers earlier this year.

But that was a game where Jared Goff only had 22 attempts and 145 yards.

The Packers rank 26th in yards and 25th in receptions vs TEs.

We just saw Jonnu Smith put up 10 REC, 113 REC YDS vs GB.

Shoutout to @WunnaQuan.

— Frank Ammirante (@FAmmiranteTFJ) December 4, 2024

Green Bay has allowed 11.3 half-PPR PPG to tight ends this season, the ninth highest this year. Tight ends have scored 1.67 half-PPR PPG more against the Packers than the rest of their competition this season. Fire up LaPorta with confidence this week.

Jake Ferguson, Dallas Cowboys

Luke Schoonmaker has averaged 6.67 targets, 4.67 receptions, and 48.0 yards per game over the last three weeks when Ferguson has missed time. With Cooper Rush under center, he’s averaged 9.13 half-PPR PPG and scored 8.6, 13.0, and 5.8 half-PPR points.

Rush has been competent while under center. CeeDee Lamb is now banged up and may not be available this upcoming Monday. His practice involvement throughout the week will be one to monitor, as will be Ferguson’s. He’s missed the last two weeks due to a concussion, but the expectation is that he’ll be able to return this week.

Cowboys TE Jake Ferguson was active and moving today at practice as he looks to make his return from a concussion suffered against the Texans last month.#DallasCowboys pic.twitter.com/IG76hLWk1Z

— Nick Harris (@NickHarrisFWST) December 4, 2024

If he can get back on the field, it’s one of the best matchups a tight end can get: the Cincinnati Bengals. They’ve allowed the second-most points to tight ends this season at 13.6 half-PPR PPG. Tight ends have scored 2.86 half-PPR PPG more against the Bengals than their season average this year.

This game boasts a high implied point total of 49.5, the second-highest of the week. Neither defense is outstanding, so fantasy managers should expect plenty of points to be scored in this one. If Ferguson is out, fire up Schoonmaker as a top-10 play this week.

Dalton Kincaid, Buffalo Bills

Kincaid has missed Buffalo’s last two games with a bye week sandwiched in there, so he’s been out for three weeks. Should he be able to get back on the field this week, he’s in a great spot to smash for fantasy managers. The Rams have allowed 11.5 half-PPR PPG to tight ends this season, the eighth-most. Tight ends have scored 1.11 half-PPR PPG over their seasonal average against the Rams.

This game is also expected to be a shootout. It’s being played in Los Angeles, so there won’t be any Buffalo weather concerns with this one. This game has an implied 49.5-point total. If he’s active, and that’s something to watch, Kincaid should be in most starting lineups.

Cade Otton, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Since Mike Evans returned to the lineup, Otton has struggled, but I wouldn’t fret too much. It’s only been two games, after all. He also had seven targets last week. He just didn’t do much with them, but the volume was there.

This week, Tampa Bay faces off against Las Vegas. It has allowed 13.3 half-PPR PPG to tight ends this year, which is third-most in the league. Tight ends have scored a whopping 3.03 half-PPR PPG more against the Raiders than their seasonal average.

While the game’s implied total is only 44.5 and not one of the higher numbers on this week’s docket, Tampa Bay’s implied total is very healthy. It is expected to score 25.75 points, the sixth-highest team-implied total for Week 14.

Will Dissly, Los Angeles Chargers

Dissly’s snap share was down last week, but his route share was about where it’s been the last couple of weeks. He was on the injury report earlier in the week with a groin injury, so it’s possible that played a role in his lower snap share and ineffectiveness. Hopefully, he’ll be able to log full practices this week to give fantasy managers more confidence.

The Chargers play the Chiefs on Sunday night. If Dissly can shake off the groin injury, he could be Justin Herbert’s No. 1 target this week. Ladd McConkey’s availability is in the air, as he’s battling several ailments.

The Chiefs have allowed the fourth-most half-PPR PPG to tight ends this season at 13.2. Tight ends have also scored 3.19 half-PPR PPG more against the Chiefs than their seasonal average. It’s a great matchup, despite the implied point total being just 42.5.

Pat Freiermuth, Pittsburgh Steelers

Freiermuth is coming off back-to-back games of 50 or more yards and has been more involved in the offense recently. That’s a pleasant change since he’s been about the only offensive player who has gotten worse for fantasy managers with Russell Wilson.

The Steelers will play the Browns in Week 14, who are allowing the 10th-most fantasy points to tight ends this year at 11.0 half-PPR PPG. That’s the same as the seasonal half-PPR PPG average of the tight ends they’ve faced. In their last meeting two weeks ago, Freiermuth finished with four targets, four receptions, and 59 yards en route to 7.9 half-PPR points.

Matchups to Downgrade

Evan Engram, Jacksonville Jaguars

It seems unlikely that Trevor Lawrence will play this week after the brutal shot he took last week that put him into the concussion protocol. That means Mac Jones will get the start for Jacksonville. That may mean a few extra dump-off targets, but it also means a less effective offense and fewer scoring opportunities, most likely. It’s an overall downgrade.

Their opponent, the Tennessee Titans, has been pretty stingy against tight ends this season. They’ve allowed just 8.2 half-PPR PPG, the 24th fewest in the league. Tight ends have scored 1.28 less half-PPR PPG against the Titans than their season average.

Jacksonville has just an 18.0 implied team total, the third-lowest for Week 14. Overall, Tennessee vs Jacksonville has a 39.5-point implied total, which is the only game this week under 40.0. The matchup is terrible. The quarterback situation is bad, and the scoring opportunities may be nonexistent.

Tucker Kraft, Green Bay Packers

Kraft scored just 5.6 half-PPR points against the Lions in the Week 9 matchup. That’s 2.9 half-PPR points less than his seasonal average. That’s what Detroit has done all year against tight ends. The Lions have allowed the fewest half-PPR PPG to tight ends this season at just 5.2. Tight ends have scored 3.57 half-PPR PPG fewer vs. Detroit than their seasonal average. It is by far the worst matchup for any tight end.

Their first matchup was played in strong winds and a steady-to-strong downpour, but don’t let that fool you. Detroit has shut down opposing tight ends this season. This game has the highest implied point total in Week 14. Green Bay’s point total is set at 24.0, which is the eighth-highest for the week, so as far as touchdown chances go, Kraft will have some. Detroit has, however, only allowed one touchdown to tight ends this year.

Cole Kmet, Chicago Bears

Caleb Williams and this passing attack is finally clicking. That gives Kmet life. Over the past three weeks, Williams is averaging 39 pass attempts and 276 yards per game. Kmet is averaging 5.3 targets, 4.3 receptions, and 44 yards per game over that span.

He has scored 5.7, 9.9, and 4.1 half-PPR points in the last three weeks. He hasn’t been the beneficiary of Williams’ improved play yet, but it’ll likely come at some point. His route and snap share have also been elite since the offensive coordinator change.

That’s where the positives end, however. The 49ers, their Week 14 opponent, have allowed just 7.5 half-PPR PPG to tight ends this season. That’s the 29th fewest in the league. Tight ends have also scored 1.52 half-PPR PPG less against the 49ers than their seasonal average.

Tight Ends with Strong Playoff Matchups

You’ll find the tight ends with the best playoff matchups here. In parenthesis, after each weekly opponent, you’ll see where the opposition ranks in half-PPR PPG allowed to tight ends.

The lower the number is, the better the matchup. First would mean they’re giving up the most points to tight ends this season. Then, you’ll find a plus or minus number. This is how many points the opposition allows to tight ends vs. their seasonal average. The more positive the number, the better.

Trey McBride, Arizona Cardinals

• Week 15 vs. Patriots (16th, +0.41)
• Week 16 at Panthers (1st, +3.20)
• Week 17 at Rams (8th, +1.11)

David Njoku, Cleveland Browns

• Week 15 vs. Chiefs (4th, +3.19)
• Week 16 at Bengals (2nd, +2.86)
• Week 17 vs. Dolphins (12th, +0.01)

Jake Ferguson, Dallas Cowboys

• Week 15 at Panthers (1st, +3.20)
• Week 16 vs. Buccaneers (7th, +2.14)
• Week 17 at Eagles (24th, -1.81)

Juwan Johnson, New Orleans Saints

• Week 15 vs. Commanders (19th, +0.36)
• Week 16 at Packers (9th, +1.67)
• Week 17 vs. Raiders (3rd, +3.03)

T.J. Hockenson, Minnesota Vikings

• Week 15 vs. Bears (15th, +0.12)
• Week 16 at Seahawks (13th, +1.13)
• Week 17 vs. Packers (9th, +1.67)

Will Dissly, Los Angeles Chargers

• Week 15 vs. Buccaneers (7th, +2.14)
• Week 16 vs. Broncos (18th, -1.94)
• Week 17 at Patriots (16th, +0.41)

Tight Ends with Poor Playoff Matchups

You’ll find the tight ends with the worst playoff matchups here. In parenthesis, after each weekly opponent, you’ll see where the opposition ranks in half-PPR PPG allowed to tight ends.

The higher the number, the worse the matchup is. 32nd would mean they’re giving up the fewest points to tight ends this season. Then, you’ll find a plus or minus number. This is how many points the opposition allows to tight ends vs. their seasonal average. The more negative the number, the worse the matchup is.

Mark Andrews, Baltimore Ravens

• Week 15 at Giants (31st, -2.13)
• Week 16 vs. Steelers (16th, -0.13)
• Week 17 at Texans (28th, -0.91)

Dalton Kincaid, Buffalo Bills

• Week 15 at Lions (32nd, -3.57)
• Week 16 vs. Patriots (16th, +0.41)
• Week 17 vs. Jets (29th, -2.36)

Sam LaPorta, Detroit Lions

• Weeks 15 vs. Bills (23rd, -2.25)
• Weeks 16 at Bears (15th, +0.12)
• Week 17 at 49ers (29th, -1.52)

Jonnu Smith, Miami Dolphins

• Week 15 at Texans (28th, -0.91)
• Week 16 vs. 49ers (29th, -1.52)
• Week 17 at Browns (10th, 0.00)

Hunter Henry, New England Patriots

• Week 15 at Cardinals (26th, -0.85)
• Week 16 at Bills (23rd, -2.25)
• Week 17 vs. Chargers (27th, -4.57)

Zach Ertz, Washington Commanders

• Week 15 at Saints (22nd, +0.74)
• Week 16 vs. Eagles (24th, -1.81)
• Week 17 vs. Falcons (14th, -1.52)

Cade Otton, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

• Week 15 at Chargers (27th, (-4.57)
• Week 16 at Cowboys (21st, -1.85)
• Week 17 vs. Panthers (1st, +3.20)

More Fantasy Football Analysis