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 Vikings
2. Mark Andrews at Steelers
3. T.J. Hockenson vs. Chiefs
4. Sam LaPorta vs. Panthers
5. George Kittle vs. Cowboys
6. Darren Waller at Dolphins
7. Evan Engram at Bills (London)
8. Dallas Goedert at Rams
9. Jake Ferguson at 49ers
10. Tyler Higbee vs. Eagles
Complete Week 5 tight end rankings
Week 5 Start ’Em, Sit ’Em: QUARTERBACKS | RUNNING BACKS | WIDE RECEIVERS | TIGHT ENDS | KICKERS & TEAM DEFENSES
Byes: Browns, Buccaneers, Chargers, Seahawks
Week 5 Start ’Em: Tight Ends
Start of the Week
Sergio Estrada-USA TODAY Sports
Zach Ertz vs. Bengals (4:05 p.m. ET, Fox): Ertz has quietly been one of the most reliable tight ends in fantasy football, scoring eight-plus PPR points in three of four games including two with more than 11 points. He’s also one of the most targeted players at his position, so Joshua Dobbs looks to him quite often. The Bengals have also allowed the sixth-most fantasy points to opposing tight ends.
Start ’Em
Sam LaPorta vs. Panthers (1 p.m. ET, Fox): LaPorta has emerged as one of the better tight ends in fantasy football, averaging more than 13 fantasy points a game. This week’s matchup against the Panthers isn’t great on paper, as their defense hasn’t allowed a tight end to score more than 8.7 points, but the bye weeks are here and LaPorta has been a mostly consistent player at what is a very thin position.
Dallas Goedert at Rams (4:05 p.m. ET, Fox): Goedert has failed to meet fantasy expectations, scoring fewer than five points in two of four games and putting up an average of just 5.5 points. Still, I’d keep the veteran active in a plus matchup in Los Angeles. The Rams’ defense has allowed two touchdowns and an average of nearly 13 fantasy points a game to tight ends, so the matchup is right for Goedert.
Tyler Higbee vs. Eagles (4:05 p.m. ET, Fox): Higbee is on a two-game hot streak with 23.5 PPR points on a combined16 targets. He’ll remain in most fantasy lineups against the Eagles, who have struggled against tight ends. After the first four weeks of action, the position has scored three touchdowns and the third-most points in games against Philadelphia’s defense. Consider Higbee a top-10 option.
More Starts
Jake Ferguson at 49ers (8:20 p.m. ET, NBC)
Dalton Schultz at Falcons (1 p.m. ET, Fox)
Tyler Conklin at Broncos (4:25 p.m. ET, CBS)
DFS Bargains (DraftKings)
Tyler Higbee vs. Eagles ($4,100)
Zach Ertz vs. Bengals ($3,500)|
Tyler Conklin at Broncos ($3,200)
Week 5 Sit ’Em: Tight Ends
Sit of the Week
Scott Galvin/ USA Today Sports
Hunter Henry vs. Saints (1 p.m. ET, CBS): Henry has cooled off after a hot start, scoring a combined 12.8 points in his last two games. He had scored more than that in each of his first two individual games! Next up is a tough matchup against the Saints, who have surrendered one touchdown and the fourth-fewest fantasy points to enemy tight ends. If you start Henry, temper expectations.
Sit ’Em
Cole Kmet at Commanders (Thur. 8:15 p.m. ET, Prime Video): Kmet is coming off a huge game, scoring two touchdowns and 27.6 fantasy points in a loss to the Broncos. I wouldn’t chase the points though, as the veteran next faces a tougher matchup in Washington. The Commanders haven’t allowed a touchdown to a tight end, and the position has averaged a mere 5.3 points against them in 2023.
Kyle Pitts vs. Texans (1 p.m. ET, Fox): Sitting Pitts isn’t about the matchups anymore, he’s just simply not a player who’s going to put up good numbers often. He’s averaging a mere 5.7 points, and he’s scored in double digits three times in his last 14 games! Pitts has also been overshadowed by his teammate, Jonnu Smith, in recent weeks and simply can’t be trusted in fantasy leagues.
Chigoziem Okonkwo at Colts (1 p.m. ET, CBS): One of my favorite preseason sleepers, Okonkwo has been a dud to this point with just 16.1 points (4.3 PPG). Win some, lose some. He’s seen just 13 combined targets to this point, and that won’t get it done in the stat sheets no matter how good or bad the matchup might be in a given week. At this point, Okonkwo is a sit ’em or waiver fodder.
