Softening the blow a tiny bit is that Ertz (knee) wouldn’t have been available this week even if he was healthy, as the Cardinals and Panthers are on bye. That only slightly thins out the TE pool, but not because of the players who are off. Rather, it hurts because the Cardinals were one of the two best TE matchups in the entire league, so now at least one player will have to work a little harder for his points.

Streamer-wise, Evan Engram (vs. Lions in Week 13), Juwan Johnson (@ Buccaneers), and Foster Moreau (vs. Chargers) all have top-10 matchups and are owned in fewer than 50 percent of Yahoo leagues. Engram and Moreau usually see a good baseline of targets (last week notwithstanding for Engram), and Johnson has been a touchdown machine in the second half. Tyler Conklin (@ Vikings) is also in a great spot and has come through on several occasions this year.

WEEK 13 STANDARD RANKINGS:QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers

Shallow-leaguers might be able to find Greg Dulcich (@ Ravens) and Hayden Hurst (vs. Chiefs) kicking around their waiver wires, and if you do, give them a try in highly favorable matchups. Gerald Everett (@ Raiders), Tyler Higbee (vs. Seahawks), and Dawson Knox (@ Patriots) are also in great spots and should be started in all formats if you have them – yes, even Higbee, who posted zero points last week. He has the best possible matchup for a TE this week, so we think he’ll get back on track.

WEEK 13 PPR RANKINGS:QBs | RBs | WRs | D/STs | Kickers

With all those borderline plays ascending to starter status, some usual starters have to drop off. Dalton Schultz (vs. Colts) and T.J. Hockenson (vs. Jets) have slightly tougher matchups, but we’re not worried about them in PPR formats. The main concerns are David Njoku (@ Texans) and Cole Kmet (vs. Packers), though they both remain decent touchdown threats.

WEEK 13 FANTASY PICKS: Sleepers | Busts | Start ’em, sit ’em

We also wouldn’t bother with guys like Noah Fant (@ Rams), Mike Gesicki (@ 49ers), Hunter Henry (vs. Bills), or Robert Tonyan (@ Bears). Not only do they see inconsistent (and sometimes non-existent) targets, but they also have brutal matchups against top-10 TE defenses. As with all tight ends, they could always grab a short touchdown, but there are enough decent options this week that you don’t need to take the risk.

WEEK 13 DFS: Best values | Best stacks

Overall, this looks like a solid week for one of fantasy’s toughest positions. There’s the usual array of high-end, matchup-proof options to go along with all of the potential bubble sleepers and streamers. Things likely won’t remain this favorable, so enjoy it while you can.

WEEK 13 DFS LINEUPS: DraftKings | FanDuel

We’ll be updating these TE PPR rankings as needed throughout the week, so check back for the latest changes and analysis.

Week 13 fantasy TE PPR rankings

Rankings based on full-point PPR scoring

Rank    Player 1    Travis Kelce, Chiefs @ Bengals 2    Mark Andrews, Ravens vs. Broncos 3    George Kittle, 49ers vs. Dolphins 4    Pat Freiermuth, Steelers @ Falcons 5    T.J. Hockenson, Vikings vs. Jets 6    Hayden Hurst, Bengals vs. Chiefs 7    Dawson Knox, Bills @ Patriots 8    Evan Engram, Jaguars @ Lions 9    Foster Moreau, Raiders vs. Chargers 10    Dalton Schultz, Cowboys vs. Colts 11    Tyler Higbee, Rams vs. Seahawks 12    Gerald Everett, Chargers @ Raiders 13    Greg Dulcich, Broncos @ Ravens 14    Tyler Conklin, Jets @ Vikings 15    Adam Trautman, Saints @ Buccaneers 16    Noah Fant, Seahawks @ Rams 17    Cole Kmet, Bears vs. Packers 18    Taysom Hill, Saints @ Buccaneers 19    Harrison Bryant, Browns @ Texans 20    Robert Tonyan, Packers @ Bears 21    Cameron Brate, Buccaneers vs. Saints 22    Jack Stoll, Eagles vs. Titans 23    Mike Gesicki, Dolphins @ 49ers 24    MyCole Pruitt, Falcons vs. Steelers 25    Austin Hooper, Titans @ Eagles 26    Hunter Henry, Patriots vs. Bills 27    Logan Thomas, Commanders @ Giants 28    Jonnu Smith, Patriots vs. Bills 29    Will Dissly, Seahawks @ Rams 30    Daniel Bellinger, Giants vs. Commanders

Week 13 TE PPR fantasy projections, rankings from Draft Sharks

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