Start 'Em, Sit 'Em Fantasy Football Week 3: Tight Ends - Sleepers, Fades, Matchups, DFS Bargains
UPDATED: September 24, 2021
Start ‘Em, Sit 'Em is the ultimate look at the best and worst matchups based on a PPR scoring system in fantasy football. This column will not cover the elite players in the NFL like Patrick Mahomes, Christian McCaffrey, Davante Adams, or Travis Kelce. Instead, I'll look at the players you have the most questions about to help you set the most effective starting lineup possible. For all of your final fantasy lineup decisions, be sure to check out my weekly player rankings which will be updated daily throughout the 2021 NFL season.
Week 3 Start ‘Em: Tight Ends
Start of the Week
Noah Fant vs. Jets (4:05 p.m. ET, CBS): Fant has been solid for fantasy managers, averaging 12.8 points over his first two games. That’s no surprise though, as Teddy Bridgewater ranks second among quarterbacks in targeting tight ends. This weekend’s matchup against the Jets is a positive one too, as the Men in Green have surrendered the most fantasy points (20.2 PPG) to opposing tight ends over their last nine games.
Week 3 Start 'Em, Sit 'Em
• QUARTERBACKS
• RUNNING BACKS
• WIDE RECEIVERS
• TIGHT ENDS
• KICKERS
• TEAM DEFENSES
Start ‘Em
Dallas Goedert at Cowboys (Mon., 8:15 p.m. ET, ESPN): Goedert put up a stinker in last week’s loss to the Niners, but he was tackled at the 1-yard line and almost scored a touchdown. The veteran should be in play with Zach Ertz on the COVID-19 list when the Eagles face the Cowboys. Their defense gave up two scores to Rob Gronkowski in Week 1, and Jared Cook had a touchdown called back due to a penalty last week.
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Tyler Higbee vs. Buccaneers (4:25 p.m. ET, FOX): Higbee also had a bad stat line a week ago, seeing just one target in a win over the Colts. He did play 59 snaps, 32 of which resulted in a pass, and this week’s matchup against the Buccaneers makes him a low-end No. 1 option. In their first two games of the season, Tampa Bay’s defense has given up an average of eight catches and 76.5 yards per game to tight ends.
Jared Cook at Chiefs (1 p.m. ET, CBS): Fantasy fans searching for a streaming option this week should consider Cook. He put up a nice stat line against the Football Team in Week 1, and he would have scored a touchdown last week against the Cowboys if not for a penalty. This game should be a high-scoring affair with an over/under of 54.5 at SI Sportsbook, so he's well worth a roll of the fantasy dice for those managers in need.
More Starts
- Rob Gronkowski at Rams (4:25 p.m. ET, FOX)
- Robert Tonyan at 49ers (8:20 p.m. ET, ESPN)
- Austin Hooper vs. Bears (1 p.m. ET, FOX)
DFS Bargains
- Tyler Higbee vs. Buccaneers ($4,000)
- Austin Hooper vs. Bears ($3,600)
- Evan Engram vs. Falcons ($3,600)
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Week 3 Sit ‘Em: Tight Ends
Sit of the Week
Mike Gesicki at Raiders (4:05 p.m. ET, CBS): Gesicki’s numbers weren’t terrible last week, but he still scored just 7.1 fantasy points on six targets. His totals likely won't be much better (if any) this week, however, as the Dolphins could get Will Fuller V back in the passing attack. What's more, Gesicki will face a Raiders defense that held Mark Andrews to five points in their opener and has been tough on tight ends to this point.
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Sit ‘Em
Eric Ebron vs. Bengals (1 p.m. ET, CBS): Ebron has disappeared from the Steelers passing attack to start the season. After two weeks, he's seen fewer snaps and targets than rookie Pat Freiermuth. The veteran also has a difficult matchup against the Bengals, who have allowed just two touchdown receptions and the sixth-fewest fantasy points to opposing tight ends in their last nine games dating back to last season.
Jenna Watson/IndyStar
Gerald Everett at Vikings (4:25 p.m. ET, FOX): Everett was targeted just twice last week, and he’s now seen a mere four targets in his first two games with the Seahawks. This week’s matchup in Minnesota isn’t necessarily bad, but it's tough to trust a player who sees such a small target share in an offense that fields such stars as Chris Carson, DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett. At this point, Everett is only worth a bench spot.
Hunter Henry vs. Saints (1 p.m. ET, FOX): Once considered a top-10 fantasy tight end, Henry is now bench fodder at best. Jonnu Smith and Henry have canceled each other out in fantasy land, as the duo has shared snaps and targets over the first two weeks. The Saints' defense has also been tough against tight ends, allowing three touchdowns and the third-fewest fantasy points to the position in its last nine games.
More Sits
- Jack Doyle at Titans (1 p.m. ET, CBS)
- Adam Trautman at Patriots (1 p.m. ET, FOX)
- Blake Jarwin vs. Eagles (Mon., 8:15 p.m. ET, ESPN)
DFS Fades
- Logan Thomas vs. Bills ($4,700)
- Jonnu Smith vs. Saints ($4,100)
- Mike Gesicki at Raiders ($3,800)
Michael Fabiano is an award-winning fantasy football analyst on Sports Illustrated and a member of the Fantasy Sports Writers Association (FSWA) Hall of Fame. Click here to read all his articles here on SI Fantasy. You can follow Michael on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram for your late-breaking fantasy news and the best analysis in the business!
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