Week 14 of the NFL season has arrived! The fantasy tight end landscape is in a state of constant flux, so it’s time to take a deeper dive into that position with the fantasy playoffs arriving next week. Let’s break down my Week 14 start ’em, sit ’em fantasy football TE picks.
Start ‘Em: Tucker Kraft (Packers) at Lions — THURSDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL
PPR TE10 on the year, Kraft has been one of Green Bay’s most crucial contributors down the stretch.
The second-year tight end has racked up double-digit fantasy points in four of his last six outings, commanding a solid target share and producing consistently in an otherwise stagnant Packers passing attack as of late. Green Bay is set for an uphill battle against this immensely talented Lions squad, but it is worth noting that Detroit allows the eighth-most passing yards per game.
Jordan Love will need to have himself a game for the Packers to pull off the upset, which means Kraft should be involved early and often.
Sit ‘Em: Cole Kmet (Bears) at 49ers
It appears Kmet’s standout performance against Minnesota two weeks ago was an anomaly, as expected.
The 25-year-old returned to his typical slim target share on Thanksgiving against the Lions, catching three balls for 26 yards. Kmet has now failed to receive more than five targets in all but one game since Week 3. While the talent is there and his snap share is ridiculously high, the tight end simply isn’t in Chicago’s game plan.
This week, he draws a tough matchup against the 49ers, who allow the fourth-fewest fantasy points to tight ends. Leave Kmet on your bench and pivot to a better option.
Check out my full Week 14 start/sit article with picks at each position here!
Start ‘Em: Cade Otton (Buccaneers) vs. Raiders
Otton has scored fewer than 10 points in three straight contests. There are plenty of reasons for concern about starting him in what could be a must-win fantasy matchup.
That said, if you’re willing to take the risk, I believe you’ll be rewarded. Otton saw his role in the offense ramp back up last week after receiving a target downgrade with Mike Evans back in the equation. The production wasn’t there, but seven targets with a 94% snap share is noteworthy.
The Raiders allow the fourth-most fantasy points to tight ends, opening up an enticing opportunity for Otton to snap out of this slump.
Sit ‘Em: Sam LaPorta (Lions) vs. Packers — THURSDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL
Don’t be fooled by LaPorta’s 15.6 PPR points last week.
The man caught three balls for a whopping six yards. Two of those catches just happened to be one-yard touchdowns. That’s been the story of any type of success that LaPorta has found this year. His role in the offense has drastically diminished, forcing an extremely talented tight end into touchdown-or-bust territory.
That’s not a game you should play against a tough Packers defense.
Those are my start ’em, sit ’em Week 14 fantasy football tight end picks! Stay tuned for more fantasy advice next week.
All views expressed are my own. I am an employee of DraftKings and am ineligible to play in public DFS or DKSB contests.
