We are finally here in the fantasy football playoffs. Hopefully, you are playing for something this week. We are also to the point in the season where we no longer have bye weeks so it’s just a matter of choosing between your players versus being forced to start a guy due to a lack of options. With all that is on the line, making the right lineup choices can mean moving on or getting knocked out. Here are the Week 15 tight end streamers and sleepers.
Must start- George Kittle, Travis Kelce, David Njoku, Mark Andrews, Trey McBride, Brock Bowers
Week 15 Tight End Streamers
Grant Calcaterra – Philadelphia Eagles
The tight end position for the Eagles has been a fantasy staple for years. From Zach Ertz to Dallas Goedert and for at least the rest of this season, Grant Calcaterra. With Goedert landing on IR, it opens the door for the third-year tight end to take a step up and possibly secure a role for next season. He should have a role in your lineup this week. While his total targets are to the level we want to see the fact that he scored a touchdown is exciting. His surehandedness is also exciting. Only not catching three of his targets this season. With another week to be integrated into the starting lineup, I believe that Calcaterra will be a solid tight end streamer this week.
The Eagles are facing the Pittsburgh Steelers who are middle of the road in terms of points given up to the position. While it’s not as smash of a matchup as we typically like to see you have to love having a tight one you can find on waivers be in play for your fantasy team in the playoffs. The game script should be positive for the Eagles’ passing offense. The Steelers can move the ball and while they haven’t scored a ton of points they always seem to keep their team in the mix each week. In the battle for Pennsylvania, I expect the Eagles to look to put up points and work their new starting tight end into the game plan
Kyle Pitts – Atlanta Falcons
I know, you’ve been here before. I know that it’s the first week of the fantasy playoffs. I know that it’s hard to trust Kyle Pitts again but let me tell you why you should give him one more shot. First, while only catching one pass in Week 14 he had six targets. I like that volume of opportunity for my tight ends. Secondly, The athleticism that Kyle Pitts has doesn’t go away. He is still a beast among men capable of taking any pass to the house. You can’t teach that.
Lastly, the main reason I’m rolling with Kyle Pitts this week is the matchup. The Atlanta Falcons are facing the Las Vegas Raiders. A team that is giving up the third most points to the tight end position. The Raiders are bad across the board on defense. They just don’t have a stuff outside of pass rusher Maxx Crosby. That does bring up a solid point that Crosby can wreak havoc on an offensive line and a quarterback. What happens when a quarterback is under pressure? Generally, they like to take the check down or hot route. Those are usually to a tight end or running back. I expect Pitts to be a fixture in the Falcons passing attack this week.
Pat Freiermuth – Pittsburgh Steelers
It’s hard not to chase the guy who has scored in two straight weeks, especially when that guy has shown flashes of being a top-10 guy. That’s what Pat Freiermuth is heading into Week 15. Week 13 he had seven targets which was really encouraging to see. I was hoping to see that or more in Week 14 with wide receiver George Pickens out but Freiermuth only has three. Despite that, he still scored a touchdown which is enough at the tight end position to put you in contention as a top guy. He should continue to be a part of the offense even if it is a small part. Being part of the red zone offense is more important than anything else.
Going against the Philadelphia Eagles is not a great matchup. They are giving up the ninth fewest points to the tight end position. With how good the Eagles’ secondary is they have the depth to put a corner on Freiermuth. I would like him more if George Pickens were playing but even with him out Freiermuth is a solid streaming option this week.
Tight end Sleepers
Stone Smart – Los Angeles Chargers
This was going to be Will Dissly but he left the Week 14 game with a shoulder injury. Because of that third-year tight end Stone Smart saw increased snaps and targets. What he did in that game against the Chiefs was spectacular. He surpassed his season totals in just two receptions. What made Will Dissly an attractive fantasy asset was his involvement in the offense. That role now falls to Smart.
You also have to love the matchup. The Chargers are going against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. A team that is giving up the seventh most points to tight ends. It’s a game that both teams need to win to help secure their playoff aspirations. I expect a high-scoring affair with lots of passing. The only knock to Smart is that when the Chargers are close to the goal line they turn into a run-heavy team. Smart will have to make his hay on the intermediate passing and you are hoping he can break a tackle and take one to the house. Al Michaels and Chris Collingsworth compared Smart to Isaiah Likely during the game and I believe that is a very good comp. A big, talented young tight end who just needs his chance to shine. Smart will get that if Dissly misses this game.
Noah Fant – Seattle Seahawks
So many of us remember all the hype that was around Noah Fant when he came into the league and then again when he was traded to the Seattle Seahawks. While he hasn’t ever lived up to that hype he has had games that were good enough for your fantasy team it was just a matter of starting him in the correct weeks. Week 15 is one of those weeks and Fant is the perfect tight end sleeper.
This will be his third game coming back from injury. We have seen time and time again that it takes a few weeks for players to get back fully healthy and in game shape. In the past two games, he has seen four targets in each game. This week I expect him to see a few more. The Seahawks are playing the Green Bay Packers. They are giving up the ninth most points to tight ends. The Seahawks are leading their division but need to keep winning to hold off surging teams in their division. The Packers need to win to hold on to their wildcard spot and keep the slim hopes of winning their division alive. It should be a high-scoring affair with lots of passing. Fant should be involved and even if he only sees limited opportunities they should produce enough fantasy points to not disappoint you.
Austin Hooper – New England Patriots
I’m a sucker for consistency. So Im a sucker for Austin Hooper this week. While I still believe that Hunter Henry is the better tight end for the New England Patriots I can’t get away from what Hooper has done lately. Four targets in each of the past four games and a touchdown in the past two. The Patriots are now coming off their bye week and have had time to develop a game plan for their consistent tight end,
They will need that game plan against the Arizona Cardinals who are giving up the ninth fewest points to tight ends. While that is a matchup I generally want to avoid I believe that it hurts more for Henry and that the Patriots coaching staff will have a great game plan to get their playmakers involved. Considering the Patriots lack a ton of playmakers at wide receiver The tight end is where they have the skill right now.
Make sure to check out all of our Week 15 Fantasy Football Rankings and Analysis!