Fantasy Football TE PPR Rankings Week 9: Who to start, best sleepers at tight end

Matt Lutovsky

Fantasy Football TE PPR Rankings Week 9: Who to start, best sleepers at tight end image

Remember last week, when every team was in action, and the studs and sleepers were overflowing at every position? Good times. This week...not so much, at least at the tight end position. Even just a quick glance at our Week 9 fantasy TE PPR rankings lets you know there's a shortage of "must-starts" and viable sleepers available. 

We'll explain why in a minute, but the "why" doesn't matter nearly as much as the "who" -- as in, who should you start if you don't have one of the top-tier options. In a week like this, you can just as easily opt to take a chance with a boom-or-bust guy or simply play it safe with a lower-ceiling, higher-floor player.

Now that we know the backdrop, let's get to the main event and discuss the outlook for fantasy's toughest position heading into Week 9.

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Who are the TEs on bye in Week 9?

Four-team byes don't get much worse at the tight end position. The Lions (Sam LaPorta), Jaguars (Evan Engram), and 49ers (George Kittle) being off means three top-eight TEs are out of action. 

WEEK 9 PPR RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRsD/STs | Kickers

To add insult to injury, the Jaguars, Lions, and Broncos were all in the top four in most fantasy points per game (FPPG) allowed to TEs entering last week. That means we're down three "must-starts" and three potential high-scoring studs and/or sleepers this week. Ouch.

WEEK 9 STANDARD RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers

Who are the best fantasy TEs in Week 9?

As usual, Travis Kelce (vs. Dolphins in Week 9) is in the top spot, and T.J. Hockenson (@ Falcons) is holding strong at No. 2 even with Minnesota's uncertainty at QB. Both have matchups against teams that entered last week in the top 10 in FPPG allowed to TEs, and both have as high of floors and ceilings as any TE in the NFL. Dalton Kincaid (@ Bengals), who also has a top-10 matchup, Mark Andrews (vs. Seahawks), and Dallas Goedert (vs. Cowboys) finish off the top five. 

Kyle Pitts (vs. Vikings) is likely also locked into lineups in 12-team leagues given the lack of top options and safe sleepers.

WEEK 9 FANTASY ADVICE:
Sleepers | Busts | Projections | Start 'em, sit 'em

Who are the best fantasy TE sleepers, pickups, & streamers in Week 9?

Despite three poor TE defenses being out and four more top-12 matchups going to "must-starts," there are a few favorable matchups for under-the-radar/widely available TEs. Luke Musgrave (vs. Rams) and Dalton Schultz (vs. Buccaneers) headline that list, but Jake Ferguson (@ Eagles) and Taysom Hill (vs. Bears) also have fairly solid floors and high ceilings thanks to their consistent usage. Hill's value takes a bit of a hit in PPR leagues, but few TEs have multi-TD upside like he does.

Boom-or-bust options in favorable matchups include Gerald Everett (or Donald Parham Jr. if Everett is out), who actually has the top TE matchup against the Jets, Cade Otton (@ Texans), and Tyler Conklin (vs. Chargers). None of these three TEs have high floors, but they're in decent situations this week.

WEEK 9 DFS:
DK lineup | FD lineup | Best values | Best stacks

Who are the biggest potential fantasy TE busts in Week 9?

You're not going to sit someone like Andrews (vs. Seahawks) this week (or any week) just because he has a tough matchup, but you don't have to take a risk with someone like Logan Thomas (@ Patriots), Cole Kmet (@ Saints), David Njoku (vs. Cardinals), Tyler Higbee (@ Packers), Chig Okonkwo (@ Steelers), or Trey McBride (@ Browns). All have matchups against defenses that entered last week in the bottom-12 in FPPG allowed to TEs, so even with Thomas, Njoku, and McBride playing well, they're not sure things. If you're just looking for "high-floor" PPR plays, those three still qualify, but some of the sleepers mentioned above have higher ceilings this week.

Hunter Henry and Mike Gesicki (vs. Commanders) have a favorable matchup, but neither is seeing consistent targets in a mediocre Patriots' passing offense. You can do better.

What are the biggest TE injuries in Week 9?

Tight end is relatively healthy right now. Other than Pat Freiermuth (hamstring), who's on IR until at least Week 11, Darren Waller (hamstring) is the only other top TE in danger of missing Week 9. Daniel Bellinger (@ Raiders) would start in his place.

Gerald Everett (hip) missed last week and looks iffy for Week 9. He has a prime matchup, so if he's out, Donald Parham Jr. (@ Jets) would be a top sleeper.

We'll keep our eyes open for missed practices this week, but fantasy owners can focus on matchups and usage more than injuries.

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 9: Who to start, sit at tight end

Rankings based on full-point PPR formats

Rank    Player
1    Travis Kelce, Chiefs vs. Dolphins
2    T.J. Hockenson, Vikings @ Falcons
3    Dalton Kincaid, Bills @ Bengals
4    Mark Andrews, Ravens vs. Seahawks
5    Dallas Goedert, Eagles vs. Cowboys
6    Kyle Pitts, Falcons vs. Vikings
7    Jake Ferguson, Cowboys @ Eagles
8    Dalton Schultz, Texans vs. Buccaneers
9    Taysom Hill, Saints vs. Bears
10    Luke Musgrave, Packers vs. Rams
11    Logan Thomas, Commanders @ Patriots
12    David Njoku, Browns vs. Cardinals
13    Gerald Everett, Chargers @ Jets
14    Cade Otton, Buccaneers @ Texans
15    Trey McBride, Cardinals @ Browns
16    Michael Mayer, Raiders vs. Giants
17    Tyler Conklin, Jets vs. Chargers
18    Jonnu Smith, Falcons vs. Vikings
19    Cole Kmet, Bears @ Saints
20    Hunter Henry, Patriots vs. Commanders
21    Tyler Higbee, Rams @ Packers
22    Connor Heyward, Steelers vs. Titans
23    Chigoziem Okonkwo, Titans @ Steelers
24    Mike Gesicki, Patriots vs. Commanders
25    Hayden Hurst, Panthers vs. Colts
26    Juwan Johnson, Saints vs. Bears
27    Daniel Bellinger, Giants @ Raiders
28    Noah Fant, Seahawks vs. Ravens
29    Durham Smythe, Dolphins vs. Chiefs
30    Irv Smith Jr., Bengals vs. Bills

Week 9 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 9 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.