Starts
Start of the Week –
Noah Fant vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Fant has been going above and beyond fantasy levels this season as he has scored double digit fantasy points twice in a row. He now goes up against a Buccaneers defense that allowed an average of more than 13 points per game to enemy tight ends last year. Start Fant with confidence.
Jonnu Smith vs Minnesota Vikings
Oh have the Tennessee Titans found a replacement for Delanie Walker or what? Jonnu Smith has turned into a very solid weapon for Tannehill boasting two touchdowns and 70ish yards last weekend against the Jacksonville Jaguars. I like him a lot this weekend against the Minnesota Vikings who gave up major yardage against the Colt’s tight end Cox last week.
Tyler Higbee vs Buffalo Bills
Higbee went off the rails last weekend scoring three touchdowns against the Philadelphia Eagles. While I do not believe it happens again, Higbee is still in line for good production against the Bills due to being Jared Goff’s number one target.
Hayden Hurst vs Chicago Bears
Hurst did a great job in scoring his first touchdown as a Falcon last weekend. While a battle against Chicago doesn’t seem like a favorable one remember this; The Bears defense has allowed about six catches and about 13 and a half fantasy points to tight ends since last season. Keep Hurst in your lineup.
T.J. Hockenson vs Arizona Cardinals
Hockenson is already doing better than he did last season in my honest opinion, and I expect him to continue in a team that he decimated in his rookie debut; the Arizona Cardinals. Hockenson has become a popular target now for Stafford, and I’d assume he will lean his way once again this week.
Sleepers;
Mike Gesicki vs Jacksonville Jaguars
Logan Thomas vs Cleveland Browns
Drew Sample vs Philadelphia Eagles
Sits
Sit of the Week –
Rob Gronkowski vs Denver Broncos
Why did the Bucs even sign Gronk? So far, he is just another body out there wondering. He has only seen four targets in two games, and hasn’t really revised his connection with Brady. It is weird to say this because the Broncos have allowed the the 10th most fantasy points to the position, I’d trust Howard over Gronk this week.
Evan Engram vs San Francisco 49ers
Engram was targeted more last week than his first week against Pittsburgh so that’s a good sign. However, you are most likely playing him so this is your warning. The 49ers have been brutal on tight ends in the past, and I don’t see it getting any easier with Engram. He’ll most likely be highly targeted, but he has to catch those passes too.
Chris Herndon vs Indianapolis Colts
Say what you want, but I believe in Herndon and his abilities. This matchup against the Colts scares me though because how hard the Colts are against tight ends. Like Engram, I believe that Herndon should be targeted a lot if Crowder is out of the lineup again.
Dalton Schultz vs Seattle Seahawks
Schultz surprised a lot of people last week when he took up a lot of Prescott’s target share. However, I do not believe a fight with the Seahawks is the best thing for Schultz as I believe his wide receivers will do a majority of the damage.
Greg Olsen vs Dallas Cowboys
Greg Olsen didn’t do anything against the Patriots. Maybe he will have better luck against an awful pass defense in Dallas, but like I said I am not a fan of Olsen this season. Only time will tell, but I believe that Olsen is filling into more of a Jason Witten role which doesn’t mean shit.
Busts;
Tyler Eifert vs Miami Dolphins
Irv Smith Jr. vs Tennessee Titans
Eric Ebron vs Houston Texans
thoughtsfromthebench.com 