Fantasy TE Rankings Week 5: Who to start, sit at tight end in fantasy football

We might as well just rewrite the same intro every week for tight ends. Outside of a handful of guys, you would’ve been better off starting a good number of kickers over some tight ends last week. Ranking tight ends is always challenging, and we’re getting more aggressive with our Week 5 fantasy TE rankings, putting some steamer-level guys close to the top 10 based on matchups and early-season breakouts. After all, matchups and the possibility of scoring a touchdown is often the difference in your decision of who to start and who to sit, especially in standard leagues.

That said, our top four of Kelce, Waller, Hockenson, and Kittle could probably just stay the same each week, especially before bye weeks and injuries. Regardless of matchups, these are the true top dogs at the position even though many owners have been disappointed with Kittle this year (and Hockenson the past two weeks). They’re still getting big targets, though, so it’s only a matter of time for they go off. Kyle Pitts (vs. NYJ) was supposed to be among the elites of the position but hasn’t delivered. Still, it’s hard to bench him with the assumed ceiling he has and the targets he’s getting. Tight ends take time to develop, and a matchup with the Jets in London could be a good time to break out.

WEEK 5 PPR RANKINGS:
Quarterback | Running back | Wide receiver | Tight end | D/ST | Kicker

Potential streamers Austin Hooper (@ Chargers), Dallas Goedert (@ Panthers), and Pat Freiermuth (vs. Broncos) don’t look all that appealing this week, as each of their matchups have been solid against tight ends this year. None of the three have shown enough to be labeled “matchup-proof” in any sense of the phrase. Hunter Henry and Jonnu Smith (@ Texans) look like they have good matchups, but let’s face it, Smith has been a flat-out bust and Henry was trending that way before last week, so they still come with risks.

WEEK 5 STANDARD RANKINGS:
Quarterback | Running back | Wide receiver | D/ST | Kicker

Dawson Knox (@ Chiefs), Mike Gesicki (@ Buccaneers), Tyler Conklin (vs. Lions), and Dalton Schultz (vs. Giants) are much more attractive streamers this week. Each has easy matchups or their team will likely be playing from behind for most of their games. Fantasy points still count in garage time, no matter how happy or mad that makes you. You could throw Evan Engram (@ Cowboys) into this group as well, but he’s disappointed two weeks in a row despite significant WR injuries, so we’re not sure you can ever trust him.

There is one positive about the tight end position. It’s stayed relatively healthy so far — that is, until Logan Thomas (hamstring) missed most of last week. Ricky Seals-Jones (vs. Saints) is an interesting streamer, but with a statistically difficult matchup, he probably isn’t worth the trouble this week.

The byes begin next week, so streaming will be essential. Watch this group with a keen eye. Tight end breakouts can come out of nowhere, as we’ve seen Maxx Williams (vs. 49ers), C.J. Uzomah (vs. Packers), Juwan Johnson (@ Washington), Conklin, and Knox have top-10 weeks this season.

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

Fantasy TE Rankings Week 5: Who to start at tight end

Rankings based on standard, non-PPR scoring