Honorable mention Start: Brock Bowers (LVR), Travis Kelce (KC), George Kittle (SF)
Honorable mention Sit: Dalton Schultz (HOU), Ja’Tavion Sanders (CAR), T.J. Hockenson (MIN)
Start: Sam LaPorta, Detroit Lions
First of all, I have to acknowledge that as of this writing, LaPorta is questionable, trending towards practicing on a limited basis all week with a shot to play on Sunday. And let’s hope he does, as the matchup is TASTY. This tilt is tied for the biggest O/U of the week (so far), and there will be offense aplenty. The Colts aren’t great (that’s me being nice) against tight ends, regularly giving up touchdowns, yards, and points. In fact, they’re one of just a handful of teams to surrender 20+ points against TEs multiple times this season. If it’s not LaPorta, it’s Brock Wright, and – let me be clear – this isn’t an endorsement of Brock (one target, five yards last week in a game where his team dropped a fifty-sammich). If Sam doesn’t go, pivot from Brock. If Sam does go, giddy-up.
Start: Will Dissly, Los Angeles Chargers
Friends, this is a matchup play, as the Ravens stink against TEs (and QBs and WRs – see my start recos at those positions). This is another huge O/U for the week (50.5), and the Chargers are going to have to throw to keep up. Dissly turned in a Top 5 showing last week on the back of a six-target, 4-80-1 stat line – and I like that level of production to continue this week. Will is actually averaging six targets a game over the last five games (also known as Justin Herbert’s resurgence), so the opportunity is there. Dissly has dominated snap share since Week 6, and is pulling a target on every six snaps. That’s solid volume in this offense. Add it all up and I love Dissly this week, especially with the void left due to the ridiculous amount of teams on bye this week.
Sit: Cade Otton, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
OK. Hear me out. Yes, he’s been amazing. Yes, you’re most likely winning weeks with the production you’re getting from him. And yes, he could very well be a league winner. But not this week. Not only are the Giants STOUT against the position (ranking first on the season), but Otton figures to draw plenty of Isiah Simmons and a matchup grade of 70.6 per Pro Football Focus in favor of Simmons (who has played plenty at safety as a pro). The Giants have only given up one touchdown to tight ends all season – ONE – and more than 60 yards also just once. Cade is fantastic, but this matchup is brutal.
Sit: Colby Parkinson, Los Angeles Rams
I really could make the same argument against Parkinson as I did for Otton. Yep, I think I will. Super tough matchup against an Eagles defense (ranking third against TEs in 2024) who likewise have surrendered just one touchdown to tight ends all year (and also, likewise, it was in Week 11 for both). PFF grades Parkinson as one of the most disadvantaged matchups of the week (negative 30%), and rightfully so –Philadelphia linebackers are solid in coverage (all grading 61.5 or higher, per PFF). Parkinson isn’t nearly as talented as Otton and also has two all-world WRs with which to fight for catches. Colby hasn’t finished Top 10 since Week 1, and he’ll be on the outside again this week.