Last week was loaded with viable tight end studs and sleepers. This week....not so much. Between six byes and some key injuries, our Week 13 fantasy TE rankings for standard leagues are thinner than we'd like this time of year, but we must soldier on and find the best start 'em, sit 'em options for your must-win matchups.
Having a stable TE goes a long way to separating the pretenders from the contenders, but if you're forced to play the streaming game, there are always a few viable sleepers who can be difference-makers. This week is no different, so it's just a matter of finding the best options.
With that in mind, let's break down our Week 13 TE rankings.
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Which TEs are on bye in Week 13?
The Ravens (Isaiah Likely), Bills (Dalton Kincaid), Raiders (Michael Mayer), Vikings (T.J. Hockenson), Giants (Daniel Bellinger), and Bears (Cole Kmet) are off this week, taking away two "must-starts" and two more "often starts" in most 12-team leagues.
WEEK 13 STANDARD RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | D/STs | Kickers
Fortunately, we only lose one highly favorable TE matchup (Chicago). In fact, four of the bye-week defenses entered last week in the top 12 in fewest fantasy points per game (FPPG) allowed to TEs, so that helps both the upper and middle tier.
WEEK 13 PPR RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
Who are the best fantasy TEs in Week 13?
Travis Kelce (@ Packers in Week 13), Dalton Schultz (vs. Broncos), Evan Engram (vs. Bengals), George Kittle (@ Eagles), and David Njoku (@ Rams) make up our top five this week. Schultz gets the top TE matchup on the board, so expect a bounce-back after his shocking Week 12 no-show, while the oft-targeted Njoku and Engram also get top-five matchups.
Sam LaPorta (@ Saints) is probably the last "must-start" thanks to his steadiness and slightly favorable matchup. You can really put these top six in any order, as all have high floors and high ceilings.
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) disappointed last week against Dallas, but he should bounce back in a slightly favorable matchup against the Dolphins' up-and-down pass defense. Kyle Pitts (@ Jets) also disappointed last week, but he also has a decent matchup this week, giving him a slightly better outlook than usual.
Going deeper, Tyler Conklin (vs. Falcons), Juwan Johnson (vs. Lions), Jonnu Smith (@ Jets), and Hunter Henry (vs. Chargers) are all widely available options with favorable matchups. The Jets have tightened up against TEs considerably since early in the year, but we still think Smith has enough big-play ability to put up decent numbers against them. Yes, he has just one catch in his past two games combined, but he had 100 yards and a TD in the game before that. Conklin has the highest floor in this group, but Smith and Henry both have higher ceilings. Johnson has the best floor/ceiling combo, as he could see more targets than usual given all the injuries to New Orleans' WR corps.
In really deep leagues, you could think about Chig Okonkwo (vs. Colts) and Tanner Hudson (vs. Jaguars). Okonkwo is better suited for standard leagues, and Hudson has a little more upside in PPR leagues.
WEEK 13 DFS:
DK lineup | FD lineup | Best stacks | Best values
Who are the biggest potential fantasy TE busts in Week 13?
Trey McBride (@ Steelers) and Jake Ferguson (vs. Seahawks) are both tough to sit, especially in a week with so many notable byes, but neither has a particularly good matchup. McBride is safer than Ferguson given his steady targets, but Ferguson is always a candidate for a touchdown.
Taysom Hill (vs. Lions) has a favorable matchup on paper, but considering he doesn't really play TE, the numbers don't tell the full story. Detroit remains a top run defense, and since that's how Hill racks up a lot of his fantasy points, he's riskier than you might initially think. That said, we still like his upside given all the injuries to New Orleans' other pass-catchers.
We'd also be careful with Pat Freiermuth (vs. Cardinals) and Tyler Higbee (vs. Browns) despite their huge games last week. The outlook on Freiermuth is a little more optimistic because of the Steelers' wholesale offensive changes, but he, like Higbee, has a bottom-eight TE matchup. That also goes for Gerald Everett (@ Patriots) and Tucker Kraft (vs. Chiefs), who both scored last week.
What are the biggest TE injuries in Week 13?
Dallas Goedert (forearm) is the biggest injury to watch throughout the week. He was never placed on IR, which indicates that the Eagles expected him to miss fewer than four games. This would be his third missed game if he's out, so it's reasonable to think he has a shot at suiting up.
Check back for the latest updates to our standard TE rankings throughout the week.
Fantasy TE Rankings Week 13: Who to start, sit at tight end
Rankings based on standard, non-PPR scoring
Rank Player
1 Travis Kelce, Chiefs @ Packers
2 Evan Engram, Jaguars vs. Bengals
3 George Kittle, 49ers @ Eagles
4 David Njoku, Browns @ Rams
5 Sam LaPorta, Lions @ Saints
6 Taysom Hill, Saints vs. Lions
7 Logan Thomas, Commanders vs. Dolphins
8 Trey McBride, Cardinals @ Steelers
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 Hunter Henry, Patriots vs. Chargers
16 Chigoziem Okonkwo, Titans vs. Colts
17 Tanner Hudson, Bengals @ Jaguars
18 Jonnu Smith, Falcons @ Jets
19 Tyler Higbee, Rams vs. Browns
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 fantasy projections, rankings from Draft Sharks
Draft Sharks projections for the new week will update every Tuesday and be constantly adjusted throughout the week
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