Week 12 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 at Raiders
2. T.J. Hockenson vs. Bears (Mon.)
3. George Kittle at Seahawks (Thur.)
4. Sam LaPorta vs. Packers (Thur.)
5. Dalton Kincaid at Eagles
6. Trey McBride vs. Rams
7. Dalton Schultz vs. Jaguars
8. Evan Engram at Texans
9. David Njoku at Broncos
10. Jake Ferguson vs. Commanders (Thur.)

Week 12 Start ’Em, Sit ’Em: QUARTERBACKS | RUNNING BACKS | WIDE RECEIVERS | TIGHT ENDS | KICKERS & TEAM DEFENSES

Week 12 Start ’Em: Tight Ends

Start of the Week

Evan Engram at Texans (1 p.m. ET, CBS): Engram, listed as a sit ’em last week, put up just 6.9 points in a win over the Titans. He has now scored just 12.1 points in his last two games, but a plus matchup against the Texans should be good for what ails him. Their defense has allowed nine-plus points to seven tight ends. That includes Engram, who beat them for 13.7 PPR points in a matchup in Week 3.

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Start ’Em

Trey McBride vs. Rams (4:05 p.m. ET, Fox): McBride has been one of the top tight ends of the last four weeks, ranking third in points at the position. He should remain in starting lineups this week, too, as McBride faces a plus matchup against the Rams. Their defense has allowed five touchdowns and the eighth-most points to tight ends, so look for McBride to post a solid line this holiday weekend.

David Njoku at Broncos (4:05 p.m. ET, Fox): Njoku has been one of the most consistent tight ends in recent weeks, scoring 10-plus points in five straight games, including one with more than 17 points. He was targeted 15 times last week, too, which shows he has the trust of rookie quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson. The Broncos have allowed the most points to tight ends, too, so start Njoku.

Taysom Hill at Falcons (1 p.m. ET, Fox): Fantasy managers looking to replace the injured Mark Andrews or find a streaming option should look to Hill. He has scored 16-plus points in three of his last four games, including two with more than 20 points. The Falcons have allowed the third-most fantasy points to opposing tight ends this season, so Hill is well worth a look in this big NFC South matchup.

More Starts

Dalton Kincaid at Eagles (4:25 p.m. ET, CBS)
Jonnu Smith vs. Saints (1 p.m. ET, Fox)
Isaiah Likely at Chargers (8:20 p.m. ET, NBC)

DFS Bargains (DraftKings)

David Njoku at Broncos ($4,100)
Jonnu Smith vs. Saints ($3,400)
Pat Freiermuth at Bengals ($2,900)

Week 12 Sit ’Em: Tight Ends

Sit of the Week

Cole Kmet at Vikings (Mon. 8:15 p.m. ET, ESPN): Kmet saw his numbers fall in the first game with Justin Fields back under center, seeing just four targets and scoring a mere five fantasy points. He’s now been held to single digits in two straight games, and a matchup against the Vikings makes him a fade this week. Since Week 8, just one tight end has beaten them for more than 9.6 PPR points.

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Sit ’Em

Hunter Henry at Giants (1 p.m. ET, Fox): Henry has been difficult to trust in the last few weeks, scoring fewer than six points in five of his last six games. He’s also been held to just one touchdown since Week 3, and facing the Giants defense is enough to sit him. Their defense has allowed just two touchdowns to tight ends this season, and the position has averaged fewer than 10 points per game in 2023.

Tyler Higbee vs. Cardinals (4:05 p.m. ET, Fox): Higbee continues to see limited targets in the Rams offense, has he’s seen three or fewer chances in five of his last six games. While that total could increase with Cooper Kupp injured, Higbee will be tough to trust regardless. The Cardinals have been tough on tight ends as well, allowing just three touchdowns and the sixth-fewest points to the position.

Cade Otton at Colts (1 p.m. ET, CBS): Otton was a hot add off the waiver wire a few weeks back, but he’s been held to just 11.9 PPR points in his last two games. This week he faces the Colts, who haven’t given up more than 11.4 points to any tight end this season. Part of that defensive success is the fact that just one player at the position has scored a touchdown against them. I’d beware Otton this week.

More Sits

Noah Fant vs. 49ers (Thur. 8:20 p.m. ET, NBC)
Michael Mayer at Chiefs (4:25 p.m. ET, CBS)
Chigoziem Okonkwo vs. Panthers (1 p.m. ET, Fox)

DFS Fades (DraftKings)

Kyle Pitts vs. Saints ($4,000)
Tyler Higbee at Cardinals ($3,500)
Hunter Henry at Giants ($3,400)