Make no mistake about it: the fantasy football landscape is ever-changing. That being said, if we have to name something that seems to remain constant from one season to the next, the headache of the tight end position is certainly a candidate. It was largely a crapshoot at the position once again in Week 2. In total, only 11 tight ends scored double-digit PPR points. Two of those players are actually teammates. On top of that, one of the top-three TEs in terms of preseason fantasy football ADP was a no-show. We’re looking at you, George Kittle! Given the unpredictability of the position, developing a tight end fantasy football streamers strategy early in the season might be the best option out there for many owners.
Read on for three fantasy football streamers at tight end for Week 3 of the NFL season. In addition, at the end of the article is a list of some fantasy football tight ends who might be worth fading in difficult matchups this week.
Week 3 Fantasy Football TE Streamers
Ownership percentages reflect all ESPN Fantasy Football leagues
Jared Cook | Los Angeles Chargers (at KC)
Current Ownership: 54.7%
Honestly, it is a bit surprising to see Jared Cook only owned in about half of fantasy football leagues given how he fared in Week 1. Unfortunately, after hauling in five catches for 56 yards to finish with 10.6 fantasy points in the opener, Cook only managed 5.8 PPR points (three catches, 28 yards) in the Chargers’ Week 2 loss. Even so, Cook has a lot going for him when it comes to being a relevant tight end streamer both this week and beyond. He is clearly the pass-catching TE for the Chargers and is in an offense orchestrated by talented young quarterback Justin Herbert.
Considering that the Chargers are taking on the rival Kansas City Chiefs in Week 3, owners should be very excited about Cook as a fantasy football streamers option on Sunday. Through two weeks, the Chiefs have allowed over 15 fantasy points per game to opposing tight ends. Most recently, they surrendered double-digit points to Mark Andrews of the Baltimore Ravens. While Andrews is highly regarded among the fantasy community, the Chiefs allowed three lesser-known Cleveland Browns tight ends to combine for 19 PPR points in their season-opener. Football Outsiders grades the Kansas City defense dead last in adjusted efficiency against the pass through two weeks. That stat combined with how TEs have fared against them thus far bodes well for Cook in Week 3.
Dawson Knox | Buffalo Bills (vs WAS)
Current Ownership: 4.1%
It’s no secret that the Bills offense is loaded full of talented pass-catchers. The tight end position was not a staple of Buffalo’s aerial attack a year ago. However, Dawson Knox has found his way into the box score in each of the first two weeks. After hauling in all four of his targets for 41 yards in the Bills’ opener, Knox caught two passes for 17 yards and a touchdown in Week 2. Under no circumstances should fantasy football owners expect Knox to become the preferred target of QB Josh Allen. That being said, there should be enough targets for Knox to have a weekly role.
After two decent games to begin the year, Knox has some promise as a fantasy football streamers play in Week 3. Many believed the Washington Football Team defense to be one of the best in football coming into the year. Unfortunately, the unit has failed to live up to expectations through two weeks. Washington ranks just 16th in adjusted pass defense per Football Outsiders. They surrendered 10.6 fantasy points to Chargers TE Jared Cook in Week 1. Things weren’t much better in Week 2, as they allowed New York Giants’ TEs Kyle Rudolph and Kaden Smith to combine for 8.9 PPR points. Like most fantasy football tight ends, Knox does have a fairly limited ceiling. Nonetheless, this is an appealing matchup for the former Ole Miss Rebel in Week 3.
Kyle Rudolph | New York Giants (vs ATL)
Current Ownership: 0.8%
With Evan Engram already having been ruled out for Week 3 due to a lingering calf injury, fantasy football managers can expect Kyle Rudolph to lead the Giants at tight end once again on Sunday. Rudolph played 71% of the team’s offensive snaps in Week 2 against Washington, finishing with a pair of catches for 25 yards. While the 4.5 PPR fantasy points weren’t anything crazy, it at least shows that Rudolph has a role in this offense, albeit a small one. He will likely continue to take a back seat to receivers, Sterling Shepard and Kenny Golladay. That said, the Giants’ Week 3 opponent helps Rudolph’s case as a streamer candidate.
New York will battle the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday in a matchup between two winless teams. Although the season is only two weeks old, the Falcons have been wretched at defending opposing TEs thus far. The 22.20 average fantasy points allowed is the second-highest total of any defense in the NFL. A big part of that has come on touchdowns, as Atlanta has given up three to the position. The latest beneficiary was Rob Gronkowski of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who caught two last Sunday. Known for his contributions in the red zone during his time with the Minnesota Vikings, perhaps Rudolph can add to that total in Week 3. While chasing touchdowns in fantasy football is never ideal, the Falcons’ general struggles to defend the pass thus far also favor Rudolph in this matchup.
Tight Ends Facing Tough Week 3 Matchups
- Noah Fant | Denver Broncos (vs NYJ)
- Mike Gesicki | Miami Dolphins (at LV)
- Eric Ebron | Pittsburgh Steelers (vs CIN)
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