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 2026 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
T.J. Hockenson, TE (MIN)
T.J. Hockenson has started to regain his form in Minnesota’s passing attack, scoring at least 13 fantasy points in each of his last two full games. His best performance came against Miami in Week 4, when he caught 13 passes for 119 yards, demonstrating the ceiling he can reach when Minnesota funnels receiving opportunities his direction. Hockenson has recorded 27 receptions this season, the tenth-most among tight ends, while remaining one of Minnesota’s primary receiving options alongside Justin Jefferson. His advanced receiving numbers have also been encouraging, averaging 2.14 yards per route run while receiving six red-zone targets. However, Minnesota’s offensive struggles remain a concern, with the Vikings generating successful plays on just 41% of their offensive snaps.
Detroit presents the best tight end matchup in fantasy football, allowing approximately 29.4 PPR points per game to the position, the most in the NFL. The Lions have surrendered 602 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns to tight ends across six games, while eight opposing tight ends have scored at least 13 fantasy points against them this season. Over their last five games, Detroit has also allowed the fifth-most yards per target, second-most fantasy points per opportunity, and most receiving touchdowns to the position. Minnesota’s inconsistent offense creates some concerns about Hockenson’s overall ceiling, but his established receiving involvement gives him an opportunity to capitalize on Detroit’s defensive weaknesses. I’m starting Hockenson as a TE1 because his substantial receiving role and favorable matchup create one of the best opportunities on the Week 8 schedule.
Travis Kelce, TE (KC)
Travis Kelce continues to operate as one of Kansas City’s most dependable receiving options, leading the Chiefs with a 20.2% target share while averaging approximately 5.8 targets, four receptions, and 57.2 receiving yards per game. He’s recorded 343 receiving yards this season, the fifth-most among tight ends, while leading the position with 233 yards after the catch. Kelce has also been efficient with his opportunities, averaging 2.23 yards per route run and maintaining a 19.2% first-read share. However, his touchdown opportunities have been limited, with just three red-zone targets this season, while Rashee Rice’s potential return could create additional competition for receiving opportunities. Rice was limited in practice with an injury, making his availability worth monitoring before kickoff.
Denver has been considerably tougher against wide receivers than tight ends, allowing approximately 15.8 PPR points per game to the position. Over its last five games, the Broncos have surrendered the sixth-most receiving fantasy points per game and 11th-most fantasy points per opportunity to opposing tight ends. That creates an opportunity for Kelce to remain heavily involved, particularly if Kansas City struggles to generate consistent production from its outside receivers. The matchup carries a modest 40.5-point total, limiting the overall scoring environment, but Kelce’s established receiving role provides a path to a productive performance without requiring multiple touchdowns. I’m starting Kelce as a TE1 because his reliable target involvement and Denver’s vulnerability against tight ends make him one of Kansas City’s more appealing fantasy options.
Dallas Goedert, TE (PHI)
Dallas Goedert hasn’t consistently converted his opportunities into strong fantasy production, but his receiving involvement has remained encouraging with Tanner McKee under center. Goedert has received 24 targets over his last three games, including eight and seven targets in his two appearances with McKee. He’s maintained an 18.8% target share and 25% first-read share during that stretch while averaging 1.85 yards per route run. Injuries to DeVonta Smith and Dontayvion Wicks could create additional opportunities, as both receivers missed Wednesday’s practice, although their eventual availability will influence how Philadelphia distributes targets. Goedert’s limited touchdown production remains a concern, but his recent involvement provides a dependable receiving foundation.
Washington presents an excellent matchup, allowing approximately 21.5 PPR points per game to opposing tight ends, the second-most in the NFL. Four tight ends have scored at least 17 fantasy points against the Commanders this season, including three who exceeded 20 points. Goedert already exploited this matchup in Week 1, catching four passes for 77 yards and two touchdowns while finishing with 23.7 PPR points. Over their last five games, Washington has also surrendered the eighth-most yards per target, seventh-most receiving yards, and third-most fantasy points per opportunity to the position. Philadelphia’s quarterback situation creates some uncertainty about the offense’s overall efficiency, but Goedert’s recent target volume provides a strong foundation. I’m starting Goedert as a TE1 because his established involvement and Washington’s defensive struggles create an excellent opportunity for another productive performance.
Tight Ends to Sit
Harold Fannin Jr., TE (CLE)
Harold Fannin Jr. is coming off an encouraging performance against Tennessee, catching six passes and finishing with 13.1 PPR points in Week 7. That was a significant improvement after scoring fewer than two fantasy points in each of his previous two games, but his overall production remains inconsistent. Fannin commands approximately 17.5% of Cleveland’s targets, the second-largest share on the team, and has scored three receiving touchdowns this season. His involvement provides legitimate fantasy upside, particularly when the Browns are forced to throw frequently, but he has finished below 4.3 fantasy points in three of seven appearances. Cleveland also continues involving Blake Whiteheart and Joe Royer at tight end, making Fannin’s weekly opportunities less predictable than those of established every-down starters.
Pittsburgh presents a difficult matchup, allowing approximately 10.9 PPR points per game to opposing tight ends while surrendering the third-fewest fantasy points per route run to the position. The Steelers have also allowed just two receiving touchdowns to tight ends this season, including one scored by Fannin during Cleveland’s previous meeting with Pittsburgh. That earlier success gives him a path toward another productive performance, but relying on a touchdown against this defense is risky. Cleveland enters the matchup averaging just 19 points per game, while the contest carries a 39.5-point total, the lowest on the Week 8 schedule. Fannin’s target involvement makes him a borderline starting option rather than an automatic bench, but I’m sitting him when a comparable alternative is available because Pittsburgh’s defensive strengths and Cleveland’s offensive limitations create an unfavorable environment.
Tyler Higbee, TE (LAR)
Tyler Higbee has maintained a meaningful role in Los Angeles’ passing attack, averaging approximately 4.6 targets, 3.7 receptions, and 37.1 receiving yards per game. He’s handled an 11.5% target share, the second-largest on the Rams, while ranking 11th among tight ends in first-read targets. However, Higbee has played approximately 59% of the offensive snaps this season, limiting his opportunity to establish dependable receiving volume. The Rams have also distributed tight end opportunities between Higbee, Colby Parkinson, and Davis Allen, making their weekly production difficult to predict. Parkinson is dealing with knee and shoulder injuries after missing practice, while Terrance Ferguson remains on injured reserve, potentially creating additional opportunities for Higbee. However, Allen handled the red-zone work in Week 7, and Higbee has received just two red-zone targets all season.
The Chargers present a difficult matchup, allowing approximately 11.1 PPR points per game to opposing tight ends. Their defense has been considerably more effective against the position than against running backs, creating an additional obstacle for Higbee in an offense with several competing receiving options. The Rams enter the game as 6.5-point favorites, potentially encouraging a run-heavy approach with Kyren Williams and Blake Corum if Los Angeles establishes an early lead. Parkinson’s injury could improve Higbee’s receiving opportunities, but his limited red-zone involvement remains a significant concern even if the rotation becomes thinner. I’m sitting Higbee in Week 8 because his inconsistent receiving volume, limited scoring opportunities and difficult matchup make him too dependent on an unusually productive receiving performance.
Chig Okonkwo, TE (WAS)
Chig Okonkwo has become considerably more involved in Washington’s passing attack, recording 11 receptions for 129 yards on 13 targets over his last two appearances. His most recent performance came against Chicago in Week 6, when he caught all seven targets for 69 yards while running routes on a season-high 88.9% of Washington’s dropbacks. Okonkwo has also commanded target shares of 26.1% and 20% across his last two appearances, demonstrating a meaningful increase in involvement compared with his earlier role. His 15.4% season-long target share ranks second on Washington behind Stefon Diggs, while Terry McLaurin’s season-ending injury has created additional receiving opportunities. However, Okonkwo has yet to receive a red-zone target this season, limiting his touchdown upside despite the encouraging increase in receiving volume. Ben Sinnott also remains involved at tight end, creating some competition for opportunities.
Philadelphia presents a difficult matchup, allowing approximately 10.5 PPR points per game to opposing tight ends, the seventh-fewest in the NFL. The Eagles have been considerably more vulnerable against wide receivers, potentially encouraging Washington to direct more of its passing opportunities toward Diggs and its other receiving options. Washington also enters the game as a six-point favorite, creating the possibility of a run-heavy approach if the Commanders establish an early lead. Okonkwo’s recent increase in route participation and target share gives him a legitimate opportunity to overcome the matchup, particularly with McLaurin unavailable. However, his lack of red-zone involvement and Philadelphia’s defensive strengths make him a risky option for managers seeking a dependable starting tight end. I’m sitting Okonkwo when a comparable alternative is available, although his expanded receiving role makes him a viable streaming option in deeper leagues.
Colston Loveland, TE (CHI)
Colston Loveland has been on fire as of late, recording 13 receptions for 134 yards and two touchdowns on 19 targets over his last two appearances. Those performances resulted in weekly finishes of TE4 and TE3, demonstrating how quickly his fantasy value has increased. Loveland has commanded a 26.1% target share and 31.7% first-read share during that stretch while averaging an impressive 2.39 yards per route run. He’s also received four red-zone targets over those two games and ranks third among tight ends with 10 red-zone targets this season. Cole Kmet’s season-ending knee injury has removed Loveland’s primary competition at tight end, strengthening his chances of maintaining an expanded receiving role. However, Luther Burden III continues commanding a larger share of Chicago’s targets overall, and Loveland has finished below 5.1 fantasy points in three of seven games, demonstrating that his weekly production hasn’t always been dependable.
Seattle presents one of the toughest tight end matchups in football, allowing approximately 9.9 PPR points per game to the position, the fourth-fewest in the NFL. The Seahawks have also surrendered just 5.2 yards per target to opposing tight ends, the second-lowest rate in football, demonstrating how effectively they’ve limited receiving production at the position. However, Trey McBride scored 18.1 fantasy points against Seattle earlier this season, showing that talented tight ends with substantial receiving opportunities can overcome the matchup. Chicago also leads the NFL with approximately 72.1 offensive plays per game, creating opportunities for Loveland to maintain a productive workload even against a difficult defense. His recent target involvement makes him a legitimate starting option, but Seattle’s defensive strengths create considerably more risk than his recent performances suggest. I’m sitting Loveland only when a comparable TE1 alternative with a more favorable matchup is available, as his expanded role and recent production make him too valuable to bench automatically.
