First, let’s get to who won’t be available this week. George Kittle is the best bye-week TE, but Pat Freiermuth and rising star Greg Dulcich are also key idle TEs. Dalton Schultz, David Njoku (ankle)/Harrison Bryant, and the Giants’ TEs are also off, but even more important, Mark Andrews (shoulder, knee) and Darren Waller (hamstring) figure to be “questionable,” at best, because of injuries.

Clearly, some sleepers will be needed, and the best option available in over 50 percent of Yahoo leagues is Evan Engram (vs. Raiders in Week 9). Engram has seen 29 targets over his past four games, so he’s an especially solid, high-floor play in PPR leagues. The Raiders entered Week 8 allowing the third-most fantasy points per game (FPPG) to TEs, so Engram could threaten for the top-scoring TE this week.

WEEK 9 PPR RANKINGS:QBs | RBs | WRs | D/STs | Kickers

Going a bit deeper, Juwan Johnson (vs. Ravens), Robert Tonyan (@ Lions), Hunter Henry (vs. Colts), and Will Dissly (@ Cardinals) are also facing bottom-10 TE defenses. Johnson could lose some luster if Adam Trautman (ankle) is back, but he still figures to operate as New Orleans’ top pass-catching TE. Dissly also competes for targets with Noah Fant, but he’s shown a knack for finding the end zone while getting four-plus targets per game. These players, with the possible exception of Tonyan, are riskier in PPR formats, but they’re still in good spots this week.

WEEK 9 STANDARD RANKINGS:QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers

Some of the other top TE matchups are hogged by must-start TEs (Zach Ertz vs. Seahawks, Tyler Higbee @ Buccaneers, Gerald Everett @ Falcons), but for those in deep leagues, you could try Logan Thomas (vs. Vikings), Cole Kmet (vs. Dolphins), and Fant (@ Cardinals), who also face bottom-10 TE defenses.

WEEK 9 DFS LINEUPS: DraftKings | FanDuel

There are a few bubble TEs we’re not excited about this week, including Hayden Hurst (vs. Panthers), T.J. Hockenson (@ Commanders), Dawson Knox (@ Jets), and Cade Otton (vs. Rams). Knox doesn’t have a high enough floor in PPR leagues for us to recommend him as a “must-start,” and Hockenson could see fewer snaps than usual with his new team. Kyle Pitts (vs. Chargers) is similar, but as we all saw last week, he always possesses a high ceiling.

WEEK 9 DFS: Best stacks | Best values

We’re not saying you should definitely bench any of the above TEs. Most still get a solid number of targets and have plenty of PPR upside, but it’s at least worth considering some of the sleepers mentioned above instead. In a week like this, it’s all about finding players who make sense for your team based on whether you’re a big underdog or favorite. “Safe” points are never a bad thing, but at TE, it’s tough to bank on those.

WEEK 9 FANTASY PICKS: Sleepers | Busts | Start ’em, sit ’em

We’ll be updating these TE PPR rankings as needed throughout the week, so check back for the latest changes and analysis.

Week 9 fantasy TE PPR rankings

Rankings based on full-point PPR scoring

Rank    Player 1    Travis Kelce, Chiefs vs. Titans 2    Zach Ertz, Cardinals vs. Seahawks 3    Tyler Higbee, Rams @ Buccaneers 4    Gerald Everett, Chargers @ Falcons 5    Dallas Goedert, Eagles @ Texans 6    Darren Waller, Raiders @ Jaguars 7    Evan Engram, Jaguars vs. Raiders 8    Kyle Pitts, Falcons vs. Chargers 9    Isaiah Likely, Ravens @ Saints 10    Taysom Hill, Saints vs. Ravens 11    Robert Tonyan, Packers @ Lions 12    Hunter Henry, Patriots vs. Colts 13    Juwan Johnson, Saints vs. Ravens 14    T.J. Hockenson, Vikings @ Commanders 15    Will Dissly, Seahawks @ Cardinals 16    Hayden Hurst, Bengals vs. Panthers 17    Cole Kmet, Bears vs. Dolphins 18    Logan Thomas, Commanders vs. Vikings 19    Dawson Knox, Bills @ Jets 20    Noah Fant, Seahawks @ Cardinals 21    Tyler Conklin, Jets vs. Bills 22    Cade Otton, Buccaneers vs. Rams 23    Mike Gesicki, Dolphins @ Bears 24    Brock Wright, Vikings @ Commanders 25    Kylen Granson, Colts @ Patriots

Week 9 TE PPR fantasy projections, rankings from Draft Sharks

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