There aren't many surprises left at any position by the time fantasy football championships roll around. You know the best players, best matchups, and best start 'em, sit 'em options on your team. Injuries can always throw a wrench into things, but for the most part, you're set at virtually every spot. Tight end could be the one exception, as "stars" often disappoint and streamers tend to flourish every week. Our Week 17 fantasy TE rankings for standard leagues can help you spot this week's potential sleepers and stayaways.
Outside of season-ending injuries to Kyle Pitts (knee) and Zach Ertz (shoulder) that fantasy owners have been dealing with for a while, tight end is pretty healthy right now. We'll have to monitor Hayden Hurst (calf), but otherwise, it should be full systems go for all the key TEs.
If you need a streamer this week, your best bets are Jordan Akins (vs. Jaguars in Week 17), Cole Kmet (@ Lions), and Tyler Conklin (@ Seahawks). All three see regular targets, and all have matchups against defenses that entered Week 16 in the top eight in fantasy points allowed to TEs. None are particularly consistent, though, so you'd be taking a major risk starting any with your season on the line.
WEEK 17 STANDARD RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | D/STs | Kickers
If you're in a deeper league and want to get even riskier, you could try Trey McBride (@ Falcons) and Anthony Firkser (vs. Cardinals). Only the Seahawks come close to allowing as many fantasy points to TEs as the Cardinals, so Firkser has some sneaky upside. His ceiling isn't that high because of limited targets, but it wouldn't be a shock to see him finish as a top-10 TE this week.
WEEK 17 PPR RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
There are plenty of bubble TEs in good spots this week, including Pat Freiermuth (@ Ravens), Dalton Schultz (@ Titans), Dawson Knox (@ Bengals), Greg Dulcich (@ Chiefs), and Gerald Everett (vs. Rams). Schultz has by far the best matchup, but Freiermuth and Dulcich should see plenty of targets against suspect pass defenses. (Update: Dulcich has been placed on the IR.) The Rams have been better against TEs the past couple of games, but Everett is still in play because of TD upside against a Rams' defense that's allowed a tight end score in six of the past nine games.
WEEK 17 DFS LINEUPS: DraftKings | FanDuel
As far as bad matchups, we'd be careful with Juwan Johnson (vs. Eagles), Darren Waller (vs. 49ers), and Evan Engram (@ Texans), but they all get enough targets and have high enough scoring potential that we'd start them in most 12-team leagues. (Update: With Jarrett Stidham starting for the Raiders, we've dropped Waller in our rankings.) We're not quite as optimistic about David Njoku (vs. Commanders) against fantasy's top TE defense, nor do we like Noah Fant (vs. Jets), Chig Okonkwo (vs. Cowboys), and Tyler Higbee (@ Chargers). Any could score a TD or break a big play, but the matchups suggest looking elsewhere. Higbee is the most intriguing given the way Baker Mayfield seems to have locked in on him.
Week 17 DFS: Best values
Overall, TE remains a tough position to handicap. At this stage in the season, fantasy owners are micromanaging every roster decision, so even a guy like Mark Andrews (vs. Steelers) could be on the start 'em, sit 'em bubble thanks to a tough matchup and recent struggles. We'd still start guys like Andrews and Dallas Goedert (@ Saints) despite bad situations, but virtually everyone else deserves a second look. If you opt to stick with them, that's fine, but do your due diligence to ensure you're putting out the best lineup possible.
WEEK 17 FANTASY PICKS: Sleepers | Busts | Start 'em, sit 'em
We'll be updating these standard TE rankings as needed throughout the week, so check back for the latest changes and analysis.
Week 17 fantasy TE rankings for standard leagues
Rankings based on standard, non-PPR scoring
Rank Player
1 Travis Kelce, Chiefs vs. Broncos
2 George Kittle, 49ers @ Raiders
4 T.J. Hockenson, Vikings @ Packers
3 Mark Andrews, Ravens vs. Steelers
5 Pat Freiermuth, Steelers @ Ravens
6 Dalton Schultz, Cowboys @ Titans
7 Dawson Knox, Bills @ Bengals
8 Evan Engram, Jaguars @ Texans
9 Dallas Goedert, Eagles vs. Saints
10 Juwan Johnson, Saints @ Eagles
11 Tyler Conklin, Jets @ Seahawks
12 Jordan Akins, Texans vs. Jaguars
13 Cole Kmet, Bears @ Lions
14 Gerald Everett, Chargers vs. Rams
15 Noah Fant, Seahawks vs. Jets
16 Taysom Hill, Saints @ Eagles
17 Hayden Hurst, Bengals vs. Bills
18 Tyler Higbee, Rams @ Chargers
19 Darren Waller, Raiders vs. 49ers
20 David Njoku, Browns @ Commanders
21 Trey McBride, Cardinals @ Falcons
22 Anthony Firkser, Falcons vs. Cardinals
23 Jeff Driskel, Texans vs. Jaguars
24 Chig Okonkwo, Titans vs. Cowboys
25 Shane Zylstra, Lions vs. Bears
26 Robert Tonyan, Packers vs. Vikings
27 Mike Gesicki, Dolphins @ Patriots
28 Hunter Henry, Patriots vs. Dolphins
29 Ian Thomas, Panthers @ Buccaneers
30 Austin Hooper, Titans vs. Cowboys
31 Cade Otton, Buccaneers vs. Panthers
32 Daniel Bellinger, Giants vs. Colts
33 Logan Thomas, Commanders vs. Browns
Week 17 TE fantasy projections, rankings from Draft Sharks
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