The 2020 NFL season is heading to the crucial stages of the season with Week 9 right around the corner. Teams and players who were struck with injuries along with the continuous COVID-19 outbreaks in the league should be taken into consideration when sorting out your fantasy football teams for this season, specifically for the tight end position.
Here are the start ’em sit ’em tight ends in your lineups for Fantasy Football Week 9:
TEs to Start in Week 9
Steelers' Eric Ebron (at Cowboys)
Ever since coming to the Pittsburgh Steelers, tight end Eric Ebron has been a reliable target for quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. He remained to be efficient in Week 8 after catching 4-of-5 passes for 48 receiving yards along with a scored touchdown against a tough Baltimore Ravens defense.
He will aim to ball out even more as they face a lackluster Dallas Cowboys defense in Week 9 action. Fantasy owners should be happy to see Ebron pile up a bevy of fantasy points for them with him in the starting lineup.
Lions' T.J. Hockenson (at Vikings)
T.J. Hockenson was previously on fire for his fantasy owners after he scored a touchdown for three-straight games. The streak ended in their Week 8 matchup against the Indianapolis Colts that boasts a steady defensive line but he still finished with seven of 10 targets for 65 yards, accounting for 13.5 fantasy points.
The Detroit Lions will be going up against a Minnesota Vikings side that will most likely lean on its offense with the return of running back Dalvin Cook rather than its defense who lost defensive end Everson Griffen. Hockenson will aim to get back on the scoring spree with more touches especially with wide receiver Kenny Golladay out due to a recently sustained hip injury.
Broncos' Noah Fant (at Falcons)
Denver Broncos tight end Noah Fant had a hot start to the season as he scored a touchdown in both Weeks 1 and 2. His productivity may have dipped in the ensuing games that saw him miss Week 6 due to an ankle injury but he is well on his way to gaining momentum again.
His team's Week 8 encounter against the Los Angeles Chargers saw him snag the second-most number of targets he's received this season with a 7-of-9 receiving clip for 47 yards. Fantasy owners should be comfortable slotting him as a starter especially against the Atlanta Falcons who gave up the most fantasy points to tight ends this season.
Other fantasy football tight ends to start: Buccaneers’ Rob Gronkowski (vs. Saints), Falcons' Hayden Hurst (vs. Broncos), Raiders' Darren Waller (at Chargers)
TEs to Sit in Week 9
Dolphins' Mike Gesicki (at Cardinals)
2020 hasn't been kind to Miami Dolphins tight end Mike Gesicki as he hasn't been able to contribute much-needed fantasy points for his owners this season. He underwhelmed by only being able to score more than eight points on just three occasions and has four games with six or fewer points.
The Penn State product only had a combined 1.8 fantasy points over the last two games. With the newly-instated quarterback in Tua Tagovailoa not needing to throw a ton of passes against the Los Angeles Rams, it is still uncertain if Gesicki will be able to overcome the hump in Week 9 against the Arizona Cardinals.
Cowboys' Dalton Schultz (vs. Steelers)
Dallas Cowboys tight end Dalton Schultz managed to put up a respectable 11.3 fantasy points in Week 8 thanks to his 53 receptions on six catches. He did it even with the rookie Ben DiNucci playing under center but that outing was against the depleted Philadelphia Eagles.
His fantasy owners have to manage their expectations as Schultz and the rest of the Cowboys face the stifling Steelers defense in Week 9. Pittsburgh has been tough specifically against tight ends, allowing just one touchdown and the sixth-fewest fantasy points to the position.Having a new playmaker at the helm with Garrett Gilbert or Cooper Rush doesn't help his cause either.
Bears' Jimmy Graham (at Titans)
Chicago Bears quarterback Nick Foles has failed to spot tight end Jimmy Graham on the field which was evident in their last tilt against the New Orleans Saints in Week 8. The former Miami Hurricane was limited to a meager output of 13 receiving yards on two touchdowns which was a far cry from his performances in previous games.
The emergence of the Bears' receivers in the likes of Allen Robinson, Anthony Miller, and Darnell Mooney who were all productive against the Saints will most likely overshadow Graham's presence on the field once again. Fantasy owners should see the tight end continue playing a diminished role ahead of the Bears' Week 9 encounter against the Tennessee Titans.
Other fantasy football tight ends to sit: Saints' Jared Cook (at Buccaneers), Titans' Jonnu Smith (vs. Bears), Texans' Darren Fells (at Jaguars)
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