If you thought the past two weeks were tough on tight ends between all the injuries and key byes, then you'll probably think this week is pretty tough, too. A six-team bye has thinned out our Week 9 fantasy TE PPR rankings, but fortunately, there are still plenty of sleepers and waiver-wire streamers available to fantasy football owners.
First, let's get to who won't be available this week. George Kittle is the best bye-week TE, but Pat Freiermuth and rising star Greg Dulcich are also key idle TEs. Dalton Schultz, David Njoku (ankle)/Harrison Bryant, and the Giants' TEs are also off, but even more important, Mark Andrews (shoulder, knee) and Darren Waller (hamstring) figure to be "questionable," at best, because of injuries.
Clearly, some sleepers will be needed, and the best option available in over 50 percent of Yahoo leagues is Evan Engram (vs. Raiders in Week 9). Engram has seen 29 targets over his past four games, so he's an especially solid, high-floor play in PPR leagues. The Raiders entered Week 8 allowing the third-most fantasy points per game (FPPG) to TEs, so Engram could threaten for the top-scoring TE this week.
WEEK 9 PPR RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | D/STs | Kickers
Going a bit deeper, Juwan Johnson (vs. Ravens), Robert Tonyan (@ Lions), Hunter Henry (vs. Colts), and Will Dissly (@ Cardinals) are also facing bottom-10 TE defenses. Johnson could lose some luster if Adam Trautman (ankle) is back, but he still figures to operate as New Orleans' top pass-catching TE. Dissly also competes for targets with Noah Fant, but he's shown a knack for finding the end zone while getting four-plus targets per game. These players, with the possible exception of Tonyan, are riskier in PPR formats, but they're still in good spots this week.
WEEK 9 STANDARD RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
Some of the other top TE matchups are hogged by must-start TEs (Zach Ertz vs. Seahawks, Tyler Higbee @ Buccaneers, Gerald Everett @ Falcons), but for those in deep leagues, you could try Logan Thomas (vs. Vikings), Cole Kmet (vs. Dolphins), and Fant (@ Cardinals), who also face bottom-10 TE defenses.
WEEK 9 DFS LINEUPS: DraftKings | FanDuel
There are a few bubble TEs we're not excited about this week, including Hayden Hurst (vs. Panthers), T.J. Hockenson (@ Commanders), Dawson Knox (@ Jets), and Cade Otton (vs. Rams). Knox doesn't have a high enough floor in PPR leagues for us to recommend him as a "must-start," and Hockenson could see fewer snaps than usual with his new team. Kyle Pitts (vs. Chargers) is similar, but as we all saw last week, he always possesses a high ceiling.
WEEK 9 DFS: Best stacks | Best values
We're not saying you should definitely bench any of the above TEs. Most still get a solid number of targets and have plenty of PPR upside, but it's at least worth considering some of the sleepers mentioned above instead. In a week like this, it's all about finding players who make sense for your team based on whether you're a big underdog or favorite. "Safe" points are never a bad thing, but at TE, it's tough to bank on those.
WEEK 9 FANTASY PICKS: Sleepers | Busts | Start 'em, sit 'em
We'll be updating these TE PPR rankings as needed throughout the week, so check back for the latest changes and analysis.
Week 9 fantasy TE PPR rankings
Rankings based on full-point PPR scoring
Rank Player
1 Travis Kelce, Chiefs vs. Titans
2 Zach Ertz, Cardinals vs. Seahawks
3 Tyler Higbee, Rams @ Buccaneers
4 Gerald Everett, Chargers @ Falcons
5 Dallas Goedert, Eagles @ Texans
6 Darren Waller, Raiders @ Jaguars
7 Evan Engram, Jaguars vs. Raiders
8 Kyle Pitts, Falcons vs. Chargers
9 Isaiah Likely, Ravens @ Saints
10 Taysom Hill, Saints vs. Ravens
11 Robert Tonyan, Packers @ Lions
12 Hunter Henry, Patriots vs. Colts
13 Juwan Johnson, Saints vs. Ravens
14 T.J. Hockenson, Vikings @ Commanders
15 Will Dissly, Seahawks @ Cardinals
16 Hayden Hurst, Bengals vs. Panthers
17 Cole Kmet, Bears vs. Dolphins
18 Logan Thomas, Commanders vs. Vikings
19 Dawson Knox, Bills @ Jets
20 Noah Fant, Seahawks @ Cardinals
21 Tyler Conklin, Jets vs. Bills
22 Cade Otton, Buccaneers vs. Rams
23 Mike Gesicki, Dolphins @ Bears
24 Brock Wright, Vikings @ Commanders
25 Kylen Granson, Colts @ Patriots
Week 9 TE PPR fantasy projections, rankings from Draft Sharks
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