You have lineup questions, we have lineup answers -- at least we hope so. Start 'Em, Sit 'Em is here to help fantasy managers make difficult roster decisions. And you know what is a good move? Starting Ja'Marr Chase. But that's too obvious, so you won't see such simple analysis here. Instead, we're exploring more debatable situations. And if you can't find a player you are looking for, please check out the latest NFL Fantasy lineup rankings. Unless otherwise noted, all stats come from NFL Pro, Next Gen Stats or NFL Research.
Start 'Em
If you haven’t heard, before the season, my colleague LaQuan Jones said on the NFL Fantasy Football Podcast that he would dye his hair blonde if Smith finished as a top-five fantasy tight end. Well, Smith is currently the TE5 and surging. Marcas Grant and I are going to need this to continue for our personal entertainment! For your fantasy teams, I do not see how you get away from him. Smith is the TE1 in the last month. He has topped 21 fantasy points in three straight games and in four of his last seven. He is a must-start option and could see more volume if the Jets' corners make life tough on the Dolphins' wide receivers.
I am giving Otton one last chance! He disappointed last week with just six fantasy points. The one positive takeaway is he had seven targets, tied for the second-most on the Bucs. He also had a near-touchdown get away from him. He has a fantastic matchup this week against the Raiders, who have allowed the fourth-most FPPG to TEs. No team has allowed more yards or touchdowns to tight ends since Week 9. With six teams on bye, Otton gets another shot in lineups. If he flops here, he can hit the bench, but let’s not put that negativity into the world!
Dissly scored a Stanley Yelnats best friend’s worth of fantasy points last week. That means zero, for those who never saw the classic movie Holes. He was starting to look like a reliable fantasy option heading into Week 13, but that was disappointing. Regardless, this week's matchup makes him a strong streaming option once again. The Chiefs have allowed the most yards and the third-most FPPG to tight ends. Dissly is in play in a game where the Chargers might have to throw more than usual.
STREAMING OPTION: Chiefs' Noah Gray (vs. Chargers).
Sit 'Em
Ugh. After scoring double-digit fantasy points in four straight games, topping it off with a 25-point performance in Week 8, I thought Pitts had ascended to must-start status. However, he has scored 13.5 fantasy points total over his four games, with just 12 targets and 75 yards in that span. A big part of the problem is Kirk Cousins’ play of late, but we’ve been waiting for Pitts to break out for a few seasons now and it just hasn’t happened, even after changes in the coaching staff and at QB. At some point, you have to stop chasing the promise he showed in his rookie season. I wave the white flag. You can get away from Pitts.
We have learned that Kraft is big-play/touchdown reliant. I would not bank on either from him this week against the Lions. Detroit has allowed the fewest FPPG (including only one touchdown) and yards to tight ends this season. Plus, the Lions held Kraft to 34 yards and 7.6 fantasy points in Week 9. I would look to go in a different direction this week.
Kmet is up to his usual tricks. After seeing 10 targets and scoring 13.4 fantasy points in Week 12, he had just three targets and 5.6 fantasy points last week. That is who Kmet has been this season. Every few weeks, he will pop a big game, but for the most part, he is a low-floor option. The 49ers are not the matchup to chase, as they have allowed the fourth-fewest FPPG to tight ends. That includes the third-fewest yards and just three touchdowns. Stream elsewhere this week.
Johnson tied for the team lead with seven targets last week. With Taysom Hill out for the season, the thinking is Johnson should have a larger role moving forward. While I agree and would put him on my roster for the stretch run, I don’t want to start him in Week 14. The Giants have been very tough on tight ends this season. They have allowed the second-fewest FPPG to the position, including the second-fewest yards and only one touchdown. I would opt to monitor Johnson’s usage this week while he’s on my bench.
