Week 9 Start ’Em, Sit ’Em: Tight Ends

Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em is the ultimate look at the best and worst matchups based on a PPR scoring system in fantasy football. This column will not cover the elite players in the NFL like Patrick Mahomes, Christian McCaffrey or Justin Jefferson. Instead, I'll look at the players you have questions about who could exceed or fail to meet expectations at each position. For all of your final fantasy lineup decisions, be sure to check out my weekly player rankings which will be updated daily throughout the 2023 NFL season.

Fabs’ Top 10 Tight Ends

1. Travis Kelce vs. Dolphins (Frankfurt)
2. Mark Andrews vs. Seahawks
3. T.J. Hockenson vs. Falcons
4. Dallas Goedert vs. Cowboys
5. Dalton Kincaid at Bengals
6. Trey McBride at Browns
7. Dalton Schultz vs. Buccaneers
8. David Njoku vs. Cardinals
9. Logan Thomas at Patriots
10. Jake Ferguson at Eagles

Week 9 Start ’Em, Sit ’Em: QUARTERBACKS | RUNNING BACKS | WIDE RECEIVERS | TIGHT ENDS | KICKERS & TEAM DEFENSES

Byes: 49ers, Broncos, Jaguars, Lions

Week 9 Start ’Em: Tight Ends

Start of the Week

Dalton Kincaid at Bengals (8:20 p.m. ET, NBC): Kincaid is coming off his best fantasy performances of the season, scoring 17.5 points in a win over the Bucs. With Dawson Knox out of action, the rookie also saw a season-high 58 snaps, 36 of which resulted in a pass play. The Bengals have allowed the second-most points to tight ends, so Kincaid is a strong option in what could be a shootout.

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Start ’Em

Taysom Hill vs. Bears (1 p.m. ET, CBS): Hill has put up three good stat lines in a row, as he’s being used in all kinds of roles in the Saints offense. He’s seen 14 targets in the last three games, catching 12 of them, while also rushing for three touchdowns including two against the Colts. With four teams on a bye and at a thin position, Hill is worth a look as a starter against a bad Bears pass defense.

Dalton Schultz vs. Buccaneers (1 p.m. ET, CBS): Schultz cooled off last week, scoring just 2.5 points after posting 13-plus points in his previous three games. I’d stick with him this week though, as the veteran faces a Buccaneers defense that allowed 17.5 points to Kincaid last week. Tampa Bay has also allowed nine-plus points to Dallas Goedert and 11.5 points to T.J. Hockenson this season.

David Njoku vs. Cardinals (1 p.m. ET, CBS): Njoku’s target share has increased in recent weeks, as he’s seen a combined 17 chances as a pass catcher in his last two games. He’s also scored 10-plus PPR points in three of his last four games and appears to be a security blanket of sorts for starter P.J. Walker. He’ll be a viable top-12 tight end in fantasy leagues this week against the Cardinals.

More Starts

Dallas Goedert vs. Cowboys (4:25 p.m. ET, Fox)
Trey McBride at Ravens (1 p.m. ET, CBS)
Logan Thomas at Patriots (1 p.m. ET, Fox)

DFS Bargains (DraftKings)

David Njoku vs. Cardinals ($3,800)
Trey McBride at Browns ($3,700)
Logan Thomas at Patriots ($3,500)

Week 9 Sit ’Em: Tight Ends

Sit of the Week

Tyler Higbee at Packers (1 p.m. ET, Fox): Higbee has struggled to produce in recent weeks, scoring four or fewer points in three of his last four games during which time he’s seen just 16 targets. With Matthew Stafford banged up, Higbee is probably better left to the fantasy sidelines in a matchup against the Packers. Their defense has allowed doubl-digit points to just one tight end this season.

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Sit ’Em

Kyle Pitts vs. Vikings (1 p.m. ET, Fox): Pitts has fallen out of favor in fantasy land yet again, as he’s scored just 14.2 combined points in his last two games. He has now scored single digits in all but two games, and Pitts continues to split the work at tight end with Jonnu Smith. The total in this game opened at 37.5, so Vegas isn’t expecting a lot of offensive fireworks, either. At best, Pitts is a low-end option.

Cole Kmet at Saints (1 p.m. ET, CBS): Kmet had a big game last week, catching 10 passes for 79 yards while scoring 17.9 points. The Bears were getting crushed in the game, however, so the team threw the ball a ton. That might not be the case against the Saints, who have allowed an average of fewer than nine points per game to opposing tight ends this season. Consider Kmet a low-end option.

Hunter Henry vs. Commanders (1 p.m. ET, Fox): Henry has a good matchup on paper, as the Commanders have allowed 13-plus fantasy points to four different tight ends this season. The problem has been usage, or a lack thereof, as he’s seen no more than three targets in three straight games. That could change with the loss of Kendrick Bourne, but I’d still be wary of Henry in most fantasy leagues.

More Sits

Chigoziem Okonkwo at Steelers (Thur. 8:15 p.m. ET, Prime Video)
Michael Mayer vs. Giants (4:25 p.m. ET, Fox)
Irv Smith Jr. vs. Bills (8:20 p.m. ET, NBC)

DFS Fades (DraftKings)

Cole Kmet at Saints ($3,900)
Hunter Henry vs. Commanders ($3,600)
Tyler Higbee at Packers ($3,200)