Week 4 fantasy football start ’em, sit ’em TE picks from FlurrySports include the Carolina Panthers’ Darren Waller.
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The tight end position in the NFL is more relevant now than it ever has been. Per our Opportunity Index, four different TEs average over seven targets per game, while the consensus top two at the position average double-digit targets and are the focal points of their offenses.
So, it’s easy to find value at tight end. But if you had a tight end who struggled, well, you may have some tough fantasy football start ’em, sit ’em questions to ask. Luckily, I’m here to help.
Look, I am not here to tell you that Trey McBride or Tyler Warren are worthy of starts. Hell, we’ll leave that type of analysis to the Fantasy Football Counselor or some other hack. Instead, we will look at the players who potentially may or may not be a TE1, depending on their weekly matchup.
Now, labeling a player as a “sit” does not mean they are a must-sit player. As always, check out our weekly fantasy football rankings here. You can also become a member to join a group chat with Zach Brunner and other members where all fantasy football start ’em, sit ’em questions are welcome!
Quarterbacks — Week 4 Fantasy Football Start/Sit
Running Backs — Week 4 Fantasy Football Start/Sit
Wide Receivers — Week 4 Fantasy Football Start/Sit
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Fantasy Football Start ’em, Sit ’em: Week 4 TEs
Start: Darren Waller Fantasy Outlook vs Lions
If you are looking to stream pass-catchers of any kind, you are targeting the Detroit Lions. So, Darren Waller should follow up his solid five-catch performance last week with another good one.
The Lions surrender by far the most fantasy points to the tight end position this season, at 33.4 per game. Clearly, Detroit is really missing Brian Branch, but he won’t be on the field for this game.
The Panthers’ passing attack has been pretty solid this season. Unfortunately, Jalen Coker suffered an injury last week. Both he and Xavier Leggette did not practice on Wednesday, and these freed-up targets last week went Waller’s way (8). He has a strong chance to get six to eight targets again in a matchup where the Panthers likely have to pass to score points. And given the matchup, it may be efficient passing, leading to quality targets for Waller.
Start: Isaiah Likely Fantasy Outlook vs Cardinals
The Arizona Cardinals will travel across the country to play in the early timeslot, and Isaiah Likely could catch the Cardinals sleeping on him. After a first week that made Likely look like a legit TE1 option, he has been held to single-digit PPR performances since. However, this looks like a great matchup for Likely and the Giants’ passing offense to get back on track.
Simply put, this Cardinals defense is bad. They have been competitive due to their offense. Jacoby Brissett and the Arizona offense should do well again this week, meaning the Giants will have to pass, and this game has the potential to light up the scoreboard.
The Cardinals allow the sixth-most fantasy points to tight ends this season, but Isaiah Likely is so much more than a typical tight end. He is a vertical threat for New York. Arizona allows the most yards per pass attempt in the NFL. Likely is the perfect weapon to exploit this on Sunday.
Sit: Kyle Pitts Fantasy Outlook at Saints
If you use the new Field General tool at the FlurrySports Playbook, you can see how players’ usage and performance are impacted by teammates being on or off the field. Last week, we discussed how Kyle Pitts’ performance with Michael Penix Jr., dating back to last season, is actually worse than when he plays with other quarterbacks. That remained true last Thursday, as Pitts totaled just one catch for five yards. With Penix, Pitts averages 2.44 fewer fantasy points and nearly 10 fewer receiving yards.
Now, he gets a matchup with the Saints that looks great on paper, but it’s a bit deceiving. Objectively, the Saints give up the fourth-most fantasy points to tight ends. However, they gave up 28 points to Brock Bowers last week, but Bowers played in the slot and out wide more often than he was playing in-line tight end. So, the Saints are not as bad as the numbers seem, but Pitts’ performances against New Orleans are not misleading.
Pitts has played the Saints nine times in his career, and he has totaled less than 30 receiving yards in six of those matchups. It does not seem like the ceiling is too high for Kyle Pitts this week, so that’s why he lands on this side of the Week 4 Fantasy Football Start ’em, Sit ’em.
Sit: Colston Loveland Fantasy Outlook vs Jets
At this point, you have to sit Colston Loveland until proven otherwise. While four of his five catches this season came last week from Case Keenum, the 31 total yards were not enough to move the needle. When there are so many available tight ends who have both a higher usage and higher touchdown upside, I don’t know why you would reluctantly start Loveland when he has given you every reason not to.
On top of his poor usage and stats this season, the matchup for Colston Loveland also stinks. The New York Jets allow the third-fewest fantasy points to TEs this season. And it’s not like the Jets haven’t faced anyone. Their last two weeks saw them keep Tucker Kraft and Sam LaPorta in check.
Do your best to keep Loveland on your bench until he puts up a good performance. After that, you may want to shop him around.
