Week 4 of the fantasy football season is here, and we’re back with another crop of start/sit options. We have a nice set of data about each team through three weeks and can make informed decisions on good plays and traps. With that in mind, we’ll pick tight ends who should exceed expectations in Week 4, along with three you should probably sit.
Fantasy football, Week 4: Tight ends to start and sit
We break down the top starting options at tight end this week, along with some players who should be avoided.
Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images
Start
The Falcons have not allowed a touchdown to a tight end this season, but the way the Bills’ passing game functions, Clay has a good chance to break the streak. Clay has a pair of touchdowns already this season and Atlanta has allowed an average of 5.3 tight end receptions in three games. If the Bills can get into the red zone consistently behind LeSean McCoy’s running, Clay could capitalize with a score.
The Giants are the anti-Falcons, allowing at least one tight end touchdown in each of its first three games. The Giants’ corners are so good, it almost forces teams to utilize the tight end as a pass-catcher, which might just be what Brate needs to build off his first touchdown of the season last week.
Jenkins returned off his two-game suspension and made an immediate impact, catching five of six targets for 31 yards. The Jaguars tend to force teams to seek out their tight ends, allowing the third-most TE fantasy points this season. While Jermaine Kearse has made a big impact since being acquired just before the season, ASJ is likely to continue as the top target of Josh McCown, who loved throwing to Gary Barnidge in his Cleveland days.
Sit
With Stefon Diggs, Adam Thielen, and Dalvin Cook monopolizing the targets in the Vikings’ offense, Rudolph has been the invisible man the past two weeks. This could also be the Case Keenum effect, as Sam Bradford hit Rudolph for a touchdown in Week 1. Whatever the reason, Rudolph is not viable in the current construct of this offense.
Fleener’s chances would improve if Willie Snead is ruled out before Sunday’s game, but if Snead plays, history shows that the player most adversely affected by his presence is Fleener. Because it’s the London game, we’ll know Snead’s status very early, so be prepared to sit Fleener if Snead is active, and vice-versa.
Witten came crashing back to earth last week against the Cardinals, and the Rams have been solid against tight ends this season. The Rams can be attacked at wide receiver, and that’s likely the way Dak Prescott will go about his business. Lower expectations for Witten, despite his precision route-running in that commercial.
