For some of us, the championship is within reach. For others, it’s just trying to not finish last. No matter what the circumstances it’s been a long season. We all have fought through injuries, poor play, and surprises. We will continue to bring you our favorite tight end streamers and sleepers all the way through Week 18.
Must start- George Kittle, Travis Kelce, Mark Andrews, Trey McBride, Brock Bowers, Sam LaPorta, Jonnu Smith
Week 16 Tight End Streamers
Brenton Strange – Jacksonville Jaguars
Even Engram’s landing on IR was a blow to all the tight end lovers in the world. A player we saw revitalize his career after languishing with the New York Giants; playing for the Jacksonville Jaguars gave Engram a scheme that focused on him. With him now on the shelf, that focus shifts to rookie Brenton Strange. While only playing on under 50% of the Jags snaps with Engram in the lineup he saw his snap share and target volume skyrocket. He jumped to 82% of the team’s snaps in Week 15 and saw 12 targets. He caught 11 of them for 73 yards. Even with backup Mac Jones throwing the ball Strange continues to have opportunities in the offense.
Week 16 brings a matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders. A team that is giving up the third most points to tight ends. Both teams struggle to score points so we can expect a low-scoring affair. That might cap some of the upside for Strange but it should also keep him involved all game. With Engram having only one year left on his current contract and being a possible cap casualty this offseason I expect the Jags to continue to involve Strange who was a 2nd round pick this past April. He should be a big part of the offense for the next few years and his continued development might be a selling point for a coaching staff looking to keep their jobs.
Jake Ferguson – Dallas Cowboys
Jake Ferguson was giving the keys to the tight end kingdom two years ago when the Dallas Cowboys let Dalton Schultz leave and decided not to bring anyone to compete with Ferguson. He has struggled this season with injuries missing three complete games the most recent was a two-game stretch. Since returning in Week 14 Ferguson has seen 10 targets. While his yardage hasn’t been amazing I like the volume. It’s a solid number that should continue to increase as the offense continues to develop with backup Cooper Rush. They just got veteran Brandin Cooks back as well so his presence has opened up some room for Ferguson.
This week he goes against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers who are currently giving up the fifth-most fantasy points to the tight end position. While the Cowboys aren’t technically eliminated from the playoffs their chances are very slim. On the other hand, the Bucs are holding on to the lead in their division and are trying to improve their overall seed. This matters for Ferguson because the Bucs will be looking to score points and not playing conservatively. That puts the Cowboys in a pass-friendly game script. I expect the former Badger, Ferguson to see a solid target number. If he can catch a few more than he has he won’t disappoint your fantasy team.
Mike Gesicki – Cincinnati Bengals
Most people have been under the assumption that if wide receiver Tee Higgins plays then you don’t play tight end Mike Gesicki for fantasy. While Gesicki’s numbers aren’t as gaudy as they were when Higgins was out he is still putting up solid production. In the past three games has seen 12 targets and has yet to post less than five fantasy points. That’s a solid baseline for a tight end most people have given up on.
Now factor in that the Bengals are playing their in-state divisional rivals, the Cleveland Browns. They are giving up the tenth most points to tight ends. Gesicki had a poor showing the first time these teams met back in Week 7 but he has been much better and more involved as of late. Cincy needs to win out to make the playoffs and they should get plenty of opportunities to score points this week. The Cleveland Browns are giving up a ton of turnovers so the Bengals may see a few extra drives than they are used to. All signs point to them having a good game and Gesicki being a solid part of it.
Tight End Sleepers
Jordan Akins – Cleveland Browns
Injuries are starting to pile up for the Cleveland Browns. On top of Deshaun Watson being out it looks as if they just lost running back Nick Chubb for the remainder of the season with a broken foot and tight end Davis Njoku missed the week 15 match-up with a hamstring issue. One question heading into Week 16 for the Browns will be the availability of Njoku and the other will be who the quarterback is. With Jameis Winston getting benched in favor of Dorian Thompson-Robinson it may not matter. With Njoku if he can’t go or isn’t 100%, which is most likely it will be Jordan Akins stepping up to fill that role. We saw earlier in the season that Akins can produce when called upon. Week 15 was his seventh game with over five fantasy points. He only saw four targets in that contest but the future could be better.
Going against the Cincinnati Bengals the sky is the limit for Akins. The Bengals are giving up the second most points to tight ends. In the first matchup between these teams back in Week 7, Akins caught all four of his targets for 42 yards. Not record-breaking numbers but also not a disappointment. With this being the fantasy playoffs you may need high upside but you also have to balance that with a solid floor. Akins gives you that solid floor as a tight end sleeper.
Chig Okonkwo – Tennessee Titans
I feel like I write about Chig Okonkwo every week. Maybe I do. Maybe I just like a big tight end with good skills after the catch on a team lacking other receiving weapons. That’s what Okonkwo is. He just ticks all the boxes. High snap share. High target volume. Low competition for targets. Outside of Calvin Ridley, the Titans are lacking another receiver. Is the quarterback situation what I expected it to be? No, not at all. Does Will Levis even get the start in Week 16? It wouldn’t surprise me if he didn’t.
No matter who is under center it’s a good matchup for Okonkwo. He is coming off a game where he saw 10 targets and now gets to face the team giving up the fourth most points to tight ends. The first outing against the Colts was a game to forget for the Titans with only 95 passing yards. I expect this week to be better. If we knew the starter and the previous matchup were solid Okonkwo would be a tight end st
Foster Moreau – New Orleans Saints
You are probably wondering why this isn’t about Juwan Johnson. Well, let me start by saying that it may be him being the guy this week and not Foster Moreau. The reason I’m going Moreau over Johnson is the quarterback situation. I expect rookie Spencer Rattler to get the start after coming in and sparking the offense in Week 15. In his 21 passing attempts, four went to Moreau and only three went to Johnson. While Johnson might be the more athletic of the two Moreau seems to have a slightly better connection with the rookie quarterback.
That is going to be important since the Saints are facing off against the Green Bay Packers. The Packers are giving up the eighth most points to tight ends. The Packers are in the hunt not only for the playoffs but to win the NFC North. They will be looking to take advantage of a 5-9 Saints team as an easy win. The Saints should be playing from behind and have to pass to keep the game interesting. More opportunities for Moreau. I don’t hate Juwan Johnson either but I wanted to highlight one this week as a tight end sleeper.
Make sure to check out all of our Week 16 Fantasy Football Rankings and Analysis!