Start ’Em, Sit ’Em Tight Ends Fantasy Football Week 3: Jake Ferguson to the Rescue

The Cowboys’ second-year player has emerged as a regular fantasy starter.

Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em is the ultimate look at the best and worst matchups based on a PPR scoring system in fantasy football. This column will not cover the elite players in the NFL like Patrick Mahomes, Christian McCaffrey or Justin Jefferson. Instead, I'll look at the players you have questions about who could exceed or fail to meet expectations at each position. For all of your final fantasy lineup decisions, be sure to check out my weekly player rankings which will be updated daily throughout the 2023 NFL season.

Fabs’ Top 10 Tight Ends

1. Travis Kelce vs. Bears
2. Mark Andrews vs. Colts
3. T.J. Hockenson vs. Chargers
4. Darren Waller at 49ers (Thur.)
5. George Kittle vs. Giants (Thur.)
6. Dallas Goedert at Buccaneers (Mon.)
7. Evan Engram vs. Texans
8. Sam LaPorta vs. Falcons 
9. Hunter Henry at Jets
10. David Njoku vs. Titans

Complete Week 3 tight end rankings

Week 3 Start ’Em, Sit ’Em: QUARTERBACKS | RUNNING BACKS | WIDE RECEIVERS | TIGHT ENDS | KICKERS & TEAM DEFENSES

Week 3 Start ‘Em: Tight Ends

Start of the Week

Kevin R. Wexler/USA TODAY Network

Jake Ferguson at Cardinals (4:25 p.m. ET, Fox): Ferguson has been involved in the Cowboys passing game, seeing 11 targets and scoring a touchdown in the first two games. I’d add him and start him this week in Arizona against a Cardinals team that’s been bad against tight ends. In fact, no team has allowed more touchdown catches or fantasy points to the position since the start of last season.

Colorado, Michigan and Virginia Readers: Get up to $100 from SI Sportsbook

Readers not in those states can bet $5 on DraftKings and get $200 in Bonus Bets

Start ‘Em

Hunter Henry at Jets (1 p.m. ET, CBS): Henry has been a pleasant surprise for fantasy fans, scoring three touchdowns in his first two games. While that streak might come to an end this week, I’d ride him while he’s hot against the Jets. Their defense has allowed two touchdowns to enemy tight ends this season, and the position is averaging the seventh-most points after the first two weeks.

Pat Freiermuth at Raiders (8:20 p.m. ET, NBC): Freiermuth has had a tough start to the season, scoring a combined 8.5 points including just 1.2 against the Browns on Monday night. Still, a matchup against the Raiders makes him worth a look in most leagues. Their defense has allowed eight touchdowns to tight ends since the start of last season, including one in their first two contests of 2023.

Sam LaPorta vs. Falcons (1 p.m. ET, Fox): LaPorta has had a nice start to his rookie campaign, averaging 11.3 points while playing in a majority of the team’s snaps. He should be in starting lineups this week based on a great matchup vs. the Falcons, who have allowed the fourth-most points to opposing tight ends since the start of last season. LaPorta could still be a free agent in smaller leagues.

More Starts
Evan Engram vs. Texans (1 p.m. ET, Fox)
Kyle Pitts at Lions (1 p.m. ET, Fox)
Hayden Hurst at Seahawks (4:05 p.m. ET, CBS)

DFS Bargains (DraftKings)
Hayden Hurst at Seahawks ($3,800)
Jake Ferguson at Cardinals ($3,600)
Zach Ertz vs. Cowboys ($3,500)

Week 3 Sit ‘Em: Tight Ends

Sit of the Week

Bill Streicher/USA TODAY Sports

Chigoziem Okonkwo at Browns (1 p.m. ET, CBS): Okonkwo has not had a great start to the season scoring just 7.5 fantasy points in his first two games. While I do think he’ll pop at some point, this probably isn’t the week it will happen. The Browns defense has been tough on tight ends, allowing just two touchdown catches and an average of 8.9 points per game to the position since last year.

Sit ‘Em

Luke Musgrave vs. Saints (1 p.m. ET, Fox): Musgrave is getting plenty of playing time in his rookie season, but his target share (13.5%) leaves a bit to be desired. I’d be fading him this week, as the talented tight end has a tough matchup against a formidable Saints defense. Dating back to last season, New Orleans has given up just two touchdown catches and the fewest points to enemy tight ends.

Dawson Knox at Commanders (1 p.m. ET, CBS): Knox and Dalton Kincaid are sharing the tight end workload in Buffalo, as the duo are both averaging around 50 snaps per game. Kincaid remains the preferred option in fantasy leagues, though, and a matchup in Washington makes Knox a tough start. Since the start of last season, their defense has allowed the fourth-fewest points to tight ends.

Cole Kmet at Chiefs (4:25 p.m. ET, Fox): Kmet continues to play the role of the lead pass-catching tight end in Chicago, as he’s played around 85% of the team’s offensive snaps. Justin Fields has been dreadful though, completing just 60.6% of his passes while throwing to his tight ends on just 21.1% of his passes. Unless you’re desperate, Kmet should remain on the fantasy sidelines.

More Sits
Irv Smith Jr. vs. Rams (Mon. 8:15 p.m. ET, ESPN)
Tyler Conklin vs. Patriots (1 p.m. ET, CBS)
Juwan Johnson at Packers (1 p.m. ET, Fox)

DFS Fades (DraftKings)
Cole Kmet at Chiefs ($4,300)
Dalton Schultz vs. Colts ($3,700)
Tyler Conklin vs. Patriots ($3,400)