We made it through the worst bye week of the season for tight ends, but this week's two-team is still a killer for the position. Travis Kelce and Gerald Everett are missing from our Week 8 fantasy TE rankings for standard leagues, and it's entirely possible they're joined by Darren Waller (hamstring). That means sleepers and waiver-wire streamers will once again be important at fantasy football's thinnest position.
Mark Andrews (knee) is another key injury situation to watch. He was able to suit up last week, but he failed to catch a pass on just two targets. If he's active, he won't be that bad again, but clearly, there's reason to worry. If he's out, Isaiah Likely (@ Buccaneers in Week 8) has streamer potential, similar to what we expected from Vegas' Foster Moreau, who had five targets last week against Houston. Moreau (@ Saints) could also be in play despite a tough matchup if Waller is out, as could Harrison Bryant (@ Bengals) if David Njoku (ankle) is inactive.
Likely, Bryant, and Moreau aren't the best waiver-wire options if they're pressed in starter's duty, though. Daniel Bellinger (@ Seahawks), if he can play through his eye injury, Irv Smith Jr. (vs. Cardinals), and Juwan Johnson (vs. Raiders) have matchups against the three-worst TE defenses, and all get enough targets to have big games in Week 8.
WEEK 8 STANDARD RANKINGS
QBs | RBs | WRs | D/STs | Kickers
Going deeper, Logan Thomas (@ Colts), if active, Will Dissly (vs. Giants), Tyler Conklin (vs. Patriots), and Cade Otton (vs. Ravens) also have above-average matchups and plenty of upside. Of course, those players are much more boom-or-bust (with the possible exception of Otton), but they can get the job done in deeper leagues.
WEEK 8 PPR RANKINGS
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
You might opt for a TE like that if you have Robert Tonyan (@ Bills), Dawson Knox (vs. Packers), Pat Freiermuth (@ Eagles), Dalton Schultz (vs. Bears), and Evan Engram (vs. Broncos), all of whom have unfavorable matchups. Kyle Pitts (vs. Panthers) is the toughest start-sit call thanks to a poor matchup and disappointing production. We don't like him as much as the Bellinger-Smith-Johnson trio, but we'd play him over deep sleepers like Dissly and Conklin. Tyler Higbee (vs. 49ers) also has a highly unfavorable matchup, but he sees enough targets and has enough TD upside to keep in your lineups.
WEEK 8 FANTASY PICKS: Sleepers | Busts | Start 'em, sit 'em
Several other bubble TEs have mostly neutral matchups. Hayden Hurst (@ Browns) always has a decent floor and medium ceiling. T.J. Hockenson (vs. Dolphins) actually has a slightly favorable matchup, while Mike Gesicki (@ Lions) and Hunter Henry (@ Jets) are in spots that don't scream "sit," but their general inconsistency doesn't inspire a lot of confidence regardless of the matchup.
WEEK 8 DFS LINEUPS: DraftKings | FanDuel
Overall, TE won't be easy again this week, but there are more legit, widely available sleepers than usual. Take advantage if you don't trust your starter. If you prefer relying on the matchup numbers and want to play Bellinger, Smith Jr., or Johnson over guys like Pitts and Freiermuth, go for it. It worked for owners gutsy enough to use Johnson last week, and it can pay off again.
WEEK 8 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 8 fantasy TE rankings for standard leagues
Rankings based on standard, non-PPR scoring
Rank Player
1 Mark Andrews, Ravens @ Buccaneers
2 Zach Ertz, Cardinals @ Vikings
3 Dallas Goedert, Eagles vs. Steelers
4 George Kittle, 49ers @ Rams
5 Darren Waller, Raiders @ Saints
6 Tyler Higbee, Rams vs. 49ers
7 T.J. Hockenson, Lions vs. Dolphins
8 Taysom Hill, Saints vs. Raiders
9 Irv Smith Jr., Vikings vs. Cardinals
10 Juwan Johnson, Saints vs. Raiders
11 Kyle Pitts, Falcons vs. Panthers
12 Greg Dulcich, Broncos vs. Jaguars
13 Hayden Hurst, Bengals @ Browns
14 Mike Gesicki, Dolphins @ Lions
15 Harrison Bryant, Browns vs. Bengals
16 Cade Otton, Buccaneers vs. Ravens
17 Pat Freiermuth, Steelers @ Eagles
18 Hunter Henry, Patriots @ Jets
19 Dawson Knox, Bills vs. Packers
20 Logan Thomas, Commanders @ Colts
21 Tyler Conklin, Jets vs. Patriots
22 Dalton Schultz, Cowboys vs. Bears
23 Will Dissly, Seahawks vs. Giants
24 Robert Tonyan, Packers @ Bills
25 Evan Engram, Jaguars vs. Broncos
26 Noah Fant, Seahawks vs. Giants
27 Tanner Hudson, Giants @ Seahawks
28 Kylen Granson, Colts vs. Commanders
29 Cole Kmet, Bears @ Cowboys
Week 8 TE fantasy projections, rankings from Draft Sharks
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