Fantasy Football Pulse Check: Happy National Tight End Day!

Happy National Tight Ends Day!

In true tight end fashion, the entire league surprised us with a BOOM week to rival any week. Last week we had eight total touchdowns from tight ends. This week we were blessed with 16 touchdowns in the afternoon games, a National Tight Ends Day record. Since this is an official football holiday, I decided to give out awards to the entire group midway through the season. While the tight ends were unusual Extra This week, there are some key insights and trends we can pay attention to to help determine the value of the position for the rest of the season and get a quick pulse check on who we can actually rely on moving forward.

The “Rising to the Occasion” Award

Cade Otton, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Otton was non-existent in the first two games of the season – and by non-existent I mean one reception on four goals. After that slow start, Otton established himself in a steady role in the Buccaneers' offense. He averaged more than seven goals per game in Weeks 3-7 and was TE9 in points per game average during that span, with 8.6 fantasy points in half-PPR. Last week he broke through with eight balls on 10 for 100 yards after Mike Evans left early due to injury. This week, with both Evans and Chris Godwin sidelined, Otton was Baker Mayfield's most reliable target, recording nine receptions on 10 targets for 81 yards and two touchdowns – a career-high for the third-year tight end. We expected Otton to step up in the Bucs' receiving corps given the injuries, but he exceeded our expectations and delivered a TE1 performance overall.

Pulse control: How much can we trust Otton in the future?

This week was a favorable game against Atlanta, but the upcoming matchups aren't as kind. But regardless of the opponent, Mayfield only had two games with fewer than two touchdown passes all season. The Bucs' receiver corps lacks confidence and experience, and unless they trade for another receiver, Otton Mayfield will likely be their main target until Evans returns following her bye in Week 11.

The Don't Look Now but They're on a Role Awards

Kyle Pitts, Atlanta Falcons

I'm whispering low here so as not to jinx it… but since Week 5, Pitts has averaged 13.5 fantasy points per game in half-PPR, with his worst finish being TE13. Today was the Kyle Pitts day we've been waiting for: four receptions for 91 yards and two touchdowns. Pitts has developed into the deep threat we knew he could be. It was a favorable game, but Kirk Cousins ​​distributed the ball fairly evenly and Pitts capitalized on his opportunities in impressive fashion.

Pulse control: Is Kyle Pitt's SZN officially back on track?

Let's be realistic – two of Pitts' last four games have come against Tampa Bay, whose pass defense is undeniably terrible. It's no coincidence that he finished these matchups as TE6 and TE2. Last week's performance against Seattle, where Pitts had seven balls for 65 yards and finished with 10 fantasy points (TE11), might be a more realistic expectation for him. Still, it's fantastic to see him reach this ceiling after years of hoping for some sort of breakthrough. Cousins ​​maximizes the true potential of all of Atlanta's previously penniless fantasy assets. Even if the upcoming schedule isn't exactly fantastic, Pitts remains a mid-range TE1, a set-it-and-(kind of) forget it option.

Mark Andrews, Baltimore Ravens

After a rough start to the fantasy season that saw Andrews score two straight weeks of zero points in Weeks 3 and 4, fantasy managers were willing to dump him and find another option. The Ravens' offense was inconsistent when targeting tight ends and relied heavily on blocking by Derrick Henry, who was dominant. As the Ravens have made adjustments, Andrews has found a more consistent role.

Pulse control: What's real and what's a mirage about Andrews' recent resurgence?

Since those back-to-back zeroes, Andrews' snap count has remained low, hovering around 50%, with his maximum targets sitting at five. However, he has been efficient and the touchdowns are flowing. With Lamar Jackson playing at an MVP level, the Ravens have plenty of scoring opportunities, giving all players fantasy potential. Although relying on touchdowns is risky, it is similar to Sam LaPorta's success in 2023, who relied on touchdowns when yardage was minimal. However, we must proceed with caution. Without a touchdown, Andrews won't put up TE1 numbers. Nevertheless, his goal potential makes him a worthy starting option again.

Tucker Kraft, Green Bay Packers

Speaking of touchdown-dependent tight ends, Kraft has caught five touchdowns in the last five weeks since solidifying his role as a TE1 in Green Bay. His catches are modest – just 24 this season – but he has five touchdowns on 20% of his catches. In a Packers offense where Jordan Love distributes the ball, you want touchdown equity, and that's exactly what Kraft provides.

Pulse control: Can Kraft remain a TE1 ROS?

I'm confident Kraft is a mid-range TE1, but we have a problem: Love injured his groin this week. We don't know the severity yet, but with Love out and Malik Willis stepping in, expect a shift in Green Bay's offense. Matt LaFleur managed the Packers' offense efficiently despite Love being sidelined earlier this season, focusing on the ground game and reducing pass volume. Strength could still be an option if Love misses time, but we should proceed with caution, especially since tight ends have become a bit more reliable as of late.

Redemption Award.

General pulse check: Which of the “redeemed” tight ends will actually be redeemed?

David Njoku, Cleveland Browns

At the start of this season I was worried about David Njoku. He is a dynamic player, but the connection to Deshaun Watson presented challenges. With Watson out for the season and Jameis Winston now at QB, Njoku's season feels safe and reliable. While he's not the first player in this offense – Cedric Tillman moved up after the Amari Cooper trade and Elijah Moore and Jerry Jeudy are contributing – Winston's 41 attempts this week provide more opportunities for all pass catchers. If you give Njoku volume he will thrive. Njoku now has a legitimate TE1 advantage.

Sam LaPorta, Detroit Lions

2024 was a challenge for Sam LaPorta's managers. Before this week, he had only reached double-digit fantasy points once. The lack of production was puzzling, especially since the Lions faced pass-friendly defenses early on. LaPorta's touchdown dependency is a major problem as Jameson Williams emerges as the Lions' WR2. This week, Williams served the first of his two-game suspension and LaPorta turned in his best performance, catching all six of his targets for 48 yards and a touchdown. LaPorta should be a reliable TE1 next week, but if Williams returns, LaPorta becomes a risky player with a tough playoff schedule. If you are in a position to act, now might be a good time to check him out.

Evan Engram, Jacksonville Jaguars

Technically, Engram was outplayed by Brenton Strange (tight end tag, am I right?), but it was still a solid day for him with four receptions on five targets for 36 yards and a touchdown. Engram's performance hasn't been great, but since returning from a four-game absence and a difficult opening game with just one reception for five yards, he has seen 19 targets in the last three games. He remains a top target in the Jaguars' offense, who will need to keep the volume up in the face of upcoming matchups with high-powered offenses that will completely obliterate their defense.

The “Mr. “Reliable” award.

Trey McBride, Arizona Cardinals

Not much needs to be said about Trey McBride's recent performance. This was his best game of the season with nine balls on 11 targets for 124 yards. McBride was one of the most reliable tight ends in the league and provided consistent volume as a second option for Kyler Murray. He's scored no less than six times per game, and while he doesn't have a significant touchdown rate (just three last season, none this season), his high volume is reliable.

The “situation price”.

Tyler Conklin, New York Jets; Mike Gesicki, Cincinnati Bengals; Josh Oliver, Minnesota Vikings

There's no real pulse check here, but Gesicki stands out as a player whose situational advantage could remain. Gesicki always showed great performances in games in which Tee Higgins was unavailable. With Higgins dealing with a leg injury, Gesicki had seven balls on eight targets for 73 yards. This mirrors a similar performance in Week 2 when Higgins was sidelined. Gesick is less of a tight end and more of a big receiver, so swapping him with another big receiver like Higgins is an easy transition. Cincinnati faces a favorable matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 9, and if Higgins is out, Gesicki is a solid streaming option.

The Afternoon Slate mentions

This article is written primarily for the early games, but we have enough information about the afternoon roster to consider tight end day with strong performances across the board from Dalton Kincaid, Adam Trautman, Travis Kelce, Brock Bowers and Zach Ertz to denote success to others.

The big takeaway from this group is the continued increase in volume for Kelce. DeAndre Hopkins didn't play a big role in his first game with the Chiefs – although it will be interesting to see the snap count and whether his presence helped give Xavier Worthy a strong day. Kelce remained the clear first look for Mahomes with 10 receptions on 12 for 90 yards and a touchdown.