TEs to start in Week 16
Browns’ Austin Hooper (vs. Jets): It’s safe to say that it hasn’t been the season that Austin Hooper envisioned having after signing with the Browns. Throughout his first season in Cleveland, he scored 10+ fantasy points just three times in his first 10 starts. But against the Giants in Week 15, Hooper notched a season-best 15.1 fantasy points. Look for the Browns to keep him involved in the passing game versus the Jets, who have conceded 17.66 fantasy points and 13 touchdowns to TEs (both are most in the NFL).
Washington’s Logan Thomas (vs. Panthers): Outside of Terry McLaurin, it’s been tough to trust any pass-catcher for Washington. With that being said, Logan Thomas has been a pleasant surprise at the TE position. The only TEs in the past four weeks to score more fantasy points than Thomas are Darren Waller and Travis Kelce. In light of that, Thomas is worth starting against the Carolina Panthers, who have given up 16.33 fantasy points per game in the past four weeks, which is the sixth-most in the NFL.
Other TEs to consider in Week 16: Lions’ T.J. Hockenson (vs. Buccaneers), Broncos’ Noah Fant (vs. Chargers), Packers’ Robert Tonyan (vs. Titans)
TEs to sit in Week 16
Colts’ Trey Burton (vs. Steelers): Earlier this season, it seemed as if Trey Burton was cementing himself as the No. 1 TE for the Colts. The veteran TE managed to score 10+ fantasy points in four out of six games between Weeks 6-12. However, Burton has seemingly faded into oblivion in the past three games, totaling 3.9 fantasy points. His diminished role with Jack Doyle and Mo Alie-Cox seeing more snaps, coupled with him facing the Steelers, makes Burton a must-sit in Week 16.
Cardinals’ Dan Arnold (vs. 49ers): Starting a TE on the Cardinals is an extremely risky play. In Kliff Kinsbury’s offense, Arizona’s offense is in 10 personnel 21 percent of the time, which is by far the most in the NFL. Therefore, Dan Arnold doesn’t see as many opportunities as other TEs. Nevertheless, he’s been the ninth highest-scoring TE in fantasy football in the past four weeks. His run as a viable option in fantasy football could come to an end in Week 16 against the San Francisco 49ers, who have limited TEs to 8.62 fantasy points per game (second-fewest in the NFL).
