Fantasy TE Rankings Week 6: Who to start, sit at tight end in fantasy football

Tight end is already a shallow position, and the combination bye weeks and injuries makes the group even tougher to figure out. It’s time to play the tight end streamer game, and our Week 6 fantasy TE rankings can help you identify the top options on the waiver wire and in free agency. As always, tight ends who aren’t the elite of the elite can always bust, but we’ll help you figure out who to start.

Kyle Pitts is the most notable tight end affected by a Week 6 bye. George Kittle’s 49ers are on a bye, too, but he’s been placed on IR with a calf injury. Juwan Johnson has had some standard-league streaming appeal this year, and he has the week off, too.

WEEK 6 STANDARD RANKINGS:
Quarterback | Running back | Wide receiver | D/ST | Kicker

So, with those options off the table, Mike Gesicki (@ Jaguars), Tyler Higbee (@ Giants), and Dawson Knox (@ Titans) are thrust into our top-10 tight ends this week. The Giants and Jaguars have been bottom-10 defenses against TE this season, so there’s a lot to like here. Tennessee has been the No. 1 defense against tight ends, but let’s face it — the best TE they’ve faced has been Mo Alie-Cox or Maxx Williams. Their fantasy points allowed to tight ends figure is misleading, especially after they gave up a touchdown to Jacob Hollister in Week 5. Knox is also simply too hot to sit. Ricky Seals-Jones (vs. KC), who was among Washington’s target leaders in Week 5, is a legit streaming option, as well.

WEEK 6 PPR RANKINGS:
Quarterback | Running back | Wide receiver | Tight end | D/ST | Kicker

Dalton Schultz (@ Patriots), Tyler Conklin (@ Panthers), and Evan Engram (vs. Rams) figure to have difficult matchups, though the Pats did give up a TE touchdown to the Texans last week. Schultz has been good enough that he has to be started anyway, but it will be an uphill battle for Conklin or Engram to produce anything solid from a fantasy perspective unless they sneak in a receiving touchdown.

Rob Gronkowski (@ Eagles) would obviously be a must-start if he’s active, and since he hasn’t been placed on IR, there is a chance he plays through his ribs injury. If he’s out again, Cameron Brate is always a boom-or-bust option thanks to Tampa’s high-powered offense.

The reality is the tight end position is tough to evaluate, and matchups are everything. That said, don’t be shocked to see Gesicki right below the elite class of Travis Kelce (@ Washington), Darren Waller (@ Broncos), and T.J. Hockenson (vs. Bengals). In standard leagues, you’re really just hoping for a touchdown. It’s difficult for many of the middle-of-the-pack TEs to even sniff 100 yards, so be watching for red-zone targets and touchdowns allowed to tight ends when making your start ’em, sit ’em decisions.

We’ll be updating these TE rankings as needed throughout the week, so check back for the latest changes and analysis.

Fantasy TE Rankings Week 6: Who to start at tight end

Rankings based on standard, non-PPR scoring