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 continues to command a strong role in Atlanta’s passing game, leading the team in targets over the last three weeks while averaging nearly nine per contest. His involvement has remained consistent regardless of game script, and he’s proven capable of handling volume with only one game under seven fantasy points this season. Pitts has maintained steady efficiency with 1.49 yards per route run and over 47 receiving yards per game, showcasing his improved role this year. Against an opponent like Indianapolis, this could turn into another high-volume passing scenario for the Falcons, who may find themselves chasing points through the air.
This matchup gives Pitts a real opportunity to deliver another strong fantasy outing. The Colts have been among the most generous defenses to tight ends, ranking third in fantasy points allowed per game while also giving up the second-most catches and yards to the position. Pitts’ consistent 20% target share and deep involvement in the offense make him one of the most reliable options at tight end right now. With Atlanta likely to throw often in a game that could feature plenty of offensive movement, Pitts should be started confidently in Week 10 lineups as a top-tier TE1 play.
Dalton Schultz HOU
Dalton Schultz has continued to be a steady contributor in Houston’s offense, posting eight or more fantasy points in four of his last five games. His recent performances include an eight-target, 77-yard outing that highlighted both his reliability and chemistry with the Texans’ passing attack despite the tough matchup against Denver. Schultz has averaged 48.1 yards per game while maintaining a healthy 17% target share and 1.75 yards per route run, showing that his involvement isn’t dependent on a specific quarterback. The tight end’s short-to-intermediate route tree has kept him heavily involved in drives and third-down situations, and he’s been particularly effective at finding open space in coverage. His volume and usage trends make him one of the most stable weekly options at the position.
That steadiness makes Schultz a smart start this week despite Houston being without C.J. Stroud. Backup Davis Mills has already shown a willingness to target Schultz heavily, and Jacksonville’s defense has proven extremely vulnerable to tight ends. The Jaguars have allowed the second-most receiving yards and fantasy points to the position, giving up double-digit performances in five straight contests. With Schultz already seeing consistent red zone involvement and facing a defense that struggles to contain tight ends, he profiles as one of the safest streaming starts for Week 10.
Theo Johnson NYG
Theo Johnson’s emergence in the Giants’ offense has been one of the more underappreciated storylines of the season. Since Week 4, he’s held an 18.6% target share while averaging over 30 receiving yards per game, becoming a dependable option over the middle of the field. His presence has been most noticeable in the red zone, where he’s accumulated six targets and converted five for touchdowns in his last six outings. Johnson’s physicality and improving route consistency have earned him more snaps and first-read looks, currently sitting at a 21.2% rate. He’s become a legitimate part of New York’s offensive identity, seeing more targets than all but one Giants receiver since Week 6.
For fantasy football managers searching for upside, Johnson deserves serious start consideration this week. Chicago’s defense has been generous through the air, allowing solid production to opposing pass-catchers in recent weeks. While the Bears sit middle of the pack in tight end coverage metrics, the expected back-and-forth nature of this game should provide plenty of opportunities. Given his red zone usage and role as a safety valve for this offense, Johnson projects as a quality streaming start capable of producing another double-digit fantasy performance in Week 10.
Tight Ends to Sit
Luke Musgrave GB
With Tucker Kraft sidelined for the season, Luke Musgrave steps into a full-time role in the Packers’ offense, but his fantasy football outlook remains uncertain. Musgrave’s route participation has been modest at just 23%, and his 16% target-per-route-run rate suggests limited volume even when he’s on the field. Despite flashes of potential, his production has been sporadic, as he’s yet to show consistency as a pass-catching threat in Green Bay’s offense. The Packers leaned more on their wide receivers and running backs in recent weeks after Tucker Kraft went down. Facing a disciplined defense that rarely gives up big plays to tight ends only compounds the concern.
This isn’t the week to start Musgrave, especially with Philadelphia on deck. The Eagles have allowed the third-fewest receiving yards and fantasy points per game to tight ends, surrendering only one touchdown to the position all year. Musgrave may eventually carve out fantasy value in his expanded role, but there are better streaming options available in Week 10. Given his limited usage and difficult matchup, he belongs firmly on your bench until the Packers show more willingness to feature him in the passing game.
Zach Ertz WAS
Zach Ertz’s Hall of Fame-caliber career speaks for itself, but the current state of Washington’s offense has made him a difficult player to trust. With Marcus Mariota starting in place of the injured Jayden Daniels, Ertz has seen a drop in both volume and efficiency. He has scored fewer than seven fantasy points in each of his last three games with Mariota and has struggled to find a consistent rhythm in the passing attack. Detroit’s defense, meanwhile, continues to perform at a high level, holding opposing tight ends to minimal production while limiting red zone looks. Despite his experience and reliable hands, Ertz’s opportunities have been few and far between in this new-look offense.
Fantasy football managers should sit Ertz this week, given the matchup and offensive circumstances. Detroit has allowed the seventh-fewest fantasy points to tight ends over the last month and only one touchdown in that span. The Lions’ heavy use of single-high coverage schemes has also given Ertz trouble historically, reducing his efficiency and limiting his yards per route run. With better streaming options available in similar production tiers, Ertz is not worth the risk in Week 10 lineups.
TJ Hockenson MIN
T.J. Hockenson’s name still holds a ton of value, but his recent numbers paint a concerning picture. Since J.J. McCarthy took over at quarterback, Hockenson has averaged just three targets per game, totaling only 13 receiving yards per contest and one touchdown in that span. His 0.62 yards per route run marks a steep decline from his usual efficiency, and he hasn’t topped 50 yards in a single outing this season. The Vikings’ offensive flow has shifted heavily toward short passes and running back involvement, leaving Hockenson underutilized compared to previous years. While his name value remains strong, the recent production does not match it.
That lack of consistency makes Hockenson a fantasy football sit this week against Baltimore. The Ravens have allowed the tenth-fewest schedule-adjusted fantasy points to tight ends and have surrendered just two touchdowns to the position all season. Even though the matchup isn’t impossible, it’s difficult to rely on touchdown dependency alone to justify starting him. Unless Minnesota dramatically changes its offensive balance, Hockenson is best left on the bench until his target share rebounds to early-season levels.
