Mark Andrews (knee) is another key injury situation to watch. He was able to suit up last week, but he failed to catch a pass on just two targets. If he’s active, he won’t be that bad again, but clearly, there’s reason to worry. If he’s out, Isaiah Likely (@ Buccaneers in Week 8) has streamer potential, similar to what we expected from Vegas’ Foster Moreau, who had five targets last week against Houston. Moreau (@ Saints) could also be in play despite a tough matchup if Waller is out, as could Harrison Bryant (@ Bengals) if David Njoku (ankle) is inactive.
Likely, Bryant, and Moreau aren’t the best waiver-wire options if they’re pressed in starter’s duty, though. Daniel Bellinger (@ Seahawks), if he can play through his eye injury, Irv Smith Jr. (vs. Cardinals), and Juwan Johnson (vs. Raiders) have matchups against the three-worst TE defenses, and all get enough targets to have big games in Week 8.
WEEK 8 STANDARD RANKINGSQBs | RBs | WRs | D/STs | Kickers
Going deeper, Logan Thomas (@ Colts), if active, Will Dissly (vs. Giants), Tyler Conklin (vs. Patriots), and Cade Otton (vs. Ravens) also have above-average matchups and plenty of upside. Of course, those players are much more boom-or-bust (with the possible exception of Otton), but they can get the job done in deeper leagues.
WEEK 8 PPR RANKINGSQBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
You might opt for a TE like that if you have Robert Tonyan (@ Bills), Dawson Knox (vs. Packers), Pat Freiermuth (@ Eagles), Dalton Schultz (vs. Bears), and Evan Engram (vs. Broncos), all of whom have unfavorable matchups. Kyle Pitts (vs. Panthers) is the toughest start-sit call thanks to a poor matchup and disappointing production. We don’t like him as much as the Bellinger-Smith-Johnson trio, but we’d play him over deep sleepers like Dissly and Conklin. Tyler Higbee (vs. 49ers) also has a highly unfavorable matchup, but he sees enough targets and has enough TD upside to keep in your lineups.
WEEK 8 FANTASY PICKS: Sleepers | Busts | Start ’em, sit ’em
Several other bubble TEs have mostly neutral matchups. Hayden Hurst (@ Browns) always has a decent floor and medium ceiling. T.J. Hockenson (vs. Dolphins) actually has a slightly favorable matchup, while Mike Gesicki (@ Lions) and Hunter Henry (@ Jets) are in spots that don’t scream “sit,” but their general inconsistency doesn’t inspire a lot of confidence regardless of the matchup.
WEEK 8 DFS LINEUPS: DraftKings | FanDuel
Overall, TE won’t be easy again this week, but there are more legit, widely available sleepers than usual. Take advantage if you don’t trust your starter. If you prefer relying on the matchup numbers and want to play Bellinger, Smith Jr., or Johnson over guys like Pitts and Freiermuth, go for it. It worked for owners gutsy enough to use Johnson last week, and it can pay off again.
WEEK 8 DFS: Best values | Best stacks
We’ll be updating these standard TE rankings as needed throughout the week, so check back for the latest changes and analysis.
Week 8 fantasy TE rankings for standard leagues
Rankings based on standard, non-PPR scoring
Rank Player 1 Mark Andrews, Ravens @ Buccaneers 2 Zach Ertz, Cardinals @ Vikings 3 Dallas Goedert, Eagles vs. Steelers 4 George Kittle, 49ers @ Rams 5 Darren Waller, Raiders @ Saints 6 Tyler Higbee, Rams vs. 49ers 7 T.J. Hockenson, Lions vs. Dolphins 8 Taysom Hill, Saints vs. Raiders 9 Irv Smith Jr., Vikings vs. Cardinals 10 Juwan Johnson, Saints vs. Raiders 11 Kyle Pitts, Falcons vs. Panthers 12 Greg Dulcich, Broncos vs. Jaguars 13 Hayden Hurst, Bengals @ Browns 14 Mike Gesicki, Dolphins @ Lions 15 Harrison Bryant, Browns vs. Bengals 16 Cade Otton, Buccaneers vs. Ravens 17 Pat Freiermuth, Steelers @ Eagles 18 Hunter Henry, Patriots @ Jets 19 Dawson Knox, Bills vs. Packers 20 Logan Thomas, Commanders @ Colts 21 Tyler Conklin, Jets vs. Patriots 22 Dalton Schultz, Cowboys vs. Bears 23 Will Dissly, Seahawks vs. Giants 24 Robert Tonyan, Packers @ Bills 25 Evan Engram, Jaguars vs. Broncos 26 Noah Fant, Seahawks vs. Giants 27 Tanner Hudson, Giants @ Seahawks 28 Kylen Granson, Colts vs. Commanders 29 Cole Kmet, Bears @ Cowboys
Week 8 TE fantasy projections, rankings from Draft Sharks
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