As we mentioned last week, tight end is the rare position that’s getting healthier late in the season. Darren Waller returned with a touchdown in Week 15 after a long hiatus, and Dallas Goedert (shoulder) is set to take the field in Week 16 after missing five games. We’ll also be on the lookout for Hayden Hurst (calf) to return this week, but overall, TE is fairly stable for this time of year.

Unfortunately, a lot of the bigger-name players have tough matchups this week. George Kittle (vs. Commanders in Week 16), Goedert (@ Cowboys), and David Njoku (vs. Saints) face the three best TE defenses entering Week 15, and life isn’t much easier for Evan Engram (@ Jets), Juwan Johnson @ Browns), and Waller (@ Steelers). We’d still start these players in most situations, but it’s important to check your options.

WEEK 16 PPR RANKINGS:QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers

If you’d prefer a sleeper with a better matchup, you can try Tyler Conklin (vs. Jaguars), Robert Tonyan (@ Dolphins), Cade Otton (@ Cardinals), or Daniel Bellinger (@ Vikings). All face defenses in the top 12 in fantasy points allowed to TEs. Otton has an especially good matchup against Arizona’s league-worst TE defense, though Cameron Brate’s presence always limits his ceiling. Tonyan is also in a great spot against Miami’s bottom-five TE defense that seems to be getting worse by the week.

WEEK 16 STANDARD RANKINGS:QBs | RBs | WRs | D/STs | Kickers

If you’re in a really deep league, you could also consider Trey McBride (vs. Buccaneers), Jordan Akins (@ Titans), or Ian Thomas (@ Lions), as those three defenses rank sixth, third, and fifth, respectively, in fantasy points allowed to TEs, but given the uncertainty of their targets, we wouldn’t dig that deep. 

WEEK 16 DFS: Best values | Best stacks

That said, one under-the-radar sleeper you might consider is Jeff Driskel (@ Titans). Yes, Jeff Driskel. Even though he’s almost exclusively played QB for Houston this year, he’s technically TE-eligible in Yahoo leagues because of a proposed position switch last season. In Week 14, he played 33 snaps, running seven times and throwing six times. He posted another four passes and four rushes in Week 15. That puts him on par with Taysom Hill and gives him a decent floor and potentially high ceiling (for a TE) in standard leagues. Don’t sleep on this opportunity. 

WEEK 16 DFS LINEUPS: DraftKings | FanDuel

We’d avoid using Dawson Knox (@ Bears), Chig Okonkwo (vs. Texans), and Tyler Higbee (vs. Broncos), all of whom have below-average matchups and are generally inconsistent. As we always say, any could score a TD, but at this point in the season, you should have safer options.

WEEK 16 FANTASY PICKS: Sleepers | Busts | Start ’em, sit ’em

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

Week 16 fantasy TE rankings for standard leagues

Rankings based on standard, non-PPR scoring

Rank    Player 1    Travis Kelce, Chiefs vs. Seahawks 2    T.J. Hockenson, Vikings vs. Giants 3    Mark Andrews, Ravens vs. Falcons 4    George Kittle, 49ers vs. Commanders 5    Pat Freiermuth, Steelers vs. Raiders 6    Dalton Schultz, Cowboys vs. Eagles 7    Dallas Goedert, Eagles @ Cowboys 8    Greg Dulcich, Broncos @ Rams 9    Juwan Johnson, Saints @ Browns 10    Darren Waller, Raiders @ Steelers 11    Evan Engram, Jaguars @ Jets 12    Taysom Hill, Saints @ Browns 13    David Njoku, Browns vs. Saints 14    Noah Fant, Seahawks @ Chiefs 15    Robert Tonyan, Packers @ Dolphins 16    Tyler Conklin, Jets vs. Jaguars 17    Cade Otton, Buccaneers @ Cardinals 18    Daniel Bellinger, Giants @ Vikings 19    Gerald Everett, Chargers @ Colts 20    Dawson Knox, Bills @ Bears 21    Jeff Driskel, Texans @ Titans 22    Jordan Akins, Texans @ Titans 23    Trey McBride, Cardinals vs. Buccaneers 24    Hunter Henry, Patriots vs. Bengals 25    Chig Okonkwo, Titans vs. Texans 26    Ian Thomas, Panthers vs. Lions 27    Logan Thomas, Commanders @ 49ers 28    Tyler Higbee, Rams vs. Broncos 29    Austin Hooper, Titans vs. Texans 30    Cole Kmet, Bears vs. Bills 31    Mike Gesicki, Dolphins vs. Packers 32    MyCole Pruitt, Falcons @ Ravens

Week 16 TE fantasy projections, rankings from Draft Sharks

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