5 TEs to start or sit

There’s not a lot of consistency in fantasy football – that Tight end position embodies this every week. Tight ends are truly a fantasy desert.

Despite the lack of options, fantasy players received some good news and strong performances last week. Jacksonville Jaguars tight end Evan Engram returned after a four-week absence and scored over 20 fantasy points. Lions tight end Sam LaPorta finally delivered on his ADP, scoring a 50-yard touchdown.

Fantasy teams that invested in the position early in their drafts were disappointed. Mark Andrews got off to a slow start, but he’s coming off his best game of the season.

Fantasy teams are constantly faced with difficult starting seating decisions for their tight ends. Week 7 offers your team a new opportunity to make a statement. Here’s a breakdown of who you should start with and who you should root for in Week 7 of the fantasy football season.

RASHEE RICE UPDATE: Chiefs WR Rashee Rice is likely out for the season after successful knee surgery

Fantasy football start ’em: Week 7 TEs

Dalton Schultz, Houston Texans

The Texans face the Green Bay Packers on Sunday. Houston has placed star wide receiver Nico Collins on IR, opening up options for the Texans’ remaining pass-catchers. Last week, Schultz was expected to see a spike in usage, and that’s exactly what happened. Despite finishing second on the team in finishes behind Tank Dell, he did not achieve any results.

Green Bay has allowed the fifth-most yards to opposing tight ends (341) and is tied for the most receptions allowed at the position. Schultz finished with 71 yards and 58 yards on four receptions in two games without Collins last season. Last week he had four catches for just 27 yards. Collins left the Week 5 game at halftime and Schultz finished with nine goals in the win over Buffalo. Some people are willing to drop Dalton, giving him another week would be optimal.

Juwan Johnson, New Orleans Saints

Juwan Johnson isn’t the guy we typically think of in fantasy football. However, similar to Schultz, he has a chance at greater opportunity due to some injuries to his wide receiver teammates. Chris Olave is likely to miss the game due to a concussion he sustained on Sunday. Meanwhile, Rashid Shaheed has missed several practices and is battling a knee injury he sustained late in the fourth quarter of week six.

After Olave’s crash, Johnson’s route share boomed, with a season-high 75%. He surpassed Foster Moreau in the game by 20 snaps and 20 routes. The Broncos’ defense is strong, but will be without star corner Patrick Surtain. Denver is tied for the third-most receptions allowed by tight ends this season. If you’re in a 12-team league and Jake Ferguson has a bye, Johnson could have a decent showing for you in Week 7.

FANTASY FOOTBALL TRADE VALUE TABLE: Fantasy Football Week 7: Trade Value Chart and Rankings for the Rest of the Season

Hunter Henry, New England Patriots

Last week, Drake Maye, the Patriots’ No. 3 overall pick, made his NFL debut. He impressed enough to confidently insert Hunter Henry back into the lineup this week. Henry is New England’s leading receiver and has run the most routes for the team this season.

The Patriots’ offensive line will be a problem all season long, so expect Maye to lean on his quarterback-friendly veteran tight end. New England will face the Jaguars in London in Week 7. Jacksonville has allowed the most passing yards per game (276.7). The Jaguars are using a 2-deep coverage scheme, which bodes well for Henry on routes underneath. Cole Kmet torched the Jaguars last week for 5 catches, 70 yards and two touchdowns. Start this week with Henry.

Fantasy Football Sit ‘Em: Week 7 TEs

Grant Calcaterra, Philadelphia Eagles

The Eagles travel to MetLife in Week 7 to take on the division rival New York Giants. Of note, this game will be Saquon Barkley’s first game against the Giants as a member of the Eagles. Grant Calcaterra isn’t a household name, but fantasy owners drafting Dallas Goedert may want to call on the third-year tight end on Sunday if Goedert is sidelined with a hamstring injury he suffered against the Browns last week.

Calcaterra posted solid stats after Goedert’s fall. He played 92% of the snaps and finished the game with four catches for 67 yards on a 17% target percentage. Some fantasy owners may want to plug and play him against the Giants’ defense, but I recommend keeping him on the bench or foregoing this week. The Giants have allowed the fifth-fewest fantasy points per game to opposing tight ends. The Eagles will likely heavily influence the game plan surrounding Barkley against his former team and therefore won’t leave enough meat for Calcaterra in Week 7.

Tucker Kraft, Green Bay Packers

Jordan Love returned in Week 4 and the Packers’ passing game has rebounded. Kraft was one of the players who benefited, catching six of nine targets for 53 yards and a touchdown in Week 4 and a standout performance with four catches, 88 yards and two touchdowns against the Rams in Week 5. However, wide receiver returned Christian Watson returned in Week 6 and Kraft’s breakout campaign appeared to have the brakes on.

Houston’s defense was great. They have allowed the fourth-fewest fantasy points per game to opposing tight ends. The Texans contained Dalton Kincaid in Week 5, who was their toughest tight end yet.

Fantasy Football: Start’em, Sit’ems, Week 7

Looking for more fantasy football advice? USA TODAY Sports offers you:

→ A good running back makes the difference. A bad running back can cost you a lot of points. Here’s who to start with and who to attend in Week 7.

→ Do you need an edge under the center? Here are the best quarterback options to start and sit in Week 7.

→ The wide receiver position has been decimated this season. Protect yourself in Week 7 with start ’em, sit ’em advice for wideouts.

→ Good defense can shut down your fantasy opponent’s offense. Here are some D/ST options for starting and participating in Week 7.

→ Kickers are people too: Here are some of the most clutch kickers your fantasy team should have in Week 7.