Nov 30, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns tight end Harold Fannin Jr. (44) scores a touchdown during the first half against the San Francisco 49ers at Huntington Bank Field.

The final push of the fantasy football regular season is here for fantasy managers. Some are fighting for playoff spots while others could be battling to stay out of dreaded last place to avoid punishment.

Some lineups will be without their top playmakers during Week 14 with the NFL's final four teams on a bye. The Carolina Panthers, New England Patriots, New York Giants and San Francisco 49ers won't be a part of the Week 14 schedule.

This means fantasy managers of valuable tight ends like George Kittle, Hunter Henry and Theo Johnson will have to look elsewhere for production.

Whether you've clinched a playoff berth, are battling to get in, or are clawing to stay out of last place, playing the right tight end could be the difference when the season wraps up. Here is a breakdown of who you should start and who you should sit at tight end in Week 14 of the fantasy football season.

Fantasy football start 'em: Week 14 TEs

Brenton Strange, Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Colts

Trevor Lawrence and Strange connected on 3 of 4 targets for 43 yards and a touchdown in Week 13. Their next matchup is against the Indianapolis Colts, who rank 27th in pass defense. The third-year tight end has solidified himself as a favorite target of Lawrence, and Jacksonville lost slot receiver Parker Washington to a hip injury, which could open up more opportunities for Strange.

Indy has allowed the third-most PPR points per game to opposing TEs this season. Strange provides a high floor in PPR formats.

Dalton Kincaid, Buffalo Bills vs. Bengals

The last time we saw Kincaid was Week 10 when Buffalo lost to a Dolphins squad after Kincaid left in the first half with a hamstring injury. He managed to log a limited practice before being ruled out ahead of Week 13, which gives him a good chance to return this Sunday.

He's emerged as the top option in the Bills' passing game and Josh Allen has desperately missed him the last three games. He was the TE8 before his injury and is a smash start if he can return to the lineup in Week 14.

The Bills' high-octane offense will be hard-pressed not to lean on Kincaid against Cincinnati which has allowed a league-high 22.8 PPR points per game to opposing TE rooms. Red-zone usage is key among tight ends and Kincaid has become one of Allen's top targets in the red area while Cincy has allowed a league-high 13 touchdowns to the position. If he can't go, Dawson Knox is the top steamer of the week and is available in 97% of leagues on Yahoo.

Harold Fannin Jr., Cleveland Browns vs. Titans

It's tricky to trust offensive players for the Cleveland Browns as December rolls around because the weather often plays a factor, but Sunday appears to be setting up well for Fannin Jr. Shedeur Sanders will make his third NFL start against the Tennessee Titans, who rank 28th in EPA allowed per dropback.

Tennessee hasn't allowed a ton of production to opposing tight ends, but Fannin has been thrust into a full-time role (90% snap rate last two games). There's upside in this smashable spot against the Titans, as the Browns are 4.5-point home favorites. The rookie has earned at least five targets in seven straight games and 11 with Sanders under center the last two weeks. The neophyte can be trusted in Week 14.

Darren Waller, Miami Dolphins at Jets

It's tough to fathom the un-retired Waller as a viable fantasy option after dealing with an injury, but that's the landscape of the position. This is the riskiest of starts most fantasy managers will make this week, but with Tyreek Hill out for the season, Waller steps into a high-volume opportunity alongside Jaylen Waddle. The 33-year-old returned from IR last week and registered a 69% route rate.

Miami can't afford to hold him back since they're still fighting for a playoff spot. The Sunday road game against the Jets is also appealing, as they rank 27th in EPA allowed per dropback, and Waller is a key red zone target for Tua Tagovailoa. He's a top streaming option in leagues with 12 or more teams.

Fantasy football sit 'em: Week 14 TEs

Oronde Gadsden, Los Angeles Chargers vs. Eagles ("Monday Night Football")

The Chargers' rookie tight end was a recommended sit last week, and he only finished with one catch for 27 yards. He should be benched again this weekend. The Chargers will probably have rookie running back Omarion Hampton back in the lineup and will want to rely on him and Kimani Vidal to keep the Eagles' offense off the field. Los Angeles's offensive line is dealing with multiple injuries. The tight ends may be tasked with extra blocking assignments.

Additionally, Philadelphia has given up the fourth-fewest fantasy points per game to tight ends, so the 22-year-old isn't the easy start he was earlier this season. He hasn't recorded a red-zone target in the last two games and should be left on the bench in 10-12 team leagues.

Dalton Schultz, Houston Texans at Chiefs ("Sunday Night Football")

Just as we start tight ends against the Bengals, we recommend sitting them against teams like the Chiefs. Kansas City has allowed the seventh-fewest fantasy points per game to the position. Schultz has had a solid floor over the last month but his ceiling is low in this pivotal matchup for the Chiefs. With the emergence of rookie Jayden Higgins and Nico Collins healthy, Schultz isn't a top red zone option for C.J. Stroud. Leave Schultz on the bench this week in this letdown spot for Houston.

Fantasy football start 'em, sit 'em, Week 14

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 14.

→ 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 14.

→ The wide receiver position is one of the deepest each season. Set yourself up for success in Week 14 with start 'em, sit 'em advice for wideouts.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Start 'Em, Sit 'Em tight ends: Week 14 fantasy football

Reporting by Tom Viera, USA TODAY / USA TODAY

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