Fantasy football managers know that every lineup decision can make or break a week, and choosing the right players to start or sit is where championships are won. With the 2025 NFL season underway, matchups, stats, and trends are more important than ever. From favorable matchups and scoring trends to players you should avoid in tough spots, my weekly positional start and sit guide is built to give you an edge.
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Tight Ends to Start
Kyle Pitts ATL
Kyle Pitts has quietly pieced together a solid season, ranking as the TE15 in fantasy points per game while seeing consistent volume in Atlanta’s offense. He owns a 19.8% target share and averages 46.7 receiving yards per game, operating as a key first-read option on nearly 18% of dropbacks. His role as a reliable intermediate target has made him a steady presence, even in a conservative passing attack. Pitts has also maintained involvement near the goal line, collecting five red-zone targets on the year, and continues to stretch the field with his athleticism. Despite an underwhelming Week 10 performance in Berlin, he remains heavily featured, leading the Falcons in catches over the last month and ranking second in team targets and receiving yards.
This week’s matchup against Carolina makes Pitts a strong start. The Panthers have been generous to opposing tight ends, surrendering the sixth-most receiving yards and the fifth-most fantasy points per game to the position. Pitts’ consistent target volume combined with his red-zone presence gives him legitimate TE1 upside in this spot. Carolina’s defense has been burned by athletic tight ends all season, and the Falcons’ offense should lean on short and intermediate routes to move the chains. With the Falcons at home and Pitts seeing over six targets per game, he profiles as a safe and high-upside start in all fantasy formats for Week 11.
Travis Kelce KC
Travis Kelce remains one of the most dependable tight ends in football despite showing signs of age. Through nine games, he’s compiled 41 receptions for 540 yards and three touchdowns on 53 targets, averaging 12.8 fantasy points per game. Kelce continues to serve as Patrick Mahomes’ safety valve, commanding a 16.5% target share and producing 2.02 yards per route run. He has ranked top-10 in both red-zone and deep targets among tight ends, demonstrating that his role in key scoring situations remains intact. The Chiefs’ offense has more target competition than ever, but Kelce’s efficiency and connection with Mahomes still separate him from most players at the position.
For fantasy football purposes, Kelce should remain locked in as a start in Week 11 against Denver. The Broncos have allowed the most yards per reception to tight ends and have struggled against interior passing options in two-high defensive looks. Even with Rashee Rice reestablished in the offense, Kelce’s involvement near the line of scrimmage and in red-zone packages provides a stable floor. He’s projected once again to finish as a top-five tight end play, with a realistic shot to deliver a 70-yard and touchdown performance despite Denver looking like a tough matchup in terms of fantasy points allowed. Expect Kelce to surprise people this week with a big game in what looks like a tough matchup on paper.
Theo Johnson NYG
Theo Johnson has emerged as a bright spot for the Giants’ offense since Week 5, posting steady production despite a rotating cast at quarterback. Over his last six games, he’s averaged 41.3 receiving yards per contest and earned an 18.8% target share, ranking as the TE13 in fantasy points per game. Johnson has shown a strong connection with his quarterbacks, commanding a 21.4% first-read share and becoming a frequent red-zone option. His four touchdowns during that span have boosted his fantasy stock, but his consistent route participation and growing chemistry with the offense are equally encouraging. With Jameis Winston taking over under center, the Giants’ passing game may become more aggressive, creating additional scoring chances for Johnson.
This week, Johnson enters the fantasy football conversation as a start-worthy tight end against the Packers. Green Bay has allowed the ninth-most receiving touchdowns to tight ends this season, a weakness that aligns well with Johnson’s recent red-zone usage. While the Packers have limited yardage overall, Johnson’s scoring ability and Winston’s willingness to target tight ends downfield make him a strong option. He’s scored at least 10.7 PPR points in five of his past seven games and continues to provide a reliable safety valve near the goal line. For Week 11, Johnson is a viable fantasy start in most formats, especially for managers seeking touchdown upside.
Tight Ends to Sit
Luke Musgrave GB
Luke Musgrave stepped into the starting role for Green Bay in Week 10 but failed to make a strong impression. He saw a 76% route share but only managed 23 yards on 3 targets, averaging just 0.72 yards per route run. His aDOT of 3.3 yards suggests a short-area role designed more for safety-valve usage rather than the explosive plays we saw from Tucker Kraft. While the Packers’ offense has struggled to move the ball over the last two weeks, Musgrave’s involvement remains capped by the team’s focus on spreading the ball around between all of their pass catchers. The usage of tight ends in the Packers’ passing game ranks 17th in the NFL this year, and I expect this number to continue to decrease without Kraft.
Fantasy football managers should sit Musgrave in Week 11 against the Giants. New York’s defense has been one of the stingiest against tight ends, allowing the tenth-fewest fantasy points and just 4.3 receptions per game to the position. The Packers are likely to lean on their ground game and outside receivers, leaving Musgrave with few meaningful opportunities. His combination of low target volume and poor matchup caps his ceiling and makes him a risky play in all formats. Until he shows greater involvement or finds the end zone, Musgrave belongs on the fantasy bench this week.
Cade Otton TB
Cade Otton has been quietly productive over the last month, ranking as the TE11 in fantasy points per game since Week 5. He’s averaged 63.8 receiving yards per contest on a 21.4% target share, making him one of the Buccaneers’ most consistent chain-movers with all of the injuries they have endured at receiver. His 2.20 yards per route run highlights his effectiveness vertically, while his volume has resulted in strong fantasy production. However, despite his steady usage, Otton has not received a single red-zone target during this stretch, limiting his touchdown upside. Even with Tampa Bay’s wide receivers dealing with injuries, his role remains volume-based rather than explosive.
This week’s matchup against Buffalo makes Otton a sit. The Bills have surrendered the fewest receiving yards and fantasy points to tight ends this season, smothering opposing players at the position with elite zone coverage. No tight end has topped 50 yards against them all year, and Otton’s lack of scoring involvement only worsens his outlook. While his recent consistency might tempt managers, this is a brutal defensive draw that’s likely to yield single-digit production. Unless you’re desperate for a plug-and-play option, Otton should remain on the bench for Week 11.
TJ Hockenson MIN
T.J. Hockenson’s production has plummeted since J.J. McCarthy took over at quarterback for the Vikings. Over their four games together, Hockenson hasn’t topped 15 yards in any outing and has averaged just 11.1% of the team’s targets. He’s seen minimal involvement in the red zone and posted an alarming 0.45 yards per route run during that stretch. Minnesota’s offensive scheme under McCarthy has leaned heavily on quick passes to running backs and conservative play-calling, leaving Hockenson as an afterthought in the passing game. While his name recognition remains strong, his recent numbers paint a concerning picture for fantasy managers.
Fantasy football players should sit Hockenson in Week 11 despite a seemingly favorable matchup against the Bears. Chicago’s defense has allowed the 11th-most fantasy points to tight ends, but Hockenson’s connection with McCarthy has been nonexistent, and his volume simply isn’t there. Averaging only 4.7 fantasy points per game in their four starts together, he’s fallen out of the top-15 tight ends in most rankings. Even with potential game script advantages, his role and efficiency do not warrant starting confidence. Until Minnesota’s passing attack evolves or the quarterback situation changes, Hockenson is best left on the bench in all fantasy football formats.
