I had another solid outing in week three. Outside of one player, all my calls were on the money. I told you to start and continue to play Atlanta Falcons TE Kyle Pitts. He showed out with more than ten fantasy points in PPR scoring formats.
Meanwhile, I urged you to sit Detroit Lions TE TJ Hockenson and Buffalo Bills TE Dawson Knox. Hopefully, you headed my advice and didn’t play them. Neither Hockenson nor Knox came anywhere near ten fantasy points.
The one player I whiffed on was Los Angeles Chargers TE Gerald Everett. Despite the injury to his star quarterback Justin Herbert, I thought Everett would’ve performed well; he didn’t. If you did, your teams would’ve suffered as a result.
Be sure to follow our other start/sit articles and authors; they contain great advice to help you each week.
Changing the Call (QB): Jayson Snyder
The Cutback (RB): Jake Oliver
Slant Pattern (WR): Tristan Cook
12 Formation (TE): Ethan Wyatt
Flex on ‘Em (FLEX): Evan Brown
IDP Start/Sit (IDP): Jon Glosser
Starts
TJ Hockenson, DET (TE9)
I know Hockenson was just highlighted as someone to sit last week. However, a matchup changes everything for him.
In week three, the Lions’ tight end faced a decent defense in the Minnesota Vikings. Also, everyone around Hockenson was healthy. That won’t be the case in week four against the Seattle Seahawks. The Seahawks have given up an average of 9.1 fantasy points per game. Only seven teams give up more points to tight ends.
Now, pass-catching weapons RB D’Andre Swift and WR Amon-Ra St. Brown are likely out this week. That would result in more guaranteed opportunities for Hockenson. With a week-to-week game plan, Hockenson should see more involvement in the offense with those two out of the lineup. I expect a top 12 finish at tight end for him.
Pat Freiermuth, PIT (TE10)
I keep coming back to the well here. Yet again, I’m making Freiermuth one of my start calls; so far, he hasn’t let me down. Although Freiermuth had only two catches in his last outing, he’s a must-start in week four.
Freiermuth and the Steelers face off with the New York Jets. In 2022, the Jets defense surrenders 9.4 fantasy points per game to tight ends. That ranks fifth most in the NFL. As I said before, Freiermuth only had two catches last week. That may seem concerning at first until you look at the games before that. In weeks one and two, he had 17 targets that translated to nine catches.
I fully expect that level of opportunity to return in week four against a weaker Jets defense. Freiermuth is a must-start.
Sits
David Njoku, CLE (TE11)
Njoku went scorched earth last week against the Steelers. He had nine receptions for 89 receiving yards and a touchdown. A lot of his fantasy owners may consider that new life for Njoku. As if it’s time for him to become an everyday staple in their lineup. However, it’s fools’ gold. Before you consistently play Njoku, I recommend waiting to see his involvement for at least another game.
Before week three, Njoku had six targets, four receptions, and 39 receiving yards. His snap percentage against the Steelers was the lowest it’s been all year. Njoku’s had big games before and fizzled out. While I believe his bigger games will be more frequent this season, you can’t trust him yet. Not to mention, the Atlanta Falcons defense isn’t as susceptible to tight ends as much. They’re only allowing 7.6 fantasy points per game to the position.
Zach Ertz, ARI (TE7)
I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again, Ertz is touchdown-dependent. If you’re happy with his performance, Ertz must score. Now, the last two weeks have nipped that thinking in the bud. Ertz has eclipsed ten points per game without a touchdown. However, he netted a combined 22 targets in those games. The Cardinals’ offense has accumulated yardage but hasn’t been able to punch it in the endzone consistently.
I don’t expect the scoring woes to stop this week. I sure as heck don’t expect them to move the ball well against the stout Carolina Panthers’ defense, either. With both things at play, Ertz is an easy bench for me. There are better options available this week.
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