Week 11 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 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
Week ten was full of tight ends who disappointed. We went 2-3 last week with tight ends. Daniel Bellinger, Chig Okonkwo, and Jonnu Smith were all disappointments. Kyle Pitts continued to have a bad game in Week 10 in fantasy. Evan Engram, who has been great this season, was the right call to sit in Week 10.
Start ‘Em
Tyler Conklin, Jets – TE15
My first start of Week 11 is Tyler Conklin. Conklin has done well in the last two weeks, with six receptions for 65 yards or more in those games. Conklin has quietly turned into the number two pass catcher for this team. Conklin has had flashes of production all season with this bad Jets offense. The Buffalo defense has fallen apart with all their injuries this season. They have allowed four other tight ends to produce against them with over 40 yards. They have given up a touchdown in two of the last four games to a tight end. Garrett Wilson is banged up, so the Jets may need to rely on someone else in the passing game. Zach Wilson trusts Conklin to get open and make plays after the catch. Conklin could be a solid tight end to start in week 11.
Luke Musgrave, Chargers – TE14
Let’s start Luke Musgrave in week 11. Musgrave has at least 50 yards in back-to-back games. He seems to be coming on strong with big plays in the offense. The Chargers are ranked in the bottom ten in stopping a fantasy tight end this year. They have allowed three opposing tight ends over 60 receiving yards in the last four weeks. This is a perfect opportunity at home for Musgrave to have a great Week 11. The Packers receivers aren’t dominating targets, allowing Musgrave to be on par with them in fantasy. Even in the slight chance that this game turns into a shootout, then I want Musgrave in my lineups.
Noah Fant, Seahawks – TE23
This is a stretch since Noah Fant has been nonexistent in fantasy football this season. Seattle is using a three-person committee at their tight end position. The Rams allow the second most fantasy points per game to the tight end position. They have allowed an opposing tight end 40 yards and a touchdown in four of the last six games. Fant didn’t play in the first game of the season, so he’ll get a chance in this game. Fant is a deep sleeper, especially if Tyler Lockett potentially misses this game. Fant could see a few more targets in the offense. Fant averaged 33 yards last year against the Rams and scored in the two games. If he can get 30 yards and a touchdown, that would make him a TE1 in week 11. Fant is a risky play, but it could end up working out.
Sit ‘Em
Cade Otton, Bucs – TE16
After having a dud in week ten, Cade Otton showed us he couldn’t be a reliable fantasy option. After his big game in week nine, we thought Otton was finally ready to break out, but that was not the case. He has an extremely difficult matchup against the 49ers. They allow the second-fewest fantasy points per game to the tight end position. They have allowed just two tight ends over 30 yards and barely have given up one touchdown on the season. It was nice to see Otton have six-plus targets during a stretch of games, but in a game where he sees only three, that’s not great. Otton should not be ranked this high and should be on the bench in Week 11.
Evan Engram, Jaguars – TE9
I had Evan Engram as a sit last week, so let’s try this again. The Titans allow the third-fewest fantasy points per game to the tight end position. They are the only team in the league that hasn’t allowed a touchdown to a tight end. They have been great at stopping tight ends from gaining yards, with just two tight ends over 40 yards. Engram continues to see a high target share in the offense, but the offense around him is a concern. His quarterback, Trevor Lawrence, doesn’t seem trustworthy enough to help raise multiple pass catchers on the offense with solid fantasy outings. You may need to start Engram, but I would lower expectations in this matchup.
Tyler Higbee, Rams – TE18
Tyler Higbee is a brand name that used to be a reliable player at tight end. Higbee has been almost useless in fantasy since week five. He has been under five fantasy points in four of the last five games. His targets have dropped, with Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua being the focus of the offense. The Seahawks are average against the tight end position. They have given up 40 yards to four tight ends in the last three weeks. They have only given up one touchdown all season to a tight end. The tight ends they have faced have been very good, so I don’t think Higbee is in that same conversation this year. If Higbee averages only three targets per game, his upside is capped. I prefer to stay away from him.
