Honorable mention Start: Trey McBride (ARI), Brock Bowers (LV), Hunter Henry (NE)
Honorable mention Sit: Ja’Tavian Sanders (CAR), Noah Fant (SEA), Travis Kelce (KC)
Start: Pat Freiermuth, Pittsburgh Steelers
It’s not a great matchup for Pat, per se, as the Ravens have been much better against the position in the last month. Freiermuth has been very productive with Pickens out, and it looks like that might be the case this weekend. Russell Wilson clearly has a connection with Freiermuth, who has at least 59 yards and/or a touchdown in four straight. And to be clear, he struggled against these Ravens back in Week 11, so there is space for a floor game in this one. In a game where I expect DangeRuss to be throwing, it’s entirely plausible that 6-8 of them targets go Freiermuth’s day, along with another touchdown. That’s my no-so-bold prediction. Top 12 is where I have Pat this week.
Start: Chig Okonkwo, Tennessee Titans
Chig looked like a bonafide tight end last week against the Bengals – 10 targets, 8 receptions, and 59 yards – good enough for TE7 on the week. And it was only three short weeks ago that Chig was also TE7 for us (albeit on a 70-yard touchdown). And I’m going against my inconsistency theory here and playing a hunch. It’s looking like Rudolph will be the starter on Sunday, which is kind of a good thing for Okonkwo, and this matchup couldn’t be any better for them. The Colts have been very generous to the position all season, including 20+ points per game and three touchdowns allowed in the last two matchups. Same as with Pat above, not saying this will be TE1 territory, but the top 12 seems very realistic.
Sit: Cole Kmet, Chicago Bears
The NFL is all about situations and opportunities, it really is. Travis Kelce, Brock Bowers, Sam LaPorta, etc., are all in fantastic situations for a TE based on system and personnel. Others find themselves with opportunities due to injuries – Cade Otton, Jonnu Smith, Pat Freiermuth, etc., all excelled when given the opportunity. I often wonder, as a Bears fan, why we don’t properly utilize Kmet. He’s a gifted athlete and has flashed when given targets. Put Kmet on the Chiefs in place of Kelce with a QB who believes in him and feeds him. Is it too far off to think Kmet could be top five in that scenario? Sigh. And I digress. Kmet isn’t in the best system for him, and the results have followed. He’s only been targeted – targeted – four times in the past three games and only once in the previous two. As if it mattered past that, the Lions have been phenomenal against the position all year. Kmet is an obvious no this week, and next, and the week after that.
Sit: Kyle Pitts, Atlanta Falcons
Pitts has been featured here multiple times, and rightfully so. He hasn’t had a week that’s mattered for us since Week 8 (TE2), and finished routinely outside the top 24 during that span. He was great in Weeks 5-8, but since then, it’s been Bust City. And he’s an enigma, no doubt. But maybe he’s like Kmet above – in the wrong situation. I have to think he, too could benefit from a team or system switch. But that isn’t happening before Week 16, as much as we would like it to. Wait. WAIT A MINUTE! COUSINS ISN’T STARTING? REPLACED BY A ROOKIE? IS THERE HOPE? Maybe. I’m not sure whether to upgrade or downgrade the Atlanta pass catchers with Penix under center. On the one hand, Cousins has been so brutal that they’re benching him regardless of payroll, so it has to be an upgrade, right? On the other, an untested (albeit talented) rookie is getting a look in a pivotal game for the team who could be so overwhelmed he busts in his first action. Flip a coin on that one. Pitts could be a bit of a boom but could also be a sensational bust… in the fantasy playoffs. Nope. Nuh-uh. Not for me.