Fantasy Football TE PPR Rankings Week 13: Who to start, best sleepers at tight end

Matt Lutovsky

Fantasy Football TE PPR Rankings Week 13: Who to start, best sleepers at tight end image

Just one week after one of our most loaded rankings of the season, our Week 13 fantasy TE PPR rankings get thin in a hurry. Blame the six byes, blame the lack of reliable sleepers, blame whatever you want -- the bottom line is there's the top-tier tight ends...and there's everyone else.

The good news is that there are still enough decent options to go around in 10-team leagues. Things get a little tighter in 12-team formats, but if you find the right streamer, you can make it through the week with a decent number from your TE spot.

Now that we know the backdrop, let's break down our Week 13 TE rankings.

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Who are the TEs on bye in Week 13?

Two of fantasy's top TEs, T.J. Hockenson and Dalton Kincaid, are on bye this week, along with two top depth pieces (Cole Kmet and Isaiah Likely). Michael Mayer has been a decent streamer at times this year, and Darren Waller (hamstring), who's now eligible to come off the IR, will have to wait another week before potentially returning to action.

WEEK 13 PPR RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | D/STs | Kickers

The good news is that despite six byes, we only lose one highly favorable TE matchup (Bears). Four of the bye-week defenses (Giants, Bills, Raiders, Ravens) entered last week in the top 11 in fewest fantasy points per game (FPPG) allowed to TEs.

WEEK 13 STANDARD RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers

Who are the best fantasy TEs in Week 13?

Once again, Travis Kelce (@ Packers in Week 13), tops our TE rankings, and he's followed by Dalton Schultz (vs. Broncos), Evan Engram (vs. Bengals), David Njoku (@ Rams), and George Kittle (@ Eagles). Schultz, Njoku, and Engram all have top-five matchups, while Kittle had been on a four-game roll before last week's dud.

Sam LaPorta (@ Saints) remains a must-start after getting over his mini-slump last week. Despite some disappointments last week (mainly from Schultz and Kittle), all six of these TEs have high floors and high ceilings in their above-average matchups.

WEEK 13 FANTASY ADVICE: Sleepers | Busts | Projections | Start-sit

Who are the best fantasy TE sleepers, pickups, & streamers in Week 13?

Logan Thomas (vs. Dolphins) and Kyle Pitts (@ Jets) aren't must-starts, but both have above-average matchups this week and should see ample targets. It will be tough to keep them out of lineups in 12-team leagues despite both disappointing last week.

In deep leagues, you can consider Tyler Conklin (vs. Falcons), Juwan Johnson (vs. Lions), Hunter Henry (vs. Chargers), and Jonnu Smith (@ Jets). If you can't get one of those TEs, you could try Chig Okonkwo (vs. Colts) and Tanner Hudson (@ Jaguars).

Conklin and Hudson have both seen steady targets over the past few weeks, while Henry and Johnson are always threats to score. They could also see more targets than usual with all the injuries to the Pats' and Saints' WR corps. Okonkwo and Smith are big-play specialists best suited for standard leagues, but they can work in PPR formats if you're desperate.

WEEK 13 DFS:
DK lineup | FD lineup | Best stacks | Best values

Who are the biggest potential fantasy TE busts in Week 13?

It's tough to sit Trey McBride (@ Steelers), especially in a PPR league, but he has a tough matchup against Pittsburgh's top-five TE defense this week. Jake Ferguson (vs. Seahawks) is in a similar spot, and since he's more TD-dependent, he's a little easier to sit if you can find a better option.

Taysom Hill (vs. Lions) looks like he has a favorable matchup, but keep in mind that while Detroit isn't great against TEs, it is strong against the run, which is where Hill picks up a lot of his fantasy points. He still has a high ceiling because of all the injuries to New Orleans' WRs, but, as always, he has more appeal in standard leagues.

Pat Freiermuth (vs. Cardinals) and Tyler Higbee (vs. Browns) are both coming off huge games, but they're still risky this week because of their bottom-eight TE matchups. The same goes for Week 12 TD scorers Gerald Everett (@ Patriots) and Tucker Kraft (vs. Chiefs).

What are the biggest TE injuries in Week 13?

All eyes will be on Dallas Goedert (forearm) this week as he inches closer to a return. He should be considered more doubtful than questionable at this point, but he'll need to be monitored in practice.

We'll be updating these TE PPR rankings throughout the week, so check back for the latest player movement and analysis.

Fantasy TE PPR Rankings Week 13: Who to start, sit at tight end

Rankings based on full-point PPR formats

Rank    Player
1    Travis Kelce, Chiefs @ Packers
2    Evan Engram, Jaguars vs. Bengals
3    David Njoku, Browns @ Rams
4    George Kittle, 49ers @ Eagles
5    Sam LaPorta, Lions @ Saints
6    Trey McBride, Cardinals @ Steelers
7    Logan Thomas, Commanders vs. Dolphins
8    Taysom Hill, Saints vs. Lions
9    Kyle Pitts, Falcons @ Jets
10    Jake Ferguson, Cowboys vs. Seahawks
11    Brevin Jordan, Texans vs. Broncos
12    Pat Freiermuth, Steelers vs. Cardinals
13    Tyler Conklin, Jets vs. Falcons
14    Juwan Johnson, Saints vs. Lions
15    Tanner Hudson, Bengals @ Jaguars
16    Hunter Henry, Patriots vs. Chargers
17    Chigoziem Okonkwo, Titans vs. Colts
18    Tyler Higbee, Rams vs. Browns
19    Jonnu Smith, Falcons @ Jets
20    Cade Otton, Buccaneers vs. Panthers
21    Mike Gesicki, Patriots vs. Chargers
22    Tucker Kraft, Packers vs. Chiefs
23    Gerald Everett, Chargers @ Patriots
24    Adam Trautman, Broncos @ Texans
25    Tommy Tremble, Panthers vs. Buccaneers
26    Noah Fant, Seahawks @ Cowboys

Week 13 TE PPR fantasy projections, rankings from Draft Sharks

Draft Sharks projections for the new week will update every Tuesday and be constantly adjusted throughout the week

We're proud to offer SN Fantasy readers an exclusive look at Draft Sharks’ award-winning projections and rankings every week. To see Draft Sharks' Week 13 3D floor-to-ceiling projections for tight ends -- plus get access to all of Draft Sharks' industry-leading tools -- become a Draft Sharks' member today at the link below!

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Matt Lutovsky

Matt Lutovsky Photo

Matt Lutovsky has been a writer and editor for The Sporting News since 2007, primarily writing about fantasy sports, betting, and gaming.