ClutchPoints
Fantasy football championship week is rarely comfortable. At no position is the anxiety higher than tight end, though. Sure, a handful of elite options can tilt a matchup on their own. However, the rest of the field is defined by volatility and quarterback changes. As Week 17 arrives, managers must balance season-long trust with recent usage trends and late-season motivation.
Below is a breakdown of the top tight end plays and high-upside sleepers who could decide titles in Week 17 of the 2025 fantasy season.
Trey McBride delivered one of his rare quiet outings in Week 16. He caught just four of eight targets for just 27 yards in a 26-19 loss to Atlanta. It marked his lowest reception and yardage totals of the season. He also had his poorest catch rate across 15 starts. Even so, McBride still tied for the team lead in targets. His role remains fully intact despite the down production.
The brief stumble does nothing to diminish McBride’s overall dominance in 2025. He needs just 48 more yards to establish a new career high. More importantly, he draws the most favorable tight end matchup in fantasy football. Cincinnati has consistently struggled to contain the position. They have allowed volume, red-zone success, and explosive plays. He remains the top tight end play across all formats.
Fannin continues to thrive as one of Cleveland’s most versatile offensive weapons. In Week 16, he secured four catches for 34 yards and a touchdown. He also added a one-yard rushing score in a narrow loss to Buffalo. His ability to contribute both as a receiver and in short-yardage packages has made him a consistent fantasy football producer.
Fannin once again finished near the top of the team in targets and remains heavily involved regardless of game script. Pittsburgh presents a tougher defensive challenge. Still, Fannin’s red-zone usage and schemed touches keep his floor intact. That combination of role stability and scoring upside makes him a strong TE1 option.
Kyle Pitts continued his late-season surge with seven receptions for 57 yards and a touchdown in Atlanta’s win over Arizona. Even with Drake London back in the lineup, Pitts maintained a prominent role in the Falcons’ passing attack. He finished second on the team in targets behind Bijan Robinson.
Over his last four starts, Pitts has averaged nearly 100 yards per game while scoring four total touchdowns. He has finally delivered on the type of production fantasy football managers hoped for earlier in the season. His matchup against the Rams profiles as another opportunity for sustained volume. Pitts enters Week 17 as a red-hot TE1 with legitimate difference-making upside.
Waller finished with a modest three-catch, 40-yard line against Cincinnati. However, the performance was more encouraging than the box score suggests. He...
