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
Juwan Johnson NO
Johnson exploded in Week 1, leading all tight ends in targets (11) and finishing as the TE1 in fantasy. His chemistry with Spencer Rattler looks real. Dating back to last season, Rattler has thrown him at least seven targets in each of his three starts. The usage was elite: a 79.6% route share, 23.9% target share, and a 28% first-read rate, all while drawing two red-zone looks in Week 1. That type of volume cannot be ignored at such a thin position. The 49ers are a tough matchup, but Johnson’s role makes him a strong streaming option with a solid floor.
David Njoku CLE
Njoku was quiet in Week 1 while Harold Fannin Jr. stole the spotlight, but the underlying usage was still solid. He played nearly 80% of routes, and his past success against Baltimore suggests a rebound is possible. He went 5-for-61-and-a-score against them last season. The Ravens struggled against tight ends in 2024, allowing top-12 fantasy production to the position. Njoku’s red-zone presence and steady role in Cleveland’s passing game give him bounce-back potential. This is a good spot to plug him back into lineups as a mid-tier TE1.
Hunter Henry NE
Henry remains one of the steadiest tight end options thanks to his connection with rookie quarterback Drake Maye. He saw eight targets in Week 1, turning them into four catches for 66 yards, and continues to dominate red-zone opportunities in this offense. In fact, Henry’s red-zone target share is double that of any other Patriot, giving him strong touchdown equity every week. The Dolphins just gave up a top-three tight end performance to Tyler Warren, which bodes well for Henry. He’s not flashy, but his chemistry with Maye makes him a safe TE1 play.
Tight Ends to Sit
Dalton Kincaid BUF
Kincaid’s Week 1 stat line (4-48-1) looks great in the box score, but the underlying metrics tell a different story. He played fewer snaps than Dawson Knox, had just an 8.7% target share, and ranked fifth in Buffalo’s target pecking order. His touchdown salvaged his fantasy day, but that level of efficiency is not sustainable without stronger usage. Kincaid is shaping up as a touchdown-dependent play, which is a risky bet against tougher defenses. There are safer options this week at tight end.
Harold Fannin Jr. CLE
Fannin flashed in Week 1 with nine targets, seven catches, and 63 yards, but fantasy managers should pump the brakes. He ran routes on just 60% of dropbacks and posted an unsustainably high 31% target per route run rate, which screams regression. Cleveland also leaned on heavy two-tight end sets, limiting his overall snap share behind Njoku. The Ravens are a much tougher matchup than Cincinnati, so expecting a repeat of his debut would be overly optimistic. He’s an exciting stash, but not yet a safe start.
Colston Loveland CHI
The rookie tight end may have long-term upside, but his Week 1 usage shows he’s not ready for fantasy lineups. Loveland played just 56% of the snaps, well behind Cole Kmet’s 91%, and saw only two targets. Detroit’s defense is also a poor matchup, as they’ve allowed just four tight end touchdowns dating back to last year. Until Loveland earns a bigger role, he’s best left on the bench. Dynasty managers can hold, but redraft players should avoid starting him for now.
