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
Dalton Kincaid BUF
Dalton Kincaid continues to be a strong fantasy football start despite his part-time role in Buffalo’s offense. Splitting time with Dawson Knox and Jackson Hawes, he still averages 2.24 yards per route run, and nearly 45 receiving yards per game. What makes Kincaid especially valuable is his red-zone involvement, as his five red-zone targets rank second among all tight ends. He has already scored three touchdowns in four games and has topped seven PPR points in every contest, with two games above 14. That type of consistency provides a safe floor at a position where reliability is rare.
This week’s matchup against the Patriots sets up nicely for another productive outing. New England has allowed the seventh-most receiving yards and eighth-most fantasy points to tight ends, including two touchdowns to the Panthers last week. Kincaid has also had success against the Patriots in the past, scoring at least 12.7 PPR points in two of three career matchups. Even if the volume remains modest, his role near the goal line and consistent usage as a first-read option make him a locked-in TE1. Fantasy managers should continue to start Kincaid confidently as a top-10 tight end play in Week 5
Darren Waller MIA
Darren Waller wasted no time making an impact in his Dolphins debut, finishing as the TE4 in Week 4 with two touchdowns despite playing just 37% of routes. He earned a strong 16% target share and a 20% first-read rate, which shows Miami prioritized getting him involved in the offense immediately. While his usage was limited, Waller turned three catches into 27 yards and two scores, proving he can deliver fantasy points even on reduced volume. With Tyreek Hill sidelined for the season, Waller projects as the Dolphins’ top red-zone option moving forward, giving him a path to sustainable TE1 value. His snap count should also increase as he gets more acclimated, boosting his fantasy outlook.
The matchup against Carolina is an ideal spot for Waller to keep the momentum going. The Panthers have allowed the second-most receiving yards to tight ends and have given up at least 9.9 PPR points to the position in three of four games. Waller’s red-zone usage is especially important given Miami’s need to replace Hill’s touchdown production. Even if he only sees four to six targets again, the scoring upside makes him a must-start. Coming off a 17-point fantasy outing, Waller should be treated as a No. 1 fantasy tight end across all formats in Week 5.
Mason Taylor NYJ
Mason Taylor finally broke out in Week 4, finishing as the TE11 with five catches for 65 yards against Miami. His 25.9% target share and 33.3% first-read rate showed that the Jets trust him as a featured option in the passing game. Taylor has 13 targets over the last two weeks, putting him firmly in the TE1 streaming conversation for fantasy football. While his red-zone usage has been light with just one target, the overall volume is encouraging. With Garrett Wilson drawing coverage outside, Taylor should continue to see valuable looks as the Jets’ No. 2 receiving option.
In Week 5, Taylor faces a Dallas defense that has been beatable by tight ends. Dallas Goedert caught all seven of his targets against them, and Tucker Kraft hauled in five for 56 yards, showing the Cowboys can be exploited at the position. Taylor’s role in the Jets’ short-to-intermediate passing game makes him a strong candidate to rack up catches and yards once again. With his route participation and target share trending upward, Taylor is a start-worthy option in deeper leagues and formats that reward receptions. He carries low-end TE1 upside this week in what should be a high-scoring matchup.
Tight Ends to Sit
Hunter Henry NE
Hunter Henry has been one of the most productive tight ends in fantasy football this season, ranking as the TE3 in points per game with three double-digit PPR outings. His role has been strong, with 51 yards per game, and a league-leading number of red-zone looks at the position. However, the matchup against Buffalo in Week 5 makes him a risky fantasy play. The Bills have allowed the fewest receiving yards and the third-fewest fantasy points to opposing tight ends, making this one of the worst spots possible for Henry. Even with his consistent usage, the odds are stacked against him this week.
Henry’s track record against Buffalo also raises red flags. In his last five games versus the Bills, he has combined for just 15 receptions, 130 yards, and one touchdown. He’s been held under 5 PPR points in three of those matchups, which highlights the floor risk in this divisional rivalry. With Buffalo shutting down every tight-end they have faced this year, Henry is unlikely to produce TE1 numbers. While his red-zone usage could keep him afloat, fantasy managers should consider him more of a low-end starter or bench option in Week 5.
TJ Hockenson MIN
T.J. Hockenson has struggled to find consistency in fantasy football this season, and his outlook doesn’t improve in Week 5 against the Browns. With Carson Wentz under center, Hockenson has averaged just 44 receiving yards per game and sits at a modest 15.7% target share. The return of Jordan Addison has also cut into his opportunities, leaving him fourth in targets last week. Even though he’s seen four red-zone looks in his last two games, he has posted only one top-five finish at the position this year. This type of volatile production makes him a risky start in a difficult matchup.
The Browns have been one of the toughest defenses against tight ends, allowing the fourth-fewest receiving yards and ranking eighth in fewest fantasy points allowed. They have held opposing tight ends like Mark Andrews and Tucker Kraft to just 14.2 combined PPR points across four games. Cleveland’s pass rush is also elite, and the Vikings’ offensive line has struggled, which could limit Wentz’s ability to find Hockenson downfield. With Justin Jefferson and Addison commanding the majority of targets, Hockenson’s path to a big fantasy day is slim. For Week 5, he’s better viewed as a sit candidate or low-end starter at best.
Harold Fannin Jr. CLE
Harold Fannin Jr. has cooled off dramatically since his solid Week 1 showing, finishing outside of the top 12 every week since then. He has just two red-zone targets this season, and his fantasy usage has been further complicated by splitting snaps with David Njoku. Fannin’s underlying numbers are mediocre, with a 14% target share, 40 yards per game, and 1.62 yards per route run. The committee approach in Cleveland’s tight end room has been a major issue for fantasy purposes, as neither player has managed more than nine PPR points in a game since the opener. That type of low ceiling makes Fannin an easy sit in Week 5.
The matchup against Minnesota does him no favors either. The Vikings have allowed the 9th-fewest fantasy points and 11th-fewest receiving yards to tight ends, shutting down the position consistently this year. With rookie quarterback Dillon Gabriel making his first NFL start, the Browns’ offense is a question mark as a whole. Fantasy managers should avoid Fannin this week, as he carries little upside and a high probability of another disappointing outing.
