Updated Fantasy Football TE Rankings Week 6: Who to start, best sleepers at tight end

Could the tight end position be back? For the first time this season, every tight end within the top-12 weekly finishers scored double-digit PPR points. It was also the first time this season that more than two tight ends scored 20-plus points in the same week.

For the sake of the sanity of fantasy managers everywhere, let's hope these trends continue into Week 6. If tight ends can continue to produce at respectable levels, the calls for them to be abolished from fantasy football may come to an end.

As we move into Week 6, let's take a look at how each tight end should be valued. We've got you covered with rankings for just about every fantasy-relevant player at the position, and then some.

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Fantasy TE Rankings Week 6: Who to start, sit at tight end

Rankings based on PPR scoring. These rankings were updated on Oct. 11 and will be updated throughout the week, so check back often. 

Those who have played already are listed in italics.

Who are the best fantasy TEs for Week 6?

At this point in the season, there are maybe six tight ends who you can feel comfortable rolling out in your lineup every week. With Travis Kelce on bye, that number is smaller this week.

If you have either George Kittle or Jake Ferguson, you're likely content with your tight end situation at the moment. Excluding Week 1 where he left with an injury, Ferguson is the per-game TE2. Kittle is averaging the most points per game at tight end. Both are "set it and forget it" options this season.

Two young studs, Trey McBride and Brock Bowers, have also kept fantasy managers happy this season. Both operate as high-volume, 1B pass catchers in their offense behind talented WR1s. Bowers has played one more game than McBride this season, so he's accumulated more points, but both are averaging 10.7 PPG. They'll have fantasy managers in good hands this season and for years to come.

Who are the TEs on byes in Week 6? 

Kansas City Chiefs: Travis Kelce got off to a slow start this season, but the injury to Rashee Rice has dramatically increased his fantasy value in the near future. He'll be an every-week starter when the Chiefs return.

Miami Dolphins: The Dolphins don't exactly have a fantasy-relevant tight end. Jonnu Smith is capable of compiling his way to productive days in PPR leagues, but he should only be used in case of emergency.

Minnesota Vikings: The bye week for the Vikings likely marks the return of star tight end T.J. Hockenson. He probably shouldn't be started in his return as he'll likely have some sort of ramp-up period. But Hockenson should be a bright spot at tight end down the stretch.

Los Angeles Rams: Given the current state of the tight end position, Colby Parkinson has been a low-end starter this season. Until Tyler Higbee returns from his ACL injury, Parkinson can be a starter for teams in shambles at tight end.

Who are the best fantasy TE waiver pickups for Week 6?

A trailing game script led to a pass-heavy offensive approach for the Jets. Tyler Conklin made the most out of Aaron Rodgers' 54 pass attempts and saw the ball thrown his way eight times. He turned his looks into six receptions for 55 yards. Conklin will have a hard time returning value as a starter unless the Jets are forced to throw at a high rate. In a Week 6 matchup against the Bills, this could be a game script that lifts Conklin to a top-12 finish at TE.

Jonnu Smith has now compiled his way to multiple weeks with double-digit production. In those two games, he racked up 11 receptions for 22.4 PPR points. The only issue is there's no real clarity on when Smith will assume a high-volume role. Along with his two games with 11-plus points, Smith has three games with less than four points. Picking up Smith is reserved for teams that have their TE on bye in a league where the waiver wire is barren.

WEEK 6 WAIVER WIRE ADVICE
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Who are the best fantasy TE sleepers for Week 6?

If you're looking for a tight end streamer, you're really just shooting for a handful of targets and seven PPR points. Zach Ertz is a candidate to provide just this. Through five games, Ertz is averaging 5.2 targets per game and has cleared seven PPR points in three games. He doesn't have much of a ceiling unless he finds the end zone, but he's unlikely to put up a goose egg like some other tight ends.

One of our waiver wire pickups, Tyler Conklin, falls into a similar category as Ertz. If a strong offensive performance from the Bills leads to the Jets throwing the ball at a high clip, Conklin will soak up a handful of underneath targets. A handful of targets and receptions should be enough to succeed as a bye week replacement.

What are the biggest TE injuries for Week 6?

There are a couple of lingering injuries at tight end that fantasy managers should keep an eye on this week. Evan Engram has been dealing with a hamstring injury that has kept him sidelined since Week 1. Engram was able to practice in a limited capacity before Week 5, so the odds are in his favor for a Week 6 return.

T.J. Hockenson is gearing up for a return in the near future. The Vikings opened Hockenson's 21-day practice window, indicating that he has a strong chance to return after the Vikings' Week 6 bye. Those who have Hockenson stashed on their bench should be monitoring practice reports.