As we enter Week 12 of the NFL season, we are also now just three weeks out from the start of the fantasy football playoffs. These next few matchups could make or break the season for many fantasy managers. In addition to working over the waiver wire and pursuing value in trade discussions, streaming various positions no matter the reason can be a helpful tactic for those owners in must-win territory. Injuries continue to pile up across the league and bye weeks are also still playing out. For those in need of fantasy football streamers advice at the tight end position in Week 12, this column is for you!
Read on for three fantasy football streamers at tight end for Week 12 of the NFL season. At the end of the column, readers will also find lists containing the starting tight ends on bye this week as well as a few players who might be worth fading in difficult matchups.
Week 12 Fantasy Football TE Streamers
Ownership percentages reflect those across all Sleeper Fantasy Football leagues
Pat Freiermuth | Pittsburgh Steelers (at CIN)
Current Ownership: 58%
Stable fantasy football production from rookie tight ends is rare, but Pat Freiermuth is capable of delivering that not only in Week 12 but for the remainder of the season. The former Penn State standout is coming off his fourth double-digit PPR scoring performance in the last five games. While Freiermuth only totaled 11 yards receiving on four receptions, a touchdown helped boost his Week 11 line. Freiermuth has emerged as a go-to red-zone weapon for Ben Roethlisberger, scoring four total touchdowns over the last four games. He is also a viable pass-catcher over the middle on short and intermediate routes. Freiermuth has largely assumed the targets vacated by the injured JuJu Smith-Schuster over the middle.
Week 12 will see Freiermuth and the Steelers attempt to get revenge over the division-rival Cincinnati Bengals. It just so happens that the rookie TE scored his first career touchdown against the Bengals back in Week 3. Further adding to Freiermuth’s upside as a fantasy football streamers candidate this week is the injury suffered by veteran Steelers tight end, Eric Ebron. Look for the second-round pick to see a bump in playing time and potential an expanded target volume as well.
Dan Arnold | Jacksonville Jaguars (vs ATL)
Current Ownership: 50%
Did you really think that Dan Arnold was going to fall out of the weekly fantasy football streamers column? Not even a Week 11 goose egg can change how we here at FlurrySports feel about Arnold. The fact that Arnold did not receive a single target explains a lot about the Jaguars’ offensive performance in last week’s lopsided defeat. It should also be noted that the San Francisco 49ers have been a difficult defensive matchup for tight ends all season. The Jaguars hardly had the football last week, but that should be a different story against an equally incompetent Atlanta Falcons team.
Arnold has already proven why he is a worthwhile fantasy football streamers play. Prior to last week, he had scored double-digit fantasy points in three straight games while serving as the Jaguars’ leading receiver. The fact that Arnold has yet to find the end zone this season serves as a firm reminder that he can produce fantasy points without needing to score a touchdown. At the tight end position, such an ability can be hard to find. While the Falcons’ defense ranks decently in fantasy points allowed to opposing TEs, they have surrendered nearly 50 yards per game to the position. With the role he has in Jacksonville’s offense, Arnold should easily surpass that figure on Sunday.
Evan Engram | New York Giants (vs PHI)
Current Ownership: 39%
Evan Engram is also no stranger to appearing in the fantasy football TE streamers column. After stringing together three consecutive double-digit PPR performances prior to the Giants’ bye, Engram was quiet last Monday in a blowout loss. Despite playing 90% of the team’s snaps and seeing five targets come his way, Engram finished with just two receptions for 12 yards. While that box score was discouraging in terms of efficiency, the fact that Engram continues to see increased playing time and a stable target floor week-to-week bode well for his fantasy football value.
Of course, the primary factor working in Engram’s favor as a fantasy football streamers option in Week 12 is the matchup. The Giants will take on a Philadelphia Eagles defense that has been atrocious at covering tight ends all season. Philly has surrendered an NFL-high 15.0 fantasy points per game to the position. A terrific matchup combined with the tendency of Daniel Jones to look Engram’s way down in the red zone makes for a great combination. The former Ole Miss Rebel has a fairly solid floor this week and a whole lot of upside to go with it.
Tight Ends on Bye in Week 12
- Zach Ertz | Arizona Cardinals
- Travis Kelce | Kansas City Chiefs
Tight Ends Facing Tough Week 12 Matchups
- George Kittle | San Francisco 49ers (vs MIN)
- Dawson Knox | Buffalo Bills (at NO)
- Adam Trautman | New Orleans Saints (vs BUF)
