Fantasy TE Rankings Week 3: Who to start, sit at tight end in fantasy football

Matt Lutovsky

Fantasy TE Rankings Week 3: Who to start, sit at tight end in fantasy football image

Through two weeks, tight end continues to be one of the most frustrating positions in fantasy football. Like all spots in your lineup, there have been some surprise breakouts and disappoints -- neither of which we can say are "for real" yet -- but tight end is seemingly the most random. Aside from the top tier, it's tough to know who to trust, but our Week 3 fantasy TE rankings for standard leagues are here to help you decide who to start.

Of course, it would be easier if we had more matchup data. The Cardinals, Lions, and Ravens have had issues covering TEs in both Weeks 1 and 2, which could mean good things for Tyler Higbee (@ Cardinals in Week 3), Irv Smith Jr. (vs. Lions), and Hunter Henry (vs. Ravens). On the flip side, a lot of teams have done well against TEs in the season's first two weeks, with the 49ers, Rams, and Bears among the best. That spells bad news for Albert Okwuegbunam (vs. 49ers in Week 3) and O.J. Howard (@ Bears), who did nothing last week anyway, but we're not going to shy away from Zach Ertz (vs. Rams) just because of a possible unfavorable matchup.

Ertz remains a "must-start" for now, but a couple guys losing their grips on that status are Dalton Schultz (@ Giants) and T.J. Hockenson (@ Vikings). Generally speaking, we'd still trust them more than the average TE (when healthy -- Schultz went down late last week with an apparent knee injury and seems unlikely to play this week), at least until we get more matchup numbers, but there are very few "set 'em and forget 'em" plays at this position. It doesn't help when one of the old reliables, George Kittle (@ Broncos), is battling a groin injury. We're hoping Kittle can make his season debut this week in what should be a decent matchup, but that obviously that's still in question. Fortunately, Ertz looks to be completely over his calf injury, so that's a plus.

WEEK 3 STANDARD RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | D/STs | Kickers

If you drafted Kittle, hopefully you picked up someone like Gerald Everett (vs. Jaguars), who's been one of the true "breakouts" so far this year with 14 targets, 125 yards, and a score. Everett has undoubtedly been helped by Keenan Allen's hamstring injury, so it remains to be seen how he'll perform with a fully healthy Allen for a full game. Still, we like what we've seen from Everett so far, and at this position, that's a ringing endorsement. Logan Thomas (vs. Eagles), Evan Engram (@ Chargers), Hayden Hurst (vs. Jets) and Tyler Conklin (@ Bengals) have also been early surprises, at least in terms of targets. Thomas and Engram look especially good this week, but all could pop for six-plus catches or a TD at any time.

WEEK 3 PPR RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers

Conversely, Noah Fant (vs. Falcons), Robert Tonyan (@ Buccaneers), and Cole Kmet (vs. Texans) have all disappointed mightily so far. It's tough to completely write off any of these talented players, but they have to start producing soon. Chances are, they will right after you drop them, but in shallow leagues, you might not have much of a choice. At the very least, continue to monitor their targets, and if even those start to increase, it's probably a sign they're due for solid games. Fant and Kmet both face soft defenses this week, so perhaps breakouts are in order.

WEEK 3 DFS LINEUPS: FanDuel | DraftKings | Yahoo

Chasing points is usually a fool's errand at any position, and that's especially true at tight end. However, this early in the year, if a TE is getting consistent snaps and targets, it might not be chasing points. It might just be chasing this year's surprise breakout. As long as you pay attention to the numbers that really matter, you should be able to give yourself a good chance at production from this notoriously fickle position.

WEEK 3 DFS: Best values | Best stacks

We'll be updating these standard TE rankings as needed throughout the week, so check back for the latest changes and analysis.

WEEK 3 FANTASY PICKS: Sleepers | Busts | Start 'em, sit 'em

Week 3 fantasy TE rankings for standard leagues

Rankings based on standard, non-PPR scoring

Rank Player
1 Travis Kelce, Chiefs @ Colts
2 Mark Andrews, Ravens @ Patriots
3 Darren Waller, Raiders @ Titans
4 Kyle Pitts, Falcons @ Seahawks
5 George Kittle, 49ers @ Broncos
6 Pat Freiermuth, Steelers @ Browns
7 Zach Ertz, Cardinals vs. Rams
8 Dallas Goedert, Eagles @ Commanders
9 Tyler Higbee, Rams @ Cardinals
10 Dawson Knox, Bills @ Dolphins
11 Gerald Everett, Chargers vs. Jaguars
12 T.J. Hockenson, Lions @ Vikings
13 Logan Thomas, Commanders vs. Eagles
14 Evan Engram, Jaguars @ Chargers
15 Tyler Conklin, Jets vs. Bengals
16 Hayden Hurst, Bengals @ Jets
17 Mike Gesicki, Dolphins vs. Bills
18 Irv Smith Jr., Vikings vs. Lions
19 Hunter Henry, Patriots vs. Ravens
20 Noah Fant, Seahawks vs. Falcons
21 Robert Tonyan, Packers @ Buccaneers
22 Albert Okwuegbunam, Broncos vs. 49ers
23 Cole Kmet, Bears vs. Texans
24 Jake Ferguson, Cowboys @ Giants
25 David Njoku, Browns vs. Steelers
26 Kylen Granson, Colts vs. Chiefs
27 Cameron Brate, Buccaneers vs. Packers
28 O.J. Howard, Texans @ Bears
29 Juwan Johnson, Saints @ Panthers
30 Austin Hooper, Titans vs. Raiders

Week 3 TE fantasy projections, rankings from Draft Sharks

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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.