Fantasy football managers face another week of reevaluating the tight end position for Week 9, with several players trending up or down based on recent production.
Must-Start Tight Ends
Six tight ends have averaged at least 12 PPR fantasy points per game this season: Brock Bowers, Trey McBride, Isaiah Likely, George Kittle, Tyler Warren, and Sam LaPorta. Harold Fannin and Travis Kelce are just below that threshold but remain in the conversation.
Recent Surge and Concerns
Over the past month, Colston Loveland (14.0 PPR PPG), Kyle Pitts (13.5), and Tucker Kraft (13.1) have joined the elite group, while LaPorta has fallen out. Loveland and Kraft's surges appear sustainable, but Pitts' production since Michael Penix took over at quarterback has been touchdown-dependent. Pitts ranks 13th in receptions and 18th in yards among tight ends in that span, with yardage equal to AJ Barner and catches equal to Dallas Goedert (who has played only four games in the last six weeks). As a result, Pitts is not considered a top-12 option for Week 9, though he remains rosterable.
Key Numbers to Know
Sam LaPorta still ranks second among tight ends with eight red zone targets. Travis Kelce scored 11.7 PPR points in Week 8, his best since September, but is a borderline starter. Terrance Ferguson posted a 26.7% target-per-route run rate earlier this season and could return this week. Harold Fannin has run 259 routes, second only to McBride. Colston Loveland has 28 targets in three games since Caleb Williams returned. Eli Raridon played a season-high 91.7% of snaps in Week 8.
Waiver Wire Targets
Eli Raridon (NE) emerges as a streamer with Hunter Henry's foot injury; the rookie averages 13.3 yards per catch and 8.7 yards per target. Dalton Schultz (HOU) is a bye-week replacement after being dropped during his bye; he remains the likely number two option in Houston's passing game.
DFS Plays
Top play: George Kittle (SF) vs. Las Vegas, projected 14.1 points with the best matchup and highest implied point total among elite tight ends. Kittle has scored at least 16 PPR points in five of his last six games. Contrarian play: Greg Dulcich (MIA) vs. Detroit, projected 10.7 points; Dulcich has at least five targets in four straight games and faces a defense allowing 27.1 PPR FPPG to opposing tight ends.
Projections
Full Week 9 fantasy projections for all positions are available and updated throughout the week.
