Start 'Em, Sit 'Em tight ends: Week 13 fantasy football

Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em tight ends: Week 13 fantasy football

Posted by Admin November 28, 2024 Football

We have made it through “Byemageddon,” during which six teams were on a bye week. Now, it’s time for Week 13, with all 32 teams back in action. Don’t forget to set your lineups early, with three games scheduled on Thursday’s Thanksgiving holiday.

Breakout tight ends like Brock Bowers, Trey McBride and Cade Otton have become a luxury to add to the likes of veterans Travis Kelce, George Kittle and Mark Andrews but there are still difficult decisions to be made in Week 13. The fantasy football playoffs are almost here. Whether you have clinched a spot, fighting to get in, or clawing to stay out of dreaded last place, inserting the right tight end into your lineup this week could make or break your fantasy football season.

Here is a breakdown of who you should start and who you should sit at tight end in Week 13 of the fantasy football season.

Fantasy football start ’em: Week 13 TEs

Tucker Kraft, Packers (vs. Dolphins)

Jordan Love has battled a knee injury and groin injury this season, but he has proven to be healthy since the Packers’ bye in Week 10. Kraft has benefited during healthy stretches for Love this season, reeling in 6-of-9 targets for 53 yards and a touchdown in Week 4, and followed it up with an outstanding four-catch, 88-yard, two-touchdown performance against the Rams in Week 5. Kraft’s breakout campaign is back on for the second half of the season.

Green Bay will be without wide receiver Romeo Doubs (concussion), setting the stage for Kraft to take on a larger target share. The Packers will host the Dolphins in the final game on Thanksgiving, and Miami is middle-of-the-road defending tight ends but is tied with the second-most receptions allowed per game to the position. Count on Kraft.

Hunter Henry, Patriots (vs. Colts)

For the third consecutive week, Hunter Henry is a start candidate. The New England Patriots will meet the Colts at home in Week 13. The veteran tight end has been a solid streaming option this season and a yo-yo start/sit each week. Patriots No. 3 overall pick Drake Maye continues to improve each week, and as a result, fantasy managers have been able to trust Henry to produce.

Henry is New England’s leading receiver and has run the most routes for the team this season. Gus Bradley’s defense is always vulnerable in the middle, shallow areas of the field. Indy has allowed the eighth-most fantasy points per game to tight ends. They have allowed the fourth-most receptions per game to tight ends.

Pat Freiermuth, Steelers (vs Bengals)

The Steelers travel to Cincinnati to play the Bengals in Week 13 on Sunday. Pittsburgh is eager to bounce back after their tough “Thursday Night Football” loss in Week 12 in the snow against the Browns. Since Russell Wilson took over under center, Freiermuth has posted two top 15 weeks and two outside the top 30. This week, he’s in a good spot to finish inside the top 10 against the Bengals, who have allowed the second-most fantasy points per game to opposing tight ends.

Last season in Cincy, the Steelers tight end finished as the top tight end after a career-best nine receptions and a 120-yard performance. The Bengals have allowed a touchdown to tight end in three straight games. “Muth” chants will echo throughout Paycor Stadium on Sunday.

Fantasy football sit ’em: Week 13 TEs

Cole Kmet, Bears (vs. Lions)

You may not be considering Cole Kmet for your lineups in Week 13, but if you are, this is for you. The Bears will meet the Lions to begin the Thanksgiving festivities on Thursday, but Kmet will not be feasting at the table.

Detroit has allowed the fewest fantasy points to opposing tight ends in 2024. The veteran is coming off one of his best games of the season, but the Bears trio of receivers will likely do most of the damage through the air. Detroit has allowed the most receptions to opposing wide receivers, so look for D.J. Moore, Keenan Allen and Rome Odunze to be featured.

Dalton Kincaid, Bills vs. 49ers

The Bills’ second-year tight end hasn’t delivered the elite production fantasy owners who drafted him were hoping for in 2024. He has finished as a top-ten tight end twice in the first 10 games of the season. Buffalo hosts San Francisco in Week 13, and the matchup isn’t appealing. The Niners have allowed the fifth-fewest fantasy points to tight ends. Kincaid is coming off a knee injury and missed the Bills’ Week 10 matchup before the bye, so don’t expect a full workload in his first game back.

Keon Coleman could also return, Khalil Shakir is a steady target option, and the acquisition of Amari Cooper has pushed Kincaid down the totem pole as a receiving option for Josh Allen. He is approaching touchdown dependency. The Niners’ defense has held opposing tight ends in check. With linebacker Fred Warner patrolling the the field, tight ends typically struggle against San Fran. Last week, Kraft was held to just two receptions for 26 yards, although he did find the end zone. With so many mouths to feed in Buffalo, you can’t count on Kincaid.