Once again, my predictions were perfect. That’s the second time I’ve done that this season. Excuse me while I brag!
Seriously, though, my one start prediction last week was Tennessee Titans tight end Chigoziem Okonkwo. He finished right at ten fantasy points. Okonkwo tallied 4 receptions for 54 receiving yards as well as a lone carry for 6 rushing yards
I predicted Denver Broncos tight end Greg Dulcich and New York Jets tight end Tyler Conklin as sits in Week 15. Well, I couldn’t have been more right.
Both Dulcich and Conklin received two targets catching just one of those. Conklin did log a carry as well. Naturally, they still finished well below ten fantasy points. Heck, neither of them got over three fantasy points.
Hopefully I can keep the momentum going in week 16 and provide some good starts/sits for the semifinals!
Changing the Call (QB): Jayson Snyder
The Cutback (RB): Jake Oliver
Slant Pattern (WR): Tristan Cook
12 Formation (TE): Ethan Wyatt
Flex on ‘Em (FLEX): Evan Brown
IDP Start/Sit (IDP): Jon Glosser
Starts
T.J. Hockenson, MIN (TE3)
Minnesota Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson has changed the narrative surrounding him this year. Before he was traded to the Vikings, many thought Hockenson was a disappointing bust. However, the change of scenery has done him well.
Hockenson has gotten 6 targets or more in every game played with the Vikings in 2022. In seven games with the Vikings, he’s received 57 targets that have turned into 39 receptions for 335 receiving yards and a touchdown.
In the previous seven games he played for Detroit he had 43 targets that led to 26 receptions, 395 receiving yards and 3 touchdowns. Hockenson’s receiving yards and touchdowns were higher, but he had less targets ad receptions.
If you dig a little deeper, 179 of those receiving yards and two of those touchdowns came in one game. It’s the first time Hockenson’s ever been reliable or consistent in his young career.
That’s why I feel comfortable starting him in any league I have him. He’s morphed into a reliable fantasy tight end.
Hockenson isn’t immune to bad games. However, he provides a very solid floor. That’s especially true this week as he matches up with the New York Giants defense that gives up 6.7 fantasy points to tight ends.
Hockenson is guaranteed a nice workload and provides a very safe floor for your lineup. He’s not going to ruin your week, but also provides the ability to go nuclear and win you the week in a good matchup. You need to Start Hockenson!
Sits
George Kittle, SF (TE4)
I’ve included San Francisco 49ers tight end Kittle on this article before as a start. However, I’ve never put him on here as a player to sit.
Well, that changes in Week 16. For those of you who have Kittle, it might be time to find another option. You can’t risk it and wait for the big week to come along. It’s the semifinals and you face the possibility of elimination.
Kittle is my favorite tight end in the NFL. That doesn’t change the fact that he has been very boom or bust this year. If we’re being honest, it’s been more bust then boom.
If you’re a Kittle owner, last week gave you some hope and happiness. He may have single handedly won the week for you too.
However, Week 16 will be a different story. The reason he went nuclear against the Seattle Seahawks is because the defense allows the most fantasy points to tight ends this year. Now, Kittle gets the Washington Commanders. Their defense gives up the third fewest fantasy points per game (3.4) to tight ends.
With quarterback Brock Purdy starting, they’re not going to force feed Kittle at the risk of exposing their young quarterback. I’d expect a heavy dosage of wide receiver Brandin Aiyuck and running back Christion McCaffery. Thus, eliminating Kittle from the game plan.
Dallas Goedert, PHI (TE7)
The Dallas Cowboys defense gives up the second fewest fantasy points to the tight end position in 2022. It just so happens that Philadelphia Eagles tight end Dallas Goedert has a matchup with them his first week back from injury. Let’s not forget he’s also going to be without his starting quarterback.
Everything is screaming at me to sit Goedert and I’ll be darned if I push my gut to the side and ignore it. He’s a heck of a player that I would consider a must play if he had his starting quarterback. Alas, that’s not the case.
Not much to this prediction. I have a bad feeling this week for Goedert. Let’s see how he does in his first game back from injury and what his rapport with backup quarterback Gardner Minshew looks like before automatically starting him.
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