Let’s review. Last weekend, my start of the week was Tyler Conklin, and my sit of the week was CJ Uzomah from the Bengals. Both put up single-digit points. So I call that a 50/50 split for how that was supposed to go. Let’s focus on this week. Who’s the start? Who’s the sit? Let’s find out.
Starts
Start of the Week;
Pat Friermuth vs Detroit Lions
The rookie tight end has become Ben’s favorite target in the redzone. The Lions aren’t that bad at covering tight ends, but the Lions are the Lions, and what the Lions are is hot garbage. However, in the last two games, Pat has had three touchdowns. Make this a eventual fourth one as he and Ben will connect beautifully in this one.
Noah Fant vs Philadelphia Eagles
Fant is coming off the COVID list, and he should be a great play here against the Eagles. Their defense has yielded the most points to tight ends this season. The Eagles rank in dead last against tight ends which should make Fant an instant play despite all the offensive weapons that Denver has to pick from.
Dallas Goedert vs Denver Broncos
Goedert should be a great play again this week as I imagine the game script is gonna call for a close passing-filled game. Goedert has really taken the reigns with Ertz being shipped off to Arizona. I know the matchup is scary being that Denver is a top-three team at covering tight ends, but with him and Smith being the only suitable pass catchers, makes this a no-brainer to play him.
Tyler Conklin vs Los Angeles Chargers
Conklin has really become the security blanket for Kirk Cousins and this offense. I am a little upset though because these short passes used to go to Cook, and it seems Conklin has taken them away from him. Oh well. This tight end should be a great play against the Chargers. They rank 27th out of 32 in terms of covering tight ends. Play him.
Dan Arnold vs Indianapolis Colts
The Jaguars’ passing game is broken, but there is a loophole to the system. That loophole is Dan Arnold who has been building some great chemistry with rookie quarterback Trevor Lawrence. He is by far the best target he has in terms of safe options, and man oh man do I love this matchup. The Colts are 28th against defending tight ends. Couple that with his targets and target share, and you should have a great day if you start him.
Sleepers;
Logan Thomas vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Adam Troutman vs Tennessee Titans
Rob Gronkowski vs Washington Football Team
Sits
Sit of the Week;
Jared Cook vs Minnesota Vikings
Cook did okay last weekend catching four passes and a two-point conversion. However, that was against a team that sucked in guarding tight ends in the Eagles. Now he faces the Vikings who are much better. He is losing work to other tight ends as he ended up the one not catching a touchdown. Sit him this week.
Tyler Higbee vs San Francisco 49ers
Higbee had a solid performance against the Titans, but Matt Stafford had to go to him in a lot more situations than he normally would have had to. I don’t like the Monday night matchup for the 49ers man. They are ranked top-ten in terms of guarding the position. Things should swell back into their main algorithms for Monday night’s game which means Higbee is an afterthought.
Dalton Schultz vs Atlanta Falcons
Schultz will be looking to get back into his glory days as a startable tight end. The Falcons are okay at covering tight ends, and occasionally give up some points, but Schultz hasn’t had a double-digit performance since Week Six of the season. That’s also because the receivers are finally coming into their own again. Plus, Gallup will also be activated from the injured reserve which could hurt Schultz’s targets.
Hunter Henry vs Cleveland Browns
It seemed like Henry was going to be the breakout between himself and Jonn Smith for the Patriots, but the sad fact is that neither of them is putting up great numbers right now, and yes Henry did catch a touchdown last weekend but hear me out people. The usage of the two has gone down with Mac Jones continuing to spread the ball like butter on bread. The Browns may have made a statement last week with the defense and putting Henry on the field just doesn’t seem smart to me.
Zach Ertz vs Carolina Panthers
Ertz has been a wonderful addition to the Cardinals locker room, and he has some nice stats to go with the games he has played in so far. However, this week he will go up against the Carolina Panthers. Their team has been butt, but they do a decent job at covering tight ends. Also, the weapons should be back for Arizona this week which might limit his target shares for this game. I would just sideline him, and I would wait and see what happens instead of taking the risk.
Busts;
Austin Hooper vs New England Patriots
Hayden Hurst vs Dallas Cowboys
Cameron Brate vs Washington Football Team
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