It continues to be a rough -- and surprising -- season for tight ends. The top three-to-five in our Week 6 fantasy TE rankings for standard leagues might not be all that surprising, but the overall leaders in fantasy points on the season are not what anyone expected on draft day.
Of course, we're always looking forward, not backward, so just because Cole Kmet is running nearly even Travis Kelce so far this year doesn't mean he's going to be ranked next to him this week (especially when Kelce has a top-five TE matchup). Still, we have to start reacting more strongly to what we've actually seen on the field and stop giving certain TEs the benefit of the doubt based on past production or perceived talent.
With five weeks worth of data at our disposal, we can more reliably pinpoint potential sleepers, busts, and high-floor options who will likely come through in any matchup. With that in mind, let's break down the TE landscape ahead of Week 6.
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Which TEs are on bye in Week 6?
The Steelers (Pat Freiermuth) and Packers (Luke Musgrave) are on bye this week. Musgrave has developed into a bye-week streamer/low-end starter in deep leagues, so he'll be missed. Freiermuth was also out last week while dealing with a hamstring injury, so his owners are used to being without him.
WEEK 6 STANDARD RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | D/STs | Kickers
Who are the best fantasy TEs in Week 6?
Travis Kelce (vs. Broncos in Week 6), T.J. Hockenson (@ Bears), Mark Andrews (vs. Titans in London), Sam LaPorta (vs. Buccaneers), and Dallas Goedert (@ Jets) make up our top five this week. Goedert finally broke out last week, and the Jets entered Week 5 allowing the most fantasy points per game (FPPG) to TEs before giving up a score to little-used Adam Trautman. Goedert will keep the good times rolling in this premium matchup.
Evan Engram (vs. Colts) checks in at No. 6 and is likely the last "must-start" despite a relatively mediocre matchup on paper. Engram has been solid in terms of consistent targets and high-floor production, though, so we like him to come through once again.
WEEK 6 PPR RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
Who are the best fantasy TE sleepers, pickups, & streamers in Week 6?
Almost all of this week's top matchups go to lower-owned TEs, so there's no shortage of sleepers. Headlining that list are Logan Thomas (@ Falcons) and Tyler Conklin (vs. Eagles). Thomas has been a targets' machine when on the field, and this week, he faces a Falcons' defense that entered Week 5 allowing the seventh-most FPPG to TEs before getting torched by Dalton Schultz. Conklin has a similar matchup, as Philadelphia was allowing the third-most. We'll also include the struggling Hunter Henry (@ Raiders) here given his plus matchup.
Zach Ertz (@ Rams), Cade Otton (vs. Lions), and Noah Fant (@ Bengals) are also all facing defenses that entered last week in the top eight in FPPG allowed to tight ends. Ertz has more value in PPR leagues, while Otton and Fant profile more as boom-or-bust standard league plays, but all can work if you're in a pinch.
If you really need to dig deep, Kylen Granson (@ Jaguars) and Hayden Hurst (@ Dolphins) also have top-10 TE matchups, but both are pretty TD-dependent.
WEEK 6 FANTASY ADVICE:
Sleepers | Busts | Projections | Start 'em, sit 'em
Who are the biggest potential fantasy TE busts in Week 6?
George Kittle (@ Browns), Darren Waller (@ Bills), and Jake Ferguson (@ Chargers) all have matchups against top-15 TE defenses, with Waller having by far the toughest draw. Buffalo entered Week 5 allowing the third-fewest FPPG to the position. Waller and Kittle will likely be in most lineups (especially in deep leagues), but you don't have to blindly start them given their inconsistencies.
We're also not particularly excited about borderline guys like David Njoku (vs. 49ers), Kyle Pitts or Jonnu Smith (vs. Commanders), or Dalton Schultz (vs. Saints). Pitts and Schultz are both coming off big games, so we don't blame you for sticking with them, but the matchups are brutal on paper.
WEEK 6 DFS:
DK lineup | FD lineup | Best values | Best stacks
What are the biggest TE injuries in Week 6?
Greg Dulcich (hamstring) has been on IR because of an injury suffered in the opening week, but he's eligible to return on Thursday night against Kansas City. There's been radio silence on Dulcich since the injury, and considering Denver has barely used its TEs this year anyway, there's no reason to have him in your lineup this week even if he does return.
Juwan Johnson (calf) failed to practice and missed last week, so his status is closer to doubtful than questionable for Week 6's matchup in Houston. Foster Moreau (@ Texans) will continue to start in his place.
Of course, the big situation to watch is Travis Kelce's ankle. He returned and scored against Minnesota last week, but high-ankle sprains can actually get worse after a day or two of rest. With the Chiefs playing on Thursday against the Broncos, Kelce is no sure thing to suit up. Noah Gray (vs. Broncos) would start in his place and be a legit streaming option if Kelce can't go.
We'll be updating these standard TE rankings throughout the week, so check back for the latest player movement and analysis.
Fantasy TE Rankings Week 6: Who to start, sit at tight end
Rankings based on standard, non-PPR scoring
Rank Player
1 Travis Kelce, Chiefs vs. Broncos
2 T.J. Hockenson, Vikings @ Bears
3 Mark Andrews, Ravens vs. Titans
4 Sam LaPorta, Lions @ Buccaneers
5 Dallas Goedert, Eagles @ Jets
6 Evan Engram, Jaguars vs. Colts
7 Logan Thomas, Commanders @ Falcons
8 Hunter Henry, Patriots @ Raiders
9 George Kittle, 49ers @ Browns
10 Cole Kmet, Bears vs. Vikings
11 Darren Waller, Giants @ Bills
12 Jake Ferguson, Cowboys @ Chargers
13 Zach Ertz, Cardinals @ Rams
14 Tyler Conklin, Jets vs. Eagles
15 Cade Otton, Buccaneers vs. Lions
16 Dalton Schultz, Texans vs. Saints
17 Noah Fant, Seahawks @ Bengals
18 Kyle Pitts, Falcons vs. Commanders
19 Tyler Higbee, Rams vs. Cardinals
20 Hayden Hurst, Panthers @ Dolphins
21 Jonnu Smith, Falcons vs. Commanders
22 Dalton Kincaid, Bills vs. Giants
23 Kylen Granson, Colts @ Jaguars
24 Foster Moreau, Saints @ Texans
25 David Njoku, Browns vs. 49ers
26 Chigoziem Okonkwo, Titans vs. Ravens
27 Taysom Hill, Saints @ Texans
28 Dawson Knox, Bills vs. Giants
29 Gerald Everett, Chargers vs. Cowboys
30 Durham Smythe, Dolphins vs. Panthers
31 Mike Gesicki, Patriots @ Raiders
32 Michael Mayer, Raiders vs. Patriots
Week 6 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
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