Shocker -- the tight end position has been unproductive through the first three weeks of the regular season. We'll save time lecturing you about starting your studs if you have a top-tier guy. This is one position where fantasy football owners are rarely tempted to steamer a waiver wire pickup over a consistent starter, especially this season. Our Week 4 fantasy TE PPR rankings don't differ much from past editions, but there are a few potential sleepers possibly starting to emerge.
Especially in PPR, we're going to overreact any time a tight end sees a lot of targets -- like Maxx Williams in Week 2 who saw seven targets (but followed it up with three last week). Last week, Tyler Conklin (eight targets) was a surprise standout, and he remains an interesting play against Cleveland this week. Pat Freiermuth (@ Packers) is another guy who had a solid Week 3, and with Pittsburgh suffering some key WR injuries, he's in play as a potential streaming option against a Green Bay defense that's had problems with TE this year. Austin Hooper (@ Vikings) can also be considered with Jarvis Landry (knee) out.
WEEK 4 PPR RANKINGS:
Quarterback | Running back | Wide receiver | D/ST | Kicker
Jared Cook was a dud at Kansas City, but he was drawing Tyrann Mathieu in coverage often. Las Vegas' defense has looked better overall, but it was roasted for 10 catches and 86 yards by Mike Gesicki last week. Cook is in play in PPR leagues. Kyle Pitts (vs. Washington) had his worst game in his early NFL career in Week 3, but there's almost nothing he can do to free fall in the rankings. Based on talent and passing volume alone, his ceiling remains sky-high. Cole Kmet (vs. Lions) has also a small amount of appeal given his matchup, but with Chicago's offense stuck in the mud, he's tough to trust.
WEEK 4 STANDARD RANKINGS:
Quarterback | Running back | Wide receiver | Tight end | D/ST | Kicker
Hunter Henry and Jonnu Smith (vs. Buccaneers) get the treat of being matched up with Lavonte David and Devin White in Week 3, but the Bucs have allowed a fair amount of catches to TEs, so perhaps one or both can have some PPR value. Gesicki (vs. Colts) has a tough matchup, but he's at least in the conversation again in PPR leagues.
WEEK 4 DFS LINEUPS: DraftKings | FanDuel | Yahoo
To put it mildly, this position is flat-out gross to evaluate. We know fantasy football involves a fair amount of luck, but if you don't have a consistent stud at the position, you might as well be playing with fire when putting your trust in a middle-of-the-pack tight end. We haven't even been able to completely rely on Pitts, George Kittle, Mark Andrews, Noah Fant, or T.J. Hockenson this year. If you drafted Travis Kelce or Darren Waller this year, then congratulations. If not, you share our frustration.
MORE WEEK 4 DFS: Best stacks | Best values | Lineup Builder
NOTE: We'll continue to update these TE PPR rankings throughout the week, so check back for the latest player movement and analysis. For individual analysis of key TEs, click here.
WEEK 4 FANTASY: Start 'em, sit 'em | Sleepers | Busts
Fantasy TE PPR Rankings Week 4: Who to start at tight end
Rankings based on full-point PPR scoring
Rank | Player |
1 | Travis Kelce, KC @ PHI |
2 | Darren Waller, LV @ LAC |
3 | T.J. Hockenson, DET @ CHI |
4 | George Kittle, SF vs. SEA |
5 | Logan Thomas, WAS @ ATL |
6 | Noah Fant, DEN vs. BAL |
7 | Mark Andrews, BAL @ DEN |
8 | Kyle Pitts, ATL vs. WAS |
9 | Dallas Goedert, PHI vs. KC |
10 | Tyler Higbee, LAR vs. ARI |
11 | Robert Tonyan Jr., GB vs. PIT |
12 | Jared Cook, LAC vs. LV |
13 | Pat Freiermuth, PIT @ GB |
14 | Mike Gesicki, MIA vs. IND |
15 | Evan Engram, NYG @ NO |
16 | Dalton Schultz, DAL vs. CAR |
17 | Hunter Henry, NE @ TB |
18 | Tyler Conklin, MIN vs. CLE |
19 | Cameron Brate, TB @ NE |
20 | Jonnu Smith, NE @ TB |
21 | Austin Hooper, CLE @ MIN |
22 | Cole Kmet, CHI vs. DET |
23 | Zach Ertz, PHI vs. KC |
24 | Dawson Knox, BUF vs. HOU |
25 | Tyler Kroft, NYJ vs. TEN |
26 | Jack Doyle, IND @ MIA |
27 | Maxx Williams, ARI @ LAR |
28 | Juwan Johnson, NO vs. NYG |
29 | Adam Trautman, NO vs. NYG |
30 | Albert Okwuegbunam, DEN vs. BAL |
31 | Eric Ebron, PIT @ GB |
32 | Blake Jarwin, DAL vs. CAR |
33 | Pharaoh Brown, HOU @ BUF |
34 | C.J. Uzomah, CIN vs. JAX |
35 | Anthony Firkser, TEN @ NYJ |
36 | Mo Alie-Cox, IND @ MIA |
37 | Jimmy Graham, CHI @ MIN |
38 | Will Dissly, SEA @ SF |
39 | David Njoku, CLE @ MIN |
40 | Hayden Hurst, ATL vs. WAS |