Last week was a tough one to be a fantasy football TE streamer, as the elite players at the position all came through. Trust the process. You didn’t fade the top-end tight ends with the thought that those guys would fail every week.
No, you were betting on your ability to get viable production on a consistent enough basis to keep you competitive. With that in mind, here’s a look at your Week 3 options.
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Top TE Streamers for Week 3
Sam LaPorta, Detroit Lions (vs. Falcons)
Volume is so hard to find at the tight end position, but the rookie has hauled in five passes in each of his first two career games and holds a safe role in this offense. Amon-Ra St. Brown is the clear alpha target earner in Detroit, but after him, Sam LaPorta is carving out an encouraging niche.
With just 102 yards and zero scores on his résumé, LaPorta’s box score impact hasn’t been overwhelming, and that has allowed him to stay on waiver wires. Add him, and you might as well elevate yourself out of the TE streamer grind. The Detroit Lions averaged 33.1 points at home last season and scored 31 in Week 2 — not a bad trend to take into a home date with the Atlanta Falcons this weekend.
The upside is limited, but the consistency through two weeks is exactly what you’re looking for: a floor that allows you to remain competitive.
Gerald Everett, Los Angeles Chargers (at Vikings)
Six targets and 68 yards would be an acceptable game. The problem is, that is what Gerald Everett has totaled this season. Relax. He is still running routes in a passing offense that we trust, not something you can say about most of the widely available tight ends.
Everett has seen his catch total increase each season of his career, so I’m not sweating the slow start. Instead, I’m taking advantage of the slow start to add him before consecutive strong matchups (at MIN and vs. LV).
MORE: Early Week 3 Waiver Wire Pickups
To my eye, Justin Herbert looked better this past week than in Week 1, and I expect the growth to continue as he gets comfortable with Kellen Moore’s system.
Add Everett now and get two serviceable weeks before the Los Angeles Chargers go on bye in Week 5. The Bolts might score 60+ points before their bye, and this is a cheap way to get invested!
Jake Ferguson, Dallas Cowboys (at Cardinals)
Seven targets in Week 1 and a touchdown in Week 2 isn’t a bad way to start a season. Nor is facing the Cardinals following their heart-breaking Week 2 loss. CeeDee Lamb is the unquestioned top dog in this passing game, but with Brandin Cooks banged up and Michael Gallup yet to show up (four targets and 13 yards through two weeks), that No. 2 role is wide open.
Dak Prescott to Jake Ferguson for the TD to cap a perfect opening drivepic.twitter.com/Vo4I4tI3T2
— Tom Downey (@WhatGoingDowney) September 17, 2023
Kellen Moore taking his talents to Los Angeles should help Everett, as mentioned above, and I think his departure quietly helps a player like Jake Ferguson. Gone are the days of high-risk, high-reward pass plays with this Mike McCarthy system favoring high percentage targets.
Ferguson got into the end zone on Sunday, and it could have been twice if not for a poor pass from Dak Prescott in the end zone. I have these tight ends listed in my order of preference, but Ferguson isn’t a bad option for those just looking to get consistent production, even if the upside is limited. Swing by our PFN Fantasy YouTube Channel as we iron out our Week 3 PFN Consensus Rankings.
TE Rankings for Week 3
1. Travis Kelce | KC (vs. CHI)
2. Mark Andrews | BAL (vs. IND)
3. T.J. Hockenson | MIN (vs. LAC)
4. Evan Engram | JAC (vs. HOU)
5. Dallas Goedert | PHI (at TB)
6. Darren Waller | NYG (at SF)
7. George Kittle | SF (vs. NYG)
8. Pat Freiermuth | PIT (at LV)
9. David Njoku | CLE (vs. TEN)
10. Sam LaPorta | DET (vs. ATL)
11. Gerald Everett | LAC (at MIN)
12. Tyler Higbee | LAR (at CIN)
13. Dalton Kincaid | BUF (at WAS)
14. Kyle Pitts | ATL (at DET)
15. Jake Ferguson | DAL (at ARI)
16. Juwan Johnson | NO (at GB)
17. Hunter Henry | NE (at NYJ)
18. Luke Musgrave | GB (vs. NO)
19. Chigoziem Okonkwo | TEN (at CLE)
20. Hayden Hurst | CAR (at SEA)
21. Kylen Granson | IND (at BAL)
22. Cole Kmet | CHI (at KC)
23. Dawson Knox | BUF (at WAS)
24. Dalton Schultz | HOU (at JAC)
25. Logan Thomas | WAS (vs. BUF)
26. Durham Smythe | MIA (vs. DEN)
27. Zach Ertz | ARI (vs. DAL)
28. Noah Fant | SEA (vs. CAR)
29. Cade Otton | TB (vs. PHI)
30. Adam Trautman | DEN (at MIA)
31. Irv Smith Jr. | CIN (vs. LAR)
32. Taysom Hill | NO (at GB)
33. Trey McBride | ARI (vs. DAL)
34. Mike Gesicki | NE (at NYJ)
35. Noah Gray | KC (vs. CHI)