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 be one of the more fascinating stories in fantasy football this season. After years of inconsistency, Pitts has quietly emerged as a reliable option in the Falcons’ offense, ranking second on the team in targets since Week 7. His usage has shifted toward more short and intermediate routes, improving his efficiency and allowing for catch-and-run opportunities that play to his athletic strengths. He’s also been one of the few consistent contributors in an offense that has struggled for rhythm, catching over 80% of his targets while ranking third among tight ends in total receptions. Pitts has also posted three top 12 finishes in his last four games, making him a consistent option.
The Patriots’ defense has shown vulnerability against tight ends, surrendering the fourth-most yards and fifth-most fantasy PPG to the position. Last week, Harold Fannin Jr and David Njoku combined for 10 catches for 99 yards and 2 touchdowns. Pitts’ 20% target share and usage as of late suggest that, in this favorable matchup that he will once again provide a strong TE1 performance in Week 9. Pitts is set up for another productive outing. He’s a firm start in fantasy football this week.
Oronde Gadsden II LAC
Oronde Gadsden II has burst onto the scene as one of the Chargers’ most dynamic playmakers over the past few weeks. Since taking over as the full-time starter in Week 6, Gadsden has become a focal point in the passing game, earning a 17.8% target share and averaging 103 receiving yards per game. He’s also shown an impressive ability to stretch the field, recording 2.94 yards per route run and leading the team in yards after catch (YAC) over the last three contests. Over the past three weeks, he’s scored 59.9 fantasy points, the second-most among all tight ends in that span, while commanding six red zone targets and three deep looks.
The Chargers have relied on him heavily against zone coverage, which the Titans deploy nearly 80% of the time, and he’s rewarded them with consistent separation and elite efficiency. Tennessee’s defense has struggled in this area, ranking sixth in the NFL in YAC. On paper, the Titans are a tough matchup, ranking as one of the best in covering TEs this season and limiting fantasy production. Given his role, efficiency, and consistent scoring output, Gadsden should remain in all starting fantasy football lineups for Week 9
Colston Loveland CHI
Colston Loveland, in Week 8, ran 30 routes and caught three passes for 38 yards while filling in for the injured Cole Kmet. That performance accounted for nearly half of his season’s receiving yardage and highlighted the trust the Bears have in the rookie tight end. His route participation hit a season-high 78% of Caleb Williams’ dropbacks, and his target share jumped to 13.2%, signaling growing involvement in the passing game. Chicago’s offense has battled through multiple receiver injuries, further opening the door for Loveland to become a reliable short-to-intermediate target.
Against a Bengals defense that has struggled to contain tight ends all season, that usage could translate into meaningful fantasy value. The matchup could not be better for Loveland, as Cincinnati has allowed the most yards, touchdowns, and fantasy points to tight ends this season. The Bengals have surrendered 594 yards and 10 touchdowns to the position, giving up an average of 21.7 fantasy points per game. Whether or not Kmet returns, the Bears’ offensive situation likely forces increased looks toward Loveland, especially near the goal line and on third downs. Given the volume trends and elite matchup, Loveland makes a strong start in fantasy football for Week 9.
Tight Ends to Sit
Dalton Kincaid BUF
Dalton Kincaid remains one of the league’s most talented young tight ends, but he faces a difficult test this week. In three career games against the Chiefs, Kincaid has yet to eclipse 50 yards or find the end zone. Kansas City’s defense has been exceptional at limiting the position, allowing the fifth-fewest yards and fourth-fewest fantasy points per game to opposing tight ends. In his first week back from injury, Kincaid only played 12 snaps and has only averaged a 52.7% route share and 15.3% target rate this season. Kincaid’s production could be capped by matchup and scheme.
Kincaid does see strong target efficiency against two-high coverages, leading the Bills with a 30% target-per-route-run rate in those situations, which the Chiefs love to utilize. However, the Chiefs’ ability to limit yards after the catch and defend the middle of the field makes this a low-upside spot. The only two tight ends to top 10 points against them are Sam LaPorta and Mark Andrews. Despite his TE8 ranking in fantasy points per game, the matchup risk outweighs the upside this week. He’s a recommended sit for Week 9.
Hunter Henry NE
Hunter Henry’s recent production has cooled significantly after a strong start to the season. Since Week 4, he’s averaged just 3.3 targets and 6.8 fantasy points per game, failing to top 40 receiving yards in any contest. His role in the offense remains limited, logging only a 13% target share and one end-zone look during that span. While Henry remains a reliable red-zone presence with eight targets inside the 20 on the year, his week-to-week volume has dipped considerably. The Patriots’ passing attack also struggles to sustain drives, further capping Henry’s fantasy floor and ceiling alike.
This week’s matchup against the Falcons makes him an even riskier play. Atlanta has allowed the fewest fantasy points per game (4.4) to tight ends, giving up just one touchdown to the position all season. No tight end has topped 37 yards against them, and they’ve held elite names like George Kittle to zero catches. Henry’s underlying metrics and usage as of late don’t suggest that he will be able to overcome a tough matchup. With Atlanta’s defense excelling against tight ends and limiting scoring chances, Henry belongs on fantasy benches as a sit in Week 9.
TJ Hockenson MIN
T.J. Hockenson entered the season looking to return to form, but his production has fallen well short of expectations. He has yet to reach 50 yards in a single game and has only one touchdown on the year. Much of that can be attributed to Minnesota’s inconsistent quarterback play, as he averaged just 13.5 yards per game across two starts with J.J. McCarthy earlier in the season. Hockenson still commands a 16.4% target share, but his efficiency has dipped to just 1.13 yards per route run, one of the lowest marks among top-15 tight ends. Despite his involvement in short passing situations, the lack of downfield and red-zone work has made him touchdown-dependent.
Even though the Lions’ defense ranks in the middle of the pack against tight ends, Hockenson doesn’t profile as a trustworthy option this week. Minnesota’s offense has leaned more on quick passes and running backs in the red zone, leaving few scoring opportunities for him. His seven red-zone targets have yet to translate into consistent fantasy production, and with no deep targets all year, his big-play potential is almost nonexistent. While Detroit has allowed the 13th-most yards per game to tight ends, they have a talented group of safeties to match up with tight ends. Until his connection with McCarthy stabilizes, Hockenson remains a sit for Week 9.
