Key Highlights
- Dallas Goedert of the Philadelphia Eagles remains a strong start option for fantasy managers.
- Khalil Shakir is sidelined with an oblique injury, affecting Dalton Kincaid’s fantasy prospects.
- Fannin Jr. and David Njoku are questionable due to injuries but could still be in play this week.
- Harold Fannin Jr. should see increased usage against the New England Patriots.
Tight End Analysis for Week 8: Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em
The NFL Fantasy landscape is dynamic, with tight ends playing pivotal roles in team lineups. For Week 8, fantasy managers need to navigate a mix of strong matchups and uncertain injury statuses.
Starting Options
Dallas Goedert (Philadelphia Eagles vs. New York Giants): Despite a down week in terms of targets, Goedert still maintains a high fantasy ceiling due to his previous performances and the strength of the Philadelphia offense. In their last meeting with the Giants, he recorded nine catches for 110 yards and a touchdown.
Harold Fannin Jr. (Cleveland Browns vs.
New England Patriots): With David Njoku questionable due to an injury, Fannin is poised to see increased volume in the passing game. The Browns will likely need to rely more on their receivers this week against a Patriots defense allowing the eighth-most yards to tight ends.
Kyle Pitts (Atlanta Falcons vs. Miami Dolphins): Despite last week’s down performance, Pitts is still worth starting due to his high target rate and strong matchups against the Dolphins’ weak defensive coverage for tight ends.
Steer Clear of These Tight Ends
Zach Ertz (Washington Commanders vs. Kansas City Chiefs): With Marcus Mariota set to start, Ertz’s fantasy value diminishes significantly. The Chiefs have allowed the third-fewest fantasy points per game to tight ends.
Hunter Henry (New England Patriots vs.
Cleveland Browns): Henry’s volume has been inconsistent recently, making him a risky starter. His low targets and yards over the past few games indicate a lack of reliability in his usage.
Mid-Week Adjustments
Theo Johnson (New York Giants vs. Philadelphia Eagles): Despite his high target rate with Jaxson Dart, Johnson’s recent performance against the Eagles is concerning. The Eagles’ strong defense against tight ends makes him a less attractive option this week.
Jonnu Smith (Pittsburgh Steelers vs.
Green Bay Packers): With four tight ends on the roster, distribution and inconsistent usage make it difficult to trust any single player for fantasy purposes. Even in a good matchup, starting Smith remains risky due to team-wide depth at the position.
In conclusion, Week 8 presents a mix of solid matchups and uncertain factors that fantasy managers must navigate carefully. The tight end position is particularly fluid with key starters like Goedert and Fannin Jr. still relevant but facing tough competition from other strong options in their respective offenses.
