It helps that having the Panthers and Cardinals on bye doesn’t really affect us. Trey McBride has some sleeper potential while Ertz is out, but he’s far from a safe starting option right now. Unfortunately, we lose Arizona’s league-worst TE defense, but there are still plenty of matchups to exploit.
Most of the best matchups this week go to guys who aren’t considered “must starts.” Tyler Higbee (vs. Seahawks in Week 13) is in the best available situation, and Evan Engram (vs. Lions) isn’t far behind. Considering the two combined for one catch last week, fantasy owners might be leery, but matchups usually rule the day at TE, so don’t overlook these two. Greg Dulcich (@ Ravens), Hayden Hurst (vs. Chiefs), Dawson Knox (@ Patriots), Juwan Johnson (@ Buccaneers), Foster Moreau (vs. Chargers), and Gerald Everett (@ Raiders) also have top-12 matchups and see steady enough targets to merit starts in 10- or 12-team leagues.
WEEK 13 PPR RANKINGS:QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
Among that group, Engram, Johnson, and Moreau are owned in fewer than 50 percent of Yahoo leagues, making them prime streamers. You could also try the inconsistent Tyler Conklin (@ Vikings), who also has a top-10 matchup. If you want (or need) to go really deep, Jack Stoll (vs. Titans) is in a great spot against a Titans’ defense allowing the 10th-most fantasy points per game to TEs, but after little to no action the past two weeks, he’s best left on waiver wires.
WEEK 13 STANDARD RANKINGS:QBs | RBs | WRs | D/STs | Kickers
On the flip side, David Njoku (@ Texans), Cole Kmet (vs. Packers), Noah Fant (vs. Rams), and Robert Tonyan (@ Bears) all have below-average matchups. We still think Njoku has a fairly high floor after seven targets and a TD last week, but the rest are best suited for benches, especially in 10-team leagues.
WEEK 13 FANTASY PICKS: Sleepers | Busts | Start ’em, sit ’em
Overall, this is a great week for a notoriously tough position. Matchups don’t really matter for Travis Kelce (@ Bengals) and Mark Andrews (vs. Broncos), so they’re in play no matter what, and it’s just a bonus that George Kittle (vs. Dolphins) has a great matchup. Guys like Higbee, Dulcich, and Hurst aren’t sure things to produce, but given their matchups this week, you can feel good about starting them.
WEEK 13 DFS: Best values | Best stacks
With the plethora of decent sleepers and streamers this week, there’s no need to take any unnecessary chances at TE. It’s always a TD-or-bust position, so if you want to stick with someone like Kmet, you certainly can, but you have slightly higher floors and ceilings with some of the other options mentioned above.
WEEK 13 DFS LINEUPS: DraftKings | FanDuel
We’ll be updating these standard TE rankings as needed throughout the week, so check back for the latest changes and analysis.
Week 13 fantasy TE rankings for standard leagues
Rankings based on standard, non-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 Gerald Everett, Chargers @ Raiders 10 Foster Moreau, Raiders vs. Chargers 11 Tyler Higbee, Rams vs. Seahawks 12 Dalton Schultz, Cowboys vs. Colts 13 Greg Dulcich, Broncos @ Ravens 14 Tyler Conklin, Jets @ Vikings 15 Adam Trautman, Saints @ Buccaneers 16 Cole Kmet, Bears vs. Packers 17 Taysom Hill, Saints @ Buccaneers 18 Harrison Bryant, Browns @ Texans 19 Noah Fant, Seahawks @ Rams 20 Robert Tonyan, Packers @ Bears 21 Cameron Brate, Buccaneers vs. Saints 22 Jack Stoll, Eagles vs. Titans 23 Mike Gesicki, Dolphins @ 49ers 24 Hunter Henry, Patriots vs. Bills 25 MyCole Pruitt, Falcons vs. Steelers 26 Austin Hooper, Titans @ Eagles 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 fantasy projections, rankings from Draft Sharks
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