Fantasy Football TE PPR Rankings Week 4: Who to start, best sleepers at tight end

Matt Lutovsky

Fantasy Football TE PPR Rankings Week 4: Who to start, best sleepers at tight end image

Tight has been as bad -- if not worse -- than most of us expected heading into the season. Some key early injuries have been part of the reason for the disappointing results, but for the most part, it's just been good old-fashioned disappointments. Our Week 4 fantasy TE PPR rankings can help you find the best of the worst if you don't have one of the top-tier options. 

There is some good news when a position disappoints -- it doesn't take much for your TE to finish in the top 10 in a given week. A quick look at the rankings before last week showed several late-round or undrafted tight ends in the top 12 despite not scoring a touchdown yet this year (Zach Ertz, Cole Kmet, Dalton Kincaid). This shows how much targets and receptions matter at this position even if big yardage days and TDs don't follow.

We'll do our best to highlight the potential studs, sleepers, and stumblers to get you ready for your Week 4 TE start 'em, sit 'em decisions.

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Who are the best fantasy TEs Week 4?

Travis Kelce (@ Jets), T.J. Hockenson (@ Panthers), Mark Andrews (vs. Browns), Darren Waller (vs. Seahawks), and George Kittle (vs. Cardinals) remain our top five TEs this week. There's no reason to stray from any, especially with both Kittle and Waller getting notoriously bad TE defenses. They're not as reliable as in the past, but they're still talented and big parts of their respective offenses.

WEEK 4 STANDARD RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers

We also think Evan Engram (vs. Falcons) remains a must-start. He'll likely be more inconsistent than last year with so many mouths to feed in Jacksonville, but he gets steady targets and has a fairly favorable matchup this week in London.

WEEK 4 PPR RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | D/STs | Kickers

Who are the best fantasy TE sleepers, waiver pickups Week 4?

If Logan Thomas (@ Eagles) clears concussion protocol and returns this week, he'll be a nice sleeper against an Eagles' defense that has struggled against TEs in the early going. Thomas has seen steady targets when healthy, too, so he has slightly more value in PPR leagues. The same goes for Luke Musgrave (vs. Lions), Sam LaPorta (@ Packers), and Zach Ertz (@ 49ers). The targets/receptions should be there for all three, but given Ertz's matchup, he might not do much else. LaPorta is basically a must-start at this point after his big breakout in Week 3.

Dalton Kincaid (vs. Dolphins) and Chig Okonkwo (vs. Bengals) also have seemingly favorable matchups against defenses that haven't fared particularly well against TEs so far this year. Neither has done a ton, but Kincaid has seen a decent number of targets while Okonkwo always has big-play potential, so you could do a lot worse if you need to take a chance.

We also have to mention Taysom Hill (vs. Buccaneers), who could resume his "goal-line back" role with Jamaal Williams (hamstring) on the IR and Derek Carr (shoulder) hurting. Hill finished as the TE9 in PPR leagues last year, so even though he's far riskier in PPR formats, he can easily finish in the top 10 in any given week.

WEEK 4 FANTASY: Sleepers | Busts | Start 'em, sit 'em

Who are the biggest potential fantasy TE busts Week 4?

It has to be tough for owners of Kyle Pitts (vs. Jaguars), Pat Freiermuth (@ Texans), and Dallas Goedert (vs. Commanders) to stick with their relatively high draft picks. We still think they're higher-ceiling plays than any of the TEs ranked below them -- especially this week when none have particularly intimidating matchups -- but if you want to look for greener pastures, we don't blame you. 

Hunter Henry (@ Cowboys) and Jake Ferguson (vs. Patriots) have tough matchups, but we still think Henry is worth starting because of his frequent targets. Ferguson also sees a decent number of looks (at least seven in two-of-three games), but he's much more of a TD-or-bust option this week. 

WEEK 4 DFS:
DK lineup | FD lineup | Best values | Best stacks

What are the biggest TE injuries Week 4?

Irv Smith Jr. (hamstring) and Logan Thomas (concussion) were the two biggest TEs who missed Week 3. Smith Jr. (@ Titans) isn't on the starting TE radar even if he returns, but, as we mentioned earlier, Thomas (@ Eagles) has breakout potential if he's back on the field. If he remains out, Cole Turner would be a deep sleeper this week.

We'll be updating these TE PPR rankings throughout the week, so check back for the latest player movement and analysis.

Fantasy TE PPR Rankings Week 4: Who to start, sit at tight end

Rankings based on full-point PPR formats

Rank    Player
1    Travis Kelce, Chiefs @ Jets
2    T.J. Hockenson, Vikings @ Panthers
3    Mark Andrews, Ravens vs. Browns
4    Darren Waller, Giants vs. Seahawks
5    George Kittle, 49ers vs. Cardinals
6    Evan Engram, Jaguars vs. Falcons
7    Sam LaPorta, Lions @ Packers
8    Kyle Pitts, Falcons vs. Jaguars
9    Dallas Goedert, Eagles vs. Commanders
10    Pat Freiermuth, Steelers @ Texans
11    Hunter Henry, Patriots @ Cowboys
12    Logan Thomas, Commanders @ Eagles
13    Luke Musgrave, Packers vs. Lions
14    Jake Ferguson, Cowboys vs. Patriots
15    Zach Ertz, Cardinals @ 49ers
16    Taysom Hill, Saints vs. Buccaneers
17    Cade Otton, Buccaneers @ Saints
18    Chigoziem Okonkwo, Titans vs. Bengals
19    Dalton Kincaid, Bills vs. Dolphins
20    Hayden Hurst, Panthers vs. Vikings
21    Gerald Everett, Chargers vs. Raiders
22    Cole Kmet, Bears vs. Broncos
23    Tyler Higbee, Rams @ Colts
24    Kylen Granson, Colts vs. Rams
25    Dawson Knox, Bills vs. Dolphins
26    Tyler Conklin, Jets vs. Chiefs
27    Juwan Johnson, Saints vs. Buccaneers
28    David Njoku, Browns vs. Ravens
29    Dalton Schultz, Texans vs. Steelers
30    Durham Smythe, Dolphins @ Bills
31    Mike Gesicki, Patriots @ Cowboys
32    Michael Mayer, Raiders @ Chargers

Week 4 TE PPR fantasy projections, rankings from Draft Sharks

Draft Sharks projections for the new week will update every Tuesday and be constantly adjusted throughout the week

We're proud to offer SN Fantasy readers an exclusive look at Draft Sharks’ award-winning projections and rankings every week. To see Draft Sharks' Week 4 3D floor-to-ceiling projections for tight ends -- plus get access to all of Draft Sharks' industry-leading tools -- become a Draft Sharks' member today at the link below!

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Matt Lutovsky

Matt Lutovsky Photo

Matt Lutovsky has been a writer and editor for The Sporting News since 2007, primarily writing about fantasy sports, betting, and gaming.