Fantasy football start/sit advice, Week 13: Tight ends

Week 13 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 six 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 13, along with three you should probably sit.

The Giants are the worst team in the league against tight ends not named Vernon. The Giants are also in full tank mode with the benching of Eli Manning. And Janoris Jenkins isn’t playing. Also not playing are Michael Crabtree and Amari Cooper. If the term “perfect storm” has ever applied to an NFL tight end, it’s Jared Cook this Sunday.

If the Giants are the worst defense against the tight end, the Browns are securely in the second spot. Henry returned to the land of the living on Thanksgiving with a huge game, and we have to assume the Chargers will keep their talented tight end involved against a team that pretty much welcomes tight end production.

One week, you could call it a fluke. Two weeks? I think you have to trust that there’s something going on here with this guy. Clearly, Blaine Gabbert loves throwing to the guy, targeting him 11 times in two games. He’s the Sensation With Hyphenation and I’m rolling with him until it proves otherwise.

Olsen is listed as questionable for Sunday, but he’s much closer to doubtful or out. He didn’t practice this week (a Friday side session really doesn’t count) and since the Panthers are playing a 4:25 p.m. ET game, you better have another late game, Sunday night or Monday night tight end on the roster, or you’re likely inserting a zero into your lineups this week.

Can you really trust a rookie in the Black Hole with Geno Smith throwing the ball? Yeah, me neither.

Hooper has been a big ball of “meh” all season. The Vikings are a top-10 defense against tight ends, which just adds more “meh” to the mix. Don’t settle for “meh.”