Week 7 Fantasy Football Tight End Rankings: Happy Tucker Kraft boom week?

Elijah Royo's shoulder injury cements Barner as an every-down tight end; Chiefs defense ranks fourth-worst against tight ends in PPR points per game. However, Ian Hartitz cautions that the matchup is complicated by Steve Spagnuolo's defensive scheme potentially putting Sam Darnold in difficult situations, as evidenced by Brock Bowers and Michael Mayer combining for 37 points against Kansas City in week four.

Ranked tight end one for Week 7 despite a tough Rams matchup. Bowers is one of only five players at wide receiver or tight end averaging 20+ PPR points per game this season, alongside Jackson Smith-Njigba, CeeDee Lamb, Amon-Ra St. Brown, and Puka Nakua. The Rams have allowed only three receivers/tight ends to gain more than 50 yards in a game this season and none more than 80 yards. Ian Hartitz is not overly worried about tough upcoming matchups (Chargers, Raiders, Jaguars, Lions, Packers, 49ers in weeks 7-12), emphasizing that matchups are more of a tiebreaker than a rule to completely upend what you know about the position. Bowers gets 91% of his fantasy points in the slot or out wide (only 9% as an inline tight end), making him the overwhelming majority pass-game option in the Raiders offense.

Ian Hartitz ranks Colston Loveland as tight end 9 against the New England Patriots on Thursday Night Football, signaling a return to tight end one territory. Loveland caught 6 of 7 targets for 65 yards and a score last week and was wide open in the end zone on another play that Caleb Williams didn't connect on early enough. With a 50.5-point game total and a potential shootout between Drake May and Caleb Williams, Hartitz expects Loveland to be a big beneficiary of the game script. Loveland is pushing for five-plus targets every week and projects as a low-end tight end one in fantasy, though Hartitz acknowledges he won't be the clear number-one option he was drafted to be in round four. Loveland also has pretty good upcoming matchups moving forward (weeks 7-12).

Loveland has pretty good upcoming matchups moving forward (weeks 7-12). Based on averaging opponent rank and PPR points per game allowed to tight ends, Loveland's schedule is favorable.

Ian Hartitz ranks Goedert as tight end 8 for Week 7 against the Cowboys on Monday Night Football. Hartitz notes he would rank Goedert higher if Jaylen Hurts were available, but credits backup Tanner McKee for understanding the assignment and distributing the ball effectively. Goedert has 59 targets and 8 touchdowns across three full games this season, emphasizing the volume being afforded to him. The matchup against the Cowboys defense is described as ideal. Goedert has pretty good upcoming matchups moving forward (weeks 7-12), with the Cowboys among favorable tight end defenses.

Schultz posted 140 yards in week two against the Bengals but has managed only 102 yards across the four games since, a significant production decline; he carries a position-high 37 targets without a touchdown this season. Ian Hartitz is hopeful for eventual touchdown production but uncertain about timing.

Waller's route participation dropped to a season-low 43% following the bye week, signaling reduced offensive involvement; Tommy Tremble ran approximately 50% of snaps and made the most of his opportunities, creating uncertainty about target distribution until Carolina consolidates around one tight end.

With Jaylen Hurts sidelined, backup Tanner McKee has shown a willingness to force-feed DeVonta Smith. In McKee's game, Smith received 8 catches on 8 targets for 61 yards, indicating McKee's trust and volume allocation to the receiver despite the quarterback change.

Ranked tight end three for Week 7 against the Atlanta Falcons. With Mike Evans removed from the equation, Kittle is looking at 8-10 targets per game, making him a 1A or 1B option in the Buccaneers offense. He has scored five touchdowns in his last five games, demonstrating elite touchdown upside when he is the primary receiving target. Ian Hartitz is not overly worried about tough upcoming matchups (Chargers, Raiders, Jaguars, Lions, Packers, 49ers in weeks 7-12), emphasizing that matchups are more of a tiebreaker than a rule to completely upend what you know about the position. Kittle is the most traditional tight end in the league with 82% of his production coming inline, making him distinct from the slot/wide receiver-heavy tight ends like Bowers and McBride.

Four scoreless yards and nine scoreless yards over the past two weeks; as long as Casey Koncak remains healthy, Fannon won't get the designed run looks he relied on last year; also not showing the same level of after-catch ability, and Deshaun Watson's declining play is limiting tight end opportunities.

Ranked tight end 15 against the Bears on Thursday night football. Romeo Doubs' absence supports Henry's ability to maintain his current two-game touchdown streak. Snap competition from Eli Raridan is minimal and not concerning. Drake May's strong play, particularly against mediocre defenses like Chicago, provides confidence in Henry's fantasy outlook.

Ranked tight end four for Week 7 against the Texans despite significant headwinds. Likely is the overall TE1 in PPR points per game this season. The transition to New York has been strong; between Weeks 1, 5, and 6, he has three separate top-two weekly finishes. However, the JJ McCarthy factor presents uncertainty—McCarthy was poor in 10 games last season but showed promise in the final 15 minutes of Week 6, finding Likely with a well-thrown touchdown and two-point conversion. Vegas has the Giants projected to score just 16.5 points, the lowest in Week 7, creating a tough matchup environment. Despite playing for an offense that is not very good and facing a tough matchup, Ian Hartitz explicitly states 'Please start him if you got him,' indicating strong conviction in his Week 7 production. Likely functions as a wide receiver despite tight end designation, with 92% of receiving production coming in the slot or out wide and only 8% as an inline tight end.

Ranked tight end 18 against a very tough matchup: Jaylen Ramsey and the Steelers' league-leading sixth-best defense in EPA for drop back. Tyler Shuck has not efficiently moved the ball down the field; he's been under 60 yards per attempt in three straight games. Jawan has accumulated only 16 scoreless yards over the last two weeks. In the recent Giants game, he posted a season-low 53% route rate with Oscar Dulp, Noah Fant, and Bryce Lance all seeing significant snaps, creating snap competition and limiting opportunity.

36% route rate is limiting fantasy value despite strong play; the Jets are playing Mason Taylor at 70% route rate and Isaiah Williams over Drake, which Ian Hartitz finds baffling given the team is missing starting wide receiver Adonai Mitchell and should be able to use two tight ends effectively; Drake had an early touchdown called back for holding.

Ian Hartitz ranks Kyle Pitts as tight end 12 against the 49ers and expresses renewed optimism after three straight encouraging games. Pitts posted 3 catches for 47 yards, then 5 for 42 yards and a touchdown, and most recently 5 for 60 yards and 2 touchdowns. Hartitz states he will never fully quit on Pitts due to his talent. Pitts is emerging as the number two pass game option in an offense that doesn't suck, with more targets going to him than Bejian Robinson (who has had only 3, 2, 1, 4, and 2 receptions since week two). Against a banged-up 49ers team, Hartitz projects Pitts for 6 to 8 targets, which should yield solid fantasy points, especially if the 49ers build a lead and force the Falcons out of their run-first approach.

Andrews' recent performance has been poor; his week five outing was described by Ian Hartitz as 'one of the worst that my eyes have ever had the unfortunate privilege of laying eyes on,' and he looks 'washed.' The Bengals have improved significantly against tight ends this year, and Andrews' prior performances against Cincinnati (four catches for 47 scoreless yards in one game, two catches for 18 scoreless yards in another) demonstrate the matchup is not favorable. Additionally, Lamar Jackson's injury status is uncertain heading into the Bengals matchup; he was limited in practice and Vegas lines have shifted heavily with the Bengals now favored, creating downside risk for Andrews' production if Jackson cannot return to full health. Ian Hartitz explicitly refuses to give Andrews a Bengals bump, making it difficult to rank him in the top 16 over other options even if Lamar Jackson returns.

Ranked tight end 13. Mayer is a full-time player and the de facto number two pass-game option behind Brock Bowers in the Raiders offense. The two don't overlap: Bowers gets 91% of his production in the slot or out wide (9% inline), while Mayer works 70% inline and 30% in the slot/out wide. Mayer has played at least 79% of snaps in all but one game this season (over 60% in that one). He's a full-time player in a Kirk Cousins-led passing attack that has surpassed expectations. Recent production: 8 catches for 82 yards in week four, 7 for 95 last week. He's a tight end 12 in PPR points per game.

0% of receiving production has come as a traditional inline tight end this season; functions entirely as a slot or wide receiver despite tight end designation.

Ranked tight end five for Week 7. Despite recent frustration over contract extension negotiations and playing through a broken back last season, LaPorta has been performing well in PPR points per game throughout the season. The matchup features the highest game total of Week 7 at 53.5 points between the Lions and Texans, providing a favorable scoring environment.

Ferguson is mentioned as a future beneficiary of the Rams' favorable upcoming schedule (weeks 7-12) once he returns to health. The Rams are among the five teams with the best tight end matchups moving forward.

Ian Hartitz ranks Kelce as tight end 10 against the Seahawks but expresses significant concern about his recent target volume. Outside of Week 2 (11 targets, 9 catches, 101 yards, 1 TD), Kelce has received five or fewer targets in every other week. Hartitz notes this is particularly surprising given the absence of Rashee Rice and Taekwon Thornton, yet the Chiefs are keeping Noah Gray involved and Xavier Worthy is picking up slack. Additionally, Kenneth Walker's presence is making the Chiefs more run-first. Kelce is dealing with a limited practice Wednesday due to an ankle injury, and the Seahawks defense ranks in the top three units in fantasy points allowed against tight ends, making Hartitz reluctant to expect fireworks.

Ranked tight end two for Week 7 against the Broncos despite a tough matchup. McBride ranks 13th among all wide receivers and tight ends in PPR points per game. He has nine more receptions than the next closest player within five yards of the line of scrimmage, indicating heavy short-area target volume. While he has not seen a completion thrown 20+ yards downfield since Week 1 and only one over 15 yards, his high reception volume in full PPR scoring makes him a special fantasy asset. McBride functions primarily as a slot or wide receiver, with 83% of receiving production coming out wide or in the slot and only 17% as a traditional inline tight end.

Ranked tight end six for Week 7 against the Lions despite averaging tight end 16 in PPR points per game this season. The matchup is highly favorable: the Detroit Lions are allowing 11 additional PPR points per game to tight ends compared to the next worst defense (Washington Commanders), a gap equivalent to the difference between the Commanders and the 25th-ranked defense. Kraft maintains a full-time role despite Christian Watson and Matthew Golden's production, and the matchup is described as 'absolutely astronomical' for tight end production. Ian Hartitz emphasizes that matchups are more of a tiebreaker than a rule to completely upend what you know about the position, and is not overly worried about tough upcoming spots for Kraft, though to a lesser extent than elite tight ends.

Ranked tight end seven for Week 7. Over the last four weeks, Higbee has posted route rates of 77%, 76%, 64%, and 83%, with his best usage on a per-route basis coming last week despite Kobe Parkinson scoring the touchdown. Higbee has scored the sixth-most PPR points among tight ends during this stretch, averaging tight end six PPR points per game across games played. With Devonte Adams sidelined by hamstring injury, he is expected to see an even bigger full-time role. The Raiders have allowed more total points than any defense over the last three weeks. Ian Hartitz projects Higbee for top-10 tight end production this season, contingent on Terrence Ferguson remaining on injured reserve, noting the Rams didn't necessarily plan to run so much of their offense through Higbee but the injury situation has created an opportunity for sustained high-volume usage. Higbee also benefits from the Rams' favorable upcoming schedule (weeks 7-12), as the Rams are among the five teams with the best tight end matchups moving forward.

Dealing with a groin injury and has not practiced to open the week; Ian Hartitz does not expect him to play. If he does play against the Vikings, he would be ranked tight end sixteen due to the Vikings' blitz-heavy scheme that limits routes for running backs and tight ends asked to stay in and pass protect.