TEs to start in Week 8
Titans’ Jonnu Smith (vs. Bengals): As previously mentioned, this is a week to start all of the pass-catchers on the Bengals and the Titans. Even though he’s had back-to-back disappointing outings, Jonnu Smith is primed to have a bounce-back week in Week 8. Smith will go up against a Cincinnati defense that has given up 42 receptions (fourth-most in the NFL), 480 receiving yards (third-most in the NFL), and six receiving touchdowns (tied for third-most in the NFL) to TEs.
Bears’ Jimmy Graham (vs. Saints): Watching the offense of the Chicago Bears on Monday night versus the Rams was like watching paint dry. But after facing a team that is strong against the pass, the Bears have a chance to have some success through the air when they face the New Orleans Saints. Everyone knows Nick Foles loves to target his TEs and Jimmy Graham squares off with a defense that is conceding 18.97 fantasy points per week to TEs, which is the second-most in the NFL. Plus, if you’re into the revenge-game narrative, Graham faces the team he began his career with.
Other TEs to consider in Week 8: Dolphins’ Mike Gesicki (vs. Rams), Eagles’ Richard Rodgers (vs. Cowboys), Bengals’ Drew Sample (vs. Titans)
TEs to sit in Week 8
Rams’ Tyler Higbee (vs. Dolphins): Rostering Tyler Higbee has not gone as expected to begin the season for some people. Higbee has 60.2 fantasy points on the season with 28.4 of them coming in Week 2 versus the Eagles. The assumed No. 1 TE of the Rams missed the team’s Week 7 game against the Bears due to a hand injury. Even if he returns to the offense in Week 8, he’s sharing targets with multiple WRs and Gerald Everett. The Dolphins are also limiting TEs to 6.53 fantasy points per game (second-fewest in the NFL) and are one of the two teams in the league who haven’t given up a touchdown to a TE yet.
Vikings’ Irv Smith Jr. (vs. Packers): Before the Minnesota Vikings entered their bye week in Week 7, Irv Smith Jr. was beginning to carve out a prominent role in the offense. Smith would catch eight of his 10 targets for 119 yards in the two games prior to Minnesota’s bye week. Despite him getting an increase in targets, he may struggle to produce against a Green Bay Packers defense that is slowing down TEs. The Packers are currently allowing only 9.02 fantasy points per week to TEs (fifth-fewest in the NFL).
