When deciding on your fantasy football lineup every Sunday, the toughest position to gauge is the tight end position. In Week 2, we had a few tight ends who emerged as possible candidates to become starting options in fantasy football.
Both Vance McDonald and Will Dissly rose from the depths of irrelevancy to being viable options moving forward. McDonald caught seven passes for 38 yards and two scores on Sunday for the Pittsburgh Steelers.
As for Dissly, the Seattle Seahawks tight end brought in five receptions, 50 yards, and two touchdowns in Week 2. With the tight end position being a hit-or-miss position, we are looking for guys that will receive volume in their offense.
With that being said, let's take a look at who you should consider swapping into your starting lineup in Week 3. The decisions below are based on PPR (points per reception) scoring and can be used in season-long or DFS (daily fantasy sports) leagues.
Now that that is out of the way, here are the tight ends to start and sit in Week 3 of the NFL season.
TEs to Start in Week 3
Panthers' Greg Olsen (vs. Cardinals): Despite Greg Olsen contemplating retirement after the 2018 season, the veteran tight end has looked healthy this season. Through two weeks, Olsen currently sits as the ninth highest-scoring tight end in fantasy.
The Panthers could be without Cam Newton in Week 3 but that shouldn't completely deter Olsen from having a decent week. Olsen will face the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, who have surrendered 31.1 points per game to TEs this season (most in NFL).
Buccaneers' O.J. Howard (vs. Giants): Has anyone seen or heard from O.J. Howard because he seems to be missing this year. The third-year tight end was expected to have a breakout season in 2019 but he hasn't been targeted much in two games.
Even with him having just four receptions for 32 yards to begin the season, if there's any week he can get back on track it's this week. Howard faces a New York Giants defense that has given up two touchdowns to TEs this season (tied for second-most in NFL).
Steelers' Vance McDonald (vs. 49ers): The Pittsburgh Steelers will be without Ben Roethlisberger for the season, with Mason Rudolph taking his place. On Sunday, Rudolph stepped in and both of his touchdowns were to Vance McDonald.
McDonald seems to be the second-favorite target in the Steelers offense behind JuJu Smith-Schuster. Regardless of the matchup, being a go-to option in any offense makes you a viable starter at tight end in fantasy football.
Other TEs to Start: Cowboys' Jason Witten (vs. Dolphins), Packers' Jimmy Graham (vs. Broncos), Seahawks' Will Dissly (vs. Saints)
TEs to Sit in Week 3
Broncos' Noah Fant (vs. Packers)
The only reason you should be starting Noah Fant in your lineups is if you're in a deeper league. The rookie tight end is talented but he only has caught six passes for 62 yards in two games this season for the Denver Broncos.
Fant is going to have some weeks where he showcases his receiving ability but this week likely won't be one of them. The Broncos pass-catcher faces the Green Bay Packers in Week 3, who have only allowed 14 yards to TEs this season (least in the NFL).
Bengals' Tyler Eifert (vs. Bills)
Due to injuries, we'll never get to know just how good Tyler Eifert could have been in his career. The oft-injured tight end has started in both games this season with eight catches for 36 yards and a touchdown.
It's nice to see him get 10 targets from Andy Dalton through two weeks but he hasn't done much with them. Additionally, it's tough to see him having a notable game in Week 3 against the Buffalo Bills, who have allowed just 8.3 fantasy points per game to TEs this season (10th least in the NFL).
Colts' Jack Doyle (vs. Falcons)
The hopes of having both Eric Ebron and Jack Doyle as viable options in fantasy football seem to be diminishing quickly. After two weeks, it seems as if Ebron will be the main option but neither are must-start options anymore.
With Jacoby Brissett as the starting quarterback, both tight ends have combined for seven receptions, 74 yards, and a touchdown. The reliable tight end will face the Atlanta Falcons in Week 3 that has allowed just eight receptions to TEs this year (tied for sixth-least in the NFL).
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