The Dynasty Nerds writers are here to provide you with weekly starts and sits all season long. We will be making our recommendations based on weekly consensus PPR rankings. Here are the tight end starts and sits from senior writer Steven Pintado.
One thing to keep in mind when making start/sit decisions; it will ALWAYS depend on who your other options are. Don’t take the players below out of (or put them into) your lineups unless the alternates are worth it. NOTE: Rankings are sourced from Fantasy Pros expert consensus rankings (ECR) and our terminology is for a 12-team PPR league.
Our writers answer all start/sit questions on Discord before the games exclusively for the **#Nerdherd.** The advanced metrics used in this article are courtesy of Fantasy Points Data Suite, use code NERDS for 25% off your own data suite subscription or All-in bundle.
TIGHT END MATCHUPS
| Top 4 Toughest Matchups | ||||
| Fantasy Player | Opposing Team | Def vs FPPG | Avg Def vs Yards | TDs Allowed |
| Hunter Henry | SF | 1.3 | 13 | 0 |
| Jonnu Smith | TEN | 1.4 | 13.3 | 0 |
| Cade Otton | PHI | 2 | 19.7 | 0 |
| Dallas Goedert | TB | 2 | 20 | 0 |
| Top 3 Softest Matchups | ||||
| Fantasy Player | Opposing Team | Def vs FPPG | Avg Def vs Yards | TDs Allowed |
| Hayden Hurst | KC | 13.2 | 111.7 | 1 |
| Mike Gesicki | CAR | 10.2 | 50.7 | 2 |
| Cole Kmet | LAR | 9.8 | 57.7 | 1 |
TIGHT END SIT
Sam LaPorta | V. SEA | 5.8 FPPG | ECR 10 | 45% Confidence
My tight end sit of the week is Detroit Lions’ Sam LaPorta. The second-year tight end has gotten off to a slow start, finishing under seven fantasy points in each game. The rise of Jameson Williams has pushed LaPorta down to fourth in targets. Unfortunately, LaPorta isn’t getting the redzone looks that made him so valuable last year.
Seattle has been an average team against tight ends, allowing just one tight end over 30 yards this year. Since LaPorta is only averaging three targets per game, it’s unlikely he can be successful. He is also dealing with a low-ankle sprain that will undoubtedly affect his play on the field. You may have to make the tough decision and sit LaPorta in Week 4.
TIGHT END START
Pat Freiermuth | V. IND | 4.8 FFPG | ECR 8 | 70% Confidence
Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth should be considered a start in Week 4. The Colts secondary has question marks and is a favorable matchup for pass offenses. Freiermuth sees around 4.5 targets per game, and we could see a bump in Week 4. The Colts allowed another underperforming tight end, Cole Kmet, to produce over 90 yards in Week 3. The Steelers backfield is banged up with both Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren, so the team may be forced to throw the ball more in a favorable matchup. Freiermuth could finally give us a strong performance in Week 4.
TIGHT END START IN A PINCH
Tyler Conklin | V. DEN | 6.0 FFPG | ECR 16 | 60% Confidence
The tight end landscape has been challenging to pick a tight end to trust or start in Week 4. Tyler Conklin could be someone to start if you are in a pinch. Conklin was able to step up in Week 3 with 5 receptions for 93 yards. He is going up against the Broncos, who are a below-average team that has allowed opposing tight ends over 35 yards in back-to-back games. The Jets receivers are going to have their hands full with the Broncos’ secondary led by Patrick Surtain II. Aaron Rodgers will need to rely on Conklin to help move this offense down the field.
TIGHT END SPOTLIGHT
Cole Kmet | V. LAR | 11.3 FFPG | ECR 11 | 70% Confidence
Cole Kmet was the best tight end in Week 3. He should be able to keep that up in Week 4. Kmet will face off against the Rams, who have allowed a tight end to gain 40 yards or more in each game this season. I don’t expect 11 targets again, but somewhere between that 5 to 7 range is possible. Kmet showed his downfield ability as a receiver with 3 receptions of 15 or more yards last week. The Rams defense is bad, but their offense will keep them in this game, so Kmet will get his opportunities. If you think Kmet was just a one-week wonder, you’ll be surprised when he does well again in Week 4.
Tight End REDEMPTION
Travis Kelce | V. LAC | 5.0 FFPG | ECR 4 | 75% Confidence
Travis Kelce has made fantasy managers hit the panic button after three straight weeks of poor outings for fantasy football. Whether it’s age or the team trying to preserve Kelce for a late-season run, it has hurt his fantasy production. Kelce is still second in routes run and targets among the Chiefs pass catchers. The reason that Kelce could have a redemption week is because he is playing the Chargers.
Over the last three seasons, Kelce has averaged 24 fantasy points per game. Even in his worst game against the Chargers in the previous three years, he scored 7.9, which is better than anything he has put up this season. The Chargers have shown that good tight ends can produce against them. The Chiefs need to show dominance in this divisional matchup, so expect the Chiefs to go all out. Kelce should be in lineups for one more week.
If you enjoyed our start and sit series for each position, you’ll definitely enjoy our Positional Matchups to Exploit from staff writer Brad Custer (@MonCalFF):
That’s it for Week 4! Feel free to reach out on Twitter (X) @coachstevenp if you have any specific questions about who I would start.
