NFL Fantasy 2025 Start 'Em, Sit 'Em: Tight ends for Week 2

Coming into the season, Trey McBride, Brock Bowers and George Kittle were the only tight ends I preferred over Warren -- and I feel even stronger about that after the rookie's first NFL game, when he led the Colts in targets (nine) and catches (seven) while finishing second in receiving yards (76). He was the first read on 30 percent of passes, per Fantasy Points, the second-highest such mark of all tight ends in Week 1 (behind only McBride). Warren also just missed a touchdown catch that he likely would have come down with if the throw had been placed better. With the Broncos likely able to make life very tough on the Colts' receivers, I expect Indy to rely heavily on Warren once again in Week 2. He is a must-start. 

The Broncos' new joker made a disappointing debut last week, with just four of QB Bo Nix's 40 pass attempts going his way before he left with a calf injury. That's not great. However, it is worth noting that the Titans allowed the third-fewest fantasy points per game and the fewest receiving yards to tight ends last year. In other words, the matchup was not on Engram's side. The Colts, on the other hand, allowed the third-most fantasy PPG to tight ends last season -- meaning we could see the real Engram in Week 2, if he's able to go. Given the price paid to draft him, he has earned more leash than one down game.  

Sometimes players just have chemistry together, and that appears to be the case for Henry and Drake Maye, who collaborated on eight targets in Week 1, resulting in four catches for 66 yards. Henry averaged 9.5 fantasy PPG in contests with Maye last season, with a 30 percent target share in the red zone -- twice as high as that of any other Patriots player. Henry brings a safe floor, which is more than most tight ends could say. Now he faces the Dolphins, who just allowed a TE3 finish to Tyler Warren last week. 

In Week 1, Ferguson was Dak Prescott's No. 2 target, finishing with six, and he was the first read on 23 percent of passes, per Fantasy Points. Those figures are a good sign heading into this week's matchup with the Giants, against whom Prescott has had a ton of big games, with Ferguson getting in on the fun via a 12-point outing vs. New York in Week 4 last season. We just saw Zach Ertz find success against this Giants' defense, which -- with its stout line -- could prompt the Cowboys to throw much more than they did last week. Ferguson brings a safe floor and some upside. 

Let me introduce you to the young season's TE1! There might be a connection brewing between Johnson and Spencer Rattler, who just targeted Johnson 11 times, the Week 1 high among tight ends. This built on Rattler's two starts to end last season in which he targeted Johnson 10 and seven times, with the TE topping double-digit fantasy points in each of those games. In Week 1, he was the first read on 28 percent of passes, per Fantasy Points. Perhaps this is fool's gold, but the volume is too appealing to ignore. If you need a streamer, Johnson is in play. 

Let’s get spicy! It is very concerning to me that, in Week 1, with the Chiefs trailing throughout and Rashee Rice and Xavier Worthy out of commission, Kelce still saw just four targets. A 37-yard catch-and-run touchdown salvaged his day, but you cannot bank on plays like that happening, especially not in this matchup. The Eagles allowed the fewest fantasy PPG and receiving yards to tight ends last year and held Jake Ferguson under 25 yards in Week 1. And, of course, they kept Kelce under 40 yards in the Super Bowl. Those who had Kelce last year know he had a low floor with some big weeks mixed in. This feels like a floor week, given the opponent.

A touchdown saved Kraft's day in Week 1, when the Green Bay tight end finished with just two catches for 16 yards on four targets. Typically, players who see such low volume tend to be boom-or-bust options. If Kraft hadn't scored a touchdown, he would have finished with fewer than five fantasy points -- and he still failed to crack double-digits with the TD. Perhaps things change, but as of now, I would get away from Kraft. Especially since the Commanders allowed the fourth-fewest receiving yards to tight ends last season. 

Kincaid had a huge real-life game for the Bills in Week 1, catching all four of his targets for 48 yards and a touchdown. The usage is concerning for fantasy purposes, though. Kincaid played fewer snaps (41) than Dawson Knox (43) and was one of three Buffalo tight ends to see a target. Kincaid was fifth in the overall target pecking order, as well; it seems clear the receivers are going to be more heavily utilized than they were last year. Due to this usage, Kincaid is likely touchdown-dependent. Week 1 was fun, but there are better fantasy options.  

Let me make one thing clear: I am very excited about what Fannin Jr. could be. I want to add him off waivers this week, as I really liked him as a prospect and believe he brings upside. He logged a team-high nine targets and joined Tyler Warren as the only rookie tight ends ever with seven catches in Week 1. He finished with 63 yards and 13.6 fantasy points and was the first read on 24 percent of pass plays, per Fantasy Points. So why is he a "sit"? There are still some questions to answer about his usage. Perhaps last week's deployment was matchup-based, or part of a plan to catch the Bengals by surprise. He is still behind David Njoku, and the Ravens are a much tougher test than Cincinnati. If we see Fannin Jr. hit a similar target mark again, you will see him as a "start" real soon.  

There was hype for Loveland coming into this season, and I do think he will be useful in fantasy at some point in 2025, but we are just not there yet. He was playing behind Cole Kmet in Week 1, logging only 56 percent of the snaps (to Kmet’s 91 percent) and saw just two targets. There is simply no way you can trust that in fantasy. Until we see more consistent usage, he hits the bench.