There isn’t a lot of consistency in fantasy football – the the tight end position embodies that every week. Tight ends are truly a fantasy desert.
Despite the lack of options, Fantasy players received some good news last week and some solid performance. Jacksonville Jaguars tight end Evan Engram returned after a four-week absence and scored over 20 fantasy points. Lions tight end Sam LaPorta finally delivered his ADP, shaken by a 50-yard touchdown.
Fantasy teams that invested in this position early in their draft were disappointed. Mark Andrews got off to a slow start but he just had his best game of the season.
Fantasy teams are constantly faced with difficult starting decisions for their tight ends. Week 7 offers your team another opportunity to make a statement. Here is a list of who you should start and who you should sit in Week 7 of the fantasy football season.
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Fantasy football starts them off: TE of Week 7
Dalton SchultzHouston Texans
On Sunday, the Texans will meet the Green Bay Packers. Houston placed star receiver Nico Collins on IR, opening up opportunities for other Texans pass catchers. Last week, Schultz was expected to see an uptick in usage, and that’s exactly what happened. Although he finished second on the team in targets behind Tank Dell, he did not get results.
Green Bay has allowed the fifth-most yards to opposing tight ends (341) and is tied for the most receptions allowed at the position. In two games last season without Collins, Schultz finished with 71 yards and 58 yards and four receptions in each. Last week, he had four catches for just 27 yards. Collins left the Week 5 game at halftime and Schultz finished with nine goals in the win over Buffalo. Some people are ready to give up on Dalton, giving him one more week is optimal.
Juwan JohnsonNew Orleans Saints
Juwan Johnson is not a guy you typically think of in fantasy football. However, like Schultz, he has a chance for a bigger opportunity due to some injuries to his wide receiver teammates. Chris Olave will likely be ruled out due to a concussion he suffered on Sunday. Meanwhile, Rashid Shaheed has missed several practices and is dealing with a knee injury he suffered late in the fourth quarter of Week 6.
After Olave went down, Johnson’s route share percentage exploded, with a season-high 75% route share. He led Foster Moreau by 20 snaps and 20 routes in the game. The Broncos defense is solid but will be without star corner Patrick Surtain. Denver is tied for the third-most receptions allowed to tight ends this season. If you’re in a 12-team league with Jake Ferguson goodbye, Johnson could give you some decent production in Week 7.
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Hunter HenriNew England Patriots
Last week, the Patriots’ No. 3 pick, Drake Mayemade his NFL debut. He impressed enough to insert Hunter Henry back into lineups this week with confidence. Henry is New England’s leading receiver and has run the most routes for the team this season.
The Patriots offensive line will be a problem all season, so expect Maye to lean on his friendly veteran tight end. New England faces the Jaguars in London in Week 7. Jacksonville has allowed the most passing yards per game (276.7). The Jaguars deploy a 2-deep coverage scheme, which bodes well for Henry on the underground routes. Cole Kmet torched the Jaguars last week for 5 catches, 70 yards and two touchdowns. Start Henry this week.
Fantasy Football Sit’em: TE of Week 7
Grant CalcaterraPhiladelphia Eagles
The Eagles travel to MetLife in Week 7 to face their division rival New York Giants. In particular, this game will be Saquon Barkley’s first against the Giants as a member of the Eagles. Grant Calcaterra is not a household name, but fantastic owners make the list Dallas Goedert He may want to turn to the third-year tight end on Sunday if Goedert is ruled out due to a hamstring injury he suffered last week against the Browns.
Calcaterra posted a solid stat line after Goedert went down. He played 92% of the snaps and finished with four catches for 67 yards on a 17% target share. Some Fantasy owners may want to plug him in against the Giants defense, but I recommend leaving him on the bench or on waivers this week. The Giants have allowed the fifth fewest fantasy points per game to opposing tight ends. The Eagles will likely heavily involve the game plan around Barkley against his former team and, as a result, won’t leave enough meat on the bones for Calcaterra in Week 7.
Tucker KraftGreen Bay Packers
Jordan Love returned in Week 4 and the Packers passing game rebounded. Kraft was one of those players who benefited, completing 6 of 9 targets for 53 yards and a touchdown in Week 4, and followed that up with a stellar performance of four catches, 88 yards, and two touchdowns against the Rams in Week 5. However, wide receiver Christian Watson returned in Week 6, and Kraft’s breakout campaign seemingly hit the brakes.
Houston’s defense was great. They have allowed the fourth fewest fantasy points per game to opposing tight ends. The Texans kept Dalton Kincaid failed in Week 5, who was their toughest tight end to date.
Fantasy football, start ’em, sit ’em, week 7
Looking for more fantasy football advice? USA TODAY Sports has you covered:
→ A good ball carrier makes all the difference. A bad ball carrier can cost you a lot of points. Here is who to start with and who to sit with in week 7.
→ Need an edge under the center? Here is the best quarterback options to start and sit during week 7.
→ The wide receiver position has been decimated this season. Protect yourself in Week 7 with “Start ’em, Sit ’em” tips for wideouts.
→ Good defense can stop your fantasy opponent’s offense. Here are some D/ST options to start and sit for week 7.
→ Kickers are people too: here are some of the Most Clutch Kickers to Have on Your Fantasy Team during week 7.
This article was originally published on USA TODAY: Fantasy football Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em Week 7: 5 TE to start or sit
