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
Brenton Strange JAC
Brenton Strange has delivered strong production since returning from his hip injury, scoring at least 13 fantasy points in both games. He has finished as a top-seven tight end in each of those two weeks and has scored fewer than 9.9 points in only two of seven games this season. His connection with Trevor Lawrence continues to grow, and his efficiency metrics support his breakout. Since Week 12, Strange has posted a 15.8% target share, 69 receiving yards per game, and a 15.4% first-read share. He also picked up one red-zone target and four deep targets over this stretch. Strange enters Week 14 with four straight healthy games of at least 10.5 PPR points.
Strange gets a premium matchup against the Colts, who have allowed the second-most receiving yards and fifth-most fantasy points per game to tight ends. Indianapolis has also given up 10+ PPR points to seven different tight ends, making this one of the softest spots on the Week 14 slate. If Parker Washington misses the game, Strange’s target share should rise even further and jump his points into the 20 range. With strong efficiency, dependable volume, and a dream matchup, Strange is a locked-in top-10 tight end. He carries legitimate top-five upside this week.
Juwan Johnson NO
Juwan Johnson has taken on a larger role since Tyler Shough became the starter, earning a 17.1% target share during that stretch. He has averaged 59 receiving yards per game and a 20.3% first-read share. Johnson has also been the TE5 in fantasy points per game since Week 10, solidifying his weekly role in fantasy lineups. Even in last week’s quieter outing, he still commanded nine targets, which shows how stable his volume is. He has scored at least 10.6 PPR points in three of his four games with Shough. His consistent usage gives him one of the safest floors among streaming tight ends.
Johnson now faces Tampa Bay, a defense that allows the seventh-most receiving touchdowns to tight ends. The Buccaneers have limited yardage but consistently struggle in the red zone, which boosts Johnson’s scoring potential. He produced 5 catches for 53 yards on eight targets against them back in Week 8. Tampa Bay has also allowed 14.1+ points to tight ends in back-to-back games. Johnson’s volume should again remain strong, especially given his recent usage. He is a clear top-10 tight end for Week 14.
Kyle Pitts ATL
Kyle Pitts is coming off a strong Week 13 performance where he caught seven passes for 82 yards on eight targets. His role has grown with Kirk Cousins under center, and he has now led the team in targets in both games Cousins has started. Pitts benefited from Drake London being out, but his involvement was too strong to ignore. Even before last week, Pitts consistently ranked among the leaders in air yards and valuable intermediate targets. London missing practice again elevates Pitts’ outlook even more for Week 14. His strong usage makes him a high-end option at a thin fantasy position.
Pitts gets one of the best matchups of the week against Seattle, which has allowed the third-most fantasy points to tight ends. The Seahawks have been especially vulnerable since Week 9, giving up the second-most receiving yards to the position. Atlanta is likely to be forced into more passing volume while trailing the Seahawks’ high-powered offense. Even if London returns, Pitts projects to remain heavily involved in the passing game. Seattle’s weakness over the middle aligns perfectly with Pitts’ skill set. He should be treated as a top-10 tight end with real top-end potential.
Tight Ends to Sit
Dallas Goedert PHI
Dallas Goedert has struggled for several weeks, averaging just 3.8 targets, 2.7 catches, and 27 yards per game since Week 7. He hasn’t reached 50 receiving yards once during that span and has scored fewer than five points in three straight games. Goedert’s current role leaves him extremely touchdown dependent, which is not ideal in this offense right now. Although he maintains a 17.2% target share, his efficiency has dipped to 36.6 yards per game and 1.33 yards per route run. He hasn’t found the end zone since Week 8, further limiting his ceiling. Goedert has not posted a TE1 finish since Week 8.
The Chargers present one of the toughest matchups for fantasy tight ends this week. They have allowed the sixth-fewest fantasy points and sixth-fewest yards to the position while facing the fourth-fewest targets overall. Only four tight ends have hit double-digit PPR points against them all season, and all four required heavy volume. While Goedert was a touchdown machine to open the season, his reduced role in this passing game has resulted in inconsistent production. His role is simply too small to trust in starting lineups. Goedert should be benched in most formats for Week 14.
Oronde Gadsden LAC
Oronde Gadsden has not looked the same since his Week 10 knee injury, scoring fewer than five PPR points in each of his past two games. His snap share dropped to 70% last week, which is his lowest rate in a healthy game since Week 5. He also saw just two targets in Week 13, signaling a concerning dip in involvement. Over the longer stretch since Week 6, he has delivered good usage with a 17.2% target share and 65.4 yards per game. He has also provided strong efficiency with 2.30 yards per route run and a 21.3% first-read share. Despite the season-long profile, the recent drop-off is impossible to ignore.
Gadsden now faces a Philadelphia defense that has been one of the best units in the league against tight ends. The Eagles have allowed the second-fewest receiving yards, just three touchdowns, and the fourth-fewest fantasy points to the position. Their heavy two-high usage has limited explosive plays and funneled targets away from tight ends. Philadelphia’s scheme is extremely difficult for tight ends who rely on intermediate and seam routes. Gadsden’s recent decrease in snaps and targets makes this matchup even more problematic. He should be avoided in all but the deepest formats.
TJ Hockenson MIN
T.J. Hockenson posted 6 catches for 59 yards last week, but it was his first double-digit point game since Week 7. His production has been inconsistent, especially in games started by J.J. McCarthy. In McCarthy’s six starts, Hockenson has four or fewer targets in five of those contests. His best receiving output in those games is only 39 yards, and his fantasy finishes have suffered. The efficiency metrics reflect the struggle: 13.8% target share, 17.3 yards per game, 0.75 yards per route run, and a 13% first-read share. He also has just one red-zone target from McCarthy this year.
Washington has allowed the eighth-most receiving yards and fourth-most fantasy points to tight ends, but their matchups have largely come against aggressive passing offenses. The Vikings have been extremely conservative with McCarthy, which limits Hockenson’s path to volume. His current role is too small to count on for meaningful production. Minnesota is also leaning more on its running game behind a shifting offensive identity. Even with a favorable statistical matchup, Hockenson’s usage caps his ceiling. He profiles as a low-end TE2 who should be benched this week.
