Fantasy Football Start/Sit: Week 12

The bye portion of this NFL season is going out with a bang, with six teams on bye in Week 12 and another six on bye on Week 14. There really isn’t the depth at running back and tight end to gracefully handle those many absences. But my Week 12 start and sit column can help you make the best of a bad situation with its leaning on my comprehensive weekly fantasy projections that rank players and provide discrete fantasy values. You can use those to set your lineups with confidence no matter your format or depth of fantasy league, so read on for a Week 12 triage.

The positional rankings and projected fantasy point totals rely on half-PPR scoring. The listed start/sit calls assume a 12-team league with 2 running back, 3 wide receiver, 1 tight end and 1 flex starting lineup spots. If your league is different, I recommend you start my higher ranked players over my lower ranked players.

You can find my weekly rankings and those of other FTN writers here.

Fantasy Football Start/Sit: Week 12

Quarterbacks

3. Brock Purdy, SF at GB: 30.6-261-1.53-0.77 and 3.9-20-0.22 = 18.4
4. Jayden Daniels, WAS vs. DAL: 29.3-233-1.14-0.41 and 5.8-30-0.32 = 18.0
5. Jordan Love, GB vs. SF: 32.5-263-1.85-1.11 and 2.3-7-0.13 = 17.2
6. Kyler Murray, ARZ at SEA: 28.1-210-1.18-0.39 and 4.6-37-0.19 = 17.2
7. Justin Herbert, LAC vs. BLT: 30.5-241-1.40-0.28 and 4.1-18-0.10 = 17.1
8. Drake Maye, NE at MIA: 34.5-226-1.48-1.04 and 3.7-34-0.11 = 17.0
9. Patrick Mahomes, KC at CAR: 34.5-241-1.86-0.97 and 3.1-13-0.07 = 16.9

10. Jameis Winston, CLV vs. PIT

38.9-278-1.67-1.01 and 2.1-6-0.04 = 16.6

The Steelers matchup isn’t ideal. But Winston has echoed last December’s Joe Flacco run with 41, 46 and 46 pass attempts in his three starts this season. I’m projecting him for a position-leading 38.9 passes this week. And that volume in a bye-heavy Week 12 makes him a fantasy starter, even if he’s an effective lock to have at least one turnover.

11. Baker Mayfield, TB at NYG

33.6-226-1.78-0.84 and 2.8-15-0.11 = 16.6

Mayfield fared remarkably well in fantasy without his top two receivers Mike Evans and Chris Godwin in recent weeks. But the reclaimed journeyman saw his yards per attempt drop from 7.9 yards with a healthy Evans the first six weeks to 5.9 yards the last four weeks without him. With Evans trending likely to play, you can return Mayfield to your fantasy lineups with confidence.

12. Sam Darnold, MIN at CHI

29.3-239-1.73-0.94 and 4.1-15-0.09 = 16.6

Darnold has bookended a disastrous Week 10 fantasy performance with palatable three- and two-touchdown outings in Weeks 9 and 11. But broadly speaking, the journeyman has seen his efficiency collapse since his talented left tackle Christian Darrisaw suffered a season-ending knee injury. The six bye teams keep Darnold in the top 12 at his position this week. But he may be closer to QB2 value than you realize.

13. Anthony Richardson, IND vs. DET

28.1-210-0.96-0.96 and 6.9-39-0.39 = 16.5

Richardson is the ultimate fantasy dice roll. He has three games with eight or more rushing attempts and three rushing touchdowns this season. But he’s also exited another game with an injury and been benched. Whether you wanted to start or avoid him in fantasy this week, I wouldn’t try to talk your out of it.

14. Bo Nix, DEN at LV

32.5-207-1.30-0.59 and 5.3-25-0.27 = 16.4

Nix has made major strides from his early-season turnovers. His 1.6% turnover-worthy pass percentage is fifth lowest among regular quarterbacks since Week 4. But for fantasy purposes, Nix’s 284-yard, three-touchdown and 307-yard, four-touchdown outbursts in Weeks 8 and 11 are doing a lot of the heavy lifting. And those career days came against Panthers and Falcons defenses ranked in the bottom five in pass defense DVOA. The Raiders are a relatively easy passing matchup, as well. But I believe the public optimism for the rookie is a bit over its skis this week.

15. Matthew Stafford, LA vs. PHI

36.6-266-1.76-0.73 and 1.4-0-0.03 = 16.4

Stafford has averaged more than three times as many passing touchdowns per game with both Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua active over the last two seasons than when either or both of his two start receivers is inactive. His lack of rushing is a steep fantasy handicap. But you can start the veteran in a bye-week pinch in Week 12. I have him projected for a modest 0.2 fantasy points behind the QB1 benchmark.

16. Jared Goff, DET at IND

28.5-263-1.64-0.74 and 1.6-3-0.04 = 16.1

Goff’s 412-yard, four-touchdown encore last Sunday showed that his five-interception nightmare in Houston was mostly a fluke. But I say mostly because Goff has averaged 5.6 more fantasy points at home than on the road in his Lions tenure, easily the most extreme split among current quarterback starters. Even in the dome in Indianapolis this week, Goff may miss his overall QB1 fantasy value.

17. Geno Smith, SEA vs. ARZ: 35.6-265-1.21-0.96 and 2.9-16-0.12 = 15.9
18. Tua Tagovailoa, MIA vs. NE: 33.2-255-1.56-0.76 and 1.2-4-0.02 = 15.5
19. Russell Wilson, PIT at CLV: 30.6-224-1.59-0.58 and 2.4-6-0.10 = 15.4
20. C.J. Stroud, HST vs. TEN: 33.8-245-1.25-0.61 and 2.6-13-0.08 = 15.3
21. Caleb Williams, CHI vs. MIN: 31.6-196-1.07-0.54 and 4.7-29-0.08 = 14.5
22. Will Levis, TEN at HST: 29.9-199-1.17-1.02 and 4.1-24-0.07 = 13.4
23. Tommy DeVito, NYG vs. TB: 29.0-188-1.13-0.67 and 3.1-17-0.06 = 12.8

Running Backs

13. Chuba Hubbard, CAR vs. KC: 13.2-67-0.48 and 3.2-2.7-14-0.07 = 12.7
14. Aaron Jones, MIN at CHI: 14.8-65-0.44 and 2.6-2.2-18-0.10 = 12.7
15. Rhamondre Stevenson, NE at MIA: 15.4-59-0.55 and 3.4-2.8-14-0.11 = 12.7
16. Brian Robinson Jr., WAS vs. DAL: 15.4-68-0.65 and 1.4-1.1-10-0.04 = 12.4
17. J.K. Dobbins, LAC vs. BLT: 14.7-70-0.46 and 2.7-2.3-12-0.06 = 12.4
18. Tony Pollard, TEN at HST: 14.6-62-0.35 and 4.2-3.2-19-0.08 = 12.3
19. Najee Harris, PIT at CLV: 15.5-63-0.43 and 3.2-2.4-18-0.06 = 12.2
20. D’Andre Swift, CHI vs. MIN: 13.9-57-0.42 and 2.8-2.4-19-0.05 = 11.6
21. Bucky Irving, TB at NYG: 10.4-52-0.41 and 2.8-2.5-18-0.06 = 11.1
22. Rachaad White, TB at NYG: 8.7-33-0.21 and 4.5-4.0-32-0.21 = 11.0
23. Isiah Pacheco, KC at CAR: 12.4-54-0.45 and 2.4-2.1-14-0.07 = 11.0
24. Tyrone Tracy Jr., NYG vs. TB: 13.7-68-0.30 and 2.0-1.6-11-0.05 = 10.8

25. Rico Dowdle, DAL at WAS

11.8-51-0.25 and 3.1-2.4-16-0.11 = 10.1

A week after Mike McCarthy declared him the lead back and insisted the Cowboys needed him to touch the ball, Dowdle played … the same 49 percent snap share he averaged the first five weeks this season. Whomp whomp. Well whatever. With six teams on bye this week, you can’t turn your nose up at any team’s No. 1 back, even if Cooper Rush is their quarterback.

26. Nick Chubb, CLV vs. PIT

14.5-58-0.44 and 1.3-0.9-6-0.02 = 9.6

You could blame Chubb’s modest 35% and 30% snap shares in Weeks 9 and 11 on load management after his devastating knee injury in 2023. But the veteran back played a 59 percent share in a win in Week 8 and between 30% and 40% shares in losses in his other three games this season. Chubb yields passing downs to his teammate Jerome Ford, and so I believe his snaps will ebb and flow with game scripts. That may not be great news against the 8-2 Steelers. But I believe it does mean that Chubb could see 20 carries despite that knee injury if the Browns can find an early lead.

27. Alexander Mattison, LV vs. DEN

10.4-36-0.37 and 2.6-2.1-18-0.08 = 9.3

Mattison had wrestled control of the Raiders backfield from his teammate Zamir White with 50-70% snap shares in four of five games before Week 11. But then Sunday, Mattison injured his ankle and White reinjured his quad. If those injuries prove minor, then Mattison is the start. But follow the news for this backfield. Sixth-round rookie Dylan Laube may finally find a chance to play.

28. Jaylen Warren, PIT at CLV

9.3-42-0.20 and 3.3-2.8-19-0.07 = 9.0

After a handful of reduced workloads and a pair of missed games stemming from his preseason ankle injury, Warren has seen between 11 and 16 touches in each of the last four weeks. You can start him in fantasy if he can play through his recent back injury.

29. Austin Ekeler, WAS vs. DAL

4.2-19-0.16 and 3.8-3.1-30-0.09 = 7.9

Fantasy players won’t complain after Ekeler caught eight passes for 89 receiving yards. But the veteran back faded from the 70% snap share in his Week 10 spot start to a 52% share last Thursday with preferred early-down back Brian Robinson Jr. back in the lineup. Ekeler is an easy flex choice this week with six teams on bye. But he will likely become more borderline with a full schedule and when he sees his more typical No. 2 running back workloads in future weeks.

30. Kareem Hunt, KC at CAR

10.0-37-0.47 and 1.3-1.0-7-0.04 = 7.9

Two months after he fractured his fibula, Isiah Pacheco returned to a limited practice Wednesday. He might return to play this Sunday, and if so I am guessing that he paces his successor Kareem Hunt with a 44.0% versus 35.5% carry share. I would be comfortable flexing Hunt for at least one more week.

31. Javonte Williams, DEN at LV

6.7-26-0.21 and 3.5-2.8-19-0.06 = 7.6

A week after yielding a 45% to 29% snap share advantage to his rookie teammate Audric Estime and seeing just one carry, Williams returned to his lead back duties in Week 11 with a 52% share, nine carries, and 13 total touches. Head coach Sean Payton said the words fantasy players fear the most: “We’ll figure it out each week.” Estime will likely have more lead back weeks. But for now, Williams looks like the better fantasy choice because of his more consistent receiving involvement. Estime’s three targets Sunday were his first three of the season.

32. Audric Estime, DEN at LV

6.9-31-0.17 and 1.6-1.3-9-0.04 = 5.9

Estime has a high hurdle to clear to be a flex starter in a time share with limited receiving work. But the rookie has easily paced his backfield with 3.43 yards after contact per attempt versus 2.55 and 2.25 yards for Javonte Williams and Jaleel McLaughlin and ranks second among all backs with 35 or more carries this season. He could conceivably find himself as the Broncos’ Brian Robinson Jr. to Williams’ Austin Ekeler. And this week’s Raiders matchup could accelerate those role refinements with a run-heavy gamescript.

33. Justice Hill, BLT at LAC

3.0-12-0.08 and 2.9-2.4-21-0.09 = 5.6

Hill faced a major workload threat from his hyper-efficient sophomore teammate Keaton Mitchell as he returned from his December-torn ACL in Week 10. But Mitchell appears to be starting slowly with meager 3% snap shares in his first two games. If you were flexing Hill in deeper or full-point PPR formats before Mitchell’s return, you can continue to play him with confidence.

34. Jonathon Brooks, CAR vs. KC

5.9-26-0.18 and 1.6-1.3-10-0.04 = 5.5

After a few false starts, the top rookie running back draft pick Brooks seems finally poised to make his debut in Week 12. With no Miles Sanders this week, I am guessing that Chuba Hubbard and Brooks will see 53.5 and 32.0%percent carry share splits. But Brooks will likely trail Hubbard more closely in target share, and he has a high ceiling with his talent. I would prefer to sit Brooks to see how much he plays this week. But be sure to include him in at least a few of your Patrick Mahomes and Bryce Young DFS stacks.

35. Roschon Johnson, CHI vs. MIN: 6.3-23-0.30 and 1.3-1.0-7-0.03 = 5.5
36. Zach Charbonnet, SEA vs. ARZ: 4.3-16-0.15 and 2.6-2.1-14-0.06 = 5.3
37. Cam Akers, MIN at CHI: 7.8-29-0.19 and 1.0-0.8-5-0.03 = 5.1
38. Jerome Ford, CLV vs. PIT: 4.3-19-0.09 and 2.6-2.1-12-0.06 = 5.0
39. Gus Edwards, LAC vs. BLT: 7.1-28-0.26 and 0.4-0.3-2-0.01 = 4.9
40. Devin Singletary, NYG vs. TB: 5.4-23-0.14 and 1.1-0.9-6-0.02 = 4.3
41. Ameer Abdullah, LV vs. DEN: 2.2-10-0.07 and 2.2-1.8-11-0.06 = 3.7
42. Raheem Mostert, MIA vs. NE: 3.4-15-0.15 and 1.0-0.8-6-0.03 = 3.6
43. Trey Benson, ARZ at SEA: 4.3-19-0.12 and 0.6-0.5-4-0.02 = 3.3
44. Jaylen Wright, MIA vs. NE: 4.6-20-0.10 and 0.6-0.5-4-0.02 = 3.2
45. Jaleel McLaughlin, DEN at LV: 3.9-17-0.09 and 0.8-0.7-3-0.03 = 3.1
46. Zamir White, LV vs. DEN: 5.3-18-0.14 and 0.5-0.4-2-0.01 = 3.1
47. Kenneth Gainwell, PHI at LA: 3.1-14-0.10 and 1.0-0.8-5-0.02 = 3.0
48. Ezekiel Elliott, DAL at WAS: 3.7-13-0.11 and 0.9-0.7-4-0.02 = 2.9
49. Antonio Gibson, NE at MIA: 3.4-14-0.07 and 0.8-0.7-6-0.02 = 2.8

Wide Receivers

7. Jaxon Smith-Njigba, SEA vs. ARZ: 9.3-6.5-75-0.44 = 13.4
8. CeeDee Lamb, DAL at WAS: 9.4-5.9-70-0.41 = 13.1
9. George Pickens, PIT at CLV: 8.2-5.1-78-0.39 = 12.8
10. DK Metcalf, SEA vs. ARZ: 8.4-5.0-75-0.42 = 12.5
11. Malik Nabers, NYG vs. TB: 9.8-6.4-65-0.40 = 12.2
12. Ladd McConkey, LAC vs. BLT: 7.3-5.0-69-0.36 = 11.5
13. Mike Evans, TB at NYG: 7.3-4.3-61-0.54 = 11.4
14. Terry McLaurin, WAS vs. DAL: 6.3-4.4-63-0.46 = 11.4
15. Tyreek Hill, MIA vs. NE: 7.3-4.8-63-0.38 = 11.2
16. Courtland Sutton, DEN at LV: 8.4-4.8-64-0.39 = 11.1
17. Jauan Jennings, SF at GB: 6.6-4.7-64-0.38 = 11.1
18. Jayden Reed, GB vs. SF: 5.4-4.0-61-0.31 = 10.9
19. Jakobi Meyers, LV vs. DEN: 7.6-5.4-59-0.34 = 10.8
20. Calvin Ridley, TEN at HST: 9.0-4.4-62-0.38 = 10.8
21. Deebo Samuel Sr., SF at GB: 6.0-3.8-54-0.26 = 10.5
22. Cedric Tillman, CLV vs. PIT: 8.1-4.8-56-0.39 = 10.3
23. Jerry Jeudy, CLV vs. PIT: 7.9-4.3-61-0.30 = 10.0
24. Zay Flowers, BLT at LAC: 6.6-4.3-59-0.30 = 10.0
25. Tank Dell, HST vs. TEN: 6.9-4.3-52-0.33 = 9.7
26. DJ Moore, CHI vs. MIN: 7.0-4.5-50-0.33 = 9.6
27. Marvin Harrison Jr., ARZ at SEA: 6.8-3.8-54-0.38 = 9.6
28. DeVonta Smith, PHI at LA: 6.0-4.3-56-0.30 = 9.6
29. Josh Downs, IND vs. DET: 6.5-4.6-52-0.31 = 9.4
30. Christian Watson, GB vs. SF: 5.4-3.3-54-0.34 = 9.1
31. DeAndre Hopkins, KC at CAR: 5.6-3.8-47-0.39 = 9.0
32. Romeo Doubs, GB vs. SF: 5.7-3.7-49-0.32 = 8.7
33. Rome Odunze, CHI vs. MIN: 6.6-3.8-51-0.27 = 8.7
34. Quentin Johnston, LAC vs. BLT: 5.6-3.3-47-0.33 = 8.6
35. Keenan Allen, CHI vs. MIN: 7.2-4.2-46-0.30 = 8.5
36. Jameson Williams, DET at IND: 4.9-2.9-51-0.24 = 8.4
37. Jordan Addison, MIN at CHI: 5.1-3.1-43-0.30 = 7.9
38. DeMario Douglas, NE at MIA: 6.2-4.5-45-0.18 = 7.8

39. Elijah Moore, CLV vs. PIT

6.6-4.3-40-0.23 = 7.6

There are 13 wide receivers averaging more than 9.0 targets per game with two or more games played since Week 8, and three of them are Cleveland Browns — Jerry Jeudy (10.0), Moore (9.7) and Cedric Tillman (9.3). That’s the Jameis Winston effect. The Steelers may be a bad matchup, but I believe you can flex Moore with his volume.

40. Xavier Legette, CAR vs. KC

5.3-3.4-37-0.28 = 7.3

Legette has seen an 18.3% target share since the Panthers traded Diontae Johnson before Week 8. That is tied for 34th among wide receivers and makes the rookie a reasonable flex option with six teams on bye in Week 12.

41. Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, TEN at HST

4.6-2.8-40-0.29 = 7.2

Calvin Ridley has been the obvious incumbent winner of the Titans’ DeAndre Hopkins trade. But the veteran Westbrook-Ikhine has shot up from 19-47% target shares in the first seven weeks to 85-100% shares the last four weeks as the new No. 2 wide receiver. And Westbrook-Ikhine has taken advantage with three touchdowns in four starts. And he now has five end zone targets and five touchdowns since Week 6, the former tying him for ninth at the position with luminaries at the position like Terry McLaurin, Cedric Tillman and Brian Thomas Jr. Westbrook-Ikhine may be a better back-end flex option than a bunch of more popular receivers.

42. Jaylen Waddle, MIA vs. NE

4.7-3.2-44-0.18 = 7.1

Waddle looked like a no-brainer winner of Tua Tagovailoa’s return to the lineup. But the speedy receiver’s modest seven catches and 90 yards combined the last three weeks seem to reflect a Dolphins pivot to feature tight end Jonnu Smith. You can flex Waddle another week if you need to with six teams on bye. But you may have better options.

43. Xavier Worthy, KC at CAR

5.1-2.7-34-0.26 = 6.8

Worthy is always a reasonable flex option if only as a touchdown bet. But the rookie Chiefs receiver has seen his already modest 14.6% target share from the first seven weeks slip further to 11.3% since the DeAndre Hopkins trade. And that latter rate ties him for just 61st among wide receivers. Lean on Worthy more in DFS than in traditional fantasy formats.

44. Tyler Lockett, SEA vs. ARZ

4.8-3.1-39-0.23 = 6.8

Jaxon Smith-Njigba’s 13-target, 180-yard, two-touchdown outburst in Week 9 was one thing. Normal No. 1 Seahawks receiver DK Metcalf missed that game. But the talented sophomore’s encore 11-target and 110-yard Week 11 may finally tease the changing of the Seattle guard that fantasy players have hoped for since the team drafted JSN with a top 20 pick in 2023. The veteran Lockett has a modest seven targets and 82 yards those last two games and may finally have lost his fantasy relevance after six-plus amazing seasons.

45. Demarcus Robinson, LA vs. PHI

4.8-2.6-37-0.30 = 6.8

Robinson showed that his flex fantasy value lived and died by his touchdown scoring with his one-catch, 23-yard and two-catch, 19-yard letdowns the last two weeks. And the third Rams receiver may be a bit worse of a touchdown bet than you would expect. Robinson has as many red zone targets (5) as he does touchdowns since Week 5, and his resulting 2.15 expected touchdown surplus is sixth highest among wide receivers.

46. Wan’Dale Robinson, NYG vs. TB: 6.5-4.3-33-0.20 = 6.7
47. Adam Thielen, CAR vs. KC: 4.8-3.4-37-0.21 = 6.7
48. Kayshon Boutte, NE at MIA: 5.0-3.1-39-0.19 = 6.6
49. Rashod Bateman, BLT at LAC: 4.3-2.7-40-0.20 = 6.5
50. Noah Brown, WAS vs. DAL: 4.6-2.8-40-0.18 = 6.4
51. Michael Pittman Jr., IND vs. DET: 5.7-3.2-36-0.19 = 6.4
52. Michael Wilson, ARZ at SEA: 4.4-3.0-34-0.23 = 6.3
53. Jalen Coker, CAR vs. KC: 4.5-2.8-37-0.18 = 6.2
54. Joshua Palmer, LAC vs. BLT: 3.9-2.5-37-0.17 = 5.9
55. Jalen Tolbert, DAL at WAS: 4.2-2.7-31-0.20 = 5.7
56. Alec Pierce, IND vs. DET: 3.3-1.9-36-0.15 = 5.4
57. Ricky Pearsall, SF at GB: 3.9-2.5-31-0.18 = 5.4
58. Darius Slayton, NYG vs. TB: 3.7-2.4-34-0.12 = 5.4
59. Devaughn Vele, DEN at LV: 3.5-2.6-30-0.15 = 5.2
60. Lil’Jordan Humphrey, DEN at LV: 3.8-2.6-27-0.18 = 5.1
61. Tre Tucker, LV vs. DEN: 3.6-2.1-25-0.12 = 4.7
62. Sterling Shepard, TB at NYG: 3.3-2.0-21-0.14 = 4.4
63. Kendrick Bourne, NE at MIA: 3.0-2.0-23-0.14 = 4.2
64. Calvin Austin III, PIT at CLV: 3.3-1.8-24-0.13 = 4.2
65. Tyler Boyd, TEN at HST: 3.0-2.1-22-0.11 = 3.9
66. Adonai Mitchell, IND vs. DET: 2.8-1.7-21-0.11 = 3.9
67. Marvin Mims Jr., DEN at LV: 2.6-1.6-20-0.12 = 3.8
68. Odell Beckham Jr., MIA vs. NE: 3.1-1.8-21-0.13 = 3.8
69. JuJu Smith-Schuster, KC at CAR: 2.6-1.8-22-0.12 = 3.8
70. Troy Franklin, DEN at LV: 3.0-1.7-19-0.14 = 3.8
71. Dontayvion Wicks, GB vs. SF: 3.3-1.5-19-0.15 = 3.5
72. John Metchie III, HST vs. TEN: 2.4-1.6-18-0.10 = 3.2
73. Olamide Zaccheaus, WAS vs. DAL: 2.4-1.6-18-0.09 = 3.1
74. Malik Washington, MIA vs. NE: 2.0-1.3-15-0.09 = 3.0
75. KaVontae Turpin, DAL at WAS: 2.0-1.3-16-0.10 = 2.9
76. Mike Williams, PIT at CLV: 1.9-1.2-17-0.10 = 2.9
77. David Moore, CAR vs. KC: 2.4-1.5-16-0.09 = 2.9
78. Diontae Johnson, BLT at LAC: 2.4-1.2-15-0.12 = 2.8

Tight Ends

6. Cade Otton, TB at NYG: 7.7-5.4-50-0.44 = 10.4
7. Hunter Henry, NE at MIA: 6.9-4.8-51-0.30 = 9.4
8. Jonnu Smith, MIA vs. NE: 5.7-4.3-49-0.27 = 8.6
9. Dallas Goedert, PHI at LA: 4.9-3.9-46-0.21 = 7.8

10. Sam LaPorta, DET at IND

4.6-3.5-42-0.29 = 7.7

LaPorta missed last Sunday’s Jaguars annihilation with a shoulder sprain. But he returned to a full practice Wednesday and seems poised play this weekend. Start him in fantasy if he plays.

11. Will Dissly, LAC vs. BLT

5.3-4.1-39-0.18 = 7.1

Dissly was often an efficient receiver in a low-volume role with the Seahawks. But with the Chargers this year, the veteran has married that efficiency with a No. 1 tight end target share. Dissly has averaged 1.85 yards per route run and seen an 18.7% target share since Week 5, seventh and eight highest at his position, respectively.

12. Tucker Kraft, GB vs. SF

4.4-3.1-39-0.28 = 7.1

Kraft did not catch his lone target in Week 11. But don’t overreact to that one blanking. Fellow fantasy TE1s Cade Otton and Mark Andrews have suffered goose eggs this season, and Travis Kelce, Sam LaPorta and Hunter Henry have all has one-catch games. That’s the nature of the beast at tight end. Keep Kraft in your lineups.

13. Zach Ertz, WAS vs. DAL

5.2-3.7-36-0.26 = 7.0

This may feel like a renaissance season for Ertz. But the veteran tight end saw remarkably similar 17.5 and 17.6% target shares in 2022 and 2023 as his 17.7% target share in 2024 that ranks top five at the position. He just finished those seasons early with season-ending injuries. You can trust Ertz as a high-end TE2 and start him in a bye-week pinch in Week 12.

14. Mark Andrews, BLT at LAC

3.9-3.1-36-0.29 = 6.9

Andrews played a season-high 87% of snaps in Week 10 with Isaiah Likely inactive. But with his tight end teammate back in the lineup in Week 11, Andrews was back down to 61%. As his expected touchdown surplus regresses, the veteran will likely fade to TE2 fantasy value.

15. T.J. Hockenson, MIN at CHI

4.8-3.6-36-0.20 = 6.6

Hockenson had his breakout eight-catch Week 10 after his return from a late-2023 ACL injury. But last Sunday showed that the veteran tight end remains limited. Hockenson has played a consistent, modest 45-48% snap share in his three games this season. And that is dramatically down from his typical 80%-plus share from 2023.

16. Dalton Schultz, HST vs. TEN: 5.2-3.2-33-0.17 = 6.0
17. Cole Kmet, CHI vs. MIN: 3.5-2.9-32-0.21 = 5.9
18. Isaiah Likely, BLT at LAC: 3.5-2.5-30-0.25 = 5.8
19. AJ Barner, SEA vs. ARZ: 3.5-2.6-25-0.18 = 4.8
20. Ja’Tavion Sanders, CAR vs. KC: 3.0-2.3-24-0.16 = 4.5
21. Pat Freiermuth, PIT at CLV: 2.9-2.3-23-0.15 = 4.4
22. Austin Hooper, NE at MIA: 3.4-2.4-24-0.13 = 4.4
23. Chig Okonkwo, TEN at HST: 3.4-2.5-23-0.13 = 4.4
24. Theo Johnson, NYG vs. TB: 3.2-2.1-23-0.14 = 4.3
25. Josh Oliver, MIN at CHI: 2.4-1.9-21-0.16 = 4.0
26. Noah Gray, KC at CAR: 2.3-1.9-20-0.13 = 3.7
27. Luke Schoonmaker, DAL at WAS: 2.7-1.8-17-0.13 = 3.3
28. Darnell Washington, PIT at CLV: 2.4-1.7-18-0.11 = 3.3
29. Davis Allen, LA vs. PHI: 2.4-1.6-14-0.11 = 2.9
30. Tommy Tremble, CAR vs. KC: 2.2-1.6-14-0.11 = 2.9
31. Michael Mayer, LV vs. DEN: 2.0-1.3-13-0.10 = 2.5
32. Josh Whyle, TEN at HST: 1.8-1.3-13-0.08 = 2.4
33. Adam Trautman, DEN at LV: 1.6-1.1-13-0.09 = 2.4
34. Elijah Higgins, ARZ at SEA: 1.5-1.2-11-0.09 = 2.2
35. Brevyn Spann-Ford, DAL at WAS: 1.9-1.2-11-0.07 = 2.2
36. Cade Stover, HST vs. TEN: 1.5-1.0-11-0.07 = 2.0
37. Kylen Granson, IND vs. DET: 1.6-1.0-11-0.06 = 2.0
38. Colby Parkinson, LA vs. PHI: 1.4-0.9-9-0.07 = 1.8