The NFL schedule-makers giveth, and the NFL schedule-makers giveth away. That's the story of this week compared to last week, at least for tight ends. After a week with no byes, our Week 9 fantasy TE rankings for standard leagues are decimated by absent tight ends and a lack of favorable TE matchups.
The show goes on, though, and one way or another, you have to fill the TE spot in your spot in your lineup. That might mean taking a risk and going for a boom-or-bust player if you're a big underdog, or it could mean just taking a lower-ceiling, higher-floor player if you're stacked at other positions.
With all that in mind, let's break down fantasy's toughest position heading into Week 9.
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Which TEs are on bye in Week 9?
This is the TE bye week that fantasy owners have been dreading. With the Lions (Sam LaPorta), 49ers (George Kittle), and Jaguars (Evan Engram) idle, we lose three top-eight TEs.
WEEK 9 PPR RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
Perhaps just as bad, the Jaguars, Lions, and Broncos all entered last week in the top four in most fantasy points per game (FPPG) allowed to TEs. So, not only do we lose three "must-starts," but we also have fewer exploitable matchups from which to find sleepers and streamers.
WEEK 9 STANDARD RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | D/STs | Kickers
Who are the best fantasy TEs in Week 9?
Travis Kelce (vs. Dolphins in Week 9) and T.J. Hockenson (@ Falcons) were the easy calls at Nos. 1 and 2 given their high floors and top-10 TE matchups, though Hockenson is a little more of a worry with Kirk Cousins (Achilles) out. Dalton Kincaid (@ Bengals), Mark Andrews (vs. Seahawks), and Dallas Goedert (vs. Cowboys) round out the top five. Kincaid has really broken the past two weeks with Dawson Knox (wrist) hurt, and he has a top-six matchup. Goedert also has a favorable matchup, and Andrews has as high of a ceiling as any TE not named Travis Kelce.
Kyle Pitts (vs. Vikings) is also probably a near must-start given the lack of top options and reliable, matchup-based streamers this week.
WEEK 9 FANTASY ADVICE:
Sleepers | Busts | Projections | Start 'em, sit 'em
Who are the best fantasy TE sleepers, pickups, & streamers in Week 9?
Luke Musgrave (vs. Rams), Jake Ferguson (@ Eagles), Taysom Hill (vs. Bears), and Dalton Schultz (vs. Buccaneers) all have at least semi-favorable matchups this week, and all see steady targets and touches.
If you can't get any of those three fairly high-percentage sleepers, you can take a bigger risk with inconsistent TEs Gerald Everett or Donale Parham Jr. (@ Jets), Cade Otton (@ Texans), or Tyler Conklin (vs. Chargers), all of whom have top-15 matchups.
WEEK 9 DFS:
DK lineup | FD lineup | Best values | Best stacks
Who are the biggest potential fantasy TE busts in Week 9?
It's tough to really label anyone a "bust" in a week like this, but be careful with Logan Thomas (@ Patriots), David Njoku (vs. Cardinals), Trey McBride (@ Browns), Cole Kmet (@ Saints), Tyler Higbee (@ Packers), and Chig Okonkwo (@ Steelers). All have bottom-12 TE matchups, so even though Thomas, Njoku, and McBride have all been playing well lately, they're far from sure things to keep it going, at least in standard leagues.
Hunter Henry and Mike Gesicki (vs. Commanders) have a statistically favorable matchup, but we don't trust either at this point with Pharaoh Brown stealing snaps in a stagnant Patriots' offense.
What are the biggest TE injuries in Week 9?
Gerald Everett (hip) was the highest-profile TE who missed Week 8 (other than Pat Freiermuth, who's on IR until at least Week 11), and Darren Waller (hamstring) was the only big injury during last week's action. If Everett and Waller are out, Donald Parham Jr. (@ Jets) and Daniel Bellinger (@ Raiders) will start.
Chances are, at least a few setbacks will pop up during practice this week, but fantasy owners can focus on matchups and targets more than injuries.
Fantasy TE Rankings Week 9: Who to start, sit at tight end
Rankings based on standard, non-PPR scoring
Rank Player
1 Travis Kelce, Chiefs vs. Dolphins
2 T.J. Hockenson, Vikings @ Falcons
3 Dalton Kincaid, Bills @ Bengals
4 Mark Andrews, Ravens vs. Seahawks
5 Dallas Goedert, Eagles vs. Cowboys
6 Kyle Pitts, Falcons vs. Vikings
7 Taysom Hill, Saints vs. Bears
8 Jake Ferguson, Cowboys @ Eagles
9 Dalton Schultz, Texans vs. Buccaneers
10 Luke Musgrave, Packers vs. Rams
11 Logan Thomas, Commanders @ Patriots
12 Gerald Everett, Chargers @ Jets
13 Cade Otton, Buccaneers @ Texans
14 David Njoku, Browns vs. Cardinals
15 Michael Mayer, Raiders vs. Giants
16 Trey McBride, Cardinals @ Browns
17 Tyler Conklin, Jets vs. Chargers
18 Jonnu Smith, Falcons vs. Vikings
19 Cole Kmet, Bears @ Saints
20 Hunter Henry, Patriots vs. Commanders
21 Tyler Higbee, Rams @ Packers
22 Chigoziem Okonkwo, Titans @ Steelers
23 Mike Gesicki, Patriots vs. Commanders
24 Connor Heyward, Steelers vs. Titans
25 Hayden Hurst, Panthers vs. Colts
26 Juwan Johnson, Saints vs. Bears
27 Daniel Bellinger, Giants @ Raiders
28 Noah Fant, Seahawks vs. Ravens
29 Durham Smythe, Dolphins vs. Chiefs
30 Irv Smith Jr., Bengals vs. Bills
Week 9 TE fantasy projections, rankings from Draft Sharks
Draft Sharks projections for the new week will update every Tuesday and be constantly adjusted throughout the week
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