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.
Want your start and sit questions answered within minutes? Join the Blitz Community to help win your league this season
Tight Ends to Start
Harold Fannin Jr CLE
Since Shedeur Sanders became Cleveland’s starting quarterback in Week 12, Harold Fannin Jr. has emerged as the clear focal point of the Browns’ passing attack. Over that span, he owns a massive 31 percent target share and 26 percent air yards share, while also seeing two of the team’s three end zone targets. He leads the Browns in receptions, receiving yards, and accounts for half of the team’s receiving touchdowns during that stretch. Fannin has averaged 15.3 fantasy points per game, a mark that trails only Trey McBride among tight ends this season. He has posted at least 11 fantasy points in four consecutive games, highlighting both consistency and ceiling. Volume has driven his production, as he ranks fourth among tight ends in targets per game at 7.0 and first in targets per route run at 24 percent. With Sanders under center, Fannin has averaged 9.0 targets, 5.5 catches, and 47.8 yards per game while scoring three touchdowns in five starts.
All of that usage sets up extremely well for fantasy football managers this week against Pittsburgh. The Steelers rank 30th against tight ends and are top three in yards, touchdowns, and fantasy points allowed to the position. Since Week 11, Pittsburgh has surrendered the third-most yards per game to tight ends and continues to struggle with coverage over the middle of the field. Fannin already sits as the TE6 on the season and has finished as fantasy’s TE2 in points per game with Sanders at quarterback. His weekly target shares of 30, 19, 24, 40, and 17 percent underscore how secure his role is regardless of game script. With David Njoku potentially sidelined again, Fannin’s volume and red-zone involvement remain untouched. He profiles as an easy start in lineups with legitimate top-three upside in this matchup.
Hunter Henry NE
Hunter Henry’s role in the Patriots’ offense has quietly stabilized after a midseason dip in targets. Since Week 12, he has earned six or more targets in four of his last five games and owns a 25 percent end zone target share during that span. Henry has converted that usage into production, scoring at least 11.3 PPR points in three of his last four outings. He continues to be efficient with his opportunities, averaging 12.8 yards per reception while posting 5.0 targets and 3.5 catches per game on the season. His six touchdowns reflect how frequently he is featured near the goal line. In the first meeting with the Jets, Henry saw solid volume with six targets, four receptions, and 45 yards, even though the fantasy output was modest. New York has since struggled more against tight ends, allowing the sixth-most yards to the position over the last five weeks.
That combination of volume and matchup puts Henry firmly on the fantasy streaming radar. The Jets rank 20th against tight ends and sit top 10 in both yards and touchdowns allowed to the position since Week 12. Three tight ends in their last four games have produced at least 15.2 PPR points, showing clear vulnerability. Henry could see an even larger role if Kayshon Boutte or Demario Douglas miss time, which would consolidate targets further. His red-zone usage remains elite, as 30 percent of his looks come inside the 20. While he may not be a locked-in weekly option, the usage trend and matchup make him a viable start for managers navigating tight end uncertainty. In a volatile position group, Henry offers touchdown equity and steady involvement that’s worth trusting this week.
Taysom Hill NO
Taysom Hill’s Week 16 performance was one of the most unconventional yet fantasy-relevant outings of the season. He logged 12 rushing attempts, four receptions, and even threw a 38-yard touchdown pass, contributing across every phase of the offense. Hill played on a season-high 43 percent of the snaps and lined up at running back at his highest rate all year. With Alvin Kamara, Kendre Miller, and Devin Neal sidelined, Hill operated as the Saints’ primary runner for extended stretches. He also ran routes on over 40 percent of passing plays, maintaining involvement regardless of game script. New Orleans leaned pass-heavy overall, but Hill’s hybrid role was clearly intentional rather than situational. When given volume, Hill has consistently demonstrated elite fantasy efficiency regardless of positional designation.
That usage makes Hill one of the highest-upside tight end options in fantasy football this week. Tennessee has struggled against mobile players and allowed above-average rushing efficiency, which aligns well with Hill’s skill set. Even modest regression in touches would still leave him with strong touchdown equity due to his goal-line role. His rushing workload provides a rare floor at a position known for volatility. Tight end eligibility only enhances the value of his carries and red-zone usage. Managers dealing with injuries or streaming the position should strongly consider him. Hill stands out as a start candidate with legitimate week-winning upside if the Saints deploy him similarly again.
Tight Ends to Sit
Dallas Goedert PHI
Dallas Goedert enters Week 17 playing his best football of the season, with at least 12.2 PPR points in three straight games. Over that span, he has totaled 17 catches for 180 yards and three touchdowns on 20 targets against the Chargers, Raiders, and Commanders. His involvement in the offense has been steady, and his efficiency has spiked near the goal line. Buffalo has shown occasional cracks recently, allowing production to Mike Gesicki and Harold Fannin Jr. in two of their last three games. However, those performances remain exceptions rather than trends. For the full season, the Bills rank first in fewest fantasy points allowed to tight ends and have surrendered just three receiving touchdowns to the position. They also allow a league-low 2.8 receptions per game to opposing tight ends.
Despite Goedert’s recent surge, this matchup presents a significant obstacle in fantasy football. Buffalo’s defense has consistently erased tight ends from opposing game plans, producing a schedule-adjusted fantasy points mark of minus-5.8, the lowest in the league. Only three tight ends have finished as weekly top-12 options against the Bills all season. Goedert’s volume and form make him difficult to bench outright, but expectations must be tempered. The Eagles may need to funnel targets elsewhere to move the ball effectively. In shallower formats, this is a spot where safer options may exist. Goedert profiles as a sit this week, only warranting consideration in deeper formats due to his recent touchdown production.
Dalton Kincaid BUF
Dalton Kincaid’s second-half momentum has stalled as he continues to manage a lingering knee issue. Over his last two games, he has totaled just three catches for 34 yards on five targets against New England and Cleveland. His role has also been impacted by Dawson Knox, who remains involved enough to cap Kincaid’s weekly ceiling. Kincaid has functioned more as a part-time receiver than a tight end, with him rarely being on the field for running situations. Over his last six games, he has only topped 6.5 points twice, and it showcases how low his floor is within this offense. The frustrating part with Kincaid is that his advanced metrics are strong. Among TEs this year, he ranks 2nd in target rate, 3rd in ADOT, and 2nd in fantasy points per target. His lack of usage, though, has resulted in inconsistent production this year.
Given those factors, Kincaid is a tough sell in fantasy football lineups this week, but it gets even tougher with the matchup. The Eagles consistently force targets outside and shut down the middle of the field. Philadelphia presents one of the toughest possible matchups, ranking second in fewest fantasy points allowed to tight ends. The Eagles have allowed just three touchdowns to the position all season while yielding a league-low 30.7 yards per game. Kincaid’s recent usage does not suggest enough volume to overcome the matchup. His upside outcomes are largely touchdown-dependent, which is problematic against a defense that rarely allows scores to tight ends. Managers chasing the ceiling will likely be disappointed in this spot. While his talent is undeniable, the context is unfavorable. Kincaid profiles as a sit outside of deeper or desperation formats.
Oronde Gadsden II LAC
Oronde Gadsden’s recent production has fallen sharply after a promising midseason stretch. In Week 16, he managed just one catch for seven yards on a single target against Dallas. He has now scored 6.1 PPR points or fewer in five of his last six games. His lone usable fantasy performance during that span came in Week 15 against Kansas City, when Quentin Johnston was sidelined. While Gadsden continues to run routes on a high percentage of dropbacks, his target volume has evaporated. Since Week 11, he has averaged just 3.4 targets per game and totaled nine catches for 143 yards. The efficiency metrics remain solid, but opportunity has been the limiting factor.
Even with Houston allowing middling production to tight ends, this remains a shaky fantasy football situation. Johnston’s return pushes Gadsden further down the target hierarchy. His recent route participation has not translated into meaningful usage, especially in scoring areas. Tight end scoring relies heavily on consistent involvement, which Gadsden has not shown lately. While he remains a full-time player on paper, the lack of targets severely caps his ceiling. Managers streaming the position should look elsewhere for safer volume. Gadsden profiles as a clear sit in most leagues this week.
