Week 13 TE Start, Sit Fantasy Strategy: Hockenson Is A Must Start

Dallas Goedert has strung together a pair of games with 70+ yards receiving and a touchdown. After missing a chunk of the mid-season, his return to action has begun to take off with a huge bulk of the target share in the Eagles’ offense. A tough game this week might make for a step back off the podium, but his rise to fame again is making to be a valuable playoff tight end. Robert Tonyan has also been showing off why he is not going away. Two straight games with a touchdown, as well as a 100% catch rate over those games, have made him a great addition to teams in need of a tight end. With a good matchup in week 13, could he do a third time? The playoffs are right around the corner. For some of you, this is a must-win game. Creating the best starting lineup will be what sets you over the edge and that includes getting the most out of your tight end. To help you, here are some of the tight ends you will want to be starting as well as a few that you should shy away from whether it be their recent play or the upcoming matchup.

Start ‘Em

T.J. Hockenson, Detroit Lions

Opponent: Chicago Bears

T.J. Hockenson has put up consistently high numbers each week outside of one week. If you are lucky enough to have Hockenson on your team, there is no reason to sit him as his past performances and upcoming matchup all point to another explosive performance. Even when he does not reach the endzone, his 50+ yard games with a healthy volume of targets have made him fantasy-viable regardless. Four receptions for 68 yards two weeks prior and five receptions for 89 yards last week have accounted for his two highest number of yards in a game this season. With a favorable matchup against the Bears who have allowed the third-most fantasy points to tight ends this season, Hockenson is poised for another big game.

Robert Tonyan, Green Bay Packers

Opponent: Philadelphia Eagles

Robert Tonyan took a back role in the Packers’ offense for a while after a crazy three-touchdown game but has emerged back on the scene with a pair of touchdown games, one coming against the Colts who had previously not allowed a touchdown to a tight end all season long. He has been perfect at hauling in his targets with five targets in each game with five receptions. He ramped up his yardage to 67 yards last week which marks his third-highest on the season and with a favorable matchup against a penetrable Eagles’ defense, he could have a repeat from last week. The Packers have been dominated teams through the air as of late and Tonyan has reaped the benefits. With that likely to not change with the weapons they have, Tonyan will continue to see touchdown looks moving forward.

Dallas Goedert, Philadelphia Eagles

Opponent: Green Bay Packers

The excitement and production centered around Dallas Goedert are too much to pass up even with some negatives looking forward to next week. Zach Ertz will possibly be returning to action, but that still should not belittle Goedert’s fantasy value too much. In two straight weeks, he has posted 70+ yard efforts with a touchdown. Certainly, Ertz’s time out has played a factor, but the Eagles still have few options to turn to in the passing game, and Goedert will remain a top option. The Packers will be a tough matchup as they have allowed sixth-least fantasy points to tight ends, but with so few receiving options for Carson Wentz to turn to, Goedert will still be a top option.

Sit ‘Em

Noah Fant, Denver Broncos

Opponent: Kansas City Chiefs

I do not know how many games it will take for Fant’s starting percentage to tank off. Since week 2, he has only reached 50 yards once and has not received one single touchdown. His target share has also fluctuated a ton during that time, bringing about inconsistencies that you do not want in a tight end. The Broncos just recently went a game without a quarterback and though they are likely to have the ability to start one this week, Fant has not proven to be reliable at all. The matchup against the Chiefs is fairly decent for Fant, but it is the fact that he has not given a solid game since week 2 makes him almost impossible to start, especially in a scenario where you need as many points as possible. Fant just will not be getting it done for you this week.

Mike Gesicki, Miami Dolphins

Opponent: Cincinnati Bengals

Despite a great matchup against the Bengals this week and coming off a touchdown from last week, I do not see why Gesicki should be in your starting lineup this week. He has shown to be capable of handling a large workload in the past, but he has not seen any incredible usage since week 5. He has been held to the highest total of 43 yards which happened in week 11 and his touchdown last week was his first since week 2. 40 yards is not going to cut it for a tight end who manages an average of around 3 receptions per game. Even in full PPR leagues, he is a touchdown-dependant option and he has not proven to be reliable enough to secure a touchdown in most games. For that reason, I would go with another option this week if possible.

Logan Thomas, Washington Football Team

Opponent: Pittsburgh Steelers

After being used in basically every capacity last week with a passing completion, reception, and rushing attempt, Logan Thomas is set up for a tough matchup this coming week. With a reception and passing touchdown last week, it appears that Washington is attempting to utilize him in every way possible which is an interesting sign for what is to come. Thomas has seen spikes in production all season long, but the consistency is the problem with him. With a tough matchup against the Steelers next week, it is difficult to assume that he will be receiving great production from his targets. He receives about five targets on average over the past several games, but his yards have remained low with the exception of two 60+ yard games. Outside of those weeks, he has surpassed 40 yards just once and is not an option if you are counting on a solid number of points for this week.