NFL: Fantasy Football Week 7 Start ‘Em Sit ‘Em: Tight End

Every year, fantasy football managers across the globe face difficult situations at the tight end position. Typically, there are a few elite players at the position, with the rest bringing more questions than answers. This year is no different.

San Francisco 49ers’ tight end George Kittle went down with an injury in Week 1. Minnesota Vikings tight end TJ Hockenson is rarely utilized in the offense. The same can be said for Denver Broncos tight end Evan Engram. Even David Njoku has fallen into an unexpected timeshare. All four players were drafted in the early-to-middle rounds of fantasy drafts, leaving managers scrambling at the position.

As the NFL Week 7 approaches, several tight ends who went either undrafted or were taken late have climbed re-draft boards. Maybe the biggest surprise and ascendancy has been that of Indianapolis Colts rookie Tyler Warren. The former Penn State Nittany Lion ranks second in PPR (points per reception) leagues at the tight end position.

Obviously, if you have him, he will be in your lineup. But several others are in a much trickier predicament.

So, let’s take a look at Week 7’s Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em at tight end.

Start Cade Otton

One tight end that was not on anyone’s radar even a couple of weeks ago, but should be inserted this week is Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ tight end, Cade Otton.

Much of this has more to do with others than it does with himself. The Bucs will likely be without star rookie receiver Emeka Egbuka, who is dealing with a hamstring injury. Chris Godwin is also unavailable. There was hope that veteran Mike Evans would make his return in Week 7. But that is still a large question mark.

In their absence, Otton turned six targets into five catches for 51 yards in Week 6. Let’s not forget, when the starters were thin in 2024, Otton was a monster at the position, helping fantasy football managers strike gold.

Over seven weeks, Otton produced 43 catches for 416 yards and four touchdowns. That is 15.5 fantasy points per game in PPR formats. Clearly, Baker Mayfield feels comfortable throwing the ball to him.

The Bucs play a decimated Lions secondary. Plus, starting safety Brian Branch was suspended following his post-game altercation with JuJu Smith-Schuster.

I have Otton as a must-start in Week 7.

Start Darren Waller

This start might not seem as obvious, yet here we are. Miami Dolphins tight end Darren Waller should find himself in most lineups this weekend.

Yes, he had a very quiet showing last week against the Los Angeles Chargers. With under a minute remaining, he had one catch all game. But he then did what he does: score touchdowns.

Knowing the Dolphins will have a hard time running the football against the Cleveland Browns, along with the fact that Cleveland’s pass rush will force the ball out of Tua Tagovailoa’s hands quickly, I look for Waller to garner at least six targets. Knowing he is a red...