So much for that "tight end depth" we thought we had going into last week. Injuries (Kyle Pitts, Dawson Knox) and byes (Titans, Texans, Raiders, Lions) have our Week 6 fantasy TE PPR rankings limping along on life support. Fortunately, there are a few decent sleeper options if you're in need of a waiver-wire streamer.
The bye weeks take away T.J. Hockenson and Darren Waller, which is a huge hit at an already-thin position like TE. Pitts (hamstring), Knox (hamstring, foot), and Logan Thomas (calf) sat out last week, and Pat Freiermuth (concussion) got dinged up during his game. We'll have to monitor their statuses closely leading up to Sunday.
The sad thing is you might not want to play Pitts (vs. 49ers in Week 6) even if he is active. He's been a disappointment this year, and now he gets a brutal matchup coming off an injury. It's still tough to sit Pitts in a weakened week like this, especially in PPR leagues. For all of Pitts' faults, he entered Week 5 10th in TE targets (22).
WEEK 6 PPR RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | D/STs | Kickers
Two of this season's biggest breakouts, Tyler Conklin (@ Packers) and Hayden Hurst (@ Saints) also have matchups against top-10 TE defenses. The disappointing Dalton Schultz (@ Eagles) is also in that boat. Conklin had seen consistently solid targets before Week 5's shutout, but Hurst and Schultz have even lower floors (and ceilings) than usual. Travis Kelce (@ Bills) and Dallas Goedert (vs. Cowboys) also have brutal matchups, but you shouldn't worry about them.
WEEK 6 DFS: Best stacks | Best values
Freiermuth or Zach Gentry (vs. Buccaneers), David Njoku (vs. Patriots), Will Dissly (vs. Cardinals), Irv Smith Jr. (@ Dolphins), and Evan Engram (@ Colts) all have top-10 matchups (though we question just how "bad" Tampa will be against rookie Kenny Pickett and the Steelers), and in deeper leagues, you can consider Noah Fant (vs. Cardinals), and Mike Gesicki (vs. Vikings). These players don't have as much appeal in PPR leagues (though Smith has seen decent targets the past three games), but the favorable matchups at least point to more yards and a better shot at a TD.
WEEK 6 STANDARD RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
Taysom Hill (vs. Bengals) also doesn't have as much appeal in PPR leagues since he has just one reception on the season, but given his explosive ceiling, he has to be considered in all formats where he's eligible at tight end.
WEEK 6 DFS LINEUPS: FanDuel | DraftKings
TE touchdowns are important every week, but this is the type of week where they can make or break the position. Red-zone TE targets are important, and while there isn't a ton of differentiation for the mid-tier players yet, Njoku (6 entering Week 5), Robert Tonyan (4), Smith Jr. (4), and Dissly (3) stand out as guys a little more likely to score.
WEEK 6 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 6 fantasy TE PPR rankings
Rankings based on full-point PPR scoring
Rank Player
1 Mark Andrews, Ravens @ Giants
2 Travis Kelce, Chiefs vs. Bills
3 Zach Ertz, Cardinals @ Seahawks
4 George Kittle, 49ers @ Falcons
5 Dallas Goedert, Eagles vs. Cowboys
6 Tyler Higbee, Rams vs. Panthers
7 Gerald Everett, Chargers vs. Broncos
8 David Njoku, Browns vs. Patriots
9 Dawson Knox, Bills vs. Chiefs
10 Kyle Pitts, Falcons vs. 49ers
11 Hayden Hurst, Bengals @ Saints
12 Tyler Conklin, Jets @ Packers
13 Evan Engram, Jaguars @ Colts
14 Irv Smith Jr., Vikings @ Dolphins
15 Taysom Hill, Saints vs. Bengals
16 Will Dissly, Seahawks vs. Cardinals
17 Robert Tonyan, Packers vs. Jets
18 Noah Fant, Seahawks vs. Cardinals
19 Mike Gesicki, Dolphins vs. Vikings
20 Dalton Schultz, Cowboys @ Eagles
21 Zach Gentry, Steelers vs. Buccaneers
22 Hunter Henry, Patriots @ Browns
23 Cole Kmet, Bears vs. Commanders
24 Daniel Bellinger, Giants vs. Ravens
25 John Bates, Commanders @ Bears
26 Cameron Brate, Buccaneers @ Steelers
27 Mo Alie-Cox, Colts vs. Jaguars
28 Adam Trautman, Saints vs. Bengals
Week 6 TE PPR fantasy projections, rankings from Draft Sharks
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