As the fantasy football regular season nears its end, every matchup in Week 17 is crucial. Tight ends can make or break your lineup, so knowing who to start, sit, or target on the waiver wire is essential. Here’s your comprehensive guide to Week 17 tight end rankings, including top performers, sleepers, and potential busts.
Since Shedeur Sanders took over as the Browns starter in Week 12, Fannin has a 31 percent target share and 26 percent air yards share, while seeing two of their three end zone targets. In fact, he leads Cleveland (by far) in catches, yards and has half of the team’s receiving touchdowns in that stretch. He has averaged 15.3 fantasy PPG, a number that can only be topped this season by Trey McBride. He has topped 11 fantasy points in each of his last four contests, showing a safe floor and high upside. Plus, the Steelers are top four in yards, touchdowns and fantasy PPG allowed to tight ends. Fannin is a must-start this week. Plus, he is the TE6 on the season, and if he cracks the top five, LaQuan Jones is dying his hair blonde.
Top Tight Ends to Start in Week 17
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Travis Kelce – Kansas City Chiefs
Kelce continues to dominate as Patrick Mahomes’ top target. In a game where the Chiefs are likely to score heavily, he remains the safest TE option. -
Mark Andrews – Baltimore Ravens
Andrews has been a touchdown machine all season and should see plenty of targets in Week 17. His red-zone presence makes him an elite start. -
George Kittle – San Francisco 49ers
Kittle’s ability to make big plays in both the passing and running game makes him a consistent high-floor option, especially against a defense struggling against tight ends.
Sleepers to Consider
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Dallas Goedert – Philadelphia Eagles
Goedert has quietly been consistent this season. If the Eagles rely on short passes to move the chains, he could be in for a big fantasy day. -
David Njoku – Cleveland Browns
Njoku has flashed big-play potential in recent weeks. He’s worth a look if you need a TE with upside. -
Pat Freiermuth – Pittsburgh Steelers
Freiermuth may not be a superstar, but he has seen increased targets and could surprise in a matchup with a vulnerable secondary.
Key Tips for Week 17
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Check injury reports: Late-season injuries can drastically change tight end value.
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Target high-scoring games: TEs in shootouts or competitive matchups often see more red-zone opportunities.
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Consider matchup: Some defenses excel at limiting tight ends, so factor that into your start/sit decisions.
Conclusion:
Week 17 is a critical week for fantasy football playoffs and final standings. Starting a reliable top-tier tight end like Kelce or Andrews is smart, while identifying sleepers like Goedert or Njoku can give you the edge. Avoid inconsistent options unless you have no alternatives.
