Starts
Start of the Week –
T.J. Hockenson vs Washington Football Team
Hockenson has been on a roll as of late becoming a big target of Matthew Stafford this season. I would definitely play him again this Sunday when the Lions take on the Washington Football Team. They are ranked 27th against covering tight ends so he is an instant cash grab for points.
Eric Ebron vs Cincinnati Bengals
Ebron has started not only becoming a red zone threat, but a real trust in the pass game with Roethlisberger throwing him the ball. I like him this weekend against the Bengals. They have been awful against tight ends finishing second to last so far this season. Get him in and start him.
Rob Gronkowski vs Carolina Panthers
Gronk came up really short last weekend with just one catch. I sadly doubt that will happen again when the Bucs take on the Panthers. He has had touchdowns three times out of the four weeks. I would start him this week.
Dallas Goedert vs New York Giants
Goedert didn’t have the breakout scheme we thought he was gonna have in his return from IR, but he has a good matchup opportunity against the New York Giants. Their defense is good against tight ends, but with the amount of bodies down in Philly, it will be an interesting point to start him this week to see what happens. As long as Ertz is out, Goedert should do well.
Austin Hooper vs Houston Texans
Let’s not kid ourselves here. Hooper hasn’t been the best tight end this season, and he certainly wasn’t the tight end he was last year with Atlanta. However, it would be silly to ignore this matchup with the Houston Texans. They are 23rd the worst tight end coverage defense in the league. Start Hooper.
Sleepers;
Jonnu Smith vs Indianapolis Colts
Logan Thomas vs Detroit Lions
Robert Tonyan vs Jacksonville Jaguars
Sits
Sit of the Week –
Hunter Henry vs Miami Dolphins
Henry has fallen into the “Can you start him category”? For me, this is not a big opportunity for Hunter Henry as he faces the Miami Dolphins. They are a good team when it comes to facing tight ends, and with players out, they’ll want to target Henry, but I don’t know if it will work out well for him.
Jimmy Graham vs Minnesota Vikings
Graham has definitely broken out as the number one tight end. While Hockenson was able to do well, the amount of players in terms of targets for the Bears don’t favor for Graham. Let it sink it, and sit him this weekend.
Jared Cook vs San Francisco 49ers
Cook has done some good work this season, but for the last couple of outings, Cook has had issues getting the ball and when he does, he has had issues holding onto the ball. His matchup against the 49ers is not a great one either. I get if you have to play him, but it’s not a wise move.
Mike Gesicki vs Los Angeles Chargers
Mike has a decent matchup against the Chargers this week, but it remains to be seen if he can be a big target for Tua in the passing game. Now with Preston Williams being out, maybe that is this me, but you’d be rolling the dice on a matchup that might not happen so tread lightly if you have to start him.
Jordan Reed vs New Orleans Saints
Reed was supposed to be a huge part of the passing game against Green Bay last Thursday. He played 21% of the snaps… He also caught one ball that entire game. His matchup against the Saints is a good one, but I would not trust it after what I just had to go through last weekend.
Busts;
Tyler Eifert vs Green Bay Packers
Greg Olsen vs Los Angeles Rams
Tyler Higbee vs Seattle Seahawks
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