Fantasy Football TE Rankings Week 12: Who to start, best sleepers at tight end

Matt Lutovsky

Fantasy Football TE Rankings Week 12: Who to start, best sleepers at tight end image

It stands to reason that our Week 12 fantasy TE rankings for standard leagues are deeper than usual this week. There aren't any byes, and injuries are still manageable. However, what really sets this week apart is the high number of favorable matchups for upper-tier and mid-tier TEs, which creates plenty of studs and potential streamers.

That's big for owners of Mark Andrews (ankle) and Dallas Goedert (forearm). We know Andrews is out, and Goedert, despite avoiding the IR, still feels like a long shot to play. Fortunately, there are reinforcements available on the waiver wire, which we'll discuss in a minute.

With all that in mind, let's get to it and break down our Week 12 TE rankings.

MORE: Watch NFL RedZone live with Sling (50% off first month)

Which TEs are on bye in Week 12?

The NFL is giving fantasy owners a break for Thanksgiving, scheduling all 32 teams to be in action. 

WEEK 12 PPR RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers

Last week saw Taysom Hill, Kyle Pitts, Hunter Henry, and Jonnu Smith get some time off, but just as important, it took away two favorable TE matchups. With the Falcons and Colts back in action, there are even more viable streamers this week.

WEEK 12 STANDARD RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | D/STs | Kickers

Who are the best fantasy TEs in Week 12?

Travis Kelce (@ Raiders in Week 12), T.J. Hockenson (vs. Bears), Dalton Schultz (vs. Jaguars), Dalton Kincaid (@ Eagles), and Trey McBride (vs. Rams) make up our top five this week. Hockenson, Schultz, and McBride all face defenses that entered last week in the top six in fantasy points per game (FPPG) allowed to TEs, while Kincaid faces an Eagles defense that checked in tied for 12th. 

David Njoku (@ Broncos), Evan Engram (@ Texans), and Sam LaPorta (vs. Packers) are also "must-starts." Engram and Njoku face two of the worst four TE defenses in the league, and LaPorta has been as steady as almost any TE all season despite a recent downtick in production.

WEEK 12 FANTASY ADVICE:
Sleepers | Busts | Projections | Start-sit

Who are the best fantasy TE sleepers, pickups, & streamers in Week 12?

Pat Freiermuth (vs. Bengals), who played for the first time since Week 4 last week, is a solid option in 12-team leagues against a Bengals' defense that entered last week allowing the third-most FPPG to TEs (yes, really). Isaiah Likely (@ Chargers), who figures to see six-plus targets most weeks as Mark Andrews' replacement, Luke Musgrave (@ Lions), and Taysom Hill (@ Falcons) are also great options against bottom-10 TE defenses. (UPDATE: Musgrave reportedly went to the hospital on Tuesday because of an abdominal injury. At this point, fantasy owners shouldn't expect him to suit up against the Lions on Thursday. Tucker Kraft will likely start and has some DFS appeal, but he shouldn't be trusted in season-long leagues.)

Going deeper, Tyler Conklin (vs. Dolphins), Juwan Johnson (@ Falcons), Cade Otton (@ Colts), and Jonnu Smith (vs. Saints) also have upside against below-average TE defenses. All see inconsistent targets, but they've shown in the past they can exploit favorable matchups.

WEEK 12 DFS:
DK lineup | FD lineup | Best values | Best stacks

Who are the biggest potential fantasy TE busts in Week 12?

Virtually all noteworthy TEs have favorable or neutral matchups this week. George Kittle (@ Seahawks) and Cole Kmet (@ Vikings) have slightly below-average matchups, but they should be started in most 10-team leagues and virtually all 12-team leagues.

Jake Ferguson (vs. Commanders) and Logan Thomas (@ Cowboys) are also in slightly unfavorable positions, but neither has a prohibitively tough matchup. If you can't get a better option, you should be fine with these guys, especially in PPR leagues.

What are the biggest TE injuries in Week 12?

Mark Andrews (ankle) is expected to join Darren Waller (hamstring) on the IR this week, making Dallas Goedert (forearm) the most important "questionable" TE we'll need to monitor throughout the week. It seems unlikely that he'll suit up, but it was promising that Philadelphia didn't put him on the IR last week.

Gerald Everett (chest) also missed last week, but even if he returns against the Ravens, neither he nor Donald Parham Jr. will be a recommended start with so many other solid options available.

Fantasy TE Rankings Week 12: Who to start, sit at tight end

Rankings based on standard, non-PPR scoring

Rank    Player
1    Travis Kelce, Chiefs @ Raiders
2    T.J. Hockenson, Vikings vs. Bears
3    Dalton Kincaid, Bills @ Eagles
4    Dalton Schultz, Texans vs. Jaguars
5    Trey McBride, Cardinals vs. Rams
6    David Njoku, Browns @ Broncos
7    Evan Engram, Jaguars @ Texans
8    Sam LaPorta, Lions vs. Packers
9    Cole Kmet, Bears @ Vikings
10    George Kittle, 49ers @ Seahawks
11    Isaiah Likely, Ravens @ Chargers
12    Pat Freiermuth, Steelers @ Bengals
13    Taysom Hill, Saints @ Falcons
14    Logan Thomas, Commanders @ Cowboys
15    Kyle Pitts, Falcons vs. Saints
16    Jake Ferguson, Cowboys vs. Commanders
17    Cade Otton, Buccaneers @ Colts
18    Tyler Conklin, Jets vs. Dolphins
19    Tucker Kraft, Packers @ Lions
20    Jonnu Smith, Falcons vs. Saints
21    Juwan Johnson, Saints @ Falcons
22    Hunter Henry, Patriots @ Giants
23    Tyler Higbee, Rams @ Cardinals
24    Michael Mayer, Raiders vs. Chiefs
25    Chigoziem Okonkwo, Titans vs. Panthers
26    Gerald Everett, Chargers vs. Ravens
27    Tanner Hudson, Bengals vs. Steelers
28    Julian Hill, Dolphins @ Jets
29    Noah Fant, Seahawks vs. 49ers
30    Daniel Bellinger, Giants vs. Patriots
31    Mike Gesicki, Patriots @ Giants
32    Adam Trautman, Broncos vs. Browns
33    Tommy Tremble, Panthers @ Titans

Week 12 TE 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 12 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!

TRY DRAFT SHARKS FREE: Dominate with exclusive tools, including Free-Agent Finder & Trade Navigator!

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.