Start 'Em, Sit 'Em tight ends: Week 10 fantasy football

The Cleveland Browns, Green Bay Packers, Las Vegas Raiders, and Seattle Seahawks are on byes this week, meaning fantasy owners of tight ends like Brock Bowers, David Njoku, and Tucker Kraft will have to look elsewhere for production.

The tight end position delivered a historic performance on "National Tight Ends Day" just two weeks ago, but they came back to Earth in Week 9. Fantasy players hope their tight ends will replicate that success from Week 8 in Week 10.

Fantasy teams constantly face difficult start-sit decisions for their tight ends. Week 10 brings a new opportunity for your team to make a statement and playoff push.

Here is a breakdown of who you should start and who you should sit at tight end in Week 10 of the fantasy football season.

Fantasy football start 'em: Week 10 TEs

Mark Andrews, Ravens (vs. Bengals)

Let's kick things off with "Thursday Night Football" in Week 10. Fantasy owners likely drafted Mark Andrews in the early rounds and have been disappointed with his production. Those same owners have been scrambling for other options at tight end, but this week, start Andrews. The Ravens host the Bengals in Week 10, and Andrews's role in the offense has stabilized over the last month.

Cincinnati has allowed the sixth-most fantasy points per game to opposing tight ends and is tied with the second-most touchdowns allowed to the position. Andrews broke out of his early season slump in Week 5 when the Ravens played the Bengals. Last week, the Ravens made quick work of the Broncos in a blowout, and the game flow did not favor the veteran tight end. According to FTN, the Bengals rank 25th in total defensive DVOA. In the past, Andrews has lit up the Cincy defense, scoring a touchdown and finishing with at least 50 yards in three of the last five matchups.

Dalton Kincaid, Bills (vs. Colts)

The Bills' second-year tight end hasn't delivered the elite production fantasy owners who drafted him were hoping for in 2024. He's finished as a top-10 tight end just twice in the first nine games of the season. However, Buffalo will travel to Indy to play the Colts in Week 10, and the matchup is juicy. Gus Bradley's defense is always vulnerable in the middle, shallow areas of the field. Indy has allowed the fifth-most fantasy points per game to tight ends. They are tied with the Chiefs for most receptions allowed to the position.

Keon Coleman and Amari Cooper are dealing with wrist injuries and could be out or limited. Khalil Shakir is a steady target option, but Kincaid is quietly climbing the target chart in Buffalo. He led the team with 10 targets last week against Miami. Kincaid has a chance to post his best numbers this season on Sunday.

T.J. Hockenson, Vikings (vs. Jaguars)

The Vikings will be on the road in Week 10 against the reeling Jaguars. On "Sunday Night Football" last week, Minnesota regained their star tight end for the first time in 2024. If you roster Hockenson, you should start him this week against the Jaguars.

The 27-year-old tight end had a career-best season before his injury last season. Despite reports suggesting he would be a full-go upon his return, Josh Oliver out-snapped him. Hockenson's workload should increase weekly, and the matchup against Jacksonville is too good to ignore. The Jags have allowed the seventh-most points per game to tight ends. Fantasy owners likely drafted or picked up Hockenson off waivers, hoping to get a top-10 player at the position; he will deliver on that starting this Sunday.

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Kyle Pitts, Falcons (vs. Saints)

Some fantasy football owners are looking for reasons to give up on Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts, and his one catch, 11-yard showing in Week 9 may be the reason. However, he currently ranks as the seventh overall scoring tight end through the first nine weeks, and the addition of Kirk Cousins under center has propelled Pitts most weeks.

Drake London was injured last week and could be limited in Week 10. Atlanta will battle the Saints, who allowed multiple splash plays to Panthers rookie tight end Ja'Tavion Sanders last Sunday and allowed the ninth-most yards to the position this season. Back in Week 4, Pitts posted a zero against the Saints but bank on a bounce-back after he finished with double-digit fantasy points in four straight before his Week 9 dud.

Fantasy football sit 'em: Week 10 TEs

Zach Ertz, Commanders (vs. Steelers)

The Washington Commanders will host the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 10. The veteran tight end Ertz is coming off his worst performance of the season. He saw his snap share drop below 50% for the first time all season as rookie Ben Sinnott continues to see increased playing time.

The Steelers pass defense has been strong and has allowed the seventh-fewest receiving yards to opposing tight ends. With T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith screaming off the edges, Ertz may be tasked with more pass-blocking help than usual. Sit Ertz on Sunday.

Hunter Henry, Patriots (vs. Bears)

The New England Patriots will meet the Chicago Bears on the road in Week 10. The veteran tight end has been a solid streaming option this season, but he needs to be left on the bench this week. Patriots No. 3 overall pick, Drake Maye, has been impressive in his first three healthy NFL starts. You may feel confident you can safely and confidently insert Henry back into lineups this week, but he's not in a good position.

Henry is New England's leading receiver and has run the most routes for the team this season, but the Patriots' offensive line will be an issue again on the road. In Week 9, the Titans recorded 29 pressures on Maye, which more than doubled their previous season high of 13. The Bears' pass defense has been strong. Chicago has a fast defense, headlined by Tremaine Edmunds at linebacker. Sit Henry this week.

Fantasy football start 'em, sit 'ems, Week 10

→ Kickers are people, too: Here are some of the most clutch kickers to have on your fantasy team in Week 10.

→ The wide receiver position has been decimated this season. Protect yourself in Week 10 with start 'em, sit 'em advice for wideouts.

→ 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 10.

→ Need an edge under center? Here are the best quarterback options to start and to sit in Week 10.

→ A good defense can shut down your fantasy opponent's offense. Here are some D/ST options to start and sit for Week 10.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Fantasy football Start 'Em, Sit 'Em Week 10: 6 TEs to start or sit