Week 13 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 elite players at the position.

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 4-2 in our starts and sits for Week 12 fantasy tight ends. Isaiah Likely was fine but didn’t live up to his TE14 value. Jonnu Smith was a complete bust in his matchup. What we did get right was Pat Freiermuth, who had a monster game in Week 12 with over 100 yards. Hunter Henry, Tanner Hudson, and Michael Mayer were all good sits in their matchups.

Start ‘Em

Tyler Conklin, Jets – TE16

Since the mega bye has made tight ends even harder to rank, we will only have four tight ends in this article. It starts with Tyler Conklin, who many don’t consider a solid tight end. He has been over 60 yards in two of the last four games. While he didn’t do great last week, he saw five targets, which he can build on. The Jets don’t have many options at their pass catcher roles, so Conklin can slide in as a reliable option in a game that will likely be close. The Falcons allow the fifth most fantasy points per game to the tight end position. They have allowed four tight ends in the last three weeks, with over 40 receiving yards. While this game should be lower-scoring, the Jets must get someone more involved. Tyler Conklin should be able to outbeat his per-game average in Week 13.

Brevin Jordan, Texans – TE32

Brevin Jordan has a prime opportunity for a big game in Week 13. He comes into the game as a big sleeper, with Dalton Schultz out in Week 13 due to an injury. Jordan flashed as a rookie but disappeared in the last year and a half. In the last two weeks, Jordan’s snap usage has increased, and being more involved in the offense. The Broncos are the best matchup for the young tight end in Week 13. They allow the most fantasy points per game to the position. They allowed five tight ends over 40 yards in the last four weeks. The Broncos defense has been elite the previous five weeks, but they continue to allow production to the tight-end position. The receivers for the Texans have been on fire with Nico Collins and Tank Dell, but this could be a prime opportunity for Jordan to do well. He may be worth a stream in Week 13.

Sit ‘Em

Jonnu Smith, Falcons – TE20

Jonnu Smith is likely a tight end you want to avoid in Week 13. Smith has been nonexistent in fantasy for the last two weeks. It’s not just that he isn’t getting targets; his snaps have decreased over the last three weeks. Desmond Ridder is back at quarterback, and the passing offense for the Falcons continues to be ineffective on the field. This is a game that the Falcons backfield should be able to produce on the ground in a wet Sunday game. Ridder has struggled on the road this season. The Jets have allowed just one tight end over the last five weeks to get over 20 receiving yards. The Jets were a team in the early season to give up touchdowns to tight ends, but they have allowed just one over the last six weeks. I think Jonnu Smith should be left on benches in Week 13 in a battle of two poor offenses.

Tucker Kraft, Packers – TE17

My other sit on Sunday has to be the rookie Tyler Kraft. Kraft is coming off two catches for 15 yards and a touchdown. While the touchdown is nice, I don’t expect Kraft to see many targets. He is likely fourth on the team in targets and won’t see many targets with the big three in Green Bay. The Chiefs have been a good match for tight ends. They have not allowed over 30 yards in the last six weeks. They have been a great secondary that has locked down passing offenses. Even before Watson took over, we saw that the starting tight end for the Packers took a drop in production. Many liked Luke Musgrave and think Kraft can replace his production without issue. Kraft may be someone who disappoints on SNF.