Week 6 has already started. We need to begin game-planning for our lineups. I will be here weekly with my starts/sits of the week at tight end. Tight ends are tricky since you’ll likely want to start the best six to eight tight ends no matter what. I will give some players right after that elite tier that you can play and a few sleepers lower in the rankings. Tight end sits will be strictly based on matchups and may impact some of the elites.
Be sure to follow our other start/sit articles and authors; they contain great advice to help you each week.
Changing the Call (QB): Mike Hicks
The Cutback (RB): Jake Oliver
Slant Pattern (WR): Tristan Cook
12 Formation (TE): Steven Pintado
Flex on ‘Em (FLEX): Evan Brown
IDP Start/Sit (IDP): Jon Glosser
Recapping Last Week
Last week, we went four for five for fantasy. Tyler Conklin, Jonnu Smith, and Zach Ertz did finish as top 14 tight ends. Dallas Goedert was not a bust and had a dominant performance against the Rams. As for Tyler Higbee, he finished as TE30 on the week.
Start ‘Em
Tyler Conklin, Jets – TE21
My first start of week six is Tyler Conklin, who has a favorable matchup. I had Conklin as a start in week five, and it panned out. Conklin gets to play the Eagles, who are in the bottom ten in fantasy points per game for the tight end position. Zach Wilson’s inability to throw the ball is a concern, but he doesn’t seem to have problems throwing it to Conklin. Conklin has produced over 50 receiving yards in three of the last four games. This will likely be a game that the Jets will need to come back from behind, and the pass attempts will increase. While the Eagles haven’t allowed a touchdown to a tight end in two weeks, Conklin still has a chance to score. Conklin has been in the top 5 in YPT and YPR this year. His yards-after-catch stats rank in the top ten among tight ends. Conklin is a great tight end to plug in a start if you are struggling to find tight-end production.
Gerald Everett, Chargers – TE19
I’m going back to Gerald Everett and hope the Chargers decide to find ways to get him more involved during the bye week. Everett has been disappointing this year, but the loss of Mike Williams will hopefully get him going. This matchup against the Cowboys will be tough, and the offense must take advantage of a favorable matchup with the tight end. The Cowboys just allowed Geroge Kittle a three-touchdown performance in week five. They also have let up 50 yards to a tight end in three of the last four games. Kellen Moore gets his revenge game vs. the Cowboys, so I expect him to bring out the passing offense. Gerald Everett is risky based on his recent production, but there is a high upside in this week six game.
Noah Fant, Seahawks – TE29
The disrespect on Noah Fant in rankings this week is so bad. Coming off the bye, Fant had three straight games over six-plus fantasy points. He has had 40 yards in each game over that span. The Bengals allow the fourth-most fantasy points per game to the tight end position. They have given up a touchdown to the opposing tight end in four of the last five games. Tight ends can succeed against the Bengals, and Fant should have a prime shot. He is in somewhat of a three-man committee, but he leads the pack. He has the most targets, receptions, and yards over guys like Will Dissly or Colby Parkinson. Fant is sitting too low in rankings and should be much higher in a great matchup.
Sit ‘Em
Tyler Higbee, Rams – TE17
Tyler Higbee fell back to earth after two decent performances in weeks three and four. We saw a clear target drop with Cooper Kupp back on the field. Higbee had three in week five, his lowest since week one. He used to be a second option on this Rams team for years, but that’s not the case this year. The receivers have stepped up to be the more reliable option for Matthew Stafford. My concern with Higbee is that he will average under five targets per game, which would limit his upside. The Cardinals are ranked in the top ten in stopping fantasy tight ends. The Cardinals have allowed some production in terms of yardage but zero touchdowns. Tyler Higbee hasn’t done that well in his career against the Cardinals, as he has averaged just 35 yards in 11 career games. I’m looking to sit Tyler Higbee in week six.
Kyle Pitts, Falcons – TE13
I kept Kyle Pitts off my sit list in week five, but now he returns in week six. Pitts had seven receptions for 87 yards, but he saw season-low snaps in this matchup. The Falcons tight end room is a two-man show with Pitts and Jonnu Smith. The Commanders are a top-ten defense against fantasy tight ends this year. Their worst performance was in week five, allowing Cole Kmet 40 yards and a touchdown. Outside of that game, they have locked down against tight ends. If Pitts sees fewer offensive snaps, he will have fewer chances to get the ball. Pitts will need to get yardage to be relevant since touchdowns don’t come his way often. Pitts could fall back into our poor graces again.
Darren Waller, Bills – TE8
Darren Waller made my sit list in week six. He is coming off a solid week five game where he had over 80 yards against the Dolphins. He faces a Bills team that allows the second-fewest fantasy points per game to tight ends. They haven’t let a tight end over 45 yards this year and haven’t given up a touchdown to the position. Waller is currently banged up, so his status is questionable in week six. If he plays, you have to assume he won’t be at 100% in this game. He also won’t have Daniel Jones, which I don’t know if that is a good or bad thing for his fantasy value. Tyrod Taylor may make this offense better. Taylor won’t have much time before Bill’s defense is in his face. On the road in Buffalo, I don’t expect much from Waller besides four receptions for 35 yards. Waller could finish outside the TE1 range.
