Week 14 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 3-1 in our starts and sits for Week 13 fantasy tight ends. Tyler Conklin was my only miss, as he couldn’t live up to at least TE16. Brevin Jordan had a nice game against the Broncos. Jonnu Smith and Tucker Kraft failed to make any noise to their ranking.

Start ‘Em

Chig Okonkwo, Titans – TE17

I’m going with the Titans Chig Okonkwo for my first tight end start. Okonkwo has come alive in fantasy in the last two weeks after doing nothing all season. He has at least 40 yards in back-to-back games. Okonkwo is a fantastic talent for the tight end position. He has the speed and size to be a mismatch for any defense. The issue has been opportunities this season. Under Will Levis, Okonkwo has four of his six games with at least six targets. He only did that once this season under Ryan Tannehill. The Dolphins have been decent overall in the last five games, as their defense has improved. The Titans offense has needed more pass catchers to step up with Levis at quarterback. I’d expect the Titans to be playing catch-up the entire game, so Levis should be expected to have more attempts. More attempts mean more opportunities for Okonkwo to make some noise over the middle of the field.

Brevin Jordan, Texans – TE15

Brevin Jordan has a prime opportunity again to produce for us in Week 14. Jordan got an opportunity with Dalton Schultz out in Week 13. He responded with three receptions for 64 yards. Jordan is an athletic tight end that has flashed in his three seasons. The passing attack has gotten strong with CJ Stroud, and the team lost Tank Dell for the season. Schultz looks to be out again in Week 14, so Jordan should get another start. The Jets are a bottom-team unit against fantasy tight ends this season. They have allowed an opposing tight end over 40 yards in two of the last three games. I expect the tight end position to be heavily involved in the offense. Unless Schultz magically plays, Jordan should be a start in Week 14. 

Kylen Granson, Colts – TE29

This one is an interesting deep sleeper pick. You’d have to be desperate to play Kylen Granson. He is coming off a game with three receptions for 72 yards. He gets a fantastic matchup with the Bengals for Week 14. They allow the second most fantasy per game to the position. Since week eight, they have allowed five tight ends over 80 receiving yards. This Colts vs. Bengals game could be higher scoring, so Granson may get a chance to get a few balls or a touchdown. It’s risky, but Granson has been the only tight end in the offense that has done anything this season. He could end up being a surprise in Week 14.

Sit ‘Em

Cole Kmet, Bears – TE11

Cole Kmet will be a sit in Week 14. Kmet, for one, has been very inconsistent in his career under Justin Fields. Kmet has averaged three points less with Justin Fields this season than with Tyson Bagent. Kmet is a fantastic tight end, but the opportunity he gets can be very inconsistent for fantasy. Kmet is a risky play in Week 14 since the possibility of having three catches for 20 yards. That’s exactly what Kmet did last time he faced the Lions this season. The Bears will look to use DJ Moore and their running back trio in the offense. The Lions have held their last five opposing tight ends under 30 receiving yards and zero touchdowns. Kmet may disappoint in Week 14 and not finish as a TE1. 

Kyle Pitts, Falcons – TE12

Kyle Pitts is my other sit for Week 14. It’s not the matchup, as the Bucs can be a decent matchup for tight ends. Pitts is just not trustworthy in general right now. He has been under eight fantasy points in six straight games. The passing game with Desmond Ridder has not been there this season, especially when he returned as the starter. The Falcons focus on the run game and have been getting their running backs more involved in the passing game. Pitt’s targets have been inconsistent, with eight in Week 13 but two in Week 12. I don’t see how Pitts is worth a TE1 ranking in this matchup. He is someone I’m actively avoiding in Week 14.