Fantasy Football Player Notes
Week 7 Half PPR Rankings
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1.
Brock Bowers
LV (vs . LAR)
Credit to the Buffalo Bills and Christian Benford for keeping Bowers in check last week. As the season progresses, we have started to see Bowers treated as a top wide receiver by defenses rather than a TE. This is good news in matchups without a big, physical, top corner. However, as we saw last week, this can limit his upside since there are no other weapons to take coverage away. Still, Bowers came through with 70 yards and was the TE14 on the week. If that's not a terrible "worst-case scenario." This week, they have another tough matchup against the Rams secondary. Bowers remains one of the clear top fantasy TEs, but don't be surprised if he has another relatively lacklustre performance against the defense allowing the second fewest fantasy points to the position. It may seem aggressive, but I have him as my TE5 this week behind Trey McBride, George Kittle, Isaiah Likely, and Tucker Kraft.
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2.
George Kittle
SF (at ATL)
For the first time in his career, it seems like Kittle has flown under the radar. The big personality and electric playmaker has been outstanding this season. Sitting as the TE3 this season, he is tied for the most touchdowns and fourth most yards at the position. Unfortunately, injuries keep hindering the 49ers, most recently taking Mike Evans out for a few weeks. This should focus the targets towards Kittle and Christian McCaffrey; however, defenses will be able to do the same. Either way, an increased opportunity with Brock Purdy playing at an MVP level is good news overall for Kittle's fantasy production. He remains an elite play at the position this week against the Falcons, who just revived Colston Loveland's season.
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3.
Trey McBride
ARI (vs . DEN)
Trey McBride has at least seven catches in each game this season. This puts him tied with JSN for the league lead in receptions. For a TE to be keeping pace with JSN is some incredible stuff. As long as Jacoby Brissett is under center, McBride will have a decent fantasy floor in the worst of matchups. This week, they face the Broncos, who allowed the aforementioned JSN to have a huge second half last week. The Broncos are league average at allowing fantasy points to the TE position. I am keeping McBride and his unworldly usage in the top three of fantasy rankings this week.
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4.
Isaiah Likely
NYG (at HOU)
Introducing the current TE1 of the season. Isaiah Likely has been incredible for fantasy this season. The dynamic receiving TE has been force-fed the ball in every game this season. With only Likely and Malik Nabers to funnel the offense through, his volume shouldn't be going anywhere. However, we now have a change under center, with J.J. McCarthy taking over starting duties. If you remember Justin Jefferson's abysmal 2025 season, this should worry you. That said, McCarthy looked functional last week and even delivered a touchdown strike to Likely. At this point, you have to ride the hot hand, but we may need to reassess after they take on a feisty Texans defense.
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5.
Sam LaPorta
DET (vs . GB)
The Lions and Packers game is set up to be a fantasy feast. These two offenses severely outmatch the opposing defenses, leading to a buffet of fantasy points. It was recently reported that LaPorta is not happy with his current contract situation with the Lions. If he wants to show the organization he deserves to be paid, there should be plenty of opportunity in this matchup. That said, the Packers are holding the TE position to the sixth-fewest fantasy points per game. One narrative may be that this is a difficult matchup. However, you could easily write another narrative where this becomes a shootout, and you want every piece you can. Regardless of which you choose, LaPorta remains locked in as a TE1 this week.
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6.
Tucker Kraft
GB (at DET)
Tucker Kraft was made for this matchup. The big play TE has not been his electric self this season. However, he has still flashed his explosive ability when he has managed to catch the ball. If he can get some gorilla glue on his hands, this could be a huge fantasy day for the TE out of South Dakota State. The Lions are allowing the most passing yards, passing touchdowns, and fantasy points to the TE position. Even though this passing attack has been funnelled through Christian Watson and Matthew Golden, there will be plenty of points to go around against a strong Lions defense. I'm calling for Kraft to surpass his season high of 65 yards as well as score his second touchdown of the season this week. That makes him my TE4 behind George Kittle, Trey McBride, and Isaiah Likely this week.
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7.
Colston Loveland
CHI (vs . NE)
Colston Loveland has started to resemble the player that we thought he'd be for 2026 over the last three weeks. Yes, during this stretch he has only been the TE14 in fantasy points per game, but in those three games his usage has trended upward. Since Week 4, Loveland has had a 19.1% target share (70.2% route share) with 1.62 YPRR, six red zone targets, and a 26.2% first-read share. Loveland could be a TE1 again this week with targets being pushed in his direction, with Rome Odunze facing a Christian Gonzalez shadow. New England is 17th in yards per target while allowing the fifth-fewest fantasy points per opportunity to tight ends. New England held Dalton Kincaid, Pat Freiermuth, and Brenton Strange to quiet days, but Brock Bowers destroyed them with eight grabs, 110 receiving yards, and a score. I don't project a blow-up game for Loveland, but he could still be a low-end TE1 this week.
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8.
Dallas Goedert
PHI (vs . DAL)
Last week, Dallas Goedert was the TE14 for the week with a 17.8% target share, 61 receiving yards (1.65 YPRR), and a 23.5% first-read share. Those are all solid if not damn good numbers. Goedert should be competing for the second spot in the target pecking order this week for Philly. He could easily be a TE1 this week. Dallas has allowed the 13th-most yards per target and the seventh-most fantasy points per opportunity to tight ends. Goedert has opened this week with back-to-back DNPs (knee). He could easily miss this week's game. I'll update his outlook on Saturday.
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9.
Travis Kelce
KC (at SEA)
Travis Kelce is still motoring along as the TE7 in fantasy points per game. Among 38 qualifying tight ends, Kelce is 13th in target share (16.5%), third in YPRR (2.41), fourth in FD/RR (0.121), and tenth in first-read share (19.1%). Kelce has three red zone targets and two deep targets this season. Kelce won't have it easy this week, but he could still post a TE1 week as he presents an easier outlet for Mahomes than attacking Seattle's talented corners. Seattle has allowed the third-fewest yards per target and the seventh-fewest fantasy points per opportunity to tight ends.
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10.
Tyler Higbee
LAR (at LV)
In Weeks 3-5, Tyler Higbee was crushing it with a 69.8% route share, a 14.4% target share, 1.80 YPRR, 70.7 receiving yards per game, two red zone targets, and a 16.8% first-read share. In those three weeks, he was TE6, TE12, and TE11. Also during this stretch, Colby Parkinson had only a 54.4% snap rate and 23.5% route share (2.8% target share). Last week, when I was all in on Higbee for fantasy, Higbee saw his snap rate sit at 83.9% with a 72.2% route share, but his target share dipped to 12.1% while his first-read share was 16%. Parkinson was more involved with a 60.7% snap rate, 50% route share, 18.2% target share, and 12% first-read share. Higbee could easily get back to his Week 3-5 production this week, but Parkinson's involvement casts a layer of risk for Higbee this week. The Raiders have allowed the third-most receiving touchdowns and fifth-most fantasy points per opportunity to tight ends while giving up the 15th-lowest yards per target.
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11.
Kyle Pitts Sr.
ATL (vs . SF)
Kyle Pitts' usage has trended up over the last two games as the TE7 and TE2 in weekly scoring. Since Week 5, Pitts has had a 67.1% route share, a 71.1% snap rate, a 19.1% target share, 1.92 YPRR, five red zone targets, and a 20% first-read share. All of those metrics are outstanding. Unfortunately, I don't think Pitts keeps the train rolling this week. The 49ers have the tenth-highest rate of single high (55.7%). Since Week 5, against single high, Pitts has had only a 10% TPRR and 0.25 YPRR. The 49ers have also held tight ends to the seventh-fewest yards per target and the second-fewest fantasy points per opportunity. Sit Pitts this week, but better days are ahead for him.
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12.
Harold Fannin Jr.
CLE (at TEN)
Harold Fannin is the TE13 in fantasy points per game, with two TE1 finishes this season in weekly scoring (TE3, TE12). Fannin has a 16.7% target share with 0.97 YPRR, three red zone targets, one deep target, and a 14.7% first-read share. This week's matchup is more favorable for KC Concepcion and Denzel Boston and tougher for Fannin. How many weapons can Deshaun Watson support weekly? Usually one, and maybe some weeks two, so this week I'm inclined to stream a tight end over starting Fannin. Tennessee has allowed the second-fewest yards per target and the fourth-fewest fantasy points per opportunity to tight ends.
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13.
T.J. Hockenson
MIN (vs . IND)
T.J. Hockenson was concussed in Week 5, but I'm hoping/expecting him to be back this week. In Weeks 1-4, Hockenson had two TE1 weekly finishes (TE9, TE1) while seeing five red zone looks and scoring a touchdown. During that four-game span, Hockenson had a 22.7% target share, 2.14 YPRR, and a 23.5% first-read share. Some of those numbers are pumped up by Justin Jefferson's absence. Hockenson could still be a TE1 this week with Jefferson in the huddle. Indy is 15th in receiving fantasy points per game against tight ends while giving up the tenth-most fantasy points per opportunity to the position.
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14.
Juwan Johnson
NO (vs . PIT)
Juwan Johnson is the TE9 in fantasy points per game, but he, too, has fallen on hard times over the last two games with 5.6 and zero PPR points. Johnson has a 13.6% target share with 1.43 YPRR, seven red zone targets, one deep target, and a 16.9% first-read share. This week, Johnson should return to the friendly confines of TE1 land against a defense that has allowed the ninth-most yards per target and the sixth-most fantasy points per opportunity to tight ends.
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15.
Mark Andrews
BAL (vs . CIN)
If there was ever a matchup for Mark Andrews to break out of his fantasy funk, it's this one. Andrews is the TE25 in fantasy points per game, despite having a 19.6% target share and 21.7% first-read share. He has only had one touchdown despite seeing five red zone targets and one deep target. Andrews has an encouraging 0.091 FD/RR, but his YPRR has fallen to 1.37. If Andrews can't post a TE1 week in Week 7, then it's probably getting close to cut bait time for fantasy rosters. Cincy has allowed the most yards per target and the eighth-most receiving fantasy points per game to tight ends.
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16.
Pat Freiermuth
PIT (at NO)
I'm fading Pat Freiermuth again this week. This is a continuation of what I discussed last week. Against single high, Freiermuth has disappeared over the last two seasons. The Saints have the third-highest rate of single-high (64.2%). Since 2025, against single high, Freiermuth has had only a 14% TPRR and 0.80 YPRR. During that same span, against two high, he has had a 21% TPRR and 2.13 YPRR. Could he get a score this week and save his fantasy day? It's possible, but I don't want to depend on that. Last week, against another single high-heavy matchup, he had only a 57.4% route share, a 6.1% target share (10% TPRR), two receptions, 11 receiving yards, and 9.4% first-read share. New Orleans has allowed the eighth-most yards per target and fantasy points per opportunity to tight ends.
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17.
Hunter Henry
NE (at CHI)
Hunter Henry is the TE18 in fantasy points per game, with TE1 finishes in weekly scoring in each of the last two games (TE8, TE6). Henry has a 12.2% target share, 1.63 YPRR, five red zone targets, one deep target, and a 13.6% first-read share. Henry is on the streaming radar this week against a defense that has allowed the tenth-most yards per target and the 14th-most fantasy points per opportunity to tight ends this season.
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18.
Dalton Schultz
HOU (vs . NYG)
After opening the week with a DNP (quad), Dalton Schultz doesn't carry an injury designation into this week. He had a limited practice on Thursday and a full session on Friday. Schultz has only one TE1 week this season (against Cincy). Outside of that game, Schultz hasn't finished higher than TE21 this season in any week. Schultz's route share has been on a steady decline. In Week 1, he had a 73.8% route share, but over the last two weeks it has been 44.4% and 51.4%. With declining playing time and a tough matchup this week, Schultz is an easy sit. New York has allowed the sixth-fewest yards per target and the seventh-fewest fantasy points per opportunity to tight ends.
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19.
Michael Mayer
LV (vs . LAR)
With Brock Bowers in the lineup, Michael Mayer is the TE10 in fantasy points per game with at least 12.2 PPR points in three of those four games. Since Week 3, Mayer has had a 13.6% target share with 1.90 YPRR, one red zone target, one deep target, and an 11.1% first-read share. Temper your expectations this week, though. The Rams have allowed the fewest yards per target and fantasy points per opportunity to tight ends this season.
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20.
Cade Otton
TB (at CAR)
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21.
AJ Barner
SEA (vs . KC)
AJ Barner hasn't managed double-digit PPR points in any game this season, but he is on the streaming radar this week. Barner has an 11.6% target share with 0.87 YPRR, five red zone targets, and an 11.9% first-read share. The Chiefs have been a shutdown unit against wide receivers, but they have allowed the third-most receiving fantasy points per game and the 12th-most fantasy points per opportunity to tight ends.
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22.
Colby Parkinson
LAR (at LV)
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23.
Darren Waller
CAR (vs . TB)
Last week, Carolina split the tight end duties between Tommy Tremble and Darren Waller. Last week, Waller had only a 45.9% snap rate, a 42.9% route share, a 5.1% target share, and 7.7% first-read share. He didn't secure either one of his two targets. Waller is a risky deep-league streamer only. Tampa Bay has allowed the 11th-most receiving fantasy points per game to tight ends while ranking 16th in fantasy points per opportunity.
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24.
Mike Gesicki
CIN (at BAL)
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25.
Jake Ferguson
DAL (at PHI)
Jake Ferguson's fantasy value has tanked this season as the TE25 in fantasy points per game. Ferguson has only a 9.8% target share, 0.69 YPRR, four red zone targets, zero deep targets, and an 8.4% first-read share. The matchup isn't good enough for Ferguson to sniff the random streamer radar. Philly is 15th in yards per target allowed to tight ends, but they are also holding the position to the 12th-fewest fantasy points per opportunity (only two receiving scores). Sit Ferguson.
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26.
Darnell Washington
PIT (at NO)
Well, my deep dive on Darnell Washington went well last week, as Washington was the TE9 in fantasy scoring and could have finished even higher if he had secured a target in the end zone and hauled in a second touchdown. This week, we're going back to the Washington well. Last week, Washington had a 71.1% snap rate, a 50% route share, a 10.2% target share (19% TPRR), 25 receiving yards (0.93 YPRR), and a 9.4% first-read share. I dove deep last week into Washington and Pat Freiermuth's splits against single and two high, so I won't rehash all of that this week with both tight ends. Freiermuth isn't in this week's Primer because his usage against single high has been non-existent over the last two seasons. The Saints have the third-highest rate of single high (64.2%). Against single high this season, Washington has a 24% TPRR and 1.86 YPRR. Both are strong numbers. New Orleans has allowed the eighth-most yards per target and fantasy points per opportunity to tight ends. Washington is back on the streaming radar this week.
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27.
Kenyon Sadiq
NYJ (vs . MIA)
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28.
Evan Engram
DEN (at ARI)
Ok, I know you're surprised to see Evan Engram's name here, but the matchup is fantastic for him this week if Bo Nix can play even close to the level of a league-average quarterback. Engram popped off as the TE8 in fantasy in Week 1, so we know his upside as a streaming option is in there somewhere. Engram has a 9% target share with 1.20 YPRR, two red zone targets, two deep targets, and a 10.6% first-read share. No, none of those numbers are good. That's why he is a desperation or deep-league streaming option only. Arizona has the highest rate of two-high in the NFL (69.8%). Against two-high, Engram is second on the team with a 23% TPRR while logging 1.89 YPRR. Arizona has allowed the fifth-most yards per target and the fourth-most fantasy points per opportunity to tight ends.
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29.
Mason Taylor
NYJ (vs . MIA)
Since his return in Week 5, Mason Taylor has had a 58.8% route share with a 15% target share, 1.43 YPRR, one red zone target, one deep target, and a 12.5% first-read share. During the same two-game stretch, Kenyon Sadiq has had only a 29.4% route share and 10% target share. Taylor has been the Jets' starting tight end over the last two games. He's on the streaming radar this week against a hapless Miami secondary. Miami has allowed the second-most yards per target and the third-most fantasy points per opportunity to tight ends.
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30.
Eli Raridon
NE (at CHI)
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31.
Greg Dulcich
MIA (at NYJ)
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32.
Tommy Tremble
CAR (vs . TB)
Last week, Carolina split the tight end duties between Tommy Tremble and Darren Waller. Tremble had only a 47.6% route share with a 10.3% target share and 11.5% first-read share. He secured all four of his targets for 46 receiving yards and two scores (two red zone targets). Tremble is a risky deep league streamer only. Tampa Bay has allowed the 11th-most receiving fantasy points per game to tight ends while ranking 16th in fantasy points per opportunity.
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33.
Gunnar Helm
TEN (vs . CLE)
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34.
Noah Fant
NO (vs . PIT)
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35.
Elijah Higgins
ARI (vs . DEN)
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36.
Noah Gray
KC (at SEA)
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37.
Foster Moreau
HOU (vs . NYG)
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38.
Josh Cuevas
BAL (vs . CIN)
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39.
Will Mallory
IND (at MIN)
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40.
Davis Allen
LAR (at LV)
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41.
Brevyn Spann-Ford
DAL (at PHI)
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42.
Mo Alie-Cox
IND (at MIN)
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43.
Erick All Jr.
CIN (at BAL)
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44.
Mitchell Evans
CAR (vs . TB)
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45.
Daniel Bellinger
TEN (vs . CLE)
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46.
Drew Sample
CIN (at BAL)
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47.
Brock Wright
DET (vs . GB)
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48.
Luke Farrell
SF (at ATL)
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49.
Austin Hooper
ATL (vs . SF)
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50.
Matt Hibner
BAL (vs . CIN)
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51.
Jonnu Smith
GB (at DET)
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52.
Will Kacmarek
MIA (at NYJ)
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53.
Adam Trautman
DEN (at ARI)
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54.
Teagan Quitoriano
ARI (vs . DEN)
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55.
Sam Roush
CHI (vs . NE)
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56.
Nate Adkins
DEN (at ARI)
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57.
Luke Schoonmaker
DAL (at PHI)
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58.
Gavin Bartholomew
MIN (vs . IND)
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59.
Johnny Mundt
PHI (vs . DAL)
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60.
Theo Johnson
NYG (at HOU)
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61.
Jeremy Ruckert
NYJ (vs . MIA)
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62.
Oscar Delp
NO (vs . PIT)
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63.
Blake Whiteheart
CLE (at TEN)
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64.
Mark Redman
GB (at DET)
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65.
Charlie Woerner
ATL (vs . SF)
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66.
Ian Thomas
LV (vs . LAR)
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67.
Eric Saubert
SEA (vs . KC)
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68.
Jelani Woods
NYJ (vs . MIA)
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69.
Cade Stover
HOU (vs . NYG)
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70.
Payne Durham
TB (at CAR)
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71.
Drew Ogletree
IND (at MIN)
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72.
Josh Whyle
GB (at DET)
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73.
Brevin Jordan
HOU (vs . NYG)
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74.
Jake Briningstool
KC (at SEA)
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75.
Zach Ertz
PHI (vs . DAL)
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76.
Nick Vannett
BAL (vs . CIN)
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77.
Ben Yurosek
MIN (vs . IND)
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78.
Bauer Sharp
TB (at CAR)
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79.
Connor Heyward
LV (vs . LAR)
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80.
Robert Tonyan
PIT (at NO)
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81.
Thomas Fidone II
NYG (at HOU)
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82.
Nick Kallerup
SEA (vs . KC)
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83.
Tyler Conklin
DET (vs . GB)
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84.
Max Klare
LAR (at LV)
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85.
Pharaoh Brown
IND (at MIN)
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86.
Jack Endries
CIN (at BAL)
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87.
Feleipe Franks
CAR (vs . TB)
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88.
Brayden Willis
SF (at ATL)
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89.
Chris Manhertz
NYG (at HOU)
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90.
Cameron Latu
NE (at CHI)
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91.
Tanner Hudson
CIN (at BAL)
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92.
Eli Stowers
PHI (vs . DAL)
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93.
Nick Muse
ATL (vs . SF)
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94.
Kylen Granson
TEN (vs . CLE)
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95.
David Martin-Robinson
TEN (vs . CLE)
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96.
Treyton Welch
NO (vs . PIT)
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97.
Seydou Traore
MIA (at NYJ)
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98.
Carsen Ryan
CLE (at TEN)
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99.
Brady Russell
SEA (vs . KC)
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100.
E.J. Jenkins
FA (BYE)
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101.
Carter Runyon
LV (vs . LAR)
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102.
Tanner Arkin
NE (at CHI)
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103.
Dallen Bentley
DEN (at ARI)
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104.
Ko Kieft
TB (at CAR)
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105.
Grant Calcaterra
PHI (vs . DAL)
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106.
Riley Nowakowski
PIT (at NO)
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107.
Ja'Tavion Sanders
CAR (vs . TB)
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108.
Justin Joly
MIA (at NYJ)
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