A New Starting TE Candidate Emerges (Week 7 TE + QB Ranks)

The source ranks Aaron Rodgers at 20, averaging 16.5 PPG with very little ceiling but a nice floor, characterizing him as a predictable, floor-based option.

Barner is ranked in the desperation tier as a streaming option for Week 7.

Firkser is not a bad player, but the source emphasizes that wide receivers are better at earning targets than tight ends unless the tight ends are truly great; the source does not believe Firkser qualifies, suggesting limited target volume and role in a wide-receiver-centric offense.

Mayfield is returning this week to play for the Buccaneers with a protective brace on his hand. The source notes uncertainty about how the brace will affect his performance. Additionally, the source ranks Mayfield at quarterback 15–17 in the C tier, positioning him behind Kirk Cousins but ahead of Jacoby Brissett, assuming he plays this week.

Bo Nix is ranked as low as the source could justify, averaging 11.6 points per game. He provides no rushing upside, which limits his ceiling. Most concerning, Nix holds the lowest average depth of target of all 701 quarterbacks since Next Gen Stats began measuring—701 out of 701—indicating an extremely short-range passing attack. The source identifies this week as a potential get-right spot and suggests considering him if he shows rushing upside.

Ranked as the sole S-tier tight end for Week 7; Mattek Fantasy Football's primary recommendation at the position due to elite upside and matchup.

Purdy is ranked alone in the S tier for Week 7 quarterbacks, averaging 22 points per game. The source is a big believer in Purdy, citing his phenomenal season, second-place MVP odds, rushing upside, and a neutral dome matchup, despite lacking elite receivers.

C.J. Stroud is ranked in the B tier for Week 7, marking the highest ranking Mattek Fantasy Football has ever given him. Despite not being a Stroud believer entering the season, the source views him as an elite start this week due to the Texans' 27-point team total, inability to run the ball (with David Montgomery likely out), and Stroud's recent 34 dropback attempts in back-to-back games following a 312-yard, 3-TD performance against Jacksonville. Stroud is available in 25% of ESPN leagues.

With Emeka Egbuka questionable with foot injury and concussion, Cade Otton becomes a primary target option for Baker Mayfield in Tampa Bay's offense. The source identifies him as one of the absolute plays of the week, projecting 10–11 points in standard scoring with better upside in tight end premium formats, and recommends starting him over borderline wide receivers. The source actively added him to multiple leagues both to block opponents and as a flex option. Additionally, Otton is recommended as a contingency pickup if you own Tyler Warren, providing a built-in backup plan.

Williams is ranked second among quarterbacks for Week 7 after having a phenomenal game; the source acknowledges that ranking him below Brock Purdy alone in the S tier may look questionable in hindsight.

Godwin's presence or absence impacts K'Waun Williams' target share for the Buccaneers. The source notes that 'Chris Godwin Jr. absolutely stinks and is irrelevant to this conversation,' suggesting Godwin is not a significant factor in the current Buccaneers offense.

Donaldson is being used 'quite a bit in replacement of a pass-catching tight end' for the Saints, playing a fullback-style role. This usage is driven by the Saints' poor offensive line and Juwan Johnson's inability to be an effective run blocker, resulting in Donaldson taking snaps that would otherwise go to a traditional pass-catching tight end.

Parkinson is ranked in the desperation tier as a fine streaming option if absolutely needed for Week 7.

Ranked TE9 and averaging 11.8 PPG; strong target volume since return from injury with 9 and 8 targets in recent games; plays against the Dallas Cowboys, the worst defense in the NFL (32nd in EPA per play), providing a favorable matchup; graded as a clear start this week.

Ranked TE7 for Week 7 after a big breakout performance on Thursday night; the source recommends having him in lineups.

Drake May is ranked third among quarterbacks for Week 7 after having a phenomenal game. Mattek Fantasy Football ranks him below only Brock Purdy (S tier) and Caleb Williams (second), noting that both May and Williams had phenomenal recent performances that make the ranking hierarchy potentially questionable in hindsight.

Egbuka is questionable with both a foot injury and a concussion. The source is 'not expecting Egbuka to play,' indicating his availability is in serious doubt for the upcoming week, which opens up target volume for other Buccaneers receivers, particularly tight end Cade Otton.

Ingram might benefit from Denver's continued short passing game and could get a short touchdown; the source suggests him as a streaming option if fading Jaylen Waddle this week.

Geno Smith is top-half the league in EPA per play this year, but he's a fine low-end streamer with an extremely low floor due to the Jets' propensity to run the ball. Recent game history shows 8 points vs. Bears, 10 vs. Browns, and 12 vs. Patriots when the Jets ran effectively, following a huge game against Detroit Lions. The source expects high overall offensive efficiency this week but the run-heavy approach limits his upside.

Excluded from S-tier ranking due to overall volume concerns despite a favorable matchup against Atlanta; the source projects a great game as approximately 2 touchdowns on 6–7 receptions.

Dulcich is listed in the desperation tier as a streaming option for Week 7.

Helm is averaging just 2.8 points per game and is ranked in the desperation tier with minimal fantasy value for Week 7.

Ranked tight end in C tier against Titans (good matchup) by Mattek Fantasy Football, but the source plans to move him down further as the season progresses. Target volume has been very poor; competing with Denzel Boston and Concepcion for targets, both of whom are outperforming him. Targets per route run and yards per route run are abysmal, compared to backup-level production like Austin Hooper. The source attributes poor performance to bad quarterback play and superior receiving options rather than Fannin's talent. Scored two touchdowns against Carolina Panthers but efficiency metrics remain concerning.

Hunter Henry scored 14.8 points (4 rec, 48 yards, 1 TD) against the Jets and had a good game on Thursday night football against the Bears; the source acknowledges being too low on him initially and has revised upward based on recent strong performances.

Ranked B-tier but faces the worst possible game environment of the week with a 16.5-point team total and difficult defensive matchup; averages 18.2 PPG (would rank 7th among wide receivers); plays against the Texans with J.J. McCarthy at quarterback; one quarter of evidence suggests McCarthy can sustain fantasy value for Likely, but sustainability against the Texans remains uncertain.

Brissett is ranked at QB 16 based on sheer volume. The source expects 40 dropbacks from Brissett, as the Cardinals will not be able to run effectively against the Broncos' defense. While Brissett's floor is actually quite low (six points against Seattle; his worst game came in a win against the Rams), the high volume and expected game script (Cardinals unable to run) create upside. There is also a decent chance of garbage time with Brissett.

Ferguson is losing his starting job to Brevin Jordan; the source notes he's not even a fine desperation option, indicating a significant role downgrade and reduced fantasy relevance.

Jared Goff is ranked fifth among quarterbacks for Week 7, averaging 23 points per game with the highest team total of the entire slate at 27.8 points, positioning him for a strong fantasy performance.

The source recommends giving Jaylen Waddle another chance due to the favorable matchup against the Cardinals, as discussed in the flex ranking videos.

Joe Burrow is ranked sixth among quarterbacks for Week 7, averaging 20.3 points per game against the Ravens. The source notes that Bengals-Ravens games are generally good for fantasy if Lamar Jackson plays, suggesting the matchup quality depends on Jackson's availability.

Akins is returning from injury, which will directly displace Juwan Johnson from the Saints' tight end role. The source explicitly states that after Akins returns, Johnson will no longer be a viable weekly starter, indicating Akins will reclaim the primary tight end role.

Jordan Love is ranked fourth among quarterbacks for Week 7. The source identifies the Detroit Lions defense as the most forgiving defense in fantasy football because the Lions offense can actually keep pace, requiring opposing offenses to generate more points—a favorable matchup dynamic for Love.

Ranked tight end 12 by Mattek Fantasy Football; scored zero points last week. This is probably the last week to start him as Jordan Akins will be returning from injury. After Akins returns, Johnson's role will diminish significantly, followed by a bye week in Week 8. His role is already diminishing because the Saints are playing more backup tight ends and using C.J. Donaldson (playing fullback-style) in place of a pass-catching tight end. Johnson, a converted wide receiver from Oregon, is not a natural or instinctive run blocker, so his role is shrinking in the offense. The source recommends starting him this week against Steelers in a good matchup, then prepare to stream tight ends.

Kyle Pitts shows strong upside in games where the Falcons are trailing or in competitive matchups, as his route share and snap count increase significantly in those scenarios. Against the 49ers at home as underdogs, Pitts is positioned for a favorable game script. The source notes that Pitts's role diminishes when the Falcons are winning or running the ball, but with limited target-earning receivers (Jahan Dotson, Zach Ertz, Olamide Zaccheaus), Pitts captures volume in negative game scripts. The source has him ranked over some flex-eligible wide receivers on multiple teams. Additionally, Pitts is ranked higher than consensus, and this elevated ranking is directly tied to the expected high dropback volume for Michael Penix Jr., whose expected game script (heavy passing due to game flow) will create more opportunities for Pitts.

Lamar Jackson is legitimately questionable as of Friday 9:45 a.m. Central Time; if he practices and is cleared to play, the source will add him to the rankings in the S tier as the second-highest quarterback of the week alongside Brock Purdy. His status significantly affects Mark Andrews' ranking, with the source liking Andrews more if Lamar plays.

Malik Willis is on pace for 900 rushing yards and 7 rushing touchdowns but cannot crack 12 PPG, indicating poor overall fantasy production despite significant rushing volume.

Andrews projects well based on data and efficiency metrics with fine target shares, but his actual efficiency has been poor; yards per route run have been dire, ranging from 2.23 down to 0.16. The source would rank him higher if Lamar Jackson plays, but the disconnect between opportunity and production is concerning.

Mayer is ranked at tight end 18 and has been consistently involved with an 18-22% target share; the source notes the Raiders will struggle running the ball against the Rams and recommends Mayer as a solid streaming option. He's owned in only 15% of Yahoo leagues, presenting a decent streaming opportunity for Week 7 with significant waiver wire availability.

Penix is ranked at QB 14, tied with Danny for highest on the site when including bye-week players. The source ranks him this high because he expects an insane amount of dropbacks, specifically the most dropbacks of the season for Penix. The source expects the game script to resemble the second half and fourth quarter against the Chicago Bears, where Atlanta abandoned the run and threw deep on basically every play. Penix is recommended as a streamer this week.

Evans' presence or absence significantly impacts K'Waun Williams' target share and production for the Buccaneers. When Evans is out, Williams' target volume and scoring increase substantially.

Fant is being deployed as a backup tight end for the Saints alongside Oscar Delp, with C.J. Donaldson taking the pass-catching role. This indicates limited offensive role and target opportunity.

Delp is being used as a backup tight end for the Saints alongside Noah Fant, with C.J. Donaldson taking the pass-catching role. This indicates limited offensive role and target opportunity.

Freiermuth is a touchdown-or-bust option whose route share has diminished slightly due to Jeremy Jeudy running routes in the same area of the field, but he remains featured in the red zone. The source rates him as a good flex or tight end option for the week despite the reduced route volume.

Patrick Mahomes has been disappointing in the last three games because the Chiefs have dominated opponents without requiring him to do much. The source is frustrated by Andy Reid's conservative red zone approach (kicking field goals instead of going for touchdowns), which limits fantasy production for Mahomes, Kelce, Rice, and Worthy. Despite this frustration, the source still views Mahomes as a clear start in fantasy football for the given week.

Puka Nacua's availability is a critical swing factor for Stafford's fantasy ranking. The Rams' implied team total is currently assuming Nacua plays. If Nacua does not play, Stafford will be downgraded from QB 10 (B tier) to QB 12 (C tier), as the passing game would rely on secondary receivers like Higbee, Parkinson, and Williams.

Ranked B-tier and moved ahead of Isaiah Likely due to the best game environment of the week; plays against Green Bay Packers with a 27.5-point implied team total.

Hockenson is ranked at tight end 17 with a very good matchup against Indianapolis; the source prefers Tyler Higbee by quite a bit, but Hockenson is the source's favorite streaming option for Week 7, available in 40% of ESPN leagues, making him a widely available target for owners seeking a tight end replacement.

Mattek Fantasy Football ranks Kelce as a starter with very few worlds where he should be benched. Rashee Rice did not practice Wednesday or Thursday, which should increase Kelce's usage. The source expects a pass-heavy game plan against Seattle due to Kenneth Walker's revenge game narrative and interior pass rush threats like Nick Emenwari. Kelce saw only 5 targets against the Chargers due to a run-heavy game plan, but the source does not expect that to repeat against Seattle.

Ranked A-tier for Week 7 despite coming off a relatively down game; difficult matchup noted with opponent team total of only 19.5 points; the source emphasizes McBride should not be benched.

Ranked TE8 despite a great game environment; the source identifies poor role and target volume as key concerns: only 1 touchdown on the year, yards per route run below 2.0, and target share below 18% due to Matthew Golden and Christian Watson being superior passing options; the source notes Kraft historically relied on yards after catch (led NFL in YAC per reception in recent seasons), which is unsustainable for long-term fantasy success; the source only starts Kraft in 1 of 30 managed leagues and benches him for Travis Kelce in a high-stakes dynasty league with tight end premium scoring; Kraft is still working his way back from ACL injury; the source states 'I don't think Tucker Kraft is truly great,' suggesting limited upside as a pass-catcher in a wide-receiver-friendly offense.

The source ranks Conklin at tight end 16 against Miami this week. While the Jets have a low 22-point team total, Conklin is recommended as a really good hold rather than a waiver add to start, given his potential to suddenly become the starting tight end and his past performance in a full-time role against Detroit. Geno Smith is top-half the league in EPA per play this year, supporting Conklin's underlying value.

Ranked tight end 10 by Mattek Fantasy Football. Elevated to the most important role in the Rams offense with Davante Adams out and Puka Nacua dealing with a calf injury (missed practice Thursday). While Terrance Ferguson is the team's second-best pass catcher after Adams, Higbee plays the critical complementary role alongside Parkinson and Davis Allen. At age 33, not as productive as Ferguson but occupies an essential offensive role. Graded as a clear start against Las Vegas Raiders; the source would be hard-pressed to bench him. Prefers Higbee by quite a bit over T.J. Hockenson this week.

Xavier Worthy's fantasy production has been limited in recent weeks due to the Chiefs' dominant performances and conservative red zone approach. Worthy is grouped in the source's request for more detailed fantasy stats alongside Mahomes, Kelce, and Rice, indicating the source wants better statistical context for evaluating his fantasy performance.

Ertz is listed in the desperation tier, but the source indicates they want to delete him from consideration entirely, suggesting he should be avoided even as a desperation option.