Fantasy Football Week 16 Tight End Start Decision: Pat Freiermuth, Brenton Strange, Dalton Kincaid, Mark Andrews, David Njoku and More

After already putting together quarterback and running back start decision stories, it’s time to discuss some tight ends.

We’ll include Pat Freiermuth, Mark Andrews, Brenton Strange, Dalton Kincaid, Tucker Kraft, David Njoku, Jake Ferguson, Kyle Pitts, Jonnu Smith and George Kittle.

Looking for start/sit help? Be sure to check out the FantasySP Who Should I Start tool.

Important Numbers

Kittle scored 10 fantasy points last week and had 21 the week before that. The only week he’s played and scored under eight fantasy points came in week 13.

Smith scored 20 fantasy points last week and has at least 13 in five straight contests. He’s gone for eight or more points in each of the past seven games.

Njoku has been dealing with a hamstring injury, but returned to practice on Friday. You’ll need to keep an eye on his status as week 16 games near. He scored 17 fantasy points in his last appearance, while tallying 26 the week before that - he’ll have a new quarterback this week though.

Strange is dealing with a shoulder injury, so his status will need to be watched as well. In the week 15 game without Evan Engram active, Strange erupted for 18 fantasy points, and that was without scoring a touchdown.

Kraft only scored five fantasy points last week, snapping a streak of three straight games with at least 11 fantasy points. He only got two targets last week.

Kincaid got back on the field in week 15 and went for 53 yards on four grabs and seven targets. He has at least five targets in all but two games (weeks 1-2).

Andrews scored 10 fantasy points last week, but a touchdown really powered that fantasy showing. He has hit double figures as a fantasy performer in eight of the past 10 contests.

Freiermuth scored last week and tallied 11 fantasy points. He’s scored a touchdown in three straight weeks, and has a great chance to score again this week with George Pickens out again.

Ferguson only had four fantasy points in week 15. He had six the week before that. Ferguson does have 10 targets over those contests.

Pitts tallied seven fantasy points last week, his most over the past four contests. He had just four combined fantasy points in the previous three games. He’ll also have a new quarterback throwing to him this week.

Week 16 Matchups

Freiermuth plays on Saturday against Andrews and the Ravens. Freiermuth has an above-average matchup, while Andrews has a pretty average test ahead. In the team’s first meeting, Andrews scored four fantasy points, while Freiermuth had three.

Strange will battle the Raiders if he’s active. That’s another pretty very favorable test.

Kincaid will face the Patriots, which is a slightly above-average matchup for a tight end. Kraft faces the Saints on Monday night - it’s a below-average clash.

Njoku takes on the Bengals, which is the most favorable tight end matchup in the league. He scored 24 fantasy points the last time the teams met.

Ferguson goes up against the Buccaneers, which is another pretty favorable fantasy matchup. Pitts battles the Giants, which is one of the tougher fantasy matchups for a tight end.

Smith and Kittle are in the same game on Sunday afternoon. It’s a really tough matchup for Smith, while being an average test for Kittle.

Projections and Starting Recommendations

In the weekly projections, it’s Kittle with the highest mark among these tight ends at 14 PPR fantasy points. Smith sits at 13 points.

Njoku and Strange are both projected for 11 points. Kraft and Kincaid are at 10 points each.

Andrews, Freiermuth and Ferguson all sit at nine points. Pitts is at just eight projected points.

Kittle has been the best PPR fantasy tight end on average this season, and I like to trust my stars when it comes to the critical juncture of the fantasy season. I’m taking Kittle first and not looking back.

If Njoku ends up playing, I like him second. I think he could be in store for a monster showing. The only thing that makes me pause is his quarterback.

I’d take Smith third. The matchup isn’t great, but Smith has been a good fantasy performer several times over the past couple months. I’d trust that consistency, and expect Smith to be heavily involved with Jaylen Waddle likely out.

If Strange plays, I like him fourth. He was great last week, and has another favorable matchup this week. He’s one of the few fantasy players who I’d trust despite not having a lot of data to look back on this season.

I’d then try Kincaid. He was solid in his return to the field, and has a solid enough test to expect another good fantasy outing.

I’d then take Freiermuth. I know he didn’t perform in this matchup last time, but with Pickens out, Freiermuth should deliver this time. He could definitely finish ahead of several guys I took before him, but that last matchup is making me drop him.

I’d then go with Andrews. He too wasn’t good in the last clash with Pittsburgh, but here, I’m trusting the season-long results and thinking Andrews comes through.

I’d take Kraft next. He’s been a bit streaky, and in a tougher matchup, it’s tough to trust him any more than this.

I’d take Ferguson over Pitts for the last spot. Ferguson has a chance to finally break out in a favorable matchup, but after not producing much all season, I simply can’t place him any higher than here. Pitts is a fantasy player I’ve lost all hope in - I would do my best to avoid him in a standard league (and maybe deeper leagues depending on who else is available).