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Which tight end will shine in Week 3 for your fantasy football teams? We’ll take a look at all of them in our PPR rankings.
The tight end apocalypse of 2024 is still going, but we still need to try to get some points out of the position, which has been difficult. In Week 1 we had five tight end touchdowns with one going over 100 yards and in Week 2 we had three tight end touchdowns, with one player topping 100 yards again. At this point we need to lower our expectations so we don’t go chasing big tight end games all season. We need to continue to look at the underlying numbers. Are they getting snaps and are they getting targets? Right now, that’s about the best we can ask for.
Thankfully there are some bright spots at tight end this year, just not many. Rookie Brock Bowers lead the league in tight end targets, receptions, yards, and 20+ yard receptions. The Raiders have gone very pass heavy and Gardner Minshew is getting Bowers the ball often.
The only other young tight end who looks like he’ll live up to his potential this year is Trey McBride. The numbers haven’t quite gotten there yet, but the usage is strong and we know he has the ability. I’d be happy giving away good assets to trade for either of these young players.
Week 3 tight end injuries
Jake Ferguson, Cowboys
The team expects Ferguson back for Week 3 after he was close to returning in Week 2. He isn’t a smash play at the position, but he is a key part of the offense and will see enough work to be more consistent than many of the tight ends out there.
Evan Engram, Jaguars
Engram’s hamstring issue popped up in warm ups last week and it looks like it will take him out Week 3 as well. Brenton Strange, his backup, caught 3-of-6 passes for 65 yards, which included two 20+ yard receptions. He’ll have some fantasy value as long as Engram remains out.
Week 3 tight end sleepers
Jonnu Smith, Dolphins at Seahawks
Smith was able to put together a much better game in Week 2, as he caught 6-of-7 targets for 53 yards. I also expect more short passes with Skylar Thompson at the helm, and with Smith’s ability after the catch, there is more upside than usual. And, the Seahawks just allowed Hunter Henry to get the second 100 yard game of his career last week.
Mike Gesicki, Bengals vs. Commanders
The Commanders have an awful pass defense, but so far they haven’t faced any worthwhile tight ends. In Week 1 they saw Cade Otton and in Week 2, Daniel Bellinger. This week I expect Gesicki to be in a good spot for fantasy even if Tee Higgins returns. Gesicki and Joe Burrow connected well last week, as he caught 7-of-9 targets for 91 yards. Those are great numbers for tight ends in 2024 and with the matchup, I’m happy to run Gesicki out there again.
