Start 'Em, Sit 'Em tight ends: Week 11 fantasy football

The Arizona Cardinals, Carolina Panthers, New York Giants, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers are on a bye this week, meaning fantasy owners of tight ends like Trey McBride and Cade Otton will have to look elsewhere for production.

Fantasy owners who invested in the position early in their drafts were mainly disappointed early on. Still, some big-name tight ends, Travis Kelce, Sam LaPorta and Mark Andrews, have righted the ship after slow starts. Guys like Brock Bowers, David Njoku and Tucker Kraft will be returning from their byes, and suddenly, there are some difficult decisions to be made in Week 11.

The fantasy football playoffs are right around the corner, and your team could be relying on a late-season push to get into the dance.

Here is a breakdown of who you should start and who you should sit at tight end in Week 11 of the fantasy football season.

Fantasy football start 'em: Week 11 TEs

Tucker Kraft, Packers (vs. Bears)

Jordan Love has battled a knee injury and groin injury, but he should be healthier coming out of the Packers bye. Green Bay's passing should rebound. Kraft is one of the players who benefited during healthy stretches for Love this season, reeling in 6-of-9 targets for 53 yards and a touchdown in Week 4, and followed it up with an outstanding four-catch, 88-yard, two-touchdown performance against the Rams in Week 5. Kraft's breakout campaign is back on for the second half of the season.

The Bears' defense doesn't allow much production to tight ends, but since losing safety Jaquan Brisker, they have struggled to slow down the position. In the last four games, Chicago has allowed 22, 17, 11, and 11 PPR fantasy points to opposing tight ends. Start Kraft without hesitation in Week 11.

Hunter Henry, Patriots (vs. Rams)

The New England Patriots will meet the Los Angeles Rams at home in Week 11. The veteran tight end has been a solid streaming option this season and a yo-yo start/sit each week. Patriots No. 3 overall pick Drake Maye continues to improve each week, and you can safely and confidently insert Henry back into lineups this Sunday against the Rams.

Henry is New England's leading receiver and has run the most routes for the team this season. The Rams have allowed the fifth-most fantasy points per game to opposing tight ends. Henry is coming off a down game, but a bounce back is coming as he racked up 13, 17 and 12 points in Maye's previous three healthy starts. Start Henry this week.

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Kyle Pitts, Falcons (vs. Denver)

Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts has been heavily featured as a start this season. He posted a decent bounce back with 4 receptions on 6 targets for 55 yards after his one catch, 11-yard showing in Week 9. He currently ranks as the sixth overall scoring tight end, and you should not be questioning whether or not to start him.

Before his Week 9 dud, Pitts finished with double-digit fantasy points in four straight. The Falcons will be on the road against a tough Broncos defense, but Pitts will benefit from Patrick Surtain being matched up with Drake London on the outside. Denver allows opposing teams to funnel throws over the middle of the field and, as a result, has allowed the fifth-most receptions to opposing tight ends. Pitts could be in for a rare high-volume day.

Fantasy football sit 'em: Week 11 TEs

Zach Ertz, Commanders (vs. Eagles)

The Washington Commanders will be on the road against the Philadelphia Eagles on "Thursday Night Football." Yes, this is a "revenge" game for Ertz, but the veteran tight end has failed to post double-digit fantasy points in back-to-back weeks.

The Eagles have allowed the fewest fantasy points per game to tight ends. Philly and the Chargers are the two teams who have yet to allow a touchdown to an opposing tight end in 2024. The Eagles have allowed the third-fewest passing yards per game overall.

Mike Gesicki, Bengals vs. Chargers

The last time Mike Gesicki was mentioned, he was a recommended start, and he went for a career day with 100 yards and two touchdowns. The Bengals host the Chargers on "Sunday Night Football," and wide receiver Tee Higgins could return after a three-week absence. Assuming Higgins is back, Gesicki should remain on benches. With the Bengals playing at the end of the day, the risk is too high if you have Gesicki in your lineup, and we learn Higgins is playing.

Gesicki becomes a top DFS play this week if Higgins remains out but in the five games Higgins was healthy, Gesicki posted (8, 1, 5, 0, and 1) PPR fantasy points. The Chargers defense has been phenomenal. Leave Big Mike on the sideline this Sunday.

Fantasy football start 'em, sit 'ems, Week 11

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

→ Kickers are people, too: Here are some of the most clutch kickers to have on your fantasy team in Week 11.

→ 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 11.

→ The wide receiver position has been decimated this season. Protect yourself in Week 11 with start 'em, sit 'em advice for wideouts.

→ Need an edge under center? Here are the best quarterback options to start and to sit in Week 11.

→ A good defense can shut down your fantasy opponent's offense. Here are some D/ST options to start and sit for Week 11.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Fantasy football Start 'Em, Sit 'Em Week 11: 5 TEs to start or sit