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
Juwan Johnson has exploded into fantasy relevance as the TE2 in fantasy points per game, proving to be Spencer Rattler’s most reliable weapon. He owns a 25% target share, 1.71 yards per route run, and a massive 31.5% first-read share while also leading the Saints in red-zone targets (3). Seattle’s defense has been vulnerable to tight ends, allowing the fourth-most fantasy points per game and ranking bottom 12 in yards allowed to the position. With Seattle’s defense giving up an 89% completion rate to tight ends, Johnson is locked in as a must-start TE1 in all formats this week.
Jake Ferguson DAL
Jake Ferguson is quickly becoming a staple in the Cowboys’ passing attack, ranking as the TE7 in fantasy with a 20.9% target share, 25.4% first-read share, and 50.5 receiving yards per game. He saw a league-high 12 targets among tight ends in Week 2 and has firmly established himself as Dak Prescott’s favorite target over the middle of the field once again. The Bears’ defense has already allowed opposing tight ends to complete 83% of their targets with a 120.1 passer rating. With safe volume and red-zone involvement, Ferguson is a set-and-forget TE1 for Week 3.
Hunter Henry NE
Hunter Henry is set to be a solid streaming TE this week with his matchup against the Steelers. He’s sitting at TE22 in fantasy points per game but still commands a 66.3% route share, 15.9% target share, and averages 37.5 yards per game. The Steelers have struggled against tight ends, allowing the 12th-most fantasy points per game and the seventh-most yards per reception to the position. Henry’s production dipped in Week 2, but the Steelers have been one of the most generous defenses to pass-catchers, giving up the eighth-most total passing yards through two weeks. Drake Maye continues to spread the ball around, but Henry remains a top red-zone option and is worth starting as a streaming TE1 in Week 3.
Tight Ends to Sit
Mark Andrews BAL
It’s been a shocking start for Mark Andrews, who has just four targets, two catches, and seven yards through two games. Despite a strong 70.9% route share, his first-read involvement sits at just 11.8%, making him highly touchdown-dependent. The Lions have allowed the 11th-fewest fantasy points to tight ends, and they’ve surrendered only 51 yards to the position so far this season. Andrews remains one of the most talented tight ends in football around the end zone, but the lack of volume is alarming. Until he proves otherwise, Andrews is better treated as a boom-or-bust TE2 in Week 3.
Evan Engram DEN
Evan Engram has been one of fantasy’s biggest disappointments in 2025. He has just six targets, four catches, and 33 yards in two games while playing fewer snaps than Adam Trautman in Week 2. His route share sits at only 43.8%, making him borderline unplayable. The Chargers have been excellent against tight ends, holding Travis Kelce and Brock Bowers to a combined 85 yards across two weeks. With limited involvement and a brutal matchup, Engram is a must-bench TE in all formats this week.
Kyle Pitts ATL
Kyle Pitts started hot in Week 1 (7 catches, 59 yards) but cooled off with just 37 yards in Week 2. The return of Darnell Mooney has cut into his volume, and his history against Carolina is concerning; In five games against them, he has zero touchdowns and fewer than 7 PPR points in four of those matchups. Pitts is still athletic enough to make big plays, but his inconsistency and the Falcons’ run-heavy offense limit his upside. He’s riskier than the initial matchup presents with a healthy Falcons receiving core.
