As an example, Jared Cook is listed below as a "start" for Week 4. And I'd feel comfortable going into Week 4 with him as my starting tight end.
That said, he may be a sit for your team.
In other words, if you owned both Travis Kelce and Cook, you should start Kelce -- and in turn, bench Cook.
So while you won't find absolute start-sit recommendations below (use my Week 4 Fantasy Football Rankings for that instead), the goal here is to highlight some players that I like (and would feel comfortable starting) as well as some players that I dislike for this week (and would prefer to keep on my bench).
Week 4 Fantasy Football TE Start'em
TE - Jared Cook, Oakland Raiders (vs. CLE)
Through three weeks, Cook has a total of 18 receptions for a TE-leading 260 yards on 22 targets. Scoring the fifth-most fantasy points amongst tight ends in standard-scoring formats, only Kansas City's Travis Kelce has more PPR points than Cook and only Philadelphia's Zach Ertz has more receptions than the Raider tight end.
Granted, Cook went off for 9/180 on 12 targets in Week 1, but he has four and five receptions, respectively, over the past two weeks. With the rash of injuries -- Delanie Walker, Greg Olsen and Evan Engram -- this season decimating an already-weak position, Cook has top-six upside this week.
TE - Eric Ebron, Indianapolis Colts (vs. HOU)
Missing last week and practice on Wednesday, Jack Doyle could be held out another week. If so, Ebron stands to receive another heavy dose of targets. Ebron missed practice himself on Wednesday, but he returned as a full practice participant on Thursday. While he only had five catches for 33 yards in Week 3, the 11 targets with Doyle sidelined is very encouraging for his Week 4 outlook.
TE - O.J. Howard, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (at CHI)
With Jameis Winston suspended for the first three weeks, Ryan Fitzpatrick became the first quarterback in NFL history to throw for 400 yards in three consecutive games. Given their Week 5 bye and short week (after playing on Monday Night Football), it's likely that Fitzpatrick starts at least one more week even if the team is not yet willing to declare a starter.
Going into the season, most expected Howard to take a step forward in his sophomore campaign and he has. Setting season highs last week with six receptions on eight targets, Howard finished with 72 yards and now has more than 50 yards in three consecutive games. Heading into Week 4, Howard has 11/222/1 on 14 targets and the second-most fantasy points (fourth in PPR).
Week 4 Fantasy Football TE Sit'em
As noted above, there have been several key injuries at tight ends. With three top-10 tight ends (based on ADP) suffering multi-week or even season-ending injuries, it made a weak position weaker. With bye weeks beginning this week, fantasy owners have to deal with Jordan Reed not playing this week as well.
That said, the majority of the tight ends that sit outside of top 12 feel somewhat obvious as tight ends you'd prefer to sit.
TE - Jesse James, Pittsburgh Steelers (vs. BAL)
With eight catches for 198 yards and a touchdown in his first two games, James was targeted only once against the Bucs. Meanwhile, Vance McDonald went off for 4/112/1, which included a 75-yard touchdown. With both tight ends healthy, I would expect McDonald to outproduce James as a receiving option and it could be another quiet outing for James. In addition, the Ravens have allowed the seventh-fewest fantasy points to opposing tight ends this season.
TE - Will Dissly, Seattle Seahawks (at ARI)
As expected, Dissly's Week 1 performance (3/105/1) remains his best performance of the season up to this point although he followed that up with a touchdown in Week 2 as well. Against the Cowboys in Week 3, Dissly had just one catch for four yards on three targets. Except for weeks where he scores, which I suppose is the case for most tight ends, he's unlikely to have a top-12 fantasy performance.
TE - Charles Clay, Buffalo Bills (at GB)
Once a borderline TE1, Clay has a total of four catches for 47 yards on eight targets this season. Perhaps he becomes more of a safety valve for a rookie quarterback on a WR-deficient squad as the season progresses, but he should remain on benches (and more precisely, waiver wires) in standard-sized leagues.
- More Fantasy Football Start'em, Sit'em for Week 4
Week 4 Fantasy Football Rankings:
- Week 4 Fantasy Football QB Rankings
- Week 4 Fantasy Football RB Rankings
- Week 4 Fantasy Football WR Rankings
- Week 4 Fantasy Football TE Rankings
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