Welcome to the tight end bye-pocalypse, where we lose four potential starters at a position that's already thinner than angel hair. Chances are, you might be looking for a sleeper or waiver wire streamer, and our Week 7 fantasy TE PPR rankings can help...sort of.
Let's start with who won't be available for fantasy owners: Tyler Higbee, Dawson Knox, Dallas Goedert, and Irv Smith Jr. Pat Freiermuth (concussion), Dalton Schultz (knee), and Logan Thomas (calf) sat out last week, while Darren Waller (hamstring) barely played in Week 5 before last week's bye, so those are three more potential starters who might not suit up this week.
On top of that, Hunter Henry (vs. Bears in Week 7), Evan Engram (vs. Giants), and Mike Gesicki (vs. Steelers) are all dealing with below-average matchups. In a week like this, even the "touchdown-or-bust" disappointments have potential value -- and as we saw last week, Henry and Gesicki can certainly have value.
WEEK 7 STANDARD RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
The top matchup-based sleepers this week are Freiermuth (@ Dolphins), Hayden Hurst (vs. Falcons), David Njoku (@ Ravens), and Schultz (vs. Lions). If you need to go deeper, you can try Greg Dulcich (@ Jets), Will Dissly or Noah Fant (@ Chargers), and Cole Kmet (@ Patriots). Juwan Johnson (@ Cardinals) is also a deep sleeper against a Cardinals' defense allowing by far the most fantasy points to TEs. You could also go with Robert Tonyan (@ Commanders), who's at least facing a poor pass defense and coming off a high-target game.
WEEK 7 PPR RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | D/STs | Kickers
The bottom line is there aren't many great answers at TE this week. Even most of the top players have brutal matchups. Travis Kelce (@ 49ers), Mark Andrews (vs. Browns), and Zach Ertz (vs. Saints) are facing the defenses that ranked Nos. 2, 3, and 4 in fewest fantasy points allowed entering Week 6, respectively. The teams that were No. 1 (Rams) and No. 5 (Bills) are off this week.
WEEK 7 DFS LINEUPS: FanDuel | DraftKings
So, if you don't have a consistent, high-target TE or Taysom Hill (whose floor is ultra-low in PPR leagues), you're probably not going to feel great about your starter this week. The good news is almost everyone in your league is going through it, even the owners with the studs. Pray for a TD or a bunch of cheap catches or look ahead to Week 8 when only two teams are on bye (unless you have Kelce or Gerald Everett, in which case...get ready to do it again next week).
WEEK 7 DFS: Best values | Best stacks
We'll be updating these TE PPR rankings as needed throughout the week, so check back for the latest changes and analysis.
WEEK 7 FANTASY PICKS: Sleepers | Busts | Start 'em, sit 'em
Week 7 fantasy TE PPR rankings
Rankings based on full-point PPR scoring
Rank Player
1 Mark Andrews, Ravens vs. Browns
2 Travis Kelce, Chiefs @ 49ers
3 George Kittle, 49ers vs. Chiefs
4 Gerald Everett, Chargers vs. Seahawks
5 Zach Ertz, Cardinals vs. Saints
6 David Njoku, Browns @ Ravens
7 Hayden Hurst, Bengals vs. Falcons
8 Pat Freiermuth, Steelers @ Dolphins
9 Kyle Pitts, Falcons @ Bengals
10 T.J. Hockenson, Lions @ Cowboys
11 Robert Tonyan, Packers @ Commanders
12 Dalton Schultz, Cowboys vs. Lions
13 Taysom Hill, Saints @ Cardinals
14 Juwan Johnson, Saints @ Cardinals
15 Foster Moreau, Raiders vs. Texans
16 Cole Kmet, Bears @ Patriots
17 Noah Fant, Seahawks @ Chargers
18 Greg Dulcich, Broncos vs. Jets
19 Will Dissly, Seahawks @ Chargers
20 Hunter Henry, Patriots vs. Bears
21 Mike Gesicki, Dolphins vs. Steelers
22 Evan Engram, Jaguars vs. Giants
23 Tyler Conklin, Jets @ Broncos
24 Cade Otton, Buccaneers @ Panthers
25 Kylen Granson, Colts @ Titans
26 Daniel Bellinger, Giants @ Jaguars
27 John Bates, Commanders vs. Packers
Week 7 TE PPR fantasy projections, rankings from Draft Sharks
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