Welcome back, readers! I am happy to return for a second year as The Sporting Tribune's fantasy football analyst. If you are new here, my mission is to help fantasy managers with any dilemmas or questions they may have through the course of the season to ultimately win their leagues. For the next 17 weeks, I will produce weekly fantasy content that will go over the waiver wire, rankings, and Start 'Em, Sit 'Em columns.
Being a fantasy manager often means having to make difficult roster decisions, but I aim to take some of the guesswork out of it with my Start 'Em and Sit 'Em column for every position. It goes without saying that I won't include obvious calls like "start Trey McBride" or "sit Tommy DeVito." Instead, I search for players that could be perceived as fringe that could propel your lineups for weekly wins.
As always, if you have any questions or don't see your players here, feel free to follow me on Twitter (X) – @JamesNewell96 and send me a message, where I typically respond in a timely manner.
Harold Fannin Jr. @ NO (Projected FPTS – 12.0):Over his last two games, Fannin has posted 16 receptions on 21 targets for 245 yards. He hit a season-high 23.4 fantasy points last week against the Steelers. Fannin should be kept in starting lineups for Week Nine, with a favorable matchup against the Saints. New Orleans' defense has allowed the sixth-most fantasy points per game and the third-highest EPA per target to tight ends this season. Fannin is poised to have a TE1-level performance with Shedeur Sanders under center.
Kyle Pitts Sr. vs. CIN (Projected FPTS – 10.0):Pitts has been an up-and-down tight end throughout his career. The story hasn't changed this season: he's been touchdown-dependent more often than not. Pitts does have a chance this week to provide more reliable production against the Bengals, who've allowed the second-most receptions and receiving yards per game to tight ends this season. Atlanta will have to throw to keep up with Joe Burrow, Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins.
Sam LaPorta @ MIA (Projected FPTS – 13.4):LaPorta has struggled to find any fantasy success over his last two outings, finishing with just four catches and 9.3 fantasy points. He is due for a bounce-back performance. Why not this week against the Dolphins, who've allowed five tight ends to reach 10 or more fantasy points, three of them with more than 18? Miami's defense has surrendered the third-most fantasy points per game and the sixth-most yards per target to the position. I am calling for LaPorta to have a top-five finish.
Honorable Mentions:Greg Dulcich vs. DET; Colston Loveland vs. TB; Colby Parkinson @ WSH; T.J. Hockenson vs. BUF; Travis Kelce vs. NYJ; Tyler Warren vs. DAL; Brenton Strange @ BAL; Darren Waller vs. DEN.
Dalton Kincaid @ MIN (Projected FPTS – 9.8):Kincaid is coming off back-to-back performances with double-digit fantasy points. Last week against the Ravens, he scored 18-plus fantasy points for the first time since Week Two. However, he has an awful matchup this week against the Vikings, who've allowed the fewest fantasy points per game to tight ends this season. They've held Tucker Kraft, Colston Loveland and Sam LaPorta all to single-digit finishes. I don't believe Kincaid will be the one to break the mold.
Dalton Schultz @ LAC (Projected FPTS – 8.3):Schultz hasn't been relevant in fantasy since Week Two, when he caught 12 passes for 140 yards and finished with 26 fantasy points. He's been held to single digits in his last five games. Schultz has a tough matchup in Week Nine against the Chargers, who, besides Trey McBride, have not allowed a tight end to score more than 9.5 fantasy points and have the sixth-fewest fantasy points per game to the position this season. Find a different option on the waiver wire.
Mark Andrews vs. JAX (Projected FPTS – 6.6):The days of Andrews being a productive tight end are long over, especially without Lamar Jackson under center. Since Week Three, he's recorded fewer than 30 yards in every game and has scored only once this season. Without Jackson, he's averaged an abysmal four fantasy points per game, and it is unlikely that third-string QB Joe Fagnano or even Jacoby Brissett will revive his career at this point. Do yourselves a favor and drop Andrews from your roster.
Lowlights:Michael Mayer @ SF; Oronde Gadsden II vs. HOU; Juwan Johnson vs. CLE; Chig Okonkwo vs. LAR; Mason Taylor @ KC; Tyler Higbee @ WSH; Eli Raridon vs. GB; Cade Otton @ CHI.
