Sep 7, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns tight end Harold Fannin Jr. (44) reacts after a play during the second half against the Cincinnati Bengals at Huntington Bank Field.

The best fantasy football managers are the ones who find consistent production on their rosters. However, this is perhaps the most challenging aspect of fantasy and no position lacks consistency more than tight end.

The Baltimore Ravens and Buffalo Bills are on a bye this week so fantasy managers with Mark Andrews and Dalton Kincaid will have to look elsewhere.

Despite the lack of options, fantasy managers received some good news this week with George Kittle likely to return to action. Unfortunately, Brock Bowers is likely to remain on the shelf while he works his way back from a knee injury.

So far in 2025, some weekly streaming options are emerging, along with matchups to exploit. In Week 6, Chargers rookie Oronde Gadsden II was among those streamers who had a decent showing, reeling in seven catches for 68 yards.

In Week 7, Trey McBride, Jake Ferguson, Tyler Warren, and hopefully Kittle are the must-starts. For teams that don't roster any of those studs, we have a breakdown of who you should start and who you should sit at tight end in Week 7.

Fantasy football start 'em: Week 7 TEs

Tucker Kraft, Packers at Cardinals

The Packers tight end was highlighted as a start a week ago and rewarded managers with a fine showing. The Packers head to the desert to play a struggling Cardinals squad that has allowed the most receptions to the position in 2025.

Green Bay is a touchdown favorite in this matchup and is among the teams with the highest implied totals of the entire week. Scoring opportunities should be abundant for the Packers, and Kraft likely will be a big part of it again as one of Jordan Love's favorite red zone weapons. We can expect another strong showing from the third-year tight end this week.

Mason Taylor, Jets vs. Panthers

Another rookie tight end who is growing into a larger role is Mason Taylor. The Jets rookie was the third tight end off the board in the 2025 NFL Draft and finds himself in a full-time role. He faces little target competition with Garrett Wilson expected to be out this Sunday. Jets offensive coordinator Tanner Engstrand was the passing game coordinator in Detroit when Sam LaPorta emerged as a rookie, boosting the intrigue around Taylor.

Justin Fields has struggled at times this season, but Taylor has the potential to be the next rookie to surprise at tight end. He finished as TE8 in Week 5 and could find himself inside the top 10 again in Week 7 when the Jets host a Panthers defense allowing the second-most fantasy points per game to opposing tight ends.

Harold Fannin Jr., Browns vs. Dolphins

Cleveland Browns tight end David Njoku suffered a knee injury near the end of their Week 6 game against the Pittsburgh Steelers and the rookie went on to pad his stats in garbage time and finish as TE7 on the week. Fannin was an early season waiver-wire darling, but has struggled to find consistent production with the quarterback change and Njoku's presence.

A rookie tight end is always difficult to trust, but Fannin is trending up in an offense that could be without Njoku. The Browns host the Dolphins, a team that has struggled to defend tight ends. Fannin could easily finish inside the top 10 again this Sunday, even if Njoku suits up.

Zach Ertz, Commanders at Cowboys

While the influx of youth at tight end is a great sign, Ertz is one of the most reliable veterans out there. This marks the second straight week he is a recommended start, and he came through in Week 6 as the TE5 after hauling in six catches for 43 yards and a touchdown.

He was due for a bounce-back game after having his worst showing in over a decade in Week 5, and a matchup with the Cowboys' porous secondary should allow him to keep Father Time at bay. Dallas has allowed the most yards per game thus far. In his two matchups against Dallas last year he finished each as TE7. There should be plenty of fantasy goodness on both sides of this matchup that has the highest projected total of the week.

Fantasy football sit 'em: Week 7 TEs

T.J. Hockenson, Vikings vs. Eagles

Minnesota returns from its Week 6 bye and hosts the defending champions. Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy could continue to be sidelined with a high ankle sprain, which could lead to Carson Wentz starting again.

Hockenson has been one of the biggest disappointments of the fantasy season so far, finishing outside the top 10 at the position in four of five games. Philadelphia poses another tough matchup as they have allowed the third-fewest fantasy points per game to the position. There have been few signs to trust Hockenson at this time. Leave him on the bench in Week 7.

Theo Johnson, Giants at Broncos

Giants second-year man from Penn State, Theo Johnson, was a hot name in many waiver wire columns following the season-ending injury to Malik Nabers. He finished Week 5 as the TE3, and Jaxson Dart has shown some promise through his first three NFL starts.

However, Johnson posted just 4.7 points in PPR formats last week, and the matchup in Week 7 doesn't get easier for the athletic 24-year-old. The Broncos boast a terrific pass rush, which could give Dart fits all day. Denver has allowed the fourth-fewest fantasy points per game to tight ends, setting up Johnson for another down week.

Johnson could become a weekly must-start option in the second half of the season, but this matchup doesn't bode well for him. Fantasy managers searching for upside at the position should look for another option in Week 7.

Fantasy football start 'em, sit 'em, Week 7

Looking for more fantasy football advice? USA TODAY Sports has you covered:

→ Need an edge under center? Here are the best quarterback options to start and to sit in Week 7.

→ A good running back makes all the difference. A bad running back can cost you a lot of points. Here's who to start and who to sit in Week 7.

→ The wide receiver position is one of the deepest each season. Set yourself up for success in Week 7 with start 'em, sit 'em advice for wideouts.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Start 'Em, Sit 'Em tight ends: Week 7 fantasy football

Reporting by Tom Viera, USA TODAY / USA TODAY

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