Week 7 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 for fantasy. Tyler Conklin and Noah Fant did finish as top 14 tight ends. Kyle Pitts is playing better football, and he had a strong game. We did get Gerald Everett, who finished as TE7. Darren Waller and Tyler Higbee finished outside the top 14 tight ends.
Start ‘Em
Luke Musgrave, Packers – TE11
My first start of week seven is Luke Musgrave. He has a fantastic matchup for week seven. He plays the Denver Broncos, who allow the most fantasy points per game to tight ends. They have allowed opposing tight ends to gain at least 60 yards in the last three weeks. Despite being benched for a portion of the week five game against the Raiders, Musgrave still managed to have seven targets, which led the team. Musgrave is being used downfield as he ranked eighth in ADOT this year. He has at least 30 yards in three of five games this year, and this could be the week that Musgrave blows up in fantasy.
Michael Mayer, Raiders – TE18
Michael Mayer had his blow-up game in week six, getting five receptions for 75 yards. Can the young rookie do it again? Yes, it’s possible, as he plays the Bears in week seven. They have allowed 40 yards to a tight end in five of six games this year. They even allowed rookie Luke Musgrave to have 50 yards in week one. At the same time, most of his production did come in the first half with Jimmy G as his quarterback. Mayer and new starter Brian Hoyer only had one catch together for 9 yards. I have faith that Hoyer can help Mayer produce another great game. I’d expect the Raiders to be forced to throw the ball since the Bears can stop the run. Mayer has TE1 potential in week seven.
Sit ‘Em
Logan Thomas, Commanders – TE10
Logan Thomas has been decent in terms of tight ends this year. In week six, Thomas had a great matchup and only had one target in the game. These targets have been up and down all season, but he has mostly produced with his targets. At the same time, it seems like a good matchup since the Giants have allowed yardage to the tight end position. The Commanders have an excellent opportunity to run the ball on the Giants, which could limit the pass. This could be a trap game if Thomas sees an up-and-down target share. Thomas has only had two games over four targets this year. Thomas could be a sit-in in week seven.
Tyler Higbee, Rams – TE16
Tyler Higbee is a brand name, and folks may want to continue to start him in week seven. The Steelers are in the bottom half in giving up points to tight ends primarily because they don’t allow touchdowns to the position. They have given up 40 yards to three opposing tight ends this year, but Higbee likely doesn’t do that. Over the last two weeks since Cooper Kupp has returned, Higbee saw a decrease in production. He has averaged three targets and 19 receiving yards in the previous two weeks. If Higbee continues to see fewer targets each win, it will limit any upside he offers us in fantasy. I think Higbee is a big-name guy that will fail in week seven.
David Njoku, Browns – TE15
David Njoku needs to be a sit for the foreseeable future as he has not produced this year. As he sits at TE15, I don’t see why he is ranked so high. Name value continues to keep Njoku high in the ranks. Higbee has just one game over five fantasy points this year. His matchup against the Colts is not great, as they have allowed one touchdown to a tight end this year. They have also allowed just one tight end over 40 yards this year. It’s hard to trust Njoku since his quarterback situation is a concern. DeShaun Watson is dealing with an injury to his throwing shoulder, and if not Watson, then PJ Walker would start. Njoku is also dealing with an injury that may affect his game. Njoku is better left on benches in week seven.
