Week 3 Fantasy Football Tight End Ranks and Tiers: Travis Kelce TE4? In this economy?

Hartitz highlights AJ Brown as the league's most efficient short-yardage rusher (third and fourth down, three or fewer yards), converting 10 of 11 opportunities. Brown was inserted into goal-line situations after Emanuel Wilson and George Hani were stuffed at the goal line. Hartitz projects Brown could see seven or eight rushing touchdowns on the season if he becomes the primary short-yardage and goal-line rusher for the Eagles.

Hartitz ranks Strange TE23 and notes he hasn't exceeded 25 yards in his last three games. Hartitz expresses skepticism about Strange's fantasy value when all the Jaguars wide receivers are healthy, suggesting the passing game volume may not support consistent production. However, Strange faces the Bengals next week, who rank as the worst tight end defense over the past calendar year based on fantasy points per game and total targets allowed, providing a favorable matchup.

Bowers has more PPR points per game through his first two seasons than any tight end in NFL history except Rob Gronkowski. Ian Hartitz is 'very excited' about his potential in an improving Raiders offense with Kurt Cousins (six passing touchdowns through two weeks). Hartitz notes his pre-draft call was that Bowers could be 'this year's JSN' (Jackson Smith-Njigba). The Raiders offense through two weeks has not been as bad as expected; the Clint Kubiak effect with decent quarterback play could deliver the round-two value Hartitz expected from Bowers.

Ian Hartitz notes that Cade Otton is tied with Mike Evans for targets on the Buccaneers, indicating strong target share parity with the team's top wide receiver. Despite this equal target allocation, Hartitz expresses frustration with the play-calling, suggesting the Buccaneers are not utilizing Otton efficiently relative to his target volume.

Charlie Kolar underwent forearm surgery and, despite initial reports of a short-term IR stint, was not placed on IR. However, Ian Hartitz does not expect Kolar to play in week 3 and would be surprised if his absence is not multi-week, creating extended opportunity for Aronda Gaston.

Hartitz ranks Loveland TE12 against the Eagles on Monday Night Football and expresses strong skepticism about his week 3 outlook. Through two weeks, Loveland has produced only three scoreless yards, a significant underperformance. While Loveland was a 10th overall pick last year with per-route efficiency numbers as good as any rookie in the last decade except Brock Bowers, his suboptimal QB situation (Tabag or 38-year-old Case Keenum) and poor early production complicate his outlook. Hartitz notes the Eagles' strong defensive scheme and talent (Cooper Dean in the middle of the field) as additional reasons not to trust Loveland. He would move Mark Andrews and Jake Ferguson ahead of Loveland if certain conditions are met, and acknowledges that calling Loveland 'a fraud' would be an understandable perspective.

Kincaid has a near full-time role at 69% route share; he has 255 receiving yards through the first two games, the second-most by a tight end in weeks one through two in the 21st century. He plays in Josh Allen's number-one scoring offense, which supports elite weekly upside.

Hartitz ranks Schultz TE11 despite strong underlying metrics. Schultz is second in the NFL in targets through two weeks. With Nico Collins sidelined by a hamstring injury, Schultz is the primary receiving option for the Texans. The Colts have allowed the sixth-most PPR points per game to tight ends since week 1 of last season, but Hartitz does not feel good about Schultz's week 3 matchup despite the favorable circumstances and per-route efficiency shout-out.

Ian Hartitz identifies Waller as a priority waiver target and streaming option. Waller has eight touchdowns in just 11 games over his last two years (tied for fourth most at position). Route rate increased from 42% to 56%, signaling increased offensive role. Owned in only 7% of ESPN and Yahoo leagues despite strong production; likely to remain under 15% ownership even after pickup activity. Panthers' pass-happy offense (first at +11% drop back rate over expected) and loss of Jonathan Brooks for 6-8 weeks should keep the offense pass-heavy, supporting Waller's red zone threat status in a position where touchdown upside is often the primary value driver. Ranked TE16.

Njoku is on IR with a knee injury, ending his season and creating a full-time opportunity for backup Aronda Gaston in the Chargers' tight end room. Despite receiving a shout-out for strong per-route efficiency metrics earlier in the season, his inability to stay healthy has sidelined him.

DeMarcus Robinson is dealing with an ankle injury and is expected to be out for quite a bit, which consolidates the 49ers passing attack and benefits George Kittle.

Ian Hartitz ranks Evan Ingram TE25 and gives him a brief mention of respect for a cool catch he made last week, but provides no additional fantasy analysis or projection details.

George Kittle is ranked tight end six with a 68% route rate on the 49ers' first five drives last week before the game got out of hand. Route rate will likely increase as the season progresses. If Mike Evans is sidelined with a hip injury, Kittle could be bumped to tight end five. Last year in week 11 against this same defense, Kittle caught all six targets for 67 yards and two touchdowns, showing strong efficiency against this matchup.

Ian Hartitz notes that Gunner Olszewski's route rate increased to 75% and had some good underlying numbers last year, but expresses skepticism about whether this increased involvement will translate to fantasy value in Tennessee, suggesting the Titans' offensive situation may limit his upside despite the higher route rate.

Hartitz ranks Fannon TE18 and acknowledges his talent but expresses concern that without an overwhelming target share, he is problematic in an offense with limited upside. Denzel Boston and Casey Conception are the one-two in the Texans attack, limiting Fannon's ceiling. Hartitz notes if Deshaun Watson continues to play well, Fannon could climb ranks, but the current receiving hierarchy constrains his fantasy value.

Hartitz ranks Hunter Henry TE22 and notes he will receive a ranking bump if Eli Reddick is out with a thigh injury, suggesting the loss of the primary running back would increase Henry's offensive role and fantasy value for the Patriots.

Isaiah Likely has 18 targets through two weeks, trailing only Trey McBride and Dalton Schultz among tight ends. He established a true full-time role in week 2 with an 85% route participation rate, up from 68% in week 1 when he scored two touchdowns and finished as the overall PPR TE1 despite limited volume. Ian Hartitz notes the 85% mark is excellent (typically wants at least 70%, prefers 80%+ with offensive questions). Ranked TE7-8 against the Titans, though concerns remain about potential pass rate decline and Malik Neighbors' health impact on volume.

Ian Hartitz ranks Ferguson TE15 and notes he won't score two touchdowns every week but showed a boom game in Week 3 when CeeDee Lamb was healthy. Hartitz expresses concern that Kyle Hamilton could erase Ferguson's production, believing Hamilton is capable of doing so.

Ian Hartitz ranks Johnson TE13 in tier three. Johnson was inches away from scoring another touchdown last week but couldn't quite get there. Hartitz says Johnson will remain a borderline tight end one option long-term despite near-miss scoring opportunities.

Hartitz ranks Pitts TE21 and expresses skepticism about his fantasy value. While he would like to blame Cooper Rush, Pitts had damning splits last year both with/without Drake London and with/without Michael Penn. Pitts was significantly more productive with Kurt Cousins (6.8 targets, 57 yards) than with Michael Penn (5.6 targets, 40 yards), suggesting the quarterback change is a major factor in his decline. Hartitz wants to see Pitts prove his worth before actively starting him in fantasy matchups if possible.

Ian Hartitz ranks Andrews TE14 against the Cowboys with a favorable matchup. Andrews gets a bump up to borderline TE1 status if Zay Flowers remains sidelined. Hartitz cites Week 1 production from Likely and Week 2 from Chicka Conquer as evidence the Cowboys allow tight end production, and would move Andrews ahead of Coulson Lovelin if Flowers is out.

Mike Evans is dealing with a hip injury that could sideline him. If Evans is out, it would consolidate the 49ers passing attack and could elevate George Kittle to tight end five consideration.

Nico Collins is sidelined with a hamstring injury and is not expected to play in week 3. Although the team reported the injury as not serious, Ian Hartitz notes the injury could sideline Collins for an unknown duration, benefiting Dalton Schultz's target share.

Ian Hartitz uses Pat Freiermuth as a hypothetical example when discussing alternative ranking scenarios. He suggests that if someone doesn't believe in the Bengals defense, they could rank Freiermuth as TE12 instead of lower, acknowledging this as a valid contrarian stance based on matchup considerations.

Puka Nacua is referenced as one of only two tight ends (alongside Jackson Smith-Njigba) who averaged more yards per route than Dalton Goedert last season, but lacked the full-time role that Goedert now has.

Hartitz ranks LaPorta TE7 against the New York Jets. LaPorta has 15 targets (second-most on the Lions) with recent production of five catches for 48 yards and six catches for 52 yards and a touchdown. While LaPorta is the clear 2A option in the Lions passing game behind Monreaux, the Jets have allowed the 12th-most PPR points per game to opposing tight ends since the start of last season, supporting his matchup appeal.

Ian Hartitz recommends Terrence Ferguson as a long-term streaming option with dramatic usage increase. Routes jumped from 45% to 70%; targets increased from one to nine. Catching passes from the reigning league MVP with 54 yards and a touchdown. Ranked TE10-11 with arrow pointing up; 21% rostered on ESPN and Yahoo. Increased role may be sustained if Puka Nakua remains sidelined (status uncertain for Sunday Night Football). Against Broncos defense with cornerback Tan likely shadowing Devonte Adams, Ferguson positioned for inside targets. Hartitz gives Ferguson a nod over Gassin for TE10 if Puka is unavailable.

Ian Hartitz ranks Ferguson TE10-11 with an arrow pointing up; 21% rostered on ESPN and Yahoo. Hartitz notes Ferguson could move up given Passer Tan's likely shadowing of Devonte Adams, getting Ferguson opportunities on the inside. With a 70% route rate when Puka Nakua is out, Hartitz gives Ferguson a nod over Gatston for TE10 if Puka is unavailable.

Kelce is ranked TE4 for week three. Ian Hartitz initially thought his week one performance was fluky but is now 'buying it' after week two, when Patrick Mahomes looked like the best quarterback in the league and made impressive tight-window throws to Kelce. Kelce has a career-high 14.3 yards per catch and 10.8 yards per target through two weeks. He faces the Miami Dolphins in week three, a defense Hartitz describes as 'horrible'; while Hartitz does not project Kelce as a top-four tight end for the rest of the season, he is 'locked in' as a top-eight option at minimum in this 'smash spot.'

McBride ranks fifth in PPR points per game among all wide receivers and tight ends since week one of last year with 18.9 PPR points per game, trailing only Puka Nacua, Jackson Smith-Njigba, Amon-Ra St. Brown, and Jamar Chase. Ian Hartitz calls him 'a beast' and leads tier one; he also receives a shout-out for strong per-route efficiency metrics, ranking among the most efficient tight ends on a yards and targets per route basis.

Tucker Craft is one of the top five most talented tight ends in football with a full-time role. Despite concerns about potential increased blocking due to Packers offensive line injuries and Matt LaFleur's emergency comments, the Jaden Reed neck injury likely means Craft will run more routes like he did last week. Facing a banged-up Falcons secondary with AJ Terrell on IR warrants top-five treatment.

Kraft's route share jumped dramatically from 48% in week one to 84% in week two, signaling a major role expansion. Despite Matt LaFleur's comment about potentially using Kraft on the offensive line due to Packers injuries, Ian Hartitz dismisses this as an in-game emergency measure. Jaden Reed's neck injury absence further benefits Kraft's role going forward.

Tyler Warren is ranked TE9 despite being consensus preseason TE4, with Ian Hartitz describing this as 'panicking a little' about Warren. Season stats show 2.8 yards per target, third-lowest among 33 tight ends with 5+ targets (dead last if threshold raised to 6 targets). The Colts offense lacks downfield threats with Alec Pierce on IR; Darius Slayton, Ashton Dulin, and Keenan Allen are the field-stretchers. Hartitz projects Warren as likely to repeat 5-catch, 20-yard performances dependent on TD scoring and explicitly states he can see himself lowering Warren even more as the week progresses.