Fantasy football managers face another week of reevaluating the tight end position for Week 9, with the must-start threshold set at 12 PPR points per game. Six tight ends have reached that mark this season: Brock Bowers, Trey McBride, Isaiah Likely, George Kittle, Tyler Warren, and Sam LaPorta. Harold Fannin and Travis Kelce are just below the line but remain in the conversation.
Kyle Pitts Struggles Under Michael Penix
Since Michael Penix took over at quarterback, Kyle Pitts has averaged 10.5 PPR fantasy points per game, largely driven by touchdowns. Over that stretch he ranks 13th in receptions and 18th in yards among tight ends, posting the same yardage as AJ Barner and the same catch total as Dallas Goedert, who has played only four games in the last six weeks. As a result, Pitts is no longer viewed as a must-start option and sits outside the top 12 for Week 9.
Key Numbers to Know
Sam LaPorta still ranks second among tight ends with eight red zone targets and is due for a bounce-back. Travis Kelce scored 11.7 PPR points in Week 8, his best since September, but remains a borderline starter. Terrance Ferguson posted a 26.7% target-per-route rate earlier in the year and could return this week. Harold Fannin has run 259 routes, second only to Trey McBride. Colston Loveland has seen 28 targets in three games since Caleb Williams returned, while 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 sidelined by a foot injury; the rookie averages 13.3 yards per catch and 8.7 yards per target. Dalton Schultz (HOU) is another bye-week replacement, expected to remain the number two option in the passing game and a touchdown candidate.
DFS Plays
George Kittle (SF) is the top DFS play against Las Vegas, projected for 14.1 points with the best matchup and highest implied point total among the elite tight ends. Kittle has scored at least 16 PPR points in five of his last six games. For a contrarian cheap option, Greg Dulcich (MIA) faces Detroit, which has allowed 27.1 PPR fantasy points per game to opposing tight ends and at least 14 points to three straight tight ends; Dulcich has at least five targets in four straight games and is projected for 10.7 points.
