Week 2 has already started. We need to begin game-planning for our lineups. I will be here weekly with my starts/sits of the week at tight end. Tight ends are tricky since you’ll likely want to start the best six to eight tight ends no matter what. I will give some players right after that elite tier that you can play and a few sleepers lower in the rankings. Tight end sits will be strictly based on matchups and may impact some of the elites.
Be sure to follow our other start/sit articles and authors; they contain great advice to help you each week.
Changing the Call (QB): Mike Hicks
The Cutback (RB): Jake Oliver
Slant Pattern (WR): Tristan Cook
12 Formation (TE): Steven Pintado
Flex on ‘Em (FLEX): Evan Brown
IDP Start/Sit (IDP): Jon Glosser
Recapping Last Week
Last week, we went three for six among my Starts and Sits at tight end. Gerald Everett and Jake Ferguson did not give us the production we wanted in week one. Cole Kmet would finish as a TE8 and had himself a good week. Kyle Pitts and Chig Okonkwo laid a goose egg on the Sits side as they finished outside the top 15 tight ends. Pat Friermuth’s fantasy day was saved with a four-yard receiving touchdown. I mentioned he would need a touchdown to save his day, and it happened.
Start Em’
Cole Kmet, Bears – TE19
Can we get some respect for Cole Kmet in fantasy already? He put up a respectful five receptions for 44 yards in week one. He also had seven targets, so his target share won’t change with the addition of DJ Moore. The Bucs were a bottom-ten fantasy unit against fantasy tight ends. They let TJ Hockenson catch seven receptions in week one and had a top 5 fantasy week. Kmet has been a safety net for Justin Fields for the last few years. Since week nine last year, Kmet has had at least five targets in eight of the previous ten games. He is a big part of this Bears offense. Fantasy Pros has Cole Kmet at TE19 for the week, and I have him as TE12 this week.
Luke Musgrave, Packers – TE16
The rookie Luke Musgrave has a solid debut in the NFL. He had three receptions for 50 yards. He led all tight ends in air yards in week one. Musgrave has a solid chance to be great in week two. The Falcons have been bottom-three against fantasy tight ends since the beginning of last year. Musgrave will continue to have a role in this offense and, based on snaps and routes run, will lead this tight end room. Christian Watson’s return doesn’t affect Musgrave in this game. Musgrave only had four targets anyway in week one. I’d expect he should see around that many targets. If anything, the return of Watson will help open the middle of the field, allowing Musgrave to have some mismatches. He should be in line for a TE1 week. FantasyPros has Luke Musgrave at TE16 for the week, and I have him a few spots higher in week two.
Jake Ferguson, Cowboys – TE18
I’m going back to the well in week two with Jake Ferguson. Compared to last week, he got a bump up in the rankings. He didn’t have a great week one in terms of production. It was a rainy Sunday Night Football game that didn’t go his way. Dak Prescott loves his tight ends, and it showed with Ferguson seeing seven targets in limited offensive playing time. He also saw five red zone targets. The Jets gave up production to both the Bills tight ends in week one, allowing both to see over 40 yards. The Cowboys may be without Brandin Cooks, who is dealing with an MCL sprain. Ferguson should have a great shot to rebound in week two. Fantasy Pros has Jake Ferguson at TE18 for the week, and I have him a few spots higher in week two.
Site Em’
Juwan Johnson, Saints – TE15
I feel bad for Juwan Johnson because he is a very good tight end. He is fourth on the target share and has to split some time with a crowded, tight end room. Johnson has a tough matchup in week two against the Carolina Panthers. They have been a top-10 unit against fantasy tight ends the last few seasons. Last year, Juwan Johnson, in two games, had just one catch for 21 yards. I did like Johnson coming into the season, but if he is going to see the team’s fourth target share, my value for him goes down. The Saints offense could return to the run game, leading to fewer pass attempts in week two. FantasyPros has Juwan Johnson at TE15 for the week, and I have him as TE18.
Kyle Pitts, Falcons – TE8
One of my week one hits with Kyle Pitts, who had two receptions for 44 yards in week one and finished TE17. I do not want to deal with the Falcons pass catchers. Desmond Ridder had 18 pass attempts in week one. This run offense will continue to run the ball against the Packers in week two. If the passing attack will continue to throw the ball minimally, then I don’t want to start Kyle Pitts. If someone sees more work in week two, I’d assume the Falcons will try to get the ball more to Drake London. Over the last 11 games, Kyle Pitts has just three games over 45 receiving yards. Honestly, he only has three touchdowns over his career. Fantasy Pros has Kyle Pitts at TE8 for the week, and I have him as TE13.
Hayden Hurst, Panthers – TE21
Hurst was one of two tight ends who finished with double-digit fantasy points. Owners may have liked his seven targets in week one. Hurst shouldn’t be in the fantasy lineups from week two. The target share was positive for his value, but this is a tougher matchup in week two. The Saints have been a top 2 team against fantasy tight ends. We saw in week one they didn’t even allow a tight end reception. Opposing tight ends averaged 30 receiving yards against the Saints in 2022 with only two touchdowns to account for. Hurst was great in week one, but don’t expect the same production in week two. FantasyPros has Hayden Hurst at TE21 for the week, and there is a reason for that. Don’t chase week one, production.
