USA TODAY National
Tight end is likely the most frustrating position to decipher in fantasy football with little consistency outside the top few performers.
Week 8 is perhaps the most challenging of all for fantasy managers as "byemageddon" is upon us.
The Arizona Cardinals, Detroit Lions, Jacksonville Jaguars, Las Vegas Raiders, Los Angeles Rams and Seattle Seahawks are on a bye this week so fantasy managers with Trey McBride, Sam LaPorta and Brock Bowers will have to look elsewhere. The good news is Mark Andrews and Dalton Kincaid return from their byes.
With a season-high six teams on a bye, the already thin position becomes more barren, and the options dwindle.
The must-start tight ends this week consist of Jake Ferguson, Tyler Warren and George Kittle, but beyond them, it gets hairy. 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 8.
Fantasy football start 'em: Week 8 TEs
Dalton Kincaid, Buffalo Bills at Panthers
Buffalo returns from its bye and is on the road against the Panthers. Dalton Kincaid sat out Week 6 nursing an oblique injury, and if he's active in Week 8, he should be trusted in lineups. The Bills missed his services against the Falcons, and Josh Allen will likely lean on him if he returns. He is tied with Khalil Shakir for a team-high 24% target rate.
Kincaid has found the end zone in three of five games and is a clear beneficiary of the Bills' high-octane offense. Red zone usage is key among tight ends to get those high-valued targets because a touchdown a week can be the difference between a top 10 finish or a finish outside the top 20. The Panthers have allowed the fourth-most yards and sixth-most fantasy points per game to tight ends.
Mason Taylor, New York Jets vs. Bengals
The Jets' rookie tight end disappointed in Week 7 with Garrett Wilson sidelined, but he can be trusted this Sunday against the Bengals, even if Wilson returns. Taylor was the third tight end off the board in the 2025 NFL Draft and finds himself in a full-time role. The Jets have yet to announce a starting quarterback this week, but Tyrod Taylor should bring stability to New York's offense.
The Jets hit the road to face a Bengals defense that allows the most fantasy points per game to opposing tight ends. Cincinnati has allowed the most yards and touchdowns to the position. Taylor has had a 21 percent target rate since Week 3, setting him up for success this Sunday.
Harold Fannin Jr., Browns vs. Patriots
Cleveland Browns tight end David Njoku suffered a knee injury near the end of their Week 6 game against the Pittsburgh Steelers and could be sidelined again. If Njoku is out, Fannin is a top 10 option at the position when the Browns take on the Patriots.
Cleveland's offense should perform better in Week 8 after the passing game was limited in Week 7 by high winds, in which they only attempted 18 passes. The Patriots defense is a pass funnel (ninth-most passing yards allowed) because it's so strong against the run (third-fewest rushing yards allowed). Fannin leads the team in receptions and yards and will build on that in Week 8.
Kyle Pitts, Atlanta Falcons vs. Dolphins
Pitts has shown improvement early in 2025 after high expectations as a former No. 4 overall pick. Pitts is approaching weekly must-start status and the matchup in Week 8 is enticing. Atlanta will host the Miami Dolphins, who have allowed the fifth-most yards to opposing tight ends.
Last week, Pitts was tied for a team-high 10 targets. He's a focal point in the offense with Michael Penix Jr. under center. As long as Bijan Robinson doesn't steal all of the fantasy goodness for the Falcons in Week 8, Pitts should deliver a top 10 finish.
Fantasy football sit 'em: Week 8 TEs
Zach Ertz, Washington Commanders at Chiefs
Jayden Daniels will miss this week due to a hamstring injury that he sustained in Week 7. As a result, Marcus Mariota will start at quarterback for the Commanders. Ertz has averaged 6.5 fantasy points per game with Mariota this season and 11.8 with Daniels. Washington's offense struggled against a porous Dallas Cowboys defense last week, and now they face a Kansas City Chiefs team that is rounding into shape.
The Chiefs' defense limited the Raiders to only three first downs in their last game and has allowed just one tight end this season to reach double-digit fantasy points. Kansas City has allowed the third-fewest fantasy points per game to the position. Leave the veteran on benches and waivers this week.
T.J. Hockenson, Minnesota Vikings at Chargers ("Thursday Night Football")
Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy will continue to be sidelined with a high ankle sprain and Carson Wentz will start again when the Vikings take on the Chargers on Thursday night.
Hockenson has been one of the biggest disappointments of the fantasy season so far, finishing outside the top 15 at the position in all but one game. Los Angeles poses a tough matchup as they have allowed the seventh-fewest fantasy points per game to the position. Chargers All-Pro safety Derwin James patrols the middle of the field, making it difficult for opposing tight ends to find space. There have been few signs to trust Hockenson in 2025, so leave him on the bench again in Week 8.
Fantasy football start 'em, sit 'em, Week 8
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 8.
→ 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 8.
→ The wide receiver position is one of the deepest each season. Set yourself up for success in Week 8 with start 'em, sit 'em advice for wideouts.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Start 'Em, Sit 'Em tight ends: Week 8 fantasy football
Reporting by Tom Viera, USA TODAY / USA TODAY
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
Rotoballer
The Star Press
NFL Atlanta Falcons
NFL Tampa Bay Buccaneers
NFL Pittsburgh Steelers
Ocala Star-Banner
America News